TRON: BEyond the grid

Studio Transportation System Peoplemover

Beyond the Grid is a sightseeing attraction with no height requirement. The ride utilizes the Test Track propulsion system with custom designed extra wide vehicles capable of carrying 16 passengers in four rows of four with bench style seating. There are also two vehicles with wheelchair access. There are no extra restraints in place. One unique feature the ride vehicles have is a special loading door that actually lowers for guest load and unload. This makes the loading and vehicle dispatch more efficient and also allows for slightly smaller ride vehicles.

The ride operates at three different speeds. Slow: 4mph, medium/average: 8mph, and fast: 12mph.

There is a faint, inoffensive orchestral soundtrack that accompanies the journey, crescendoing at the appropriate moments, and also muting whenever need be. The natural ambience of the park is the true soundtrack to this adventure.

Guests make their way to the very back of the pavilion to find the loading platform for TRON: Beyond The Grid, a nine minute scenic tour of the Studio park’s west end. And much like the Magic Kingdom Peoplemover, guests take a speedramp to reach the loading area.

Stepping through an angular entry portal, the entire area is coated in deep blues and purples with various grid designs adorning the walls. Guests are pre-staged while the next group boards to expedite the boarding process. Vehicles are dispatched once every 28 seconds, for an average capacity of 2048 guests per hour.

Section 01: The Grid.

Departing the loading area at slow speed, vehicles enter a pitch black tunnel. A few seconds later, a black door opens to reveal the second, much longer portion of the tunnel. This cylindrical structure envelops guests with blue and purple hues projected on the curved walls with grid patterns flying by, making the guests feel as if they are traveling faster than they truly are. Suddenly projections of sun sailers appear on both sides of the vehicle and the perceived sensation of speed increases.

[Feminine voice: Now departing, The Grid]

Lights begin to flicker as the vehicles approach the exit portal. A bright flash of light radiates from the portal as it opens, while the vehicles simultaneously accelerate to top speed momentarily before backing down to average speed as they exit the pavilion and begin the first outdoor portion of the ride.

[Male voice: Welcome aboard the Studio Transportation System! For your safety, please remain seated throughout our journey]

Section 02: The Boneyard.

As an homage to the original park, guests will enjoy a rotating exhibit of vehicles and props used in live action Disney films. This area can be continuously updated over the years, adding to the repeat visit factor.

After exiting the TRON pavilion at medium speed, surrounded by tall greenery on either side, the vehicles make a sweeping left turn and the track gently dips down, taking guests to near ground level. Decelerating to slowest speed as the track levels out, the view opens up and guests are able to take in views of the famous movie props.

[Feminine voice: Now entering, The Boneyard]

[Male voice: Recognize any of these? Here in The Boneyard, we keep all sorts of vehicles and other props used in some of your favorite Disney motion pictures!]

Some opening day exhibits would include the dip machine from Who Framed Roger Rabbit, a Jeep used in Raiders of the Lost Ark, a diorama featuring models of Imperial Walkers and X-wing Fighters, Herbie the Love Bug, and a full set piece from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. The vehicles then accelerate back to their average speed to climb the hill back to upper level.

Section 03: The Theater.

Back at upper level, the excited screams of guests aboard Lovebug Express can be heard through the trees to the left. A clearing in the trees then gives way to a great overhead view of the Quinn Theater, also to the left. The vehicles then reduce speed again and enter the outer perimeter of the theater building. Entering another dark tunnel, the vehicles make a sharp left turn where well illuminated “Coming Attractions” posters are displayed on the left and right, highlighting upcoming additions to the Walt Disney World Resort.

[Feminine voice: Now entering, Quinn Theater]

[Male voice: Here’s a special sneak peak at attractions and experiences coming soon to the Walt Disney World Resort! Since opening in 1971, the Walt Disney World Resort has grown to include four theme parks, two water parks, and over twenty resort hotels!]

The vehicles then make another sharp left and accelerate back to average speed as they exit the building.

Section 04: First Impressions.

Exiting the theater building, guests are nearly at eye level with the Lovebug Express wild mouse coaster. The track circles gently to the right around the coaster’s plot, offering a unique perspective of the ride.

[Feminine voice: Now approaching, Lovebug Express and Twisted Taxi]

[Male voice: For some mild but wild thrills for the whole family, check out Lovebug Express, a wacky wild mouse roller coaster! And don’t miss the delightfully dizzying Twisted Taxi! It’s more fun than a traffic jam!]

The track straightens out momentarily before entering a long, gradual right turn, unveiling a wide view of the Backlot area for the first time. An absolutely spectacular view of the entire TRON pavilion comes into view on the left. Meanwhile to the right guests are able to see down the thoroughfare all the way to the hotel before giving way to an overhead view of the Twisted Taxi flat ride.

