EPCOT Test Track to be reimagined

[flynnibus]

I assume they didn't change the name because of branding and recognizability? A new name would've made a lot of sense for this one given you're not really testing anything. It's more "look at what the future could be"

All the more reason the name doesn’t work

A new name would have been much more marketable too. A true NEW attraction.

I think they didn’t change the name because of trying to down sell what they did… because they knew someone looking for something entirely new would be let down

 

[wdwmagic]

Disney Updates Lightning Lane Tiers at EPCOT with Return of Test Track​

Disney Updates Lightning Lane Tiers at EPCOT with Return of Test Track

Disney Updates Lightning Lane Tiers at EPCOT with Return of Test Track

www.wdwmagic.com

 

[Gusey]

All the more reason the name doesn’t work

A new name would have been much more marketable too. A true NEW attraction.

I think they didn’t change the name because of trying to down sell what they did… because they knew someone looking for something entirely new would be let down

Aren't we now testing future car technology rather than just the car's safety features? And still on a track?
I just think that you expected a lot more from the Test Track refurb than what we got, when this is the project we've received the fewest amount of information on since it was announced, other than the original announcement and the closing date for 2.0

 

[anchorman314]

For anyone with experience with the AP previews for TBA, was the VQ by passholder or by party? I'll be there for the start of the previews, travel party of 2, on-site hotel stay, but only one of us has an AP. I know the email stated "Passholders must have a Walt Disney World Annual Pass with valid admission on the preview date and may need a theme park reservation depending on the time of visit.", but it doesn't mention anything about guests or travel parties. If it's AP-per-person, wouldn't that mean a family with 4 APs would need to join the VQ 4 times?

 

[lightningtap347]

For anyone with experience with the AP previews for TBA, was the VQ by passholder or by party? I'll be there for the start of the previews, travel party of 2, on-site hotel stay, but only one of us has an AP. I know the email stated "Passholders must have a Walt Disney World Annual Pass with valid admission on the preview date and may need a theme park reservation depending on the time of visit.", but it doesn't mention anything about guests or travel parties. If it's AP-per-person, wouldn't that mean a family with 4 APs would need to join the VQ 4 times?

It's like a normal VQ but the group select will only show APs.

 

[IanDLBZF]

I’m gonna try on the afternoon of the 18th for the 1 PM drop. I swear if I experience what I experienced back in June of last year for the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure AP previews where the 1 PM VQ drop lasted less than a second, I swear I’m not gonna be happy. I mean, I like what they did for the previews for both Guardians and Tron.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Aren't we now testing future car technology rather than just the car's safety features? And still on a track?
I just think that you expected a lot more from the Test Track refurb than what we got, when this is the project we've received the fewest amount of information on since it was announced, other than the original announcement and the closing date for 2.0

I haven't ridden it yet but from POVs it feels more like "showing off" the new and future features vs "testing" them .... And then the forest part is just about the enjoyment of driving and the freedom it provides

So it really does seems like a different name would be more appropriate... But at the same time it is still the same track and ride system, etc so a new name might have changed expectations to be something totally different. Not like the shift from Maelstrom to Frozen or something.

So I get why they didn't change it, even if it doesn't really fit anymore

 

[anchorman314]

It's like a normal VQ but the group select will only show APs.

I was afraid of that.

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ]

Did they change the rocks out on the marquee?

 

[wdwmagic]

EPCOT Hits Passholder Capacity for July 13 Test Track Preview - But There's a Workaround​

EPCOT Hits Passholder Capacity for July 13 Test Track Preview - But There's a Workaround

EPCOT Hits Passholder Capacity for July 13 Test Track Preview - But There's a Workaround

www.wdwmagic.com

 

[trmiv]

I’m gonna try on the afternoon of the 18th for the 1 PM drop. I swear if I experience what I experienced back in June of last year for the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure AP previews where the 1 PM VQ drop lasted less than a second, I swear I’m not gonna be happy. I mean, I like what they did for the previews for both Guardians and Tron.

I had the same experience with the 1pm Tiana drops. Never managed to get in on the previews. For Tron, Galaxy’s Edge, etc it was super simple and I had no issues reserving ahead of time.

