EPCOT Test Track to be reimagined

[Dreamer19]

While this doesn’t undo all of the horrible decisions of late, I have to give Imagineering credit here!

This felt like the old Disney and I felt like a kid again.

 

[castlecake2.0]

I will say without the pre show first time riders might be a little confused as to what is happening. The queue suddenly just arrives at the load area without much fanfare. If they could work into the queue that you’ll go from seeing models of these futuristic to being in one that could help. The queue did look like it was still waiting on some elements to be installed so maybe that’s coming. Saying all that, it’s still a very well done attraction that I am much more inclined to experience more often than the last version.

 

[tparris]

I like that the Seat Belt Check signs are held over from 2.0, it's cool to see little fragments of it are still there

Same, I immediately noticed they were the same ones

 

[AndyS2992]

Eh.. it's passable. Lots and lots of dead dark space just like Tiana's Bayou Adventure though which is a shame.

 

[flynnibus]

And here we go... the love fest didn't last that long

I have a different opinion, but respect yours. I disagree with your "near future" comment. I do think they will age well, the final scene is also all digital and can be swapped out if it should ever become stale. Let's keep in mind that Horizons, WoM, for example, had scenes that all aged pretty quickly, so to a certain extent, its to be expected.

Horizons and WoM were very different in this regard. It's more like the problems of tomorrowland, CoP, and Communicore/Innovations.

Horizons was more about the distant future with a focus more on human aspirations for future settling/futurism that hasn't been as popular. It also was from 40 years ago when the pace of change was slower. It never got the social/cultural updates that would have kept it more current. WoM was 90% historical.. so that doesn't age except the presentation. The bulk of its premise and story wasn't hinging on the near future predictions.. same with SSE (but it does have some near-term depiction exposure).

The danger zone is when you talk about contemporary or visions of what someone is going to see in their immediate lifetime. This evolves so quickly now, that what was cool and news worthy 2 years ago is defunk or common place now.

This isn't a presentation meant to live for 18 months.. it's something that is expected to live for a decade plus.

I'm not worried about the projection room - that is very jetsons aimed.. it's the rooms trying to geek you about customizing your car.. and the fact the finale is still same old 'test track' style instead of future.. like its setup to be.

 

[flynnibus]

Eh.. it's passable. Lots and lots of dead dark space just like Tiana's Bayou Adventure though which is a shame.

And Frozen...

It's like they struggle with these rethemes and just punt..

 

[J. D.]

Good to hear. Everybody remember to thank GM for this.

"Thanks, GM! Oh, and you too, Phoenicians!"

 

[Timothy_Q]

Eh.. it's passable. Lots and lots of dead dark space just like Test Track 1.0 and Test Track 2.0 which is a shame.

Fixed that for you

 

[doctornick]

Disney actually does a good job for once... Without any controversy with IP shoving or downgrades from what was there previously. So we praise it. Crazy concept, really.

I'm happy with this and don't want this to sound cynical, but there is significant "IP" in this ride - it's about General Motors. I just bring that up because it seems the trend is that people are less critical about advertisements for a company within an attraction than they are for characters.

Also while the theming and scenes look drastically improved for TT, it's just odd that they have some lacking areas like right after the speed run when you come inside to bare walls.

Again, not trying to sound negative, I think this is a solid improvement even though I will miss the design room.

 

[Incomudro]

Horizons and WoM were very different in this regard. It's more like the problems of tomorrowland, CoP, and Communicore/Innovations.

Horizons was more about the distant future with a focus more on human aspirations for future settling/futurism that hasn't been as popular. It also was from 40 years ago when the pace of change was slower. It never got the social/cultural updates that would have kept it more current. WoM was 90% historical.. so that doesn't age except the presentation. The bulk of its premise and story wasn't hinging on the near future predictions.. same with SSE (but it does have some near-term depiction exposure).

The danger zone is when you talk about contemporary or visions of what someone is going to see in their immediate lifetime. This evolves so quickly now, that what was cool and news worthy 2 years ago is defunk or common place now.

This isn't a presentation meant to live for 18 months.. it's something that is expected to live for a decade plus.

I'm not worried about the projection room - that is very jetsons aimed.. it's the rooms trying to geek you about customizing your car.. and the fact the finale is still same old 'test track' style instead of future.. like its setup to be.

The customize your car thing is the one thing I thought was silly.
I've been a car buff for a long time, subscribed to Car&Driver since the late 70's and only recently let that subscription go.
I've always liked car design and such...
So, yes - the idea of a custom body thing has been around for a very long time.
The closest it ever came to be was when cars like the Pontiac Fiero used the space frame design with plastic body panels.
It was tossed around that other body panels might be available, perhaps through the aftermarket - that would enable owners to swap exterior pieces.
I don't think much became of that.
There was also the Nissan Pulsar that offered a wagon/SUV type panel that could be bolted in place of the notchback.
But, I don't think body customization as depicted in the ride will ever be a thing.
Does that bother me as far as the ride is concerned?
Not in the slightest.

