Disney may be a century old but this ride proves it's as fresh as ever

31 Mar 2023by Helen Wright

TRON Lightcycle/Run, the newest attraction to open at Walt Disney World in Florida, leaves our writer feeling on top of the world

Helen Wright

journalist

Helen Wright

journalist

The new TRON Lightcycle Run in the Magic Kingdom

I’ve always fancied myself as a biker chick but, sadly, was never quite cool enough for the Harley set. Luckily for me, Walt Disney World in Florida is known for making dreams come true and this trip is no exception. I pack my leather jacket in my suitcase alongside my Minnie ears because the newest attraction to open at the parks, TRON Lightcycle/Run is launching this month – and launch it most certainly does!

Based on the 80s movie TRON, this thrilling rollercoaster “uploads” you into a digital world known as “the Grid”. The attraction, which takes pride of place in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland, continues the story by taking you on a manic motorbike chase inside a computer, perfectly extending the futuristic theme of this area. Walking up to the brand-new TRON building, the ride certainly has the wow factor. Its dramatic canopy is 105 feet high and covers more than 50,000 square feet. The 10-acre footprint of this attraction is the largest expansion of Magic Kingdom since 2012.

Making the digital world a reality

Inside, the neon lights dazzle as I climb atop my Lightcycle, almost losing my nerve as the unique harness closes down on me, but it’s too late to escape now! A rollercoaster superfan since the age of six, I have never ridden in a “bike” position before, leant forward, head first. Even pulling out of the loading bay is exciting. Then, with a tantalising computerised countdown, we’re off. TRON has an alleged acceleration of 0-60 in 2.3 seconds (Disney won’t confirm the speed officially), but this thing flies, and for two exhilarating minutes I am both submerged in a blinding digital planet and feeling on top of the world.

TRON and its dominating canopy sit side-by-side with one of Walt Disney World’s classic attractions, Space Mountain. With almost 50 years between the two rides, it’s a glowing example of how Disney manages to retain its familiar charm while attracting a new age of thrillseekers through the gates. Last year, Walt Disney World hosted over 58 million guests, so even post-pandemic, the super brand still knows how to provide the magic.

Helen Wright meets Minnie Mouse at TRON

TRON is the first of a host of new openings and special events to commemorate Disney’s 100th anniversary. This is a brand-wide celebration, not to be confused with the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, the 18-month celebration that ends in April 2023. The centenary marks Disney’s journey from a simple animation sketch in Burbank California to the international super brand it has become over the last 100 years. To mark the occasion, Walt Disney World is also offering limited-edition 100th merchandise and food, a new night-time show at Epcot and the return of much-adored Magic Kingdom firework spectacle Happily Ever After.

Agents sending clients to Walt Disney World will know there is always a sense of celebration around a “big Florida trip” and these extra events and festivities can do even more to help encourage theme park bookings.

As seen on screen

I wander through Magic Kingdom Park, munching on a Mickey-shaped pretzel. The sun is out now so the leather jacket that made me feel so cool on TRON is rolled up in my backpack. As I pass 50-year-old attraction “Pirates of the Caribbean”, I marvel at how a simple fairground ride spawned a five-movie blockbuster franchise, such is the power of Disney. Across the park, TRON is the opposite example of how an attraction can be born from a movie fanbase too.

In the middle of it all, Mickey and Minnie are being transported through the park on a mini float as hundreds of loyal fans, young and old, clap, wave at and adore their iconic heroes. It’s easy to see why this place has gone the distance since its creation in 1923. It’s a unique brand of cool. No leather jacket required.

Book it: A seven-night stay at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida starts from £713pp, based on two adults and two children (aged 3-9) sharing a standard room at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, and including a Disney 7-Day Magic Ticket for the whole party. Based on a departure date of 8 August 2023.

Visit disneytravelagents.co.uk for current pricing plus full terms and conditions. For your training needs, visit disneymagicexpo.com

Pop culture tourism: how to sell it

From 80s icons like Nintendo and TRON, to modern shows such as Emily in Paris, pop culture tourism is becoming one of the most popular sources of inspiration for travel. Often called ‘set jetting’, social media is flooded with tips and advice to see your favourite on-screen locations in the real world. Helping clients incorporate this into a complete destination holiday is key to growing sales.

New experiences that incorporate nostalgia are also growing for the millennial generation that can't resist a throwback. According to research by booking.com, almost nine in ten (88%) consumers said they crave a nostalgic getaway and 23% want to escape to simpler times – a predicable uplift after the disruption over the last few years. Combining this with the fact that 61% of travellers said they want to escape to a theme park in 2023, it’s good news for agents selling fantasy-inspired destinations like Walt Disney World.

Not many places offer the chance to revisit your youth and step into your favourite 80s movie or join your children in a tangible Marvel experience, like on Disney’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic rewind attraction. The desire for immersive experiences is also growing as people crave ways to properly switch off from real-world struggles. You’ll often hear talk of the ‘Disney bubble’ but there’s a lot to say for a place where adults will gleefully walk around in mouse head bands and wave at fictional characters as though they were rock’s biggest stars. For first-time visitors it’s a step into the unknown, wrapped in the familiar blanket of Disney iconography. A formula that has long proven to be a winner for UK tourists.

It’s easy to see why stressed-out millennials want to regress to the fairy tales of their younger days and pretend to be Jedis or princesses or pirates. After all, life in the real world isn’t as fun as motorbike chase into a computer or a flight on the back of a Pandora Banshee. Capitalise on Florida’s 230 days of sun a year with an itinerary that includes a few days around the pool to top up on vitamin D and you’ll have them on-location in the perfect place.