Disney and Me

TRON

I know by the title of this section, the Shanghai Coaster immediately comes to mind. That's part of what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the impact TRON has made at all Disney parks. It's not Disney's best film by a long shot, but it's unique and allows for a throw-in to a profitable franchise.

The first use of the movie actually occurred in Disneyland. In 1982, TRON debuted in Tomorrowland as a minor pleasing to a beloved attraction. Tomorrowland at this time featured such classics as Space Mountain, Submarine Voyage, and Adventure thru Inner Space. All of these could be viewed from the Goodyear PeopleMover. The SuperSpeed Tunnel featuring race car projections as it wrapped around the Carousel Theater became the Game Grid of TRON, showing projections from the movie. The PeopleMover was then branded the PeopleMover Thru the World of TRON. It was sadly replaced by the craptastic Rocket Rods attraction.

TRON was basically left untouched until this decade.

Though not directly affiliated with it, Epcot features a ride clearly drawing inspiration from the film and its sequel. Test Track was refurbished in 2013 to provide a more futuristic feel to fit in with Future World a bit more. The ride uses black and neon colors extensively while providing a virtual setting. Though this isn't technically TRON, it laid the groundwork for future TRONning.

The Shanghai Disney Resort opened in 2016. It featured a ride called the TRON Lightcycle Power Run. This is the Space Mountain of Shanghai. This ride and Pirates are by far the two best rides in the resort. This ride takes the launch concept used on the Vekoma Rock N Roller Coaster, and uses it on a B&M style track. The ride is based on the movie about as much as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride to The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. It is a TRON ride, but only in name and theming, not storyline.

Now, the TRON Realm has been announced for Shanghai Disneyland. From the sound of it, it's an HKDL - Stark Expo type attraction with a ride similar to Test Track. I couldn't tell from the announcement if there was a ride or not, but it won't be a thrill ride. This should be very exciting to anyone planning on visiting Shanghai Disneyland next year.