Featured Image is a partial screen capture from an included video provided by Laughing Place.
From a scoop out of WDW Magic and originally uncovered by forum contributor, Danlb_2000, it looks like interior theming for Tron is finally about to take place. Two new permits filed with the state of Florida show that Icarus Exhibits will be fabricating and installing the set pieces. IE is a very long-time collaborator with Walt Disney Imagineering.
WDI has filed a notice of commencement for Icarus Exhibits to work on 'MK Skyway' Project.
— Stitch Kingdom has BUM WORMS (@stitchkingdom) June 29, 2012
IE is also the same company that just wrapped up Cosmic Rewind work, indicating that Disney probably made the decision to leapfrog the Epcot rollercoaster in front of Tron on the release schedule once the pandemic left Disney’s second theme park in a lackluster state. You might remember that Epcot had grandiose plans before the pandemic stalled everything — as a result the part looked more like a construction zone than the Epcot people knew. Probably that played strongly into the decision to finish Cosmic Rewind first.
While no end-date is provided in the permits, fabrication and installation is likely to continue throughout the summer. That would almost guarantee that Tron will be opening late 2022 or early 2023. If you were hoping for a surprise summer and 50th Anniversary opening, that just doesn’t seem to be in the cards.
However, you could still see vehicles moving down the track at the upcoming roller coaster if you know where to stand in the Magic Kingdom. Although the ride isn’t available for guests, sensory systems and dummies are riding almost every day, helping Disney prepare for the day it does finally open. You might want to go sooner rather than later if you’d like to catch a glimpse — word on the street is that Disney is about to start landscaping in some areas to hide the backstage show building as best they can. The gray-and-white structure is quite large, however, so don’t get your hopes up that it will be fully-hidden from all angles inside the park.
So are you excited about Tron and its opening later this year or next? I personally would have liked to have seen additional track sections added to the Shanghai clone since the major complaint about this ride has been its short duration. Still, it should add an interesting new semi-thrill ride to the Magic Kingdom… and far more importantly, increase capacity at the most popular theme park on Earth.
For all the latest news on everything that should be fun, keep checking out That Park Place!
