Test Track - Radar?

ExtinctJenn

ExtinctJenn

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Ok someone help settle an argument for me. :)

I know that the speedometer inside the original Test Track vehicles was "fake" and didn't actually display the speed your vehicle was moving. This was very obvious as you went through the curves of the indoor track because at one point you nearly come to a complete stop and it says you're moving around 15 mph. But... what about the speed displayed on the outside track? My husband and I disagree on this but I believe the speed displayed on the board as you come around the back turn is your actual speed, maybe picked up by radar or something that "talks" to the board from your vehicle. I know the speed is 100% controlled by the under-track drive system but are you really going 64mph (or whatever it says) as you come down the straight?

Anyone know with 100% certainty? I don't think I can win the argument with "everyone on the boards thinks I'm right." :D
 
sgtmgd

sgtmgd

Well-Known Member
ExtinctJenn said:
Ok someone help settle an argument for me. :)

I know that the speedometer inside the original Test Track vehicles was "fake" and didn't actually display the speed your vehicle was moving. This was very obvious as you went through the curves of the indoor track because at one point you nearly come to a complete stop and it says you're moving around 15 mph. But... what about the speed displayed on the outside track? My husband and I disagree on this but I believe the speed displayed on the board as you come around the back turn is your actual speed, maybe picked up by radar or something that "talks" to the board from your vehicle. I know the speed is 100% controlled by the under-track drive system but are you really going 64mph (or whatever it says) as you come down the straight?

Anyone know with 100% certainty? I don't think I can win the argument with "everyone on the boards thinks I'm right." :D
Click to expand...

I would think the outdoor speed would be accruate
 
ExtinctJenn

ExtinctJenn

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Bolt said:
That is the actual speed with a fake radar since the ride is constant, there is no radar needed.
Click to expand...
So it displays the speed based on how fast the ride is programmed to allow the vehicle to go or it's actually picking it up somehow? I ask because it bounces around and isn't static (it says 64.2, then 64.5, then 64.3, or whatever).

sgtmgd said:
I would think the outdoor speed would be accruate
Click to expand...
I agree... but I was hoping someone with an inside scoop... maybe someone who worked TT at one point or something... could confirm. :)
 
sgtmgd

sgtmgd

Well-Known Member
ExtinctJenn said:
Ok someone help settle an argument for me. :)

I know that the speedometer inside the original Test Track vehicles was "fake" and didn't actually display the speed your vehicle was moving. This was very obvious as you went through the curves of the indoor track because at one point you nearly come to a complete stop and it says you're moving around 15 mph. But... what about the speed displayed on the outside track? My husband and I disagree on this but I believe the speed displayed on the board as you come around the back turn is your actual speed, maybe picked up by radar or something that "talks" to the board from your vehicle. I know the speed is 100% controlled by the under-track drive system but are you really going 64mph (or whatever it says) as you come down the straight?

Anyone know with 100% certainty? I don't think I can win the argument with "everyone on the boards thinks I'm right." :D
Click to expand...


http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions/Test-Track/Reviews.htm


you win!
 
sgtmgd

sgtmgd

Well-Known Member
ExtinctJenn said:
Ok someone help settle an argument for me. :)

I know that the speedometer inside the original Test Track vehicles was "fake" and didn't actually display the speed your vehicle was moving. This was very obvious as you went through the curves of the indoor track because at one point you nearly come to a complete stop and it says you're moving around 15 mph. But... what about the speed displayed on the outside track? My husband and I disagree on this but I believe the speed displayed on the board as you come around the back turn is your actual speed, maybe picked up by radar or something that "talks" to the board from your vehicle. I know the speed is 100% controlled by the under-track drive system but are you really going 64mph (or whatever it says) as you come down the straight?

Anyone know with 100% certainty? I don't think I can win the argument with "everyone on the boards thinks I'm right." :D
Click to expand...


lol..sorry Jen ..3rd times the charm

http://www.orlandowelcomecenter.com/test-track.htm
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
It is a static display. It does not read any info from the attraction save for when to turn on. It counts up to 64.8 when the ride vehicle passes a certain point in the track. That is it.
 
themoose

themoose

Active Member
Having worked there and had the opportunity to watch the display, I am pretty sure that it is a legit radar. Ive seen speeds as low at 63.7 on cold, windy days.
 
ExtinctJenn

ExtinctJenn

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Master Yoda said:
It is a static display. It does not read any info from the attraction save for when to turn on. It counts up to 64.8 when the ride vehicle passes a certain point in the track. That is it.
Click to expand...
themoose said:
Having worked there and had the opportunity to watch the display, I am pretty sure that it is a legit radar. Ive seen speeds as low at 63.7 on cold, windy days.
Click to expand...

Well ok so who is right? LOL! I too thought I'd seen changing speeds but thought maybe based on previous comments it was just part of the "show."

Moose - I swear I'm not questioning you but honestly trying to figure this out in my head... where on property does one work where they can watch that display? Isn't it on the backstage end of the track?
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
ExtinctJenn said:
Well ok so who is right? LOL! I too thought I'd seen changing speeds but thought maybe based on previous comments it was just part of the "show."

Moose - I swear I'm not questioning you but honestly trying to figure this out in my head... where on property does one work where they can watch that display? Isn't it on the backstage end of the track?
Click to expand...
I have been told by a number of those we would consider "in the know" that it is a static display. I do not however have first hand experience, but considering what I have seen I tend to believe that what I have been told is correct.

When I first heard this I watched at least a dozen youtube videos of this attraction. I did this again after reading this thread and everyone showed the exact same thing. The speed was exactly 64.8 just as you go under the sign. Some cut away from the sign a little early when it was at 64.7 but everyone that showed the sign until the last possible second the sign read 64.8. Now is it possible that Disney created a ride system so perfect that its speed is consistent within 1/10 of a mile/hour regardless of temperature, rain, wind speed, passenger weight, etc? Not likely. The much more probable answer is a static display.
 
afar28

afar28

Well-Known Member
I have been told it is a static display. The speed varies but is always around the speed of 64.8 because of passenger weight, wind speed, ect it will vary.
 
Magikal

Magikal

Member
Who knows? It's had quite a few 'Refurbs' done, so maybe it once was a working radar. OR, maybe it was a static & after the most recent 'refurb' they put in a working one, OR, it's been back & forth between static & working radar. Who knows? :confused: Could be any of the above, or none! :D
 
themoose

themoose

Active Member
ExtinctJenn said:
Well ok so who is right? LOL! I too thought I'd seen changing speeds but thought maybe based on previous comments it was just part of the "show."

Moose - I swear I'm not questioning you but honestly trying to figure this out in my head... where on property does one work where they can watch that display? Isn't it on the backstage end of the track?
Click to expand...

The cast member cafeteria is right next to that area, so where I parked my vehicle I had to walk under the track to get there.
 
MrNonacho

MrNonacho

Premium Member
It's fake. I've seen it continue up to 64.8 even when the vehicle is braking behind another vehicle doing an automatic cycle out. There are/were variations programmed in to make it seem more realistic.
 

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