Queue Chronicles

🛑Spoiler alert: This review contains some light spoilers for the queue and coaster experience.

Let’s talk about one of the newest additions to Magic Kingdom: TRON Lightcycle/Run. This long-anticipated ride has had a lot of buzz, so we were eager to see if it lived up to the hype.

First Ride: Underwhelming

Confession time—I was a little disappointed after my first ride. In fairness, it took a lot to get there. At the time, the attraction still required a virtual queue, and even once we got our callback, we waited an additional hour in the standby line. I may have gone in with expectations set a little too high.

Also, I’ll admit I’m not super familiar with TRON as a franchise, so the connection to the story wasn’t super strong for me. That said, I’ve given it a few more chances—and while it’s not quite the thrilling race I expected, it definitely has some standout moments.

The Queue: Very Digital

Let’s start with the queue—very “TRON,” very digital. Neon lights, sleek design, and tech vibes all the way through. You enter the Team Blue hallway and are guided into a (very brief) pre-show where you’re “digitized” into the world of TRON. It’s a cool moment, with a stunning reveal into the main queue area. The story setup is clear: you’re racing against Team Orange.

🛑 Important Tip:
This ride uses lockers in the queue for all loose items. There’s a small compartment on the ride vehicle for phones or wallets, but no bags allowed.

The Ride: Fun Launch, Weak Ending

Here’s where it gets interesting. I absolutely LOVE the motorcycle-style ride position—it feels unique and immersive, like you’re in control somehow. It starts with a launch into a big, floaty outdoor curve. That outside section is fabulous at night—the structure is cool to look at during the day – but the lights at night add some extra visual excitement before you dive back indoors.

Once inside, though, the pacing slows a bit. There are cool story elements, but the ride doesn’t quite maintain that launch energy. It’s meant to feel like a race, but with all the braking zones, it misses some of that fast-paced thrill. The first time I rode, I focused straight ahead and missed a lot of the environment. Later rides let me take it all in—and it is neat in there if you look around.

That is, if you have time to look around.

It’s short. We’ve even had Disney tram drivers joke about it. Something to the effect of “this U turn will feel like TRON – only it will last longer.”

We love that they can poke fun, anyway.

For us, it doesn’t quite sell the “race” experience. We feel a dueling coaster might’ve given it more of that competitive edge. It is a fun ride – just not a top-tier thrill coaster.

Final Thoughts

It’s worth riding—but I wouldn’t wait more than an hour for it. Set your expectations accordingly and focus on theming and experience rather than intense thrills. My 11-year-old niece, a coaster fan herself, summed it up best: “I thought it would be faster.”

If you love the aesthetic of TRON or want something unique, it’s definitely worth checking out. Just don’t expect a coaster that blows your socks off.