News Tron coaster coming to the Magic Kingdom

[UNCgolf]

We get digitized into the world of TRON, then we get launched outside and then we're on the game grid? What's up with that? But when I took a step back and thought about this area under it's "upload" context, the choices they were making started to become more clear. Files move through the air into separate digital devices and back all the time. Even now at work (when I post about Disney to get away from the mundane), I send files to wirelessly to the printer next to me on a regular basis. The attraction is doing the same thing when we launch, sending us from one device to another.

Now, my printer is not exactly Cinderella Castle, from a visual standpoint. I think if it were, things wouldn't feel quite right to me. The side of building you've shared definitely has more in common with it than, say, the mountain range of Pandora (right down to the ports on the side that sort of look like where the vehicles are entering and Guests are exiting).

TLDR; I think this portion of the building actually serves its narrative purpose well enough. You're entering "the Grid", which means you're entering a digital device of some kind. Which more often than not, tend to look more like what is pictured here and less like the peaks of Everest. Hate this side of the building if you want but it's intentional, not a mistake.

You leave the building and re-enter the same building with nothing else between, though. I don't think your "upload" context makes any sense because of that.

I also don't think Disney has ever indicated that's what's supposed to be happening. I honestly think you're putting more thought into explaining why the building is like that than Disney did when they designed it.

 

[DavidDL]

When you get to the red X (see below) heading to TRON, you can't see the BBB any more. You're forced up against the trees and can't see over them.

They just need to so the same in the highlighted orange below. Just get tall, columnar evergreens.

View attachment 704299

Be that as it may, it's still really visible from where the photographer is taking the photo. Since this area is meant to feel like Storybook Circus and not like the Grid or Tomorrowland, I think they should patch this sightline up even more than what you've been so kind to share with us (thank you!). I understand that in many cases it's unavoidable (ie. I can see the Matterhorn while waiting in line for Space Mountain at Disneyland) but this structure isn't as "pretty" from other areas of the park. Aside from certain areas inside Tomorrowland or the TRON plaza itself, they should do what they can to hide the box, especially since it seems like such a simple fix.

 

[No Name]

Clearly the portion of the show building pictured here where you enter the "Grid" segment of the attraction is meant to be seen. Otherwise it would have been painted blue like the other sides that aren't hiding so well.

It's not like this GIF is showcasing something Disney forgot to hide or did "wrong". This is the intended design for this area of show building. Whether or not you believe it to be a style that fits well in Tomorrowland or otherwise matches the feeling/aesthetic TRON Lightcycle Run is going for on the whole is obviously up to you. I don't mind it because I've actually given the outdoor canopy area of this attraction some serious thought in the past. I didn't care for it when I first saw it and had a hard time wrapping my head around the decision by whatever creatives were involved to send us outside on a TRON coaster.

We get digitized into the world of TRON, then we get launched outside and then we're on the game grid? What's up with that? But when I took a step back and thought about this area under it's "upload" context, the choices they were making started to become more clear. Files move through the air into separate digital devices and back all the time. Even now at work (when I post about Disney to get away from the mundane), I send files to wirelessly to the printer next to me on a regular basis. The attraction is doing the same thing when we launch, sending us from one device to another.

Now, my printer is not exactly Cinderella Castle, from a visual standpoint. I think if it were, things wouldn't feel quite right to me. The side of building you've shared definitely has more in common with it than, say, the mountain range of Pandora (right down to the ports on the side that sort of look like where the vehicles are entering and Guests are exiting).

TLDR; I think this portion of the building actually serves its narrative purpose well enough. You're entering "the Grid", which means you're entering a digital device of some kind. Which more often than not, tend to look more like what is pictured here and less like the peaks of Everest. Hate this side of the building if you want but it's intentional, not a mistake.

Wow, that’s a wildly imaginative justification of what is, in reality, just the cheapest warehouse structure.

In Shanghai the whole building is the same go-away blue color, but here they realized that wouldn’t fly and made a decision to slightly lean into it. That doesn’t make it meant to be seen, considering how the canopy tries to hide it from their preferred views of the ride. And even if it were, that wouldn’t make it even half decent.

 

[DavidDL]

You leave the building and re-enter the same building with nothing else between, though. I don't think your "upload" context makes any sense because of that.

I also don't think Disney has ever indicated that's what's supposed to be happening. I honestly think you're putting more thought into explaining why the building is like that than Disney did when they designed it.

With all respect, the canopy structure is named the "upload conduit". Type that phrase into Google and you'll see what you get. -and before you launch, the attraction narration informs you to prepare for "upload sequence". I think it's pretty clear you're getting uploaded somewhere.

-and while yes, you are leaving and entering the same building, I think narratively it still works any way you slice it. From the videos of the attraction I've seen, the launch tunnel and re-entry point feel far enough removed to sell the illusion. -and even if it's the same device, it still works because you could simply be "uploaded" into a different part of it. Since I don't know what it would actually be like to digitize myself and be sent into the top vs the bottom of my cell phone, I am willing to buy the suspension of disbelief they are selling here.

