The Walt Disney Company chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, Josh D’Amaro is counting down the number of days until Tron Lightcycle / Run makes its debut on April 4 in the Magic Kingdom.
The Tron coaster opening will add yet another feather to Disney’s cap for thrill seekers, as well as boost Central Florida’s tourism and travel industry, which sees a surge in visitation when new theme park attractions open.
D’Amaro, in an exclusive visit on March 6 to the new attraction with Orlando Business Journal, is excited about what the new attraction means for the parks and its future.
D’Amaro stated that Disney Imagineers are transforming the parks, with notable examples in EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom.
Walt Disney World is Central Florida’s largest single-site employer with more than 75,000 employees. The theme park giant’s investments in new Orlando attractions create new jobs, construction work, and economic impact throughout the region.
In recent years, Disney has opened Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Remy’s Ratatouille, both making their debut in EPCOT.
Tron, which is hosting Disney passholder previews right now, digitizes riders into “The Grid” where they mount Lightcycles and race through the digital landscape of Tron. D’Amaro and other Disney executives rode with Orlando Business Journal Reporters Richard Bilbao and Ryan Lynch, on this high-speed coaster that reportedly reaches nearly 60 mph — one of the fastest Disney rides in the world.
While seated in a motorbike-riding position, the attraction rips through the exterior in a blazing launch and reenters the main show building where digital screens depict other Lightcycle racers through various dips, curves, and dives.
D’Amaro said that Tron is spectacular and that guests are loving the experience. He noted that Tron is the tip of the iceberg of what’s coming. In that statement, D’Amaro is alluding to a long list of new attractions coming to Disney, including next year’s Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, inspired by the Disney film “The Princess and the Frog,” which is a retheme of the iconic Splash Mountain ride at Magic Kingdom.
In addition, work is underway on the Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana attraction in the new World Nature area of EPCOT, which is scheduled to open later in 2023.
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