You could be one of a select number of guests who may get a chance to ride Tron Lightcycle Run at Disney's Magic Kingdom Park before it opens on April 4, 2023. This story plus the latest good news from Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and more Disney news.
Show Notes
How to Ride TRON Lightcycle Run Before it Opens to the Public on April 4
Disney travelers are anticipating the opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run, which is scheduled to officially open on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at Disney's Magic Kingdom Park.
But did you know that before the attraction officially opens there will likely be an opportunity for certain guests to get a ride? Cast members always get this perk (understandably) but Disney has basically said that Annual Passholders and eligible Disney Vacation Club Members will also be given an opportunity to throw their hats in the ring for this major perk.
We don't know the details yet, but there will likely be a rush to get a spot once details are announced.
The story of the ride is that it picks up after the “TRON: Legacy” story where Kevin’s son, Sam Flynn, has opened a second gateway into a digital world called the Grid. The first portal to this world was built at Shanghai Disneyland with the original TRON Lightcycle Power Run. So it's fun how Disney has worked to continue the story and didn't just make this a copy of the Shanghai version.
As the ride goes, you will be Team Blue against the Grid’s menacing Programs, Team Orange. Your goal is to be the first to race through eight Energy Gates and secure victory. How this all pans out remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Tron Lightcycle Run will be one of the fastest coasters at any Disney theme park in the world.
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The Positive Changes at Walt Disney World Resort:
- If you're a Walt Disney World Annual Passholder you'll soon be able to visit the theme parks after 2:00 p.m. without needing a park pass reservation. The only exclusions are Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom Park and pass blackout dates.
- You can once again self-park at Walt Disney World hotels at no cost when you are a guest staying there.
- When you buy Disney Genie+ you'll also get free digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass attraction photos taken in the park on the day of your purchase.
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The Positive Changes at Disneyland
- Starting February 4, 2023, if you have a Disneyland theme park ticket with a Magic Key pass or a Park Hopper ticket you can start hopping two hours earlier – starting at 11:00 a.m.
- Disneyland will offer nearly two-months-worth of $104 park ticket dates throughout 2023, which means more opportunities to enjoy the lowest price one-day, one-park tickets.
- Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads taken on any Disney PhotoPass attraction during a park visit will be complimentary for ticketed park guests on the Disneyland app starting February 4 and lasting for the Disney 100 celebration.
- Disneyland Resort will make select Magic Key passes available for new sales from time to time throughout 2023 as pass inventory becomes available.
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Tiana’s Palace Coming to Disneyland Park in 2023
Just as Tiana transformed an old sugar mill into her dream restaurant in “The Princess and the Frog,” Disney is transforming the French Market Restaurant in New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park into a news restaurant called Tiana’s Palace.
Tiana’s Palace will feature peach-colored walls and green wrought-iron balconies with elegant fixtures and appointments reminiscent of Tiana’s film life. This should fit nicely into the current vibe of New Orleans Square. The new quick-service restaurant will offer guests an authentic New Orleans menu and expand on the current items served at the location.
To make the change, the French Market Restaurant (and Mint Julep Bar) will be closed as of February 17, 2023, and will reopen as Tiana’s Palace (alongside the Mint Julep Bar with its famous mint juleps and Mickey beignets) later in 2023.
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Moonlight Magic is Back 2023
Disney Vacation Club members, mark your calendars:
Disney California Adventure - February 1, 2023
EPCOT - February 8 and 15, 2023
Disney's Hollywood Studios - May 11 and September 13, 2023
Disney's Animal Kingdom Park - July 11 and August 2, 2023
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park - May 23 and August 23, 2023
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Pool Closures at Disney Aulani in Early 2023
Aulani's two popular water slide pool areas are closing for refurbishment.
- The Volcanic Vertical body slide will be unavailable from January 16 – February 3, 2023.
- The Tubestone Curl tube slide will be unavailable from February 20 to March 10, 2023 and
Aulani's other water features will be open during the closures, including Waikolohe Pool and Stream, Ka Maka Pool & Grotto, the multiple whirlpool spas, Keiki Cove splash zone, and Wailana Pool.
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What is 1923 Main Street: The Disney Travel Podcast?
1923 Main Street® is an award-winning* Disney travel podcast hosted by the father daughter team of Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic. This is your source for the latest Disney travel news and what it all means for you.
Join Mike and Amelia for fun-filled informative discussions as they share the latest Disney travel news every week. Get the latest news for travel to Disney destinations, including Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Vacation Club (including Disney Aulani in Hawaii and Disney's Vero Beach Resort in Florida), Disneyland Paris and more.
In each episode, Mike and Amelia discuss the very latest Disney travel news from resort hotels, to Disney dining, VIP experiences, special events, theme parks and more. Mike has over 50 years and 100+ weeks of onsite Disney travel experience, while Amelia brings a younger perspective to the table with 11+ years and well over 30 weeks of onsite Disney travel experiences at the age of 14.
*1923 Main Street: The Disney Travel Podcast won the Canadian Podcast Award for Outstanding Kids & Family Series in 2022 and has been nominated for Best Podcast Awards at the People's Choice Podcast Awards and the Canadian Podcast Awards.