News Test Track to be reimagined

[Horizon1]

Many of the original pavilions like Horizons, Wonders of Life, Imagination, CommuniCore, etc. either didn't use their icon inside the building at all or used it for very small things.

Horizons had its logo at the front entry on the wall I believe it was between the ”If we can dream it, we can do it”

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

Horizons had its logo at the front entry on the wall I believe it was between the ”If we can dream it, we can do it”

Yes, which is a very small thing. It’s the only appearance of the icon in any guest area of the building, right?

 

[Rhinocerous]

I have to be honest. I don't get the canopy hate. Now, I never got to experience World of Motion, so maybe there is an attachment to the building architecture that I don't have. (It's fun to be cylindrical?) But I fail to see how removing a giant shade structure in Hell's sauna is an improvement.

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

I have to be honest. I don't get the canopy hate. Now, I never got to experience World of Motion, so maybe there is an attachment to the building architecture that I don't have. (It's fun to be cylindrical?) But I fail to see how removing a giant shade structure in Hell's sauna is an improvement.

It's ugly and blocks the view of the building. It was only installed to serve as shade for the Test Track preview area and a structure to mount the giant preview mural on, then was retained as a relatively last minute decision. It was upsetting enough seeing it retained through TT 2.0, giving it a 25+ year life for something that was only supposed to be up for a year. The new canopy we're getting is a purpose built structure, isn't as invasive to the sightlines, and compliments the building's architecture. It's still a shade structure either way, which is a win.

WoM didn't need a shade structure because its queue was entirely inside the building, even if the alcove itself was outdoors. The roof was the shade structure. Test Track on the other hand regularly spills people outside the building, so it benefits from having one. Just thankful it's now one they're putting effort into.

 

[rle4lunch]

Hopefully our purple friend is next. He deserves the sun to shine on him again. I can’t wait for the BAH thread: figment edition.

Heck, I'd take an actual produced sign marking the entrance to it as a huge upgrade, considering they've had a tattered cloth banner hanging there for a decade...

 

[Steamboat71]

Will there be audio animatronics in 3.0?

 

[JoeCamel]

It's ugly and blocks the view of the building. It was only installed to serve as shade for the Test Track preview area and a structure to mount the giant preview mural on, then was retained as a relatively last minute decision. It was upsetting enough seeing it retained through TT 2.0, giving it a 25+ year life for something that was only supposed to be up for a year. The new canopy we're getting is a purpose built structure, isn't as invasive to the sightlines, and compliments the building's architecture. It's still a shade structure either way, which is a win.

WoM didn't need a shade structure because its queue was entirely inside the building, even if the alcove itself was outdoors. The roof was the shade structure. Test Track on the other hand regularly spills people outside the building, so it benefits from having one. Just thankful it's now one they're putting effort into.

MY burning question is "was the "new" GM headquarters building designed with a nod to the WoM building?" Circles are expensive to build

 

[lazyboy97o]

MY burning question is "was the "new" GM headquarters building designed with a nod to the WoM building?" Circles are expensive to build

View attachment 803750

The Renaissance Center opened in the 70s and was actually started by a Ford. GM didn’t buy it until the 90s.

 

[JoeCamel]

The Renaissance Center opened in the 70s and was actually started by a Ford. GM didn’t buy it until the 90s.

So what do you think? Did one inspire the other?

 

[lazyboy97o]

So what do you think? Did one inspire the other?

No. GM wasn’t involved in the design and construction of the Renaissance Tower. The central circular tower is also one of a few circular hotel towers designed by John Portman in the 70s, others being the Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta and the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles.

The transportation pavilion was designed as a circle to represent the wheel.

 

[JoeCamel]

No. GM wasn’t involved in the design and construction of the Renaissance Tower. The central circular tower is also one of a few circular hotel towers designed by John Portman in the 70s, others being the Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta and the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles.

The transportation pavilion was designed as a circle to represent the wheel.

Thanks for expanding on this

 

[SplashJacket]

The central circular tower is also one of a few circular hotel towers designed by John Portman in the 70s, others being the Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta

I saw the photo Joe posted and was like, huh, that looks like Atlanta’s Westin. Checks out.

 

[michmousefan]

FYI, in 2025 GM will be moving their HQ from the Renaissance Center complex to this brand new building (pic is a rendering) a few blocks away in Downtown Detroit. They only use portions of the current office complex, so this will consolidate staff.

 

[danlb_2000]

Another permit for set element install

1440 AVENUE OF THE STARS(GM TEST TRACK) - Jon Richards Company Fl Inc - Install set elements

 

[Epcot81Fan]

FYI, in 2025 GM will be moving their HQ from the Renaissance Center complex to this brand new building (pic is a rendering) a few blocks away in Downtown Detroit. They only use portions of the current office complex, so this will consolidate staff.View attachment 803907

Heck, replace the four trees out in front with palms and this could be the new Polynesian expansion!

 

[iamgroot61]

I thought for sure we'd end up seeing Lightning McQueen here.

I agree. Pretty disappointing that they are "reaching into the past" for inspiration. Although Radiator Springs Racers at DCA is the same ride system, they hit it out of the park with the theming. It's just an amazing ride and an awesome element of Cars Land. Test Track has never impressed me and I was really hoping they would adopt the Cars IP somehow.

 

[Streetway]

I agree. Pretty disappointing that they are "reaching into the past" for inspiration. Although Radiator Springs Racers at DCA is the same ride system, they hit it out of the park with the theming. It's just an amazing ride and an awesome element of Cars Land. Test Track has never impressed me and I was really hoping they would adopt the Cars IP somehow.

This guy doesn’t know how fun it is to be free.

 

[OptimusPrime]

I agree. Pretty disappointing that they are "reaching into the past" for inspiration. Although Radiator Springs Racers at DCA is the same ride system, they hit it out of the park with the theming. It's just an amazing ride and an awesome element of Cars Land. Test Track has never impressed me and I was really hoping they would adopt the Cars IP somehow.

I don’t think Test Track would adopt Cars. I think Cars is too far for Epcot, even for Disney lol.

If Test Track ever got an IP, it would be Sugar Rush from Wreck it Ralph if I were to guess. But that’s not for another decade and by then I doubt they’d do Wreck it Ralph lol

 

[iamgroot61]

I don’t think Test Track would adopt Cars. I think Cars is too far for Epcot, even for Disney lol.

If Test Track ever got an IP, it would be Sugar Rush from Wreck it Ralph if I were to guess. But that’s not for another decade and by then I doubt they’d do Wreck it Ralph lol

I wouldn't be mad about Wreck it Ralph! LOL!

 

[Ayla]

I have to be honest. I don't get the canopy hate. Now, I never got to experience World of Motion, so maybe there is an attachment to the building architecture that I don't have. (It's fun to be cylindrical?) But I fail to see how removing a giant shade structure in Hell's sauna is an improvement.

Same.