The TRON Ares overlay has taken over TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom. The temporary change was announced for both Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World and Shanghai Disneyland at last month’s Destination D23.
New TRON Ares Overlay Magic Kingdom
TRON: Ares Overaly
At Destination D23, the TRON Ares overlay was announced to coincide with the upcoming film’s release. For both attractions, TRON Lightcycle Run now has red and orange light trails replacing the blue and orange hues of the ride, including on the canopy and lightcycles.
Color Scheme
With the changed color scheme, guests “weave through twisting tunnels of vibrant red and orange light trails, feeling the rush of wind and the surge of acceleration as riders compete in a dazzling Lightcycle race.”
Pictured above, guests will be able to see the red vehicle lights and red lighting under the canopy as they make their way to the attraction.
Upon entering the indoor portion of the queue, the lights turn red. The loading area also glows red, along with blue. There are no changes in the grouping area.
Master Control Narration
A Master Control narration is also new for the Ares overlay. Throughout the ride, you’ll hear the Master Control Program say:
“Detecting malicious code. No concern. I am master control and have taken over. Your new directive: spread my code throughout the grid. Do so or be de-rezzed. Launching in three, two, one. First gate captured. Second gate. Gate three. Ignore them. Keep going! Four. Three more gates. Excellent work. The grid is now mine. Negative. Malicious code neutralized. Nooooo!”
At the end, Siren says, “Great work team blue. Your run helped us track and eliminate his program.”
Nine Inch Nails TRON Soundtrack
In addition, the sounds of Nine Inch Nails, who provide the score for TRON: Ares, have also been added to the attraction. The band released the first single for the film, As Alive As You Need Me to Be, on music streaming services earlier this summer.
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails previously worked with Disney/Pixar to score dark and dreamy beats for afterlife scenes in the 2020 Disney/Pixar Animation, Soul. Those hypnotic rhythms contrasted John Batiste’s lilting jazz compositions which layered Soul’s New York City scenes. It’s that dichotomy of worlds that brought Nine Inch Nails to Tron: Ares.
As Tron: Ares explores crossing from the Grid to the real world, Nine Inch Nails is incorporating pulsating synths, distorted textures and haunting melodies that rewire the TRON universe from the inside out.
The music playing under the outdoor canopy is not different. Listen to the updated soundtrack and see the overlay in our POV below.
TRON Ares Overlay Ride POV Video
Updated On-Ride Photo
An updated on-ride photo for the Tron: Ares overlay has also arrived at Magic Kingdom. The updated shot was previewed at Destination D23, alongside the overlay announcement.
The background lighting is red for the new picture, which matches the canopy lighting used for the new overlay.
TRON: Ares Film
TRON: Ares, directed by Joachim Rønning and starring Jared Leto, releases in theaters on October 10, 2025. Ares is a powerful and self-aware program sent from the digital realm into the real world for a mission that could change both forever. Tron: Ares is a “mind-bending collision of technology, identity, and reality.”
Jeff Bridges returns to star in Tron: Ares alongside Leto as Ares, with Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Cameron Monaghan.
The soundtrack will be released on September 19 via Interscope Records. Check out the trailer below:
The TRON Ares overlay debuted in Florida today, September 15 and is set to debut at Shanghai Disney Resort on September 16.
There are winners, and there are losers. Which version of TRON Lightcycle/Run will win your heart? Let us know what you think in the comments and on social media.
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