Step-by-Step: How to Ride TRON Lightcycle Run at Disney World
When TRON Lightcycle / Run opens at Magic Kingdom in April of 2023, it won’t have a standby line. If you’re going to Disney World and you want to ride, you’ll need either a Virtual Queue Boarding Group or a paid Individual Lightning Lane Reservation. Below, we’ll walk you through the process no matter which option you choose. Last updated/republished March 17, 2023.
TRON’s official opening date is April 4, 2023, but the ride will have a “soft opening” from March 20 to April 2. What does this mean for you? If you’re visiting Disney World on those dates and you have a Park Pass for Magic Kingdom, you may be able to enter the Virtual Queue for TRON. Individual Lightning Lane for TRON will also be offered during the soft opening. Since this is a soft opening, the Virtual Queue and ILLs may not be available on some dates or times.
The Virtual Queue will be active at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. during the soft opening. For visitors who are eligible for Extended Theme Park Evening Hours, there will be a Virtual Queue at 6 p.m. once the ride officially opens, but it won’t be offered during the soft opening. Have you never used the Virtual Queue? Keep reading and we’ll tell you how!
Click on any of the links below to skip directly to that section, and know that you can click on any image to enlarge it. Since TRON Lightcycle Run isn’t open yet, our screenshots below are from the last attraction to open using a virtual queue. We’ll update as soon as TRON screenshots are available.
Getting an Individual Lightning Lane reservation for Tron Lightcycle Run
Getting a Boarding Group for Tron Lightcycle Run
Using Disability Access Service (DAS) with a Tron Lightcycle Run Boarding Group,
At the Ride
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Need to Get Started:
Whether you’re looking for an ILL or a Boarding Group, you’ll need the following before you can begin.
- The My Disney Experience App
- Updated Family & Friends List on the My Disney Experience App—everyone you want to book for will need to be on it.
You and everyone who wants to ride with you will also need:
- Valid Park Admission
- A Park Pass for Magic Kingdom on That Day or a Park Pass for a different park and a Park Hopper ticket or Annual Pass.
(Note: for a Boarding Group you will almost certainly need a Park Pass; don’t rely on reservations still being available when Park Hopping begins at 2 p.m.)
Getting an Individual Lightning Lane Reservation
The good news is that making an Individual Lightning Lane (ILL) reservation for Lightcycle Run is exactly the same as the process for booking any other ILL. If you’ve ever done it before, you already know how to do it. The screenshots below show a different attraction, but the workflow isn’t different.
Guests at eligible Disney resort hotels can begin booking at 7 a.m. All other guests can make Individual Lightning Lane reservations for this ride when Magic Kingdom opens for the day. You do not need to be inside the park to make an ILL reservation. Early on after the ride debuts, Tron Lightcycle Run ILLs are likely to sell out before park opening; if you’re not eligible to book at 7 a.m. you shouldn’t rely on getting one as part of your touring strategy.
Getting Genie Ready
You’ll want to set up Genie in advance of your eligibility time if you’re planning to get an Individual Lightning Lane for TRON. You can begin from either of two places: the MDE Home Screen, or through the Hamburger Menu.
In the next few screens you’ll select your park and the date, and indicate who you’ll be touring with.
The order of the screens after the steps above can vary a bit, and you may or may not be offered the opportunity to purchase Genie+ as part of the sequence. Don’t worry, if you click it away here you’ll have another chance later.
Most of these screens are self-explanatory (and you can go back and change your choices later), but one that isn’t so obvious is the Top Picks screen. Make sure to select TRON Lightcycle Run. You’ll need to set up park hopping in Genie to make this possible if your Park Pass is not for Magic Kingdom, but this will put the listing for TRON right at the top when you’re using the Tip Board later. Those few seconds of scrolling you’ll save may count for a lot when trying to make your ILL.
You can set up Genie for days in the future, and if you are trying to get an ILL for TRON we recommend setting it up before you are eligible to reserve so that you’ll be all ready to go.
Booking Your ILL
On the day of your visit, just before you’re eligible, make sure that your Tip Board is showing Magic Kingdom. As soon as your booking window opens pull down hard on the top of the screen to refresh the Tip Board, then click the panel for TRON.
