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EPCOT Test Track to be reimagined
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
flyerjab
Well-Known Member
If the same people were in the same roles for the last 20 years and only now started to fix things, I would understand the sentiment of certain forum members. I, however, am glad to see that the latest assembled Parks and Experiences people under D’Amaro (in his previous role and current role) have been embarking on a lengthy list of refurbishments. Am I setting up a private party this weekend to celebrate the fixing of the doors on Test Track? Nope. It’s nice to see it happening though.
Strategically, especially in WDW, these moves make sense. There are about to be multiple new lands, attractions, dining spots, stores, shows, etc. that will be dominating certain sections of the parks. You can’t let some older attractions sit unattended to or capacity will be very uneven. As an example, with Cars and Villians, park attendance will be lopsided, with heavy visitation to the more north western sections. It makes sense to balance that with major updates to attractions like Buzz, CoP and potentially Space Mountain. Even updates to Country Bears and BTMRR are important to help balance out crowds more within Frontierland itself.
Disgruntled Walt
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
There is no excuse for this effect being out of commission for over a year. Full stop.
Solar powered trash compactors are nice, I guess, but I’d prefer they make sure show quality isn’t being affected by unnecessarily deferred maintenance.
So yes, celebrate that the doors are working, but let’s call out the fact that they are bragging about garbage cans online while letting effects rot or sit unfixed.
Solar powered trash compactors are nice, I guess, but I’d prefer they make sure show quality isn’t being affected by unnecessarily deferred maintenance.
So yes, celebrate that the doors are working, but let’s call out the fact that they are bragging about garbage cans online while letting effects rot or sit unfixed.
gorillaball
Well-Known Member
Point 1 above> I don’t disagree whatsoever. And when that feature is back working, can I not be happy?
Point 2 above through the word “affected”> I don’t disagree whatsoever.
Last 2 words of point 2 and point 3> what does one have to do with the other? Do you think the reason the doors took a year+ is because they told Ian the Imagineer to ignore the test track doors to work on trash cans?
I'm relieved those doors are back. I was wondering whether I'd renew my annual pass, but now, I will!!!
Doors still working as of Wednesday.
While riding, my only thought was... disappointing. Basically, the unimaginative v2 with some updated scenery and even less content (why are we just driving through a woodsy area? Because it's "fun to be free"? On a ride that's supposed to be showcasing automotive technology?). The best part was seeing a 2026 Corvette ZR1 in the post-show area.
While riding, my only thought was... disappointing. Basically, the unimaginative v2 with some updated scenery and even less content (why are we just driving through a woodsy area? Because it's "fun to be free"? On a ride that's supposed to be showcasing automotive technology?). The best part was seeing a 2026 Corvette ZR1 in the post-show area.
Plummet
Well-Known Member
As a pavillion I find it as celebrating automotives so that part just has you relax for a small portion enjoying a drive in the "test car" from the garage scene. That's how I took it. I really like this version, beats v2 easily and even imo v1 from what I've seen.
CaptJackSparrow
Well-Known Member
I think this is the best version of the ride. Full stop. Wish it was a little more reliable though.
Epcot retro vibes? Please elaborate.
eddie104
Well-Known Member
While I think V1 and V2 had their strengths V3 feels the most like WOM in its delivery.
Something I think feels very futuristic yet retro about the upgrade.
There are a few parts that fit. The rest just feels like "We don't know what to do, so we're going to ... fill it with stuff". Version 1 was the most "Test Track" of them all.
Disstevefan1
Well-Known Member
I rode WoM and it was fine, I did like the omni mover with views of the park.
TT V1 was the BEST version of TT. Full Stop.
Seven? Yes, Seven. (for Tom C.)
TT V1 was the BEST version of TT. Full Stop.
Seven? Yes, Seven. (for Tom C.)
Virtual Toad
Well-Known Member
Rode TT3 for the first time a few weeks ago... with absolutely no audio in the car (car number 13 to boot!) So it was kind of difficult to get a handle on the story.
Rode a few weeks later *with* audio. Still a bit confused about who exactly the narrators are supposed to be (seemed like we were thrown into it mid-stream with little to no setup) but figured it out.
Overall impressions... pretty to look at, with a fairly disjointed story and typical modern Disney C+ scriptwriting. Totally missed the "Fun to Be Free" reference, maybe because I was anticipating more.
It was a fun ride with nice visuals, but a sparse narrative and basically non-existent preshow/queue and postshow.
Got me thinking... classic EPCOT was more about humanity than technology. World of Motion showed how transportation brings people together. TT3 is just... look at the cool tech. Which is about par for the course in 2026 I guess, but I think it was a missed opportunity to connect with riders on a deeper level.
One final suggestion... since human AAs I guess are a bridge too far, why not at least replace the techno "Fun to Be Free" inspired music track in the forest scene (which didn't really resonate) with a different random version of the classic WOM jingle each time you ride. They did record it in about a bazillion different styles after all....
Rode a few weeks later *with* audio. Still a bit confused about who exactly the narrators are supposed to be (seemed like we were thrown into it mid-stream with little to no setup) but figured it out.
Overall impressions... pretty to look at, with a fairly disjointed story and typical modern Disney C+ scriptwriting. Totally missed the "Fun to Be Free" reference, maybe because I was anticipating more.
It was a fun ride with nice visuals, but a sparse narrative and basically non-existent preshow/queue and postshow.
Got me thinking... classic EPCOT was more about humanity than technology. World of Motion showed how transportation brings people together. TT3 is just... look at the cool tech. Which is about par for the course in 2026 I guess, but I think it was a missed opportunity to connect with riders on a deeper level.
One final suggestion... since human AAs I guess are a bridge too far, why not at least replace the techno "Fun to Be Free" inspired music track in the forest scene (which didn't really resonate) with a different random version of the classic WOM jingle each time you ride. They did record it in about a bazillion different styles after all....
The 'it's fun to be free' reference was just before you go for the nondescript, random ride in the forest. Wireless charging, camera tech, advanced features... forest?
Haymarket2008
Well-Known Member
This new Test Track is very much not like World of Motion in terms of its storytelling, but it feels like what a modern, free of the IP mandated EPCOT attraction should be.
James Alucobond
Well-Known Member
I mean, as ever, it’s partly due to the sponsor. GM was more aspirational in the 80s, looking to diversify its holdings beyond automobiles. GM/Chevrolet of today, not so much.
Virtual Toad
Well-Known Member
As expected. Heavy on tech, light on charm and whimsy. Let's hope they recognize this and change course for the Imagination redo.
phoenician22
Premium Member
My opinion isn't baselined against WoM since I never experienced it. But 3.0 having so much more physical sets than 1.0 and 2.0, the impressive Lidar scene, and wow moment of the 180 screen reveal wins me over as favorite version of Test Track to date
my perspective is its classic epcot in that 1. is non IP 2. is edutainment 3. focuses on the tech and how it helps humanity and 4. shows a positive optimistic future
I also think its the best thing to happen to EPCOT in the last ten years besides the France pav expansion and the new lights on SSE