 

[UNCgolf]

With all respect, the canopy structure is named the "upload conduit". Type that phrase into Google and you'll see what you get. -and before you launch, the attraction narration informs you to prepare for "upload sequence". I think it's pretty clear you're getting uploaded somewhere.

-and while yes, you are leaving and entering the same building, I think narratively it still works any way you slice it. From the videos of the attraction I've seen, the launch tunnel and re-entry point feel far enough removed to sell the illusion. -and even if it's the same device, it still works because you could simply be "uploaded" into a different part of it. Since I don't know what it would actually be like to digitize myself and be sent into the top vs the bottom of my cell phone, I am willing to buy the suspension of disbelief they are selling here.

I'm pretty sure the launch itself is the "upload", but that doesn't carry on for the rest of the attraction. When the launch happens, you've been uploaded. The actual ride is a light cycle race from the film; it's not supposed to be a simulation of being uploaded somewhere from start to finish.

 

[Poseidon Quest]

Without replying to anyone specifically, I had heard (not sure where, maybe these boards?) that the exterior part of the ride was intentionally done to show Chinese audiences that this was a rollercoaster. I know that Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain is the single most responsible attraction for ride safety standards across the U.S. because of how dangerous it was when it opened and people had no idea they were getting onto a rollercoaster.

That being said, I like the kineticism of the coaster going by as you queue up. There's a lot of debate over how this makes sense within the context of the ride, but I don't think there's really anything to read into. The track isn't diegetic in the story of the attraction, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't work as an experience. I haven't ridden it yet and while I suspect it will feel unfulfilling, I don't have an issue with it at a conceptual level.

Also for those arguing that it's redundant to put it next to Space Mountain, I disagree. While definitely a cousin to Space Mountain, the ride experience is different enough that I don't see them as equivalents. I have a far larger issue with Guardians existing at Epcot, which is essentially just a newer Space Mountain with a thin Guardians overlay. Epcot did not need an attraction like that, even if the coaster portion is admittedly fun.

 

[DavidDL]

I'm pretty sure the launch itself is the "upload", but that doesn't carry on for the rest of the attraction. When the launch happens, you've been uploaded. The actual ride is a light cycle race from the film; it's not supposed to be a simulation of being uploaded somewhere from start to finish.

Sorry, I think there is some confusion with what I said.

My understanding of the attraction, because the canopy is called the upload conduit by Disney, is that you are digitized into the world of Tron and board your Lightcycle. You then are “uploaded” to the game grid via the launch/outdoor upload conduit portion of the ride.

Once you are back inside the show building, I agree, you are no longer being “uploaded”. The transfer is complete at this point. You’ve made it to the game grid and immediately begin your task of capturing 5 energy gates before team red.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Clearly the portion of the show building pictured here where you enter the "Grid" segment of the attraction is meant to be seen. Otherwise it would have been painted blue like the other sides that aren't hiding so well.

It's not like this GIF is showcasing something Disney forgot to hide or did "wrong". This is the intended design for this area of show building. Whether or not you believe it to be a style that fits well in Tomorrowland or otherwise matches the feeling/aesthetic TRON Lightcycle Run is going for on the whole is obviously up to you. I don't mind it because I've actually given the outdoor canopy area of this attraction some serious thought in the past. I didn't care for it when I first saw it and had a hard time wrapping my head around the decision by whatever creatives were involved to send us outside on a TRON coaster.

We get digitized into the world of TRON, then we get launched outside and then we're on the game grid? What's up with that? But when I took a step back and thought about this area under it's "upload" context, the choices they were making started to become more clear. Files move through the air into separate digital devices and back all the time. Even now at work (when I post about Disney to get away from the mundane), I send files to wirelessly to the printer next to me on a regular basis. The attraction is doing the same thing when we launch, sending us from one device to another.

Now, my printer is not exactly Cinderella Castle, from a visual standpoint. I think if it were, things wouldn't feel quite right to me. The side of building you've shared definitely has more in common with it than, say, the mountain range of Pandora (right down to the ports on the side that sort of look like where the vehicles are entering and Guests are exiting).

TLDR; I think this portion of the building actually serves its narrative purpose well enough. You're entering "the Grid", which means you're entering a digital device of some kind. Which more often than not, tend to look more like what is pictured here and less like the peaks of Everest. Hate this side of the building if you want but it's intentional, not a mistake.

You’re completely skipping over that this isn’t just a scene from the ride. It’s your entry experience into the ride. You walk up to and enter the box. No part of the box is painted sky blue either, it’s not supposed to be hidden from any angle.

The ride going outside was not a creative choice. It was, to be blunt, a racist choice. Disney believed the Mainland Chinese audience would not understand an entirely indoor roller coaster. That is why you go outside.

A warehouse does not have any sort of aesthetic association with the notion of technology. Nobody thinks that even though a printer might be considered generic design just as a warehouse might be considered generic design. TRON’s unique aesthetic is itself a romantic imagining of a high tech digital world. In Legacy we see that Flynn was not just using some beige box to host The Grid, but a custom computer that has a giant desk sized touchscreen. The show building does not at all align with the movie’s depiction of digitization and entering The Grid or movement around The Grid, which we also see.