For an ILL reservation you can select the time, but if reservations have been booking up quickly you may not want to take too long browsing for the perfect time. As usual, you can select to include all or only some of your group.
On the Review Details page, make sure to check the time of the reservation; it’s not uncommon for it to be different from what you selected. If the time is wildly inappropriate for you, you can go back and search for a different time — but if reservations have been booking up in only a few minutes, know that going back might cost you your chance to get one at all.
After clicking purchase you’ll see a confirmation screen, and clicking through will bring you back to Genie where you’ll see your reservation in the “My Day” section.
If your park reservation is not for Magic Kingdom, you should only see times after 2 p.m. when booking an Individual Lightning Lane.
Using the Virtual Queue to Get A Boarding Group
The process for getting a Boarding Group should be very similar to previous Virtual Queues for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. There are a few changes and tweaks, but if you’ve used those before you won’t find much that’s different in the booking process.
Boarding Group Rules
Rule #1: Boarding Groups are only available to book TWICE per day for riding during regular park hours.
- The first chance for booking is at 7:00 a.m., and you can book from anywhere.
- The second chance is at 1:00 p.m., but you must be inside of Magic Kingdom to be eligible. (This is according to Disney’s information: in practice we’ve found that you only have to have entered the park earlier in the day to be eligible).
Rule #2: You can only get one Boarding Group per day during regular park hours. If you got a group at 7 a.m., you can’t get another at 1 p.m.
Note for park hoppers: It’s technically possible to get a Boarding Group during regular park hours if you don’t have a Park Pass for Magic Kingdom. Your challenge is that availability from the 1 p.m. drop has to last long enough for you to tap in at 2 p.m. when Park Hopping starts. Don’t expect this to happen for the first several months after TRON opens.
Rule #3: If you are eligible for Magic Kingdom’s Extended Evening Hours, there is a third chance to book a boarding group at 6 p.m. on these days and ride during the extended hours. You can book at 6 p.m. even if you’ve already scored a boarding group earlier in the day. For these EETPH groups, everyone in your party who will ride needs to have park admission and either a reservation for Magic Kingdom or an Annual Pass or Park Hopper ticket.
Getting a Group
From MDE, click the hamburger button on the bottom right, then select Virtual Queues. On the next screen, select “Join Virtual Queue”.
If you aren’t automatically directed to the queue for TRON Lightcycle Run, select it from the available options. Even if the queue isn’t available yet, you’ll be able to confirm your party so that you’ll be ready to join the queue when it becomes active.
Very important: if it isn’t time for the queue to open yet, you’ll see a Refresh button at the bottom and not a button to Join Virtual Queue. This will not automatically change when the queue opens: you MUST refresh. So just a second or two before 7 a.m. or 1 p.m. (or 6 p.m.), begin clicking the refresh button repeatedly and be ready to mash that button as soon as it comes back lit up. You can also refresh by pulling down hard on the top of the screen, but the advantage of using the button is that you can be mindless: no matter whether it says “Refresh” or “Join Virtual Queue” when it becomes active again, you’re going to want to push it as fast as possible!
With luck, you will be rewarded with a screen that looks like the one below:
There are varying opinions about whether it’s better to use the park WiFi or cell service, but one super-important tip is that you can have multiple people trying for a group at the same time. If you’re touring with 4 people, having all four try for a boarding group increases the probability that someone will get one so that everyone can ride.
Don’t forget!! Assuming you do get a boarding group, check the time periodically throughout the day. It’s very common for the time to move forward or back from the original estimate. Having a spot in the queue is not the same thing as having a reservation – the time can change in either direction, and if your boarding group number is very high you are not even guaranteed that it will get called.
Using DAS With A Boarding Group
If someone in your party is eligible to use the Disability Access System (DAS), you will still have to join the Virtual Queue and get a Boarding Group using the regular procedure. However, Boarding Group returns are treated like DAS start times — you can show up any time after your group has been called.
At the Ride
TRON Lightcycle / Run has a few things to know about once you arrive at the attraction and before you get on board.
TRON’s Lockers
Unlike most Disney World rides, you can’t bring your backpack onto TRON. In the queue you’ll find lockers for storing your loose items before you board. Lockers can be opened using either a MagicBand or a ticket card (MagicMobile will not work), and are about a cubic foot. That’s big enough for a school backpack and perhaps a few other items.
