An introvert’s guide to TRON: Lightcycle / Run

Introversion Insight:

Introverts are planners. They want to be prepared for what the world has in store for them. Let’s avoid surprises at all costs, please. They like knowing how to do things, especially around other people.

Welcome, users, to the digital frontier(land)!

This guide will help you prepare for your Lightcycle race across the Grid (a.k.a. Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom Park). We’ll mention all those things that are important to introverts: the queue, the boarding process—including the new ride lockers—the amount of thrill, the music, and the details.

Queue

Let’s talk logistics. The queue and boarding process matters. We’ve all been on that ride where we’ve felt like cattle being corralled from one room to the next. I’m happy to report TRON: Lightcycle / Run has very little of that. Much of the queue is actually outside. Part of it is shaded under the large canopy, a small part has umbrellas, and a good chunk of it is in the sun. (Don't forget your water and sunscreen!) There’s not much to look at besides the Lightcycles when they race by on the outdoor track.

Tip: At night, the canopy lights up. I’d recommend riding then.

You’ll find an organized single-file entry into the show building itself. The queue continues this way, so you won’t have people trying to get in front of you and breaking up your party.

You then reach the preshow room—the only preshow room I might add. It’s a small and intimate room, which means not as many people will be corralled in there with you. And the preshow is short, so you don’t have to spend too much time with them.

One cluster moment for the ride is exiting the preshow room. A door on the right will magically open when the preshow ends, and people will funnel out.

Tip: Either stand on the right side so you’re one of the first people to exit, or linger back and let everyone else exit the room before you.

Lockers

TRON Lightcycle / Run is the first Disney Parks attraction to use ride lockers. And you’ll need to use them for anything larger than a cell phone. The ride vehicle has a compartment for small items only, like a cell phone, wallet, or glasses.

You’ll walk up to a room full of lockers. Find one that’s lit up and tap your MagicBand or park ticket admission card. (MagicMobile on your phone won’t work.) The door will open, you’ll place your items inside, and shut the door. It locks itself and can only be reopened when exiting with your MagicBand or park ticket admission card. Make note of your locker number.

If you don’t have a MagicBand or park ticket admission card, you can ask a Cast Member for a locker card.

Here’s another potential cluster moment as people crowd around to find a locker. There are plenty of lockers, though, so feel free to walk farther into the room and pick a locker on that end. And the room itself is nice and spacious. (Note: It’s possible Cast Members may direct you to a locker or locker section.)

Tip: Don’t worry if you forget your locker number. When you exit the ride, there’s a kiosk where you can tap your MagicBand or park ticket admission card to retrieve your locker number.

Boarding process

It’s time to race against some Programs. When you approach the Lightcycles, you’ll notice loading instructions for A and B, with corresponding letters on the floor. Person A will walk around the Lightcycles and board their Lightcycle from the left side. Person B will walk straight out and board their Lightcycle from the right side.

Note: The side of the Lightcycle you board is reversed if you're boarding on the other track of the loading area. Arrows on the floor will guide you regardless of the track you're sent to.

You hop on the ride vehicle like you would a bike. (If you’ve been on Avatar Flight of Passage, it’s similar.) Lean all the way forward so your chest is against the vehicle. Grab the handles in front of you and pull back to lock them in place. You’ll feel the back restraint behind you.

Race

And you’re off! The ride is fast near the beginning, so be prepared. But as it goes on, I think the thrill level is manageable. Your forward position on the ride vehicle is unique and adds to the Lightcycle effect, but I also found it to be awkward. I had a hard time relaxing in that position, and the handlebars rubbed against the palms of my hands to where they were sore in the end. (What? I guess I have soft hands, haha.)

Because of your position, it’s awkward if you try to raise your arms like you normally would on a roller coaster, so it’s best to keep your hands on the handlebars. You may also want to look around you as you’re racing, but it’s most comfortable for your head and neck if you look forward. The ride is quite short, so you won’t be in this position for long.

Music

D•Introverts tend to connect with an attraction because of the music. TRON Lightcycle / Run has recognizable background music from the TRON: Legacy movie but in a subtler way. The vibe is there, but I didn’t feel like I was stepping straight into the End of Line nightclub. But maybe that’s part of what’s missing, which leads me to…

Details

The dark ride itself has lights and screens to simulate the race, but the queue inside and out is fairly plain, except for the actual loading area. Overall, the attraction has a clean, sleek design that is TRON-esque, but it feels empty. I would have liked more nods to the movie, more details to look at while waiting, and more Daft Punk.

All that to say, I do enjoy this attraction. And from an introvert’s perspective, its organized queue and boarding process, the music, and the level of thrill make it a worthy new addition to your Magic Kingdom day.

I hope you feel more prepared after reading this guide. Let me know if you have questions.

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TRON Lightcycle / Run

Opening date: April 4, 2023
Location: Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom Park
Height: 48 inches or taller
How to ride: Standby queue or Lightning Lane Single Pass