Disney Confirms Soft Opening for TRON Lightcycle / Run; Here’s How You Can Ride Early

TRON Lightcycle / Run is set to open on April 4, 2023, in the Magic Kingdom. The new Tomorrowland attraction will be one of the fastest roller coasters at the Walt Disney World Resort, allowing Guests to “Enter the Grid,” and experience the world of TRON (1982).

The new attraction has been highly anticipated since its arrival in the Magic Kingdom was announced at the 2017 D23 Expo. The ride has also been a hit with Guests overseas since it made its original Disney Parks debut in Shanghai Disneyland with the opening of the Park in 2016.

At Disney World, TRON Lightcycle / Run has already been running previews for select Guests, including Disney Cast Members, Annual Passholders, D23 Members, and Disney Vacation Club Members. While it seemed like all other Guests would have to wait until the ride’s official opening on April 4, 2023, Disney just made an exciting announcement….

RELATED: What You Need to Know Before You Ride TRON Lightcycle / Run

The official Disney Parks Twitter account shared news of a soft opening for TRON Lightcycle / Run, noting that there may be more opportunities for Guests to experience the new attraction ahead of its regular opening. According to Disney, “Guests may have the early opportunity to experience TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by @Enterprise during a limited soft open via virtual queue or purchase of individual Lightning Lane entry.”

In years past, soft openings typically meant that an attraction would just spontaneously open earlier than its official start date, but this process has changed with the advent of virtual queues and individual Lightning Lane access. As such, Guests will be able to check for availability to ride TRON during the soft opening dates (March 20-April 2, 2023) in the My Disney Experience app.

ATTENTION USERS: We have a surprise transmission from the Grid. // Between 3.20 – 4.2, Guests may have the early opportunity to experience TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by @Enterprise during a limited soft open via virtual queue or purchase of individual Lightning Lane entry. pic.twitter.com/jKbnuch7Ld

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) March 17, 2023

RELATED: Disney Is Reportedly Already Fixing Issues With TRON Lightcycle / Run

TRON is already undergoing modifications to better accommodate the need for more accessible seating on the attraction. As Cast Members quickly reported during early previews, the Lightcycle (bicycle-style) seats are among Disney’s least accessible attractions with Guests specifically with larger calves struggling to fit safely into the restraint system.

The ride will also be the first at Walt Disney World to require use of lockers for larger items like backpacks and purses. The practice is common at some other theme parks, including Disney’s close neighbor Universal Orlando, but TRON will be the first to operate this way at a Disney Park.

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TRON Lightcycle / Run also has a minimum height requirement of 48 inches to ride. Guests who are just shy of the requirement may have luck riding Tomorrowland’s other coaster as Space Mountain is located adjacent to the new attraction with a 44-inch requirement.

Be sure to review availability for the soft opening in the My Disney Experience app, and prepare to “Enter the Grid” during your next Walt Disney World vacation!