Disney Announces Soft Opening for TRON Lightcycle / Run

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Though the highly anticipated TRON Lightcycle / Run is set to officially open on April 4, 2023. Disney has announced a soft opening is in the works. 

Disney announced via Instagram that TRON Lightcycle / Run will have a soft opening from March 20-April 2, 2023.

No standby queue will be available. Guests can join the Virtual Queue at 7:00 am and 1:00 pm using the My Disney Experience app. No pricing has been released for the cost of the Individual Lightning Lane option.

Here are the full details on the Virtual Queue from the Walt Disney World website:

TRON Lightcycle / Run – Soft Opening

Between March 20 and April 2, 2023, Guests may have an early opportunity to launch into the Grid on TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise.

Guests will need to use the My Disney Experience app to enter this attraction. A standby queue will not be available. Each Guest can request to enter the virtual queue no more than once per day throughout regular park hours during the soft opening.

Guests must have valid admission and a theme park reservation to join the virtual queue. There will be two daily opportunities to request to join the virtual queue for TRON Lightcycle / Run:

  • 7:00 AM (Guests do not need to be in the park when they join, but must have a theme park reservation for Magic Kingdom park)
  • 1:00 PM (Guests must be in Magic Kingdom park to join the virtual queue)

Please be aware that a virtual queue will still be in place when TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise opens on April 4, 2023.

Disney Guests May Be Able To Ride EPCOT’s Newest Attraction Before It Opens

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Intriguing news is coming out of Walt Disney World that has us on our toes with mouse ears wide open. While we await the beginning of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary – “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” – on October 1, we’re finding ourselves eager get the 18-month long party started! While we’re thrilled with the Cinderella Castle décor and new nighttime spectacular called “Disney Enchantment” coming to Magic Kingdom, we are equally excited about what EPCOT is dishing out. Not only will we finally see the debut of EPCOT’s new nighttime spectacular, “Harmonious”, but we’re also going to have a chance to ride EPCOT’s newest attraction – Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. BUT… do we have to wait until October 1 to ride along with Remy? Maybe not! The President of Walt Disney World, Jeff Vahle, took to social media to share the intriguing news.

As shared via Jeff Vahle Instagram on July 30: “Walt Disney World Cast Members, we’re COOKING up some fun for you! Starting next month, you will have the opportunity to experience Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure before it officially opens to our Guests on October 1. More info will be posted on the HUB soon, so keep an eye out. And if you’re not a Cast Member, there may still be a way for you to see this attraction before it opens. More details to come!”

It sounds like some soft openings may be in the works Disney fans! We’d recommend everyone keep an eye on Disney news and the My Disney Experience App to see if a soft opening date(s) gets released. Currently, the Walt Disney World website notes: “In this 4D ride experience, join Chef Remy on a daring culinary caper that will captivate all your senses as you zip, dash and scurry through the bustling kitchen, dining room and walls of Gusteau’s famous Paris restaurant. C’est magnifique!” The opening date listed is still October 1, 2021. 

Walt Disney World Proposes A Soft Opening For Cast Members & Affinity Groups

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Who will have the chance to step into Walt Disney World first? Walt Disney World Senior Vice President of Operations, Jim MacPhee, shared with the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force on Wednesday, May 27, the proposed dates of reopening Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom on July 11 and EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15. MacPhee also gave insight into who may be invited to enter the parks prior to the phased reopening dates.

As quoted during the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force meeting, Jim MacPhee shared: “We believe our reopening proposal for our property reflects a very thoughtful, methodical, and phased approach. And we’ve incorporated all of the reopening protocols throughout our guest experience and our cast experience. We will deploy a series of soft opening tactics for select audiences several days prior to July 11 with Cast previews and affinity soft opening preview days. This will reflect a thoughtful ramp up in our attendance strategy and allow us to launch, learn, and adjust along the way.”

We know Cast Members are likely to get a preview, but the real question is what qualifies for a Disney “affinity” group? Whenever Disney has soft openings for new experiences, the groups typically invited are VIPs (such a Media), Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, and select special groups such as Club 33 Members and Golden Oak Residents.

Do you fall into one or more of these possible “affinity” groups? We’re eager to learn more from Disney on when these soft openings proposed by MacPhee will take place!