News Tron coaster coming to the Magic Kingdom

[celluloid]

It sounds interesting in concept, but probably cheap in execution. What would it do? Have cars occasionally go through tunnels with digital grids painted inside with perhaps a speaker or two?

I can't envision something like that working without an indoor showbuilding.

It could have used rainbow tunnel like effects where each car going has a different color synched.


I went through a phase where I disliked Speedway, and it should like most of Magic Kingdom and TDO, being taken care of better. But the ride concept itself still has its place and scores well on surveys vs its cost because it is a transformative ride and a wish fulfillment ride of those who want to drive but can't.

 

[UNCgolf]

I went through a phase where I disliked Speedway, and it should like most of Magic Kingdom and TDO, being taken care of better. But the ride concept itself still has its place and scores well on surveys vs its cost because it is a transformative ride and a wish fulfillment ride of those who want to drive but can't.

My issue with this is that there are go-kart tracks for kids all over the country (and most of them are better than the Tomorrowland Speedway). It's not like it's something unique to Disney that people can't do at home.

 

[J4546]

this is the ride i was talking about a few posts up btw

 

[Incomudro]

Fun fact: Despite being the closest guest facility in Tomorrowland, the distance from the exit of Space Mountain entrance of the Tron building (~955') is nearly the same as the distance from the Partners Statue to the Space Mountain entrance (~980').

View attachment 618496

View attachment 618497

As it currently stands, Space Mountain feels like an isolated outpost at the back of the land, with expansive open spaces between it and the nearest building of substance. Physically, it's barely integrated into Tomorrowland, and sticks out of the park itself like a bulbous growth. It's not near anything, yet is closer to so many other attractions, kiosks, shops, restrooms, and other facilities than Tron will be.

The walk between the Partners Statue and Space Mountain has several "zones" with distinct feelings that help make the journey seem shorter than it is, with constantly changing scenery. First you pass through the open pavement of the hub itself, then across the bridge over the hub moat, then through the heart of Tomorrowland past all the other attractions, and finally through another wide open area to get to the farthest reaches of the east side of the park, right by the railroad tracks.

You'll then have to walk an equivalent distance from there to get to the Tron building entrance, with only a locker building to break up the trip. Are there even going to be restrooms nearby?

And there are folks still claiming that this wasn't just a hastily-conceived copy-and-paste project (canopy facing the side of Space Mountain, and all)?

I believe that people of the type who want to ride Tron will quite happily and easily traverse that distance to this beautiful, lighted, structure of kinetic movement with nary a thought of the distance or proximity to a restroom.

 

[MisterPenguin]

TRON Light Racers almost got presented at D23 2017...

t will no longer be the "Speedway." Thankfully that thematic disaster is being eliminated.

Edit: My source called it the "Tronway."

The end result will be something quite akin to....

The plan for Speedway is a "Light Racers" overlay.

Looks like the "Tronway" got cut.
At least for this presentation. Lots of time before 2021.

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

this is the ride i was talking about a few posts up btw

The real question is, where was THIS when Universal was deciding on a ride system for Mario Kart??

 

[J4546]

foreal, the MK system looks pretty terrible but I havent ridden it yet so maybe the AR really makes it a lot better....

 

[No Name]

I bet we will see changes at the Speedway in the next 5 years or so.

I admire the optimism.

TRON Light Racers almost got presented at D23 2017...

“Lots of time before 2021” was sad to read.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I admire the optimism.

Maybe they’ll shorten the track for the 32nd time!

 

[J4546]

if they spent some major money and made thespeedway a tronish experience with a huge basement level that was super cool looking so even during the day youd get that pitch black tron enviroment....that would be awesome and would also double the length of the track, but would probably cost 100s of millions of dollars

 

[ChrisFL]

The size of the footprint isn't the problem. It's that basically that whole area is now customer facing because of TRON and pathways on all sides. Even the side facing Storybook Circus would be visible if there was an actual structure there.

That doesn't prevent them from building there (as I said), but it does cause logistical issues. Does current Disney really want to build something that needs full theming on all four sides? Previously, the TRON plot could have all been show buildings/backstage that customers wouldn't see.

Have you been to Epcot lately?

 

[dmw]

Maybe the speedway will be rethemed to Star Wars racers. Do you think anyone would notice the irony of something that happened a long, long time ago in tomorrowland?

 

[Purduevian]

With that said, they probably don't need a third coaster right next to TRON and Space Mountain.

Third? you also missed that Barnstormer and 7D are right there as well. Meanwhile Thunder is all by itself on the other side of the park!

 

[larryz]

Third? you also missed that Barnstormer and 7D are right there as well. Meanwhile Thunder is all by itself on the other side of the park!

I consider Splash Mountain a big, ol' water coaster/log flume ride.

 

[UNCgolf]

Third? you also missed that Barnstormer and 7D are right there as well. Meanwhile Thunder is all by itself on the other side of the park!

Hah, I almost mentioned them too. That plot isn't directly next to them, but it's very close.

 

[Purduevian]

Hah, I almost mentioned them too. That plot isn't directly next to them, but it's very close.

I think Track to Track distance, Speedway is actually closest to 7D, then Barnstormer, then Space, then Tron

 

[UNCgolf]

I think Track to Track distance, Speedway is actually closest to 7D, then Barnstormer, then Space, then Tron View attachment 618845

I was thinking entrance to entrance, but looks like it's still closer to 7DMT than TRON. Might be closer than Space Mountain too! I didn't even realize it was that close.

You're right -- it's basically surrounded by coasters. Please don't build another coaster there if the Speedway is ever replaced.

 

[celluloid]

My issue with this is that there are go-kart tracks for kids all over the country (and most of them are better than the Tomorrowland Speedway). It's not like it's something unique to Disney that people can't do at home.

Blind children and other lack of abilities is what I was speaking to.

That is magical to witness and means the world to those kids and their parents when the Cast Members can say "let them drive." Yes the guiderail is annoying to many on these types or rides who were expecting more freedom in their drive but if you let imagination and compassion to the situations like the one just mentioned, it has a lot more meaning.

 

[owlsandcoffee]

I really think the best thing for the Speedway would be to redo it, still as an Autopia type ride. But more in the DL vein with multiple thinner interweaving tracks, ideally with some change in elevation. And then with electric/hydrogen/etc. fueled cars, in keeping with the whole Tomorrowland thing.

 

[DCBaker]