Continuing forward at medium speed, the track straightens out and travels over a backstage area, offering an amazing view of Maroon Studios to the left, while on the right, the Enchanted attraction comes into view.

Section 05: Main Plaza.

Turning right once again, the main entry point of the Backlot comes into full view. The hotel, Potpourri Pizza, and The Morning Brew come into view on the left, while the gorgeous Enchanted flume attraction envelops the view to the right. And beneath the track is a beautiful green space featuring a fountain, walkways, and benches nestled amongst large planters arranged to symbolize the five boroughs of New York.

[Feminine voice: Now approaching, Backlot Main Plaza]

[Male voice: Dive into the wondrous world of Enchanted, a classic fairytale story, with a twist! Or, take a relaxing stroll through the Five Boroughs Esplanade!]

Veering to the right, the track heads directly for the National Treasure show building facade. The vehicles gently slow down to turn sharply right into the building before making an immediate left.

[Feminine voice: Now entering,...loss of signal]

[Male voice: (indecipherable)]

Continuing straight at slow speed the vehicles enter a diorama of a subway station from the perspective of a train. The walls are adorned with movie posters, and the area generally looks very worn. The track then turns sharp left again.

Section 06: The Treasure Room.

The track dips downward, while the vehicles crawl through an area resembling a back alley, with a convincing forced perspective model of Trinity Church to the left. The vehicles continue their slow progression forward into a pitch black room. Coming to a sudden stop, the room lights flicker and directly in front of the guests is a version of the Treasure Room, shrouded in fog and mist. Two rows of fire, one to either side of the vehicle, race to the center of the model before the entire room is lit up in a spectacular reveal! Water snake animatronics are seen all around the vehicle, which suddenly darts forward at maximum speed for a few seconds, passing beneath the treasure room before beginning an uphill climb in total darkness at medium speed back to the upper level.

Section 07: Grand Central Station

Cresting the hill, the vehicles slow down for a sharp left turn and enter an intricately detailed diorama of New York’s Grand Central Station terminal from high above.

[Feminine voice: Welcome back! Now entering, Grand Central Station]

[Male voice: If you’ve got a train to catch, this is the place to be!]

The distant sound of boarding announcements can be heard. Jumping back to average speed, the track exits the diorama via a stunning, ornate corridor surrounding the vehicles in a brilliant bronze hue before giving way to a completely unexpected new view.

Section 08: Majestic Views.

In a jarring transition, the corridor gives way to reveal that the track is actually inside the Metropolitan Hotel! On the left, guests will get view down into Potpourri Pizza and The Morning Brew. On the right, a look down into the main hotel lobby from the third floor. Windows surround either side of the track, again similar to the Magic Kingdom Peoplemover and former Disneyland Peoplemover.

[Feminine voice: Now entering, Metropolitan Hotel]

[Male voice: Enjoy modern amenities alongside the romanticism of New York’s Golden Age, right here at the Metropolitan Hotel. Which even has its own entrance into Disney Studios theme park!]

The track makes a quick left turn out of the building to reveal an absolutely breathtaking view of almost the entire park. Along nearly 900’ of straight track, guests first get a glimpse of Muppet City from high above.

[Feminine voice: Now approaching, Muppet City]

[Male voice: Laughter is contagious with the lovable lunacy of The Muppets! Don’t miss the Great Muppet Movie Ride, a unique spin on a classic attraction]

Continuing along at average speed, the Echo Lake area, and Chinese Theater come into view as well. In the far distance, Spaceship Earth can easily be seen, along with a few other landmarks dotting the familiar landscape, including the EPCOT resort area. In the foreground is a remarkable view of the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

[Feminine voice: Now approaching, Maroon Studios]

[Male voice: Get ready for some animated escapades at Maroon Studios! Join Roger Rabbit and Benny the Cab for a rambunctious romp through Toon Town, on Roger Rabbit’s CARtoon Spin!]

The TRON pavilion once again comes into view, signaling the conclusion of the voyage, as a fantastic look into Maroon Studios caps off the spectacular sequence of sightseeing. The vehicles slow down for the final sharp left turn back into the TRON pavilion for unload.

[Feminine voice: Now re-entering, The Grid, home of Flynn’s Arcade. Thank you for choosing Studio Transportation Systems for all your sightseeing needs!]

[Male voice: Please gather your personal belongings, and take small children by the hand. Watch your step as you disembark, and enjoy the rest of your day at Disney Studios!]

After disembarking, guests walk about 20’ forward before turning left 180 degrees to take another speedramp back to ground level, and out the exit portal back into the pavilion floor.