The lockers are double-sided — think elevators with doors that open at the front or the back depending on your floor. When you exit the ride, you’ll access your locker from the other side to retrieve your stuff. Forgot your number in the excitement? No problem, touch your MagicBand to a terminal at the end of the locker row to retrieve it.
TRON Seating
TRON has trains like all roller coasters, but most of the individual vehicles in the trains are bikes. Like the seats in Flight of Passage, they require you to sit in a specific position and may not fit all guests. Test seats are available at the entrance to the attraction and can be used to check your fit before getting to the loading platform.
In the above picture, Len is trying out the test seat and you can see where the leg restraint lands. Fit on these vehicles is not about your clothing size – it’s about this restraint. Cast Members have told us that the people who most commonly don’t fit are either tall (less room to adjust leg position to find a good spot for the restraint) or have large calves, or both. If you think you’re going to have a problem, try the test seat. Even if you fit, if it’s close it will help you understand how you need to get positioned during loading for the ride.
If you don’t fit, or if you’re just uncomfortable with the position on the bikes, TRON offers a regular car-style coaster seat at the end of some trains. Tell the cast member you’ll need the accessible seat and you should be all set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a Boarding Group and an ILL for TRON Lightcycle Run in the same day?
Yes. You can also get a Boarding Group during regular park hours and one during Extended Evening Hours (if eligible).
Can you get a Boarding Group for TRON and Cosmic Rewind in the same day?
Possibly. It will depend on crowd levels the day of your visit, and a few other things. See How to Get a Boarding Group for Tron and Cosmic Rewind in the Same Day for more details.
I got a Boarding Group, but I need to add or remove someone.
See the Guest Services team at the blue umbrellas and explain your situation. They will usually be able to help out.
Does everyone need to be in the park at 1 p.m. to be eligible for the Virtual Queue?
According to Disney, you need to be in the park at 1 p.m. to be eligible and yes, everyone who wants to ride needs to be there. However, our test team has found in other Virtual Queues that you do not need to actually be in the park to be eligible for the second queue as long as everyone in your group who wants to ride has entered the park before you try to join. If you were in Magic Kingdom earlier and left for lunch, you shouldn’t need to get back by 1 p.m.
How long will TRON Lightcycle Run use a Virtual Queue?
We’re not psychic, and we can’t give a definitive answer. Rise of the Resistance used a Virtual Queue for over two years, but it was … an interesting two years. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure used a Virtual Queue for only a little over two months, and Web Slingers at Disneyland used its Virtual Queue for a little over five months. We guessed that Cosmic Rewind’s Virtual Queue would last for 4-6 weeks, and we were way wrong on that one – it’s still in place.
Do I need to buy Genie+ to make an ILL reservation?
No.
What time can I begin making Individual Lightning Lane reservations for TRON Lightcycle Run?
Onsite guests of Disney hotels can begin making Individual Lightning Lane reservations at 7 a.m. At park opening, everyone will be able to make ILL reservations.
Can you user Rider Switch with TRON Lightcycle Run?
Yes, you can. TRON’s minimum height will be 48″, and all Disney World rides that have a height restriction offer Rider Switch. You’ll be able to use it no matter whether you’re riding with the Virtual Queue or Individual Lightning Lane. For more details, see Rider Switch at Disney World: Guide and FAQ.
Can kids or teens purchase Individual Lightning Lanes?
Yes, minors who are old enough to have their own MDE accounts can buy ILLs, but they’ll need to enter a payment method at check out instead of using stored payment information. More details: How Can Kids and Teens Pay for Things at Disney World?
Can you use MagicMobile to open the lockers at TRON?
This may change in the future, but when we tested it the answer was no. Only MagicBands, ticket cards, and Key to the World cards can be used to open TRON’s lockers.
How much can you fit in the lockers at TRON?
We found the lockers to be slightly over a cubic foot. That’s big enough for a school backpack and a few other items.
What if you forget your locker number at TRON?
There are terminals at the end of the rows that can be used to get your locker number. Tap your MagicBand or ticket card and it will display on the screen.
What if I don’t fit on the test seat at TRON?