 

[lazyboy97o]

To what extent does the attraction explain the central premise of the IP, that you are being “digitized” and put inside a computer? Is that made explicit within the attraction? As far as I can tell, there’s no threshold crossed, no moment when you move from our world to the “digitized” world. On the same note, to what extent is the reasoning behind the bike battle explained? It seems like the attraction just assumes riders will be quite familiar with the films.

The moment is when you walk into the building, past the digitization laser right outside the doors.

 

[Poseidon Quest]

The ride going outside was not a creative choice. It was, to be blunt, a racist choice. Disney believed the Mainland Chinese audience would not understand an entirely indoor roller coaster. That is why you go outside.

I'm all for representation and fighting racism, but this was definitely not a racist choice. It's as simple as mainland Chinese audiences haven't been exposed to the outside world for very long and don't have many similar experiences to relate to. Many Americans in the 1970s who should not have ever been going on Space Mountain sustained serious injuries, not knowing what they were getting into and expecting a dark ride, even with warnings that it was an indoor coaster.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I'm all for representation and fighting racism, but this was definitely not a racist choice. It's as simple as mainland Chinese audiences haven't been exposed to the outside world for very long and don't have many similar experiences to relate to. Many Americans in the 1970s who should not have ever been going on Space Mountain sustained serious injuries, not knowing what they were getting into and expecting a dark ride, even with warnings that it was an indoor coaster.

Space Mountain had a ride vehicle outside on its marquee to explain its premise. Not knowing what’s inside a windowless building is not something unique to the Chinese. But a number of decisions at Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland are based on the idea that the Chinese just couldn’t possibly understand.

 

[No Name]

Archaeology is essentially misspelled too (archeology does occasionally get used but I've never seen any edited, professional writing spell it that way).

Where is that from?

It’s from the Indiana Jones Adventure refurb in Disneyland. Last month they had mistakes on a ton of signs they put up… I’m guessing someone lost their job. Stuff like “Main Stret,” “Lightening Lane,” and multiple errors on their 100th anniversary banners. They even have a banner for Walt Disneyworld!!

 

[MisterPenguin]

They even have a banner for Walt Disneyworld!!

They should just stick to highlights of Disney Land.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Space Mountain had a ride vehicle outside on its marquee to explain its premise. Not knowing what’s inside a windowless building is not something unique to the Chinese. But a number of decisions at Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland are based on the idea that the Chinese just couldn’t possibly understand.

I thought this was a problem in HKDL that was rectified in SDL? That would make sense. Just like when Walt realized Californians like kombucha tea so he insisted on it coming to the Florida Project. But, then he died and you know what happened. No kombucha. No EPCOT.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I thought this was a problem in HKDL that was rectified in SDL? That would make sense. Just like when Walt realized Californians like kombucha tea so he insisted on it coming to the Florida Project. But, then he died and you know what happened. No kombucha. No EPCOT.

All framed as something unique to Chinese audience. We don’t have stories about how Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune is visible from outside because the Europeans just wouldn’t be able to figure out an indoor roller coaster. Hong Kong Disneyland was also a park with visitation problems, so of course rides wouldn’t be as visited. It was also cut down because of claims that the Chinese weren’t really interested in rides and would just be excited to take pictures of the landscaping.

 

[ToTBellHop]

All framed as something unique to Chinese audience. We don’t have stories about how Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune is visible from outside because the Europeans just wouldn’t be able to figure out an indoor roller coaster. Hong Kong Disneyland was also a park with visitation problems, so of course rides wouldn’t be as visited. It was also cut down because of claims that the Chinese weren’t really interested in rides and would just be excited to take pictures of the landscaping.

I find the “topiary are good enough for them” to be more racist, honestly. They are implicitly saying they think the Chinese are too stupid, ignorant, or sheltered to understand what a ride is. And they don’t think that of the Japanese given how they built TDL, so this isn’t an “Eastern culture is different” statement. It’s condescension aimed directly at the Chinese.

Hopefully, by the time they build Cairo Disneyland, they’ll have learned how to respect other cultures…

 

[wdwmagic]

TRON Lightcycle Run to begin soft openings at Walt Disney World​

TRON Lightcycle Run to begin soft openings at Walt Disney World

TRON Lightcycle Run to begin soft openings at Walt Disney World

www.wdwmagic.com

 

[ToTBellHop]

TRON Lightcycle Run to begin soft openings at Walt Disney World​

TRON Lightcycle Run to begin soft openings at Walt Disney World

TRON Lightcycle Run to begin soft openings at Walt Disney World

www.wdwmagic.com

When is the last time they had legitimate soft openings like this?

 

[marni1971]

End of March.

Imagine that.

 

[aladdin2007]

yeah but what good is it, you can only ride if you pay all these extra amounts per person or fight to win the virtual queue lottery. It will be impossible, both will either crash or instantly sell out in a nanosecond. I don't get it.