Walt Disney World has tweaked the Tron Light Cycle/Run Ride at the Magic Kingdom Theme Park. The changes are noteworthy, but they are neither dramatic nor permanent for a futuristic indoor/outdoor roller coaster.
We did a few rounds on Monday, the first day of the improvements. There are things you need to know before trekking to Tomorryland for the “Tron: Ares” overlay.
Light entertainment
What’s obvious even to non-riders is the lighting package built into the inclined canopy of the ride. Thanks to Adaptable LED technology, new shades and effects are available as the ride vehicle zooms in between the past and the stream of screams.
There are subtle changes in the colour. Anything that may appear blue will disappear into purple or teal. The roof can all turn red, but those moments appear to be spreading for maximum effect, but you can present a mashup from the palette.
In addition to the usual streaking polygram effects of the ride, the canopy light show includes swirling movements, waves of color change, and pulsating intensity.
But it changes rapidly. At one moment, Tron is very blue and very red on the next iPhone click.
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Overlays and upcoming Tron: Ares movies (October 10th theatre) will come with 9-inch nails music. The film’s soundtrack, set to be available on Friday, includes “I’m as alive as I need it.”
“I wanted (this) to be a grittier version of “Tron,” which emphasizes the contrast between the artificial and real worlds. I wanted it to have an industrial sense.” “It was already one of Disney’s most adult franchises and I think it was important to take it to the next level.”
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Courtesy of Daft Punk, who contributed to “Tron: Legacy” in 2010, Ride’s original music can be heard along the attraction plaza during the “Ares” overlay.
Derez from Stor
The lighting effect continues within the attraction, but it is exchanged from the original blue motif, mainly for the bright reddish orange motif.
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The experience is similar to the past as the coasters have not made any physical changes to the rails. But you might get a new WDW catchphrase with the voices saying, “Good work, grid is mine now.”
Why now?
We don’t know when the “Ares” overlay will go away, but Disney says it’s a limited amount of time. (It has also been temporarily added to the original Tron Ride at Shanghai Disneyland.)
I know that “Tron: Ares” will arrive at the theater on October 10th. The film stars Jeff Bridges, Gillian Anderson and Jared Leto as Ares. Disney has released the video on Leto’s social media platform. (Rockstar’s hair quickly turns into roller coaster hair for Leto.) “I feel like I’m at home,” the actor oozes out and walks the Tron Ride Ramp.
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Original issue: September 16th, 2025, 12:33pm EDT
