News Test Track to be reimagined

[James Alucobond]

I am genuinely curious what the story is. Pulling back from WOM seems to indicate the whole “test track” element may be downplayed? They are keeping the name so I’m curious how they blend those two.

You could do a walk through the history of the automobile and the technological advancements that made it what it is today. The tests could be of technology past and present that they “add” to your vehicle throughout the ride, culminating in the final ride outside with a modern auto.

 

[SplashJacket]

Love the new canopy. You can see the building again!

I'm shocked this is happening so soon (also a bit sad as it will be closed for my trip and it's one of my favourite rides) but I'm all for it.

I have a feeling this will be a fairly quick turnaround, in Disney standards. Scenery and an awning...nothing major to the ride track or vehicles, or exterior such as Tiana/Splash.

Maybe reopen Spring 2026?

1.0 to 2.0 took 8 months from April to December 2012.

I strongly suspect a 2025 reopening.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Encase the outside will with an LED display. Let's give the Vegas Sphere some competition!!!

 

[wedenterprises]

1.0 to 2.0 took 8 months from April to December 2012.

I strongly suspect a 2025 reopening.

oh wow! I didn't realize that. Thanks.
So Spring 2025 maybe?

 

[fgmnt]

A crucial element of TT2->3 is the OPM. Disney will get this started before D23 and get it done as fast as possible because it’s Other People’s Money.

 

[WhyteAL]

Love the new canopy. You can see the building again!

Wasn't the canopy made a bit after (my memory is a bit shot after so many years of drinking around the world)...and wasn't it made in order to keep the outside queue in some sort of shade? I love Epcot but during summer it's a rough park to do in the heat.

I know it takes away from the view but there should be some sort of shade helping the outside queue even if it's made lower in order to better display the building architecture. What I see in the picture doesn't seem to go out very far.

 

[co10064]

If they don't make any changes to the track itself (and I don't believe they will), it will be interesting to see what show scenes could be incorporated. For example, the straight-away/weather section seem to be very story specific right now.

 

[Mickeynerd17]

A crucial element of TT2->3 is the OPM. Disney will get this started before D23 and get it done as fast as possible because it’s Other People’s Money.

Bless it.

 

[Mickeynerd17]

Wasn't the canopy made a bit after

The canopy was a leftover from the GM preview center set up in late 1996 while the pavilion was closed.

They simply never took it down until now.

 

[TTA94]

Removing the canopy is good news but otherwise it seems like nothing else is changing on the outside. I am one who also would like to seen the track somehow enclosed and it’s a bit surprising due to weather that they would not want to enclose it or cover it similar to Tron. IMO the back portion of the track is what really needs to be covered due to the parking lot and backstage views.

I have a feeling this redo will again keep the same track layout and they’ll add a bunch of boreing screens. However anything will be an improvement of whats there now, especially the chamber sections that they butchered from the original version.

 

[FettFan]

The concept art definitely seems like they're enclosing the outdoor portion, but that's just my perspective.

Clearly not, as you can see the exterior track to the left and right.

The portion over the entrance has just been obscured by the new awning.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

I hope we get Bill McKim back, as well as the woman who tried to kill us:

 

[FettFan]

You'll be opening your own co-op automobile dealership and customers take your cars out for a test drive!!

Test the corrosion resistance of your car as you travel through a magical salt mine populated by singing animals!

 

[James Alucobond]

I don’t care if they enclose it, but I do hope they give a bit more consideration to the sightlines of the exterior portion this time. Just some strategically-placed visibility shields along the right side of the track at certain points would do wonders, and some sort of setpiece at the current location of the paved Test Track symbol the track loops around would help draw the eye away from the outside. Since there seem to be more natural elements inside, maybe just some sort of rockwork spire?

 

[SJN1279]

I expect it to open by Summer 2025.

Disney has been very steady with its new attraction output over the last decade.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I actually like the TRON Track music. That’s the one thing I’ll miss. Hopefully they write some great new music and don’t just throw in the Pinar music.

Bring Bill back, but have him act like his Pitch Perfect character.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I expect it to open by Summer 2025.

Disney has been very steady with its new attraction output over the last decade.

Last I’d heard, this would be a bit more than a year but I’m sure the heat will be on to open this around when EU opens. They successfully sped up TBA so never say never!

 

[Professortango1]

Yay. Taking away a major E-Ticket for Summer vacation. Disney's so smart.

 

[HauntedPirate]

I actually like the TRON Track music. That’s the one thing I’ll miss. Hopefully they write some great new music and don’t just throw in the Pinar music.

Bring Bill back, but have him act like his Pitch Perfect character.

I’d love to hear some of the one-liners that character would come up with.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Yay. Taking away a major E-Ticket for Summer vacation. Disney's so smart.

Bob knows what guests want. It’s all part of the plan… to boost Genie- sales at Epcot by providing fewer attractions, thus increasing wait times elsewhere.