 

[gerarar]

Standby only when the ride officially reopens, no VQ.

 

[michmousefan]

About the name of the attraction not changing: I would imagine that as they have some brand identity in the existing name, that's why they kept it. Personally, and given what the new ride seems to emphasize, I would have suggested a simple change to "Tech Track." But I also believe that any name change would have ben met with protests as they kept essentially the same ride path and motion and that might not justify a new name (even a slightly different one).

 

[DavidDL]

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.

It would be nice if they'd incorporate it somehow into the gift shop/post show like they did before. Even when the car design element wasn't working properly within the attraction itself, I loved that you used to be able to race your designs against other people and even take photos alongside it.

 

[tparris]

Did they change the rocks out on the marquee?

Still there as of today. They are very large in person though, too big to be moved around at all by guests

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

Waited four and a half hours (much of it outside in the pouring rain) to ride this yesterday, but ultimately finally got to. My take - this is the best version of Test Track the ride. As a cohesive experience I feel like TT 2.0 still edges it out.

I was surprised to see just how much of 2.0 was retained for this refurb, the last third of the queue is essentially unchanged and some of the design studio windows are still intact, just now frosted over. The new queue is good enough, I don't think it's better than the last one but it isn't bad. It looks better in person than it did in the photos I saw online, it's kinda bland but it doesn't feel as empty as you might think. The windows in the main lobby area being uncovered and the window into the ride are welcome improvements.

The design studio I think is a major loss, even if the ride moved away from that being the core experience. It was essentially a second attraction for the building and getting rid of it completely is definitely felt. That's something that should have been moved into the post show to give people something else to do. The post show is my biggest complaint actually, portions of it are clearly unfinished but I just don't see how it can get much better between now and opening day. The areas with games and exhibits from 2.0 are walled off (permanent walls) and you're just funneled into a giant empty hallway that passes vehicles on display. All of the soul has been sucked out of it and there's nothing to do but look at new cars against boring blank backgrounds. GM is happy with that I'm sure, but it does worsen the overall guest experience.

The ride is great, truly. If 2.0 was a glimpse into the 2010s EPCOT we never got, then 3.0 is a glimpse into the 2020s EPCOT we'll likely never get. I know many hated 2.0 and will likely see 3.0 as nothing but an improvement overall, but I think there's room for nuance here. Nothing from any version of Test Track has come close to touching what World of Motion was able to do for the space, but I don't think you can make Test Track feel much more like classic EPCOT than they have here. My only hope is that they plus the post show at some point. I think most here will be very happy with it.

 

[MisterPenguin]

World Discovery's Test Track 3.0: A Chevrolet World of Motion Adventure & Commercial, brought to you by GM -- Everybody In!

 

[flynnibus]

Aren't we now testing future car technology rather than just the car's safety features? And still on a track?

You're testing car exterior customization 'on a track'?
You're testing smart roads how?
You're testing what again driving through this forrest?

None of the attraction's narrative is about 'testing' anything. The narrative is introducing some concepts (lidar, charging tech, customization) and talking about 'what if..'. There is zero 'test' in the narrative or presentation.

The most test portion of the entire attraction (the exterior finale) happens without ANY NARRATIVE AT ALL...

So when people try to say the ride now is about 'the future of automobiles' - Ok, how does the name actually support that theme?

I just think that you expected a lot more from the Test Track refurb than what we got, when this is the project we've received the fewest amount of information on since it was announced, other than the original announcement and the closing date for 2.0

If you go back, you won't find me in the prior 200 pages talking about 'what I hope we get' or 'what I think the ride will be'. That's because I don't really spend any energy on trying to create rides in my head that I have zero influence on. You say "you expected a lot more from the Test Track refurb' -- I didn't really expect anything. I waited until they revealed their product and I assessed what Disney built - not what I hoped they would build.

 

[flynnibus]

Haven't watched yet.. but on subject

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ]

Still there as of today. They are very large in person though, too big to be moved around at all by guests

That's what I noticed too. Was wondering if they changed the rocks out.