Last week, I had the honor of being flown down to Disney World for the Disney World Level Up! media event, where influencers and members of the press got to experience the trip of a lifetime. Hopping from park to park, we got to experience the wonderful magic of Disney first-hand, immersing ourselves in our favorite Disney franchises. This is the story of how the TRON Lightcycle Power Run ride, located Disney World in Florida, changed my life.
That's no exaggeration. Let me give you a bit of a backstory here: Hi, I'm Cam and I'm an absolute chicken when it comes to anything rollercoaster-related! Apart from constantly struggling with severe anxiety (who doesn't at this point?) and having heart issues that are small enough that I am still very much allowed to go on rides (but always use them as an excuse not to), I am very sensitive to G-force pulls. I admit, while boarding this ride, I was reconsidering my choice to ride, as I hadn't realized how it actually worked.
In the TRON ride, you lean forward into a riding position, gripping the handlebars while a secure backrest locks you in place. It’s like you’re actually mounting a futuristic bike, ready to blaze the digital frontier. So yeah, you ride the lightcyle like a bike down the entire track.
Theme park review: TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Disney World
From the moment you approach the TRON Lightcycle Power Run, you can feel the electric buzz in the air. The architecture is futuristic, with sleek lines and glowing blue lights that scream high-tech. It’s as if you’ve stepped right into the movie, complete with the iconic TRON soundtrack pulsing in the background, setting the stage for the adventure that awaits. My electronica-loving self was very much pleased with the beats as I told myself I made the right decision by going on this ride (yes, I was filled with that much anxiety over it).
The excitement kicks up a notch when you see the ride vehicles: the lightcycles, designed just like the ones in the movie. Climbing aboard one of these bad boys is a thrill in itself. You'll lean forward, grab the handles, and position yourself like a true Grid racer, ready to zoom off into a digital wonderland. It's not your typical sit-back-and-enjoy-the-ride deal; you're an active participant in the race.
And this is where my life changed.
As the lightcycles, grouped by two on the track, get into position for the ride, you forget every other ride you've ever been on. Once the race starts, it’s a blur of speed and light. The coaster launches you forward, going from 0 to a whopping 59.3 mph in a matter of seconds, plunging you into the heart of the Grid. This is where I had to start screaming in order to avoid passing out from the sheer strength of the G-force. Screens and lighting effects create a 360-degree immersive experience that blurs the lines between reality and digital fantasy as Daft Punk pumps through the speakers. As you zoom around twists and turns, racing against opponents, the world outside disappears; there’s only you, your lightcycle, and the endless digital frontier. That little voice in my head wondering if this was a good idea? Ever so present, but very much ignored.
This ride single-handedly changed my life (and opened up my floodgates to thrill-seeking)@WaltDisneyWorld @DisneyParks #hostedbydisney #disneyworldlevelup #Tron #TronLegacy https://t.co/UwrCZJtUMN
— Camila Domingues (@_CamDomingues) May 7, 2024
As you whirl through the course, the sensation is both exhilarating and surreal. This ride isn’t just visually stunning; it’s a full sensory overload. The wind rushes against your face. The soundtrack, synced perfectly with your ride, heightens every twist and turn with pulse-pounding music that makes your heart race faster. The lightcycle responds smoothly as you dip and weave along the track, the movements sharp and responsive. The physical sensations of speed and motion blend perfectly with visual and auditory effects, creating a fully immersive experience. I honestly can't express just how smooth the ride is. It's unreal.
Once I was off the ride, there was no turning back. The anxiety was gone, the floodgates to thrill-seeking were Sparta-kicked open. I felt safe the entire time, even leaning forward, and I loved it so much I proceeded to ride it once more, this time at night. It is a completely different vibe. I thought riding it in the daytime was immersive, but at night all the blue and glowing lights are on, guiding you through what I consider one of the most innovative and immersive rollercoasters ever built.
What makes the TRON Lightcycle Power Run truly spectacular is its ability to immerse you completely in the world of TRON. The track is a masterpiece of design, weaving you through indoor and outdoor elements that make you feel like you're genuinely racing through a computer system. Overhead canopies light up with data streams, and sudden drops make your stomach flip, simulating the unpredictability of the digital world.
The TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Magic Kingdom is more than just a rollercoaster; it’s a groundbreaking fusion of technology and entertainment, making you feel like you're stepping into a high-octane video game where you're the hero at the heart of the action. It offers not just a ride, but a multi-sensory journey into a world where fantasy and reality collide. It’s Disney’s way of taking a beloved movie and turning it into a reality you can touch, feel, and ride.
If you're ready to leave the real world behind and take a dive into the digital, the TRON Lightcycle Power Run is waiting to whisk you away into the Grid, where the adventure is real, the race is intense, and the experience is unlike anything else in this world or the next.
It’s a Disney experience that’s sure to leave you breathless and eager for another run.
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