We’ll start by acknowledging that this list really boils down to nitpicking. After all, the two Tron attractions are both relatively new, and the roller coasters themselves are clones of each other. In fact, the queues, the music, and even the lighting are all identical. So how do we even put together a list? And how does Magic Kingdom’s version – which is newer – end up at the bottom? The answer boils down to one major factor: placement within the land. In Magic Kingdom, Tron has been wedged into a plot of land outside of the railroad loop, behind the rest of Tomorrowland, and adjacent to Space Mountain. And understandably so…it’s a massive attraction, and without a complete overhaul of the entire land – which Disney rarely ever does – there’s really nowhere else for it in this park. And that’s a shame, because the canopy and outdoor portion of the coaster really are something to behold. The environment of the Tron attraction can be best described in one word: “cool”. The music, the aesthetic, the overall vibe – it’s just so incredibly appealing that it’s no wonder people will camp out under the canopy for hours just to take it all in. But it’s a huge contrast to the rest of this park’s Tomorrowland…being new and sleek and shiny with that booming soundtrack. In a way it feels like Tron in the Magic Kingdom is a “mini” or “sub” land of Tomorrowland all on its own. An attraction this cool needs to be the centerpiece of a land, and here, in the Florida park, it’s not. That doesn’t mean the ride doesn’t live up to the hype – it is just as much fun as it’s counterpart in Shanghai – but it suffers from being placed almost “behind the scenes”. It’s the reason this version of Tron is our least favorite on the grid.

In Shanghai, Imagineers had the luxury of building the Tron attraction – and it’s entire Tomorrowland – all from scratch, all at once. And as a result, Tron sits right in the middle of this truly futuristic land of the future. As the centerpiece, it draws attention to itself, and reflects that the entire land is built off of the same aesthetic. Shanghai’s Tomorrowland is a multi-floor land, with eateries, attractions, and entertainment found on all different levels of the land. And towering over it all is Tron Lightcycle Power Run, it’s canopy in full view, and its soundtrack blaring for all to hear. It’s a true “wow” moment walking into this land for the first time and taking it all in, and it just speaks volumes to how important the placement of attractions truly is. Examples of shoehorned and “wedged in” rides can be found at nearly every Disney park – it’s what happens over time when things get added long after the initial vision for the park. But when an attraction is built into the opening day plans, it is purposefully placed in a way that ensures it will capture attention exactly as it should, from every angle. As mentioned, ride-wise this is essentially the exact same experience as that found in Florida – with the exception of course the dialogue being in Mandarin. Otherwise, it’s a clone. But that location just seals the deal and ensures that this version of the race through the world of Tron is the best in both the digital and real universes.