TRON has a regular-style coaster car at the end of each train. Tell the Cast Member in the loading area that you’ll need the accessible seat to be directed to the car instead of the bikes.
Is it easier to get a Boarding Group or an ILL?
We don’t have enough data yet to answer this question (since the ride isn’t even open), but Boarding Groups are free and ILLs cost money. That typically means that Boarding Groups fill up before ILL reservations run out for attractions that are using both systems. That said, if you’re not staying at a Disney Resort hotel you should definitely expect that it will be easier to get a Boarding Group during the ride’s early days, because the Individual Lightning Lane reservations are likely to sell out before the park opens. Need help booking an onsite stay so you can have a shot at the ILL? Our friends at TouringPlans Travel can hook you up.
Are you excited to ride TRON Lightcycle Run? Which team are you on, Virtual Queue or ILL? What’s your bet on how long the Virtual Queue will be in place? Let us know in the comments!
Originally published January 27, 2023.
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Anyone have experience with soft openings for popular rides like this? Wondering what the odds are that this would be open March 31 and if so, how have they handled it in the recent past? Would it just magically appear for virtual queues and/or ILL some morning without notice? Of course nothing is guaranteed, but just wondering what to keep an eye out for.
WDW doesn’t really “do” soft openings any more. Based on how they handled major ride openings in recent years, expect that the ride will operate for weeks before its official opening date, but only thru scheduled previews for cast, DVC, APs, D23, invited media, etc. No reason to expect the Vide will be available to “regular” guests prior to 4/4.Qr
Thanks, Andy. That’s good to know. I do have both a gold D23 and DVC membership so I may have to keep a very careful eye on communications from them. Crossing my fingers but mentally trying to prepare myself for the likelihood I just miss it.
Hi, Jeff. Tron will still have a soft open on 3/31 (until 4/2) You will have to do the virtual queue or ILL. Have fun!
Wonder if they will do anything during after hours event on 20th. It’s only time I’ll be there during those dates.
That would be really cool if they did getting to ride in the dark. Cosmic Rewind is showing a 6 pm virtual queue for Epcot extended hours but nothing showing up for Tron. My guess is if you don’t see it in the MDE app then the ride won’t be open. They may not have enough scheduled staff to keep it open then. But never hurts to ask when you get to the park.
Wait, can I get an ILL for the soft opening or not? If I remember correctly, I read (somewhere else….Im sorry. I date other people!) that ILL’s were available for the soft opening.
You can! The original info that I saw said only VQ, but I’ve since confirmed that ILL will be available. I’ll update the article ASAP. Sorry for the confusion!
If anyone hears about if it’s available during after hours events, please comment! Going on March 27th just for the event.
Piggybacking on this request. I’ll also be there on March 27 After Hours.
Man, that regular ride seat does not look very pleasant. I would hate to end up stuck in that thing if the ride were to go inoperative for any reason. I’ll probably just go for the ‘accessible’ ride car instead.
Will Seven Dwarfs Mine Train become a Genie Plus attraction or remain an individual lightning lane attraction? If it will change, will the change take place on March 20 or April 4?
Hi Dave, I haven’t seen a notice from Disney but reliable sources are reporting that it will remain an ILL attraction once TRON opens.
Hi, I got boarding group 10 this morning and didn’t make it before my 10 am cut off time. They said for the soft opening, they’re not allowing anyone late access (maybe within 20 mins is fine). I even have the DAS pass and that didn’t matter. You may want to update the DAS section for clarity. I thought this would be like Cosmic Rewind (where they’ve never denied me for being late) but it’s not. Anyone’s guess if that will change after the soft opening. But given the ride can accommodate only 1200 per hour, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a firm rule going forward. Plus some people might try to come late deliberately to experience the ride at dark. And Disney wants to be able to sell as much ILL as they can. I’ve gotten so good at virtual queues I don’t think I could make myself get a later time. I almost always get a low boarding group for Cosmic Rewind too. Everything disappears within a second so going to be an early day for me tomorrow.
Hi Matthew, thanks for letting us know about your experience. We’ll keep an eye on this and update the article if this continues to be the case after the soft open period is over. (Operations during a soft open period are often not typical of regular operations.)