Mickeynerd17
Well-Known Member
I know I'm in the minority opinion on this, but I actually think Test Track 1.0 was a worthy successor to World of Motion.
For starters, the idea was in the original 1970's pavilion concept with a "test track" of driving futuristic cars, except they couldn't pull off the tech back then. The theming inside the pavilion was top-notch with all of the test dummies, trashed cars, and all sorts of other props everywhere in the pavilion. The pavilion itself was still very edutainment with all the factoids in the queue and the different tests, which are pretty accurate to safety testing back in 1999. The biggest part of all is that Test Track actually fit GM's image much better than WoM because TT was linked closer to GM and its products through safety testing and cars while WoM was basically another SSE except about transportation with the only GM representation being in the post-show, meaning that GM could showcase itself and its products through the entire pavilion in Test Track instead of just the post show. It makes logical sense.
Now, as for being a warehouse with some traffic cones, There was plenty more theming inside there than that. You had the Belgian blocks, the enviro chambers we're chock-full of props and car parts (plus they actually produced hot and cold sensations), the barrier test had a ton of stuff too. They also really didn't need to hide the show building supports because real safety testing takes place in a standard warehouse/facility, so it really compliments the theme more than anything. For a thrill ride, it was highly-themed and still fit Epcot's goals and ideals.
So, IMHO, Test Track was a quality successor to WoM and a better fit for GM overall. Now as for TT 2.0, it basically took all the good theming of 1.0 and chucked it into a dumpster fire (also the Lounge window into the ride is pitch-black now except for the faint blue tail-lights of the vehicles).
