EPCOT Test Track to be reimagined

[flynnibus]

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.

And what happens to lead the user before that transition or into that sequence outside? That's right.. absolutely nothing. So 'heres a look at the future... BRRTT.. wait.. here's a rush around a company property for a bit'

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.

So like I said "was TT2.0 that bad that people will love just about anything over it?"

I guess so...

 

[Clamman73]

At least they fixed the multiple braking at the end. (Another video shows it's still jerky with the braking at the end). From the video it certainly looks good. Good to get rid of the build your own car b/c you can see that took budget money away from 2.0
They got the "fun to be free" in there.

No queue music yet?

Edit: I hear the music better on another video

 

[flynnibus]

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

To me it's not the "dark spaces" that is the issue .. it's that it's WITHOUT PURPOSE or contributing anything to the story. Literally the dialog is "now how about we kick back and enjoy the ride"

The ride is telling you "lets just enjoy... riding in a car" .. That's your value for this portion of the ride...

The scenery is all updated to be this forrest sequence instead of the road type being the focus as it was in TT1

They literally had nothing for this sequence and just dressed it up for visuals. It's a creative wet fart.

, 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.

So.. more of the same? Won't change the big cold empty space that is the design. What is the space besides a contemporary waiting room.. it's swooshy! and white!

I mean Mission Space is no hallmark of creative output... but even it next door makes TT's queue like going to a business lobby.

 

[easyrowrdw]

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.

Same. Mine really enjoyed competing to see who could get the highest score.

 

[eddie104]

I’m just glad this ride got some more love and is here to stay for a little while longer.

Bonus is there no IP attached.

Thanks GM and Disney. !!!

 

[monothingie]

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...

100%

Queue is soulless and bland. (No BGM?)

The removal of the design stations was a major downgrade.

The onboard experience is sterile and boring, but have some member berries by adding some WOM references for about 4 seconds to make it better.

The only + was the projection room which was nicely done, but really common place now all around WDW.

Overall: Nothing special or exciting about this. Very low energy and a definite downgrade from V2.

It seems like every iteration of this ride has become more sterile and less whimsical. Maybe they'll get it right in V4.

 

[Clamman73]

Another ride-through. (can hear the music better)

 

[Jahona]

So I was in the minority and enjoyed 2.0. I never got to enjoy 1.0 as every time I went to Disney it was either; being built, down for maintenance, or being converted to 2.0. I enjoyed the gamification of building your car and trying to get the best score that day. It was a lot of fun to me.

I think there's room for improvement still. The queue is bland and boring. There's video screens that look like they should be playing something but are just static at the moment. The customization at home aspect seems a bit far fetched and I feel like won't actually age well. The scene itself looks just ok. I love the LED wall at the end before going outside. Hope those doors stay working.

 

[WDWBryan]

Props and set pieces what a novel concept. they did an excellent job filling the space. the reveal after the hill - wow. they kept the truck too lol

The transition to the outside was amazing. a little value engineering on the end but overall good

 

[waltography]

That final scene before going outside… the depth it created. Wow!

Why did I tear up a bit? Totally wasn’t expecting that.

What an incredible update. Can’t wait to ride in August.

 

[JohnD]

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.

Because GM is a sponsor and put in money for the attraction, they're entitled. It's no more different than original pavilions sponsored by Exxon, Kraft, Siemens, etc.

 

[doctornick]

Because GM is a sponsor and put in money for the attraction, they're entitled. It's no more different than original pavilions sponsored by Exxon, Kraft, Siemens, etc.

Sure, but how is that functionally different than Disney "putting up the money for an attraction" and using it to advertise their products? That's pretty much the concept/definition of IP in rides.

I personally don't care, I just find it funny that "putting Elsa in a ride" is decried when "talk about GM cars" is tolerated even though it's the same type of cynical advertisement and brand synergy.

 

[osian]

Why did I tear up a bit? Totally wasn’t expecting that.

That cityscape reveal is giving me serious goosebumps.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

That cityscape reveal is giving me serious goosebumps.

Looks fairly big is it an IMAX or domed cover screen?

 

[JohnD]

Sure, but how is that functionally different than Disney "putting up the money for an attraction" and using it to advertise their products? That's pretty much the concept/definition of IP in rides.

I personally don't care, I just find it funny that "putting Elsa in a ride" is decried when "talk about GM cars" is tolerated even though it's the same type of cynical advertisement and brand synergy.

Because the pavilions were sponsored areas that promoted the future of technology, transportation, agriculture, energy, etc., such as GM sponsoring Test Track. As such, they are entitled to let you know about them.

An attraction based on an IP is just finding a way to wedge it into the theme park to attract visitors. I like GOTG: CR, for example, but I understand the reticence of having it in Epcot. Test Track 3.0 is a nod to the pavilions of EPCOT Center. Not so, GOTG.

 

[britain]

Not to be all grumpy about it, but I'm honestly bewildered why they think a few notes of "Fun to be Free" is better than just using the full melody. Use a new orchestration, of course, but why even use a few notes? Those who don't know it won't recognize it. Those who know it are wondering why it makes a brief appearance just to then be replaced with something else. They own the music, just use the dang theme song!

This, plus the Galaxy's Edge music choices are so flabbergasting to me.

Having said all that, it looks like a very good retheme. But still, they stoke a moment of nostalgia and then yank it away. What a missed opportunity.

 

[Mickeynerd17]

I personally don't care, I just find it funny that "putting Elsa in a ride" is decried when "talk about GM cars" is tolerated even though it's the same type of cynical advertisement and brand synergy.

There is nothing wrong with chucking Disney IP into a Disney ride. It would be strange not to.

The problem arises when guests are riding through a summary of a film like Frozen on a glorified moving chair. That's just cheap storytelling and should be labeled as such.

As for TT, the ride does infinitely more than just "talk about GM products" and can be experienced as-is with no thought given to GM at all. TT doesn't scream cheap advertisement to me and that takes serious creative skill to accomplish in terms of narrative development for a ride that's sole purpose is to be an advertisement.

 

[mergatroid]

Looks fun and the scene before you go outside looked very impressive.

 

[Ragerunner]

We had a chance to ride the new Test Track 3 times today and really like it. I think the new practical sets play on the original World of Motion ride nicely and I like the short reference to the song It’s fun to Free. This is much better than the previous version. Here is look at the ride in 4K.
Now bring on the update to Journey to Imagination.

 

[Andrew C]

"sure...its always fun to be free.."