News Test Track to be reimagined

[Disstevefan1]

If it means getting more ride updates (or just having pavilions open in general like WoL) I’d prefer if they sought out more sponsorships for attractions. I know Disney doesn’t like to give up control on certain things, but certainly giving up SOME control is worth it to keep Epcot specifically fresher and thus boost guest spending and attendance.

Disney LOVES sponsors because Disney LOVES MONEY they just cant get any sponsors on THEIR terms.

BTW - I thought someone on TWDC's board is a big wig at GM ?

 

[mkt]

BTW - I thought someone on TWDC's board is a big wig at GM ?

yep. GM’s CEO Mary Barra is on Disney’s board

 

[Haymarket2008]

I wonder when this will close and how it will affect the future closures of Spaceship Earth and probably Imagination. Taking this one offline is pretty significant.

 

[zipadee999]

I wonder when this will close and how it will affect the future closures of Spaceship Earth and probably Imagination. Taking this one offline is pretty significant.

I’m hoping it’s very very popular and well received so we can show Disney that people still want the spirit of old Epcot. If updating an attraction while looking to the past is a booming success for Disney, it might make things a little brighter for SSE and JII

 

[WaltsTreasureChest]

Test Track 3.0 success will lead to Spaceship Earths new narrator- James Earl Jones

 

[Earlie the Pearlie]

See, if TEST TRACK - arguably one of the most solid standalone of EPCOT’s thrill rides that fit within the park - could be more like WoM, then ANYTHING could be fixed! (Soarin featuring the Colander Combo and Fiesta Fruit might be an interesting concept)

 

[Jwhee]

Do we suspect that they go back to General Motors branding instead of Chevrolet?

 

[muddyrivers]

Honestly, my low expectation hope is a return of It's Fun to be Free, which is one of the great classic Epcot songs and it would be cool to have it back. Even if that is the extent of the homage to WoM, I'd be happy - though I'd love to see some of the historical scenes/gags as well.

I hope the song returns as long as it's the original. I don't want a "reimagining" of the song complete with autotuned vocals. Unfortunately, I wouldn't expect to see any of the historical scenes/gags unless it's a hologram or displayed on a screen. Costs too much to put in so many animatronics and WoM I think had the record for most animatronics in an attraction. It was definitely one of the grandest scale EPCOT Center attractions.

It’s gonna be a high speed Spaceship Earth but themed with cars throughout the years

That was my thought although I'm not sure how well it would capture guests' attention. Initial hill climb would be a journey back in time to the first vehicle. Can't be a Model T though as that's a Ford product in a GM sponsored pavilion

 

[Earlie the Pearlie]

Do we suspect that they go back to General Motors branding instead of Chevrolet?

They said Chevy during the presentation so I’m assuming Chevy

 

[Horizons '83]

This was the sleeper of the anouncements this past weekend. This is a win in my book on paper, though the final product will dictate that.

 

[DisneyCane]

Test Track 3.0 success will lead to Spaceship Earths new narrator- James Earl Jones

They'd better record that soon. He's 92.

 

[Earlie the Pearlie]

They'd better record that soon. He's 92.

I think they own him now or something

 

[mkt]

Do we suspect that they go back to General Motors branding instead of Chevrolet?

It's Chevy. Given the guest profile at WDW, Chevrolet is the main brand that they'll experience.

For example, if this were at Shanghai, it'd likely be sponsored by Buick. And if it were in Paris, GM wouldn't bother touching it.

 

[lazyboy97o]

It's Chevy. Given the guest profile at WDW, Chevrolet is the main brand that they'll experience.

For example, if this were at Shanghai, it'd likely be sponsored by Buick. And if it were in Paris, GM wouldn't bother touching it.

It’s actually Chevy at Shanghai Disneyland. They sponsor TRON Lightcycle Power Run and have a whole post-show space that wasn’t cloned for the Magic Kingdom.

TRON Lightcycle Power Run | Attractions | Shanghai Disney Resort

Experience high-speed thrills and chills of the TRON Lightcycle Power Run, a heart-pounding race for survival—only in Tomorrowland at Shanghai Disneyland.

www.shanghaidisneyresort.com

TRON Realm, Chevrolet Digital Challenge | Attractions | Shanghai Disney Resort

Take the TRON Realm, Chevrolet Digital Challenge to create virtual vehicles, test drive Light Runners and more—only in Tomorrowland at Shanghai Disneyland.

www.shanghaidisneyresort.com

 

[mkt]

It’s actually Chevy at Shanghai Disneyland. They sponsor TRON Lightcycle Power Run and have a whole post-show space that wasn’t cloned for the Magic Kingdom.

TRON Lightcycle Power Run | Attractions | Shanghai Disney Resort

Experience high-speed thrills and chills of the TRON Lightcycle Power Run, a heart-pounding race for survival—only in Tomorrowland at Shanghai Disneyland.

www.shanghaidisneyresort.com

TRON Realm, Chevrolet Digital Challenge | Attractions | Shanghai Disney Resort

Take the TRON Realm, Chevrolet Digital Challenge to create virtual vehicles, test drive Light Runners and more—only in Tomorrowland at Shanghai Disneyland.

www.shanghaidisneyresort.com

That's impressive and surprising, given that Buick is GM's biggest brand in China.

 

[Earlie the Pearlie]

It’s actually Chevy at Shanghai Disneyland. They sponsor TRON Lightcycle Power Run and have a whole post-show space that wasn’t cloned for the Magic Kingdom.

TRON Lightcycle Power Run | Attractions | Shanghai Disney Resort

Experience high-speed thrills and chills of the TRON Lightcycle Power Run, a heart-pounding race for survival—only in Tomorrowland at Shanghai Disneyland.

www.shanghaidisneyresort.com

TRON Realm, Chevrolet Digital Challenge | Attractions | Shanghai Disney Resort

Take the TRON Realm, Chevrolet Digital Challenge to create virtual vehicles, test drive Light Runners and more—only in Tomorrowland at Shanghai Disneyland.

www.shanghaidisneyresort.com

Wait, did they just clone the Test Track post show and Tronify it?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

That's impressive and surprising, given that Buick is GM's biggest brand in China.

Perhaps the people that make sponsorship deals are different for each brand. So the Chevrolet sponsorship group likes and sees the value in the Disney Parks sponsorships and has a relationship with the parks.

 

[doctornick]

Perhaps the people that make sponsorship deals are different for each brand. So the Chevrolet sponsorship group likes and sees the value in the Disney Parks sponsorships and has a relationship with the parks.

And obviously it could be the idea of trying to "push" the Chevy brand more in China if they feel like Buick doesn't need the extra advertising value but there is an underserved marker for Chevy.

 

[mkt]

Perhaps the people that make sponsorship deals are different for each brand. So the Chevrolet sponsorship group likes and sees the value in the Disney Parks sponsorships and has a relationship with the parks.

I'm in the industry (not GM), but they all work pretty much the same way. There's separate teams for each brand, for sure - but something at a large level like this would go through common approvers, and is possibly started by the same person high up in the company.

As far as China goes, it's a joint venture with a local manufacturer, so they likely have autonomy to decide differently.

 

[Coaster Lover]

They'd better record that soon. He's 92.

He's already given Disney his blessing to use AI versions of his voice for Darth Vader moving forward. I'd imagine using his voice via AI in other areas would be just as feasible/reasonable

AI is taking over the iconic voice of Darth Vader, with the blessing of James Earl Jones | TechCrunch

A synthetic voice trained on the performances of James Earl Jones will permanently take over from the actor for the role of Darth Vader.

techcrunch.com