 

[Slowjack]

I had a similar thought, this is a MASSIVE improvement over 2.0 but I don’t understand why they kept the test track name and tied their creative hands behind their back a bit, nothing about feels like a test track anymore, it’ a minor gripe as it’s a massive upgrade, feels a bit like they missed an opportunity not to fully change the theme though.

I imagine they never considered a name change at first, and didn't really consider that they had changed the concept so much until it was too late.

If it didn't create potential confusion with the Disneyland attraction, I think "Autopia" would be a fitting name for this version.

 

[FiestaFunKid]

we are told 'ready to see what else lies beyond the horizon'.. to be fed into an outdoor track that looks like same old setup we've seen for decades.

I thought that statement was an oversell initially too - but i think they are referring to the future in general (as you see the future city image) and perhaps the post show as well....not what is immeadiately outside the door on the track.

Sure, a more future-ized outdooor track would have been cool (maybe while hearing some version of it's fun to be free) but it's a big upgrade over 2.0 and I think a great step in the right direction for Epcot. Can't wait to check it out.

 

[J4546]

i like it. esp that last scene before the doors open, wow!

 

[Incomudro]

i like it. esp that last scene before the doors open, wow!

Yes, that last scene is very nice.

 

[aladdin2007]

points seem valid about a lot of dark space, but is that just the video?

 

[DavidDL]

I will miss the customizable car elements, those were some of my favorite bits (it felt like a spiritual successor to Sum of All Thrills).

But I also liked what I saw on the ride-thru for this one.

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

I got a whole bunch of future world Tomorrowland vibes with this. The one thing I noticed is it used the sound affects once’s used at the beginning of the 94 Spaceship Earth. If anyone remembers Delta Dreamflight and World of Motion that surrounding futuristic scene before you take off really hits home along with some of the other scenes. The classic style murals, scenery, shimmery music at the beginning, plenty of lighting affects, the dual narration which horizons had all gave me the feels. Honestly I teared up a bit these are the things I’ve missed for so long.

 

[wbostic12]

There are still dark spaces (right after first hill being the most glaring), but compared to dark spaces being less of the norm than any previous incarnation, I have to think it’s a win in that category. Also, regarding the queue and post show, it seems fairly clear that they are not done putting in all the elements. There are multiple platforms that clearly are lit to support something there that have not been filled yet. Considering it’s the first day of not even AP previews, but cast previews, I am expecting more to be added in both areas before opening day.

 

[phillip9698]

I will miss the customizable car elements, those were some of my favorite bits (it felt like a spiritual successor to Sum of All Thrills).

But I also liked what I saw on the ride-thru for this one.

Oh boy. My kids are not going to be happy about this. That design your own car stuff was a highlight for them and they have been asking to go back to Disney World specifically to experience that again.

 

[Professortango1]

Wow, I am shocked by all the love for this.. was TT2.0 that bad that people will love just about anything over it?

The queue is sterile and the displays are bland. Is anyone going to look at them more than once? Besides being indoors I don't think anyone is going to appreciate anything about the queue. Video monitors and props of the same kind of stuff we've always had. Miss...

The first half of the ride feels like they learned nothing about how horribly things age when they talk about the near future. This whole plot and style is going to feel like horrible predictions in no time at all. The Lidar sequence is neat and will hold up, but seemed like maybe 20% longer than it should have been. The whole customize your vehicle thing is gonna age way worse than CoP struggled...

The whole 'enjoy the ride' sequence through what used to be the handling/braking segment feels like they just didn't know what to do with it ...

The projection room looks neat.. and the tone should hold up.. but we are told 'ready to see what else lies beyond the horizon'.. to be fed into an outdoor track that looks like same old setup we've seen for decades. Why isn't this road made to look futuristic? Can we get rid of the 1990s guard rails to something more futuristic? Or the light figures that could be in any mall parking lot?

This whole thing feels like it can't last 3years, let alone 10+.

Pros:
Lidar sequence
'beyond the horizon' projection room
canopy gone

Cons:
Story and engagement feels like zero
Bland boring queue
"near future" scenes that will age horribly
Future finale that looks like the 90s highways
zero rework of the handling sequence

The thing is souless.. zero emotional attachment or whimsy... it's gonna be about the opening sequence and the finale.. the rest is just going to drag it down quicker than most.

Waiting for TT4.0 already...

THANK YOU! I thought I was crazy when I saw the glowing reviews on here. The queue looks really bland, the cosmetic sequence is a lot of time given to a really mediocre effect, the forest section is pretty but has no purpose in the story of the attraction, and the big build up to the reveal of zooming around an unthemed track for the finale should have the sad trombone sound effect occur in conjunction with the doors opening.

TT 1.0 is still the best execution.