Appearing nightly at Disney California Adventure is a journey into the world of computer programs. Based on Disney’s 2010 release TRON: Legacy, ElecTRONica transforms the Hollywood Backlot area in Disney California Adventure using light displays, themed costumes, music and more.
Enter Programs!
The party starts at 6:10pm on Fridays and Saturdays with an opening ceremony hosted by Castor, a character from TRON: Legacy, introducing guests to the world they are about to enter. Imagine it is 1982 again, arcades are still popular, big hair was never bigger, and Journey rocks the speakers. Guests are then invited to peruse the areas.
Specially introduced for the night time event is a bar, the End of Line Club. There they serve special drinks, some even with alcohol. The Glowjito is basically a mojito with a glowing ice cube and the Digitini is a martini in a blinking light glass. The cost of drinks eclipses the fun of having them, as $11.50 isn’t a normal price for either. Both drinks will help guests get into the mood for the dancing.
Play that Chip-Tune Music!
Surrounding a guest DJ area, guests can dance to the electronic rhythms from the TRON: Legacy R3CONF1GUR3D album. The area borrows its decor from the TRON movies including a gateway made to look like a Recognizer. The dancing itself seemed rather tame. It had the atmosphere of a school dance, with Disney security acting as chaperons for anyone who was too rowdy.
The Muppets 3D Theatre is reconfigured to house a showing of footage from TRON: Legacy. While watching 3D footage is nice in a large theatre, since the film has been on DVD and Blu ray for some time now, this section seems unnecessary.
Stepping Into Another Time
The highlight of the change is Flynn’s Arcade. Mimicking the arcade belonging to the main character of TRON, Flynn’s Arcade takes everyone back to a different time. Classic arcade games are featured including Mrs. Pac-Man, Arkanoids, Donkey Kong, and more. Even the classic TRON arcade game is featured. Also, according to Disney Imagineer Craig Pierce, the only coin-operated version of Space Paranoids is in operation at Flynn’s Arcade. Space Paranoids was the fictional game from TRON that Kevin Flynn created.
Outside Flynn’s Arcade are several game systems set-up to play Tron: Revolution. Nightly there are tournaments where players go head-to-head in the game. This adds some thrill for children.
Into the Future, Down the Rabbit Hole
Since this event is based on a 2010 film, it isn’t long before it will be replaced. In summer of 2012 the Mad T Party will begin. It will be a nightly event based on Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. Rather than using electronica music, it will have a more rock music based soundtrack. This probably fits Disney’s demographic better than ravers.
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