Test Track is a high-speed giant slot car attraction at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida. The ride is a simulated excursion through the rigorous testing procedures that General Motors uses to evaluate its concept cars, culminating in a high-speed drive around the exterior of the attraction. It closed for refurbishment on April 5, 2012, and re-opened on December 6, 2012.[1] It is now sponsored by GM's Chevrolet brand rather than General Motors as a whole, who sponsored the attraction from 1999 until the refurbishment.
Test Track soft-opened to the public on December 19, 1998, after a long delay due to problems revealed during testing and changes to the ride design which prevented the ride from opening on its original date, May 1997. Instead, the attraction officially opened on March 17, 1999. Test Track replaced World of Motion, though it uses the same ride building.
Before the 2012 refurbishment, guests rode in "test vehicles" in a GM "testing facility" and were taken through a series of assessments to illustrate how automobile prototype evaluations are conducted. The highlight of the attraction was (and still is) a speed trial on a track around the exterior of the Test Track building at a top speed of 64.9 miles per hour (104.6 km/h) making it one of the fastest Disney theme park attractions ever built, and the fastest ride at the Walt Disney World Resort.
After the 2012 refurbishment, guests design their own car in the Chevrolet Design Studio. Then they board a "Sim-Car" and are taken through the "digital" testing ground of the "SimTrack". Throughout the ride, guests see how their designs performed in each individual test. After the ride, guests can see how their car did overall, film a commercial, and race their designs.
Test Track was originally Future World East, which was later re-designated as World Discovery.
It was announced at Destination D23 2023 that Test Track will be reimagined and will take inspiration from the original World of Motion.[2]
The third and current version of the attraction opened in 2025, featuring a new storyline featuring an automated "Test Vehicle of Tomorrow" and demonstrations of upcoming technologies.
History
Test Track (March 1999 – April 2012)
World of Motion was an attraction that was located in the current building of Test Track and was sponsored by General Motors. When the sponsorship expired, GM was in the process of conducting lay-offs and cutbacks forcing the company to question whether or not to sign another sponsorship agreement. Upon deciding to sign another agreement, GM wanted Disney to construct a new ride (in the location of World of Motion) that focused specifically around their automobiles, rather than the fanciful history of transportation from the pre-historic (animal transportation) to the modern age (automobiles, planes, etc.) previously housed in the space. In 1976, Disney Imagineers had visited the Milford Proving Ground (owned by General Motors) and later made a second trip to the facility and worked with GM to create Test Track. After numerous problems encountered during the construction of the ride, Test Track soft-opened on December 19, 1998, but didn't officially open until March 17, 1999, nearly 2 years after the originally scheduled opening date.[3]
After World of Motion had closed on January 2, 1996, everything inside the ride building was removed. After, the new track was constructed outside of the building which is used as the high-speed test for Test Track. Work inside the building also continued at the same time. It was scheduled to open 19 months after World of Motion's closing, in May 1997,[4] but after numerous problems arose, the ride opening was delayed by nearly 2 years.[3] Also, the cars used on the ride were designed to resemble the look of a test car that is used to go through multiple safety tests.[5]
Over the course of the construction of Test Track, numerous problems occurred causing delays in the ride opening. One problem that Imagineers had to overcome was that the wheels used on the ride vehicles could not stand up to the demand of the ride course and speed. This problem was resolved but a second, more severe problem caused the ride to be delayed by over a year. In order for Test Track to run with the highest hourly capacity possible, twenty-nine ride vehicles would be needed. The ride programming system could only handle operating a maximum of six cars over the layout of the ride. One by one, programmers were able to get the computer system able to run twenty-nine ride vehicles all at once. After these problems were resolved, Test Track soft-opened to the public on December 19, 1998. The ride was still prone to breakdowns and didn't officially open until March 17, 1999.[3]
Test Track Presented by Chevrolet (December 2012 – June 2024)
On January 6, 2012, Disney Parks announced plans to renovate Test Track during the second and third quarters of the year and re-open the ride by fall 2012.[6][7] As part of the update, Test Track's sponsor became General Motors' Chevrolet marque instead of GM as a whole.[6]
The new additions include a pre-show area where guests "design" a new car for testing in the Chevrolet Design Center, then they will board Test Track's existing six-passenger ride vehicles, be known as "SimCars", to see how their design fares on the Center's driving course.[6] The experience concludes in a renovated showroom featuring current and future Chevrolet products. Also, the ride vehicles used on the original Test Track remained the same but received new blue paint jobs.[6][8]
On April 27, 2012, Walt Disney's social media manager Jennifer Fickley-Baker released a set of concept design photos. Within the photos, it was confirmed that the ride will have 4 main tests: capability, efficiency, responsiveness, and power.[9] The ride closed on April 15, 2012, and soon later, barriers were placed along all walk-ways leading to either the entrance or exit of the ride. Also, a musical show called "Test Track All Stars" has been added in front of the former main entrance to Test Track, which closed on December 4, 2012.[10] The refurbished attraction first opened to guests during a soft opening on December 3, 2012. The grand re-opening took place on December 6, 2012.[1][6][7][11]
Test Track Presented by General Motors (July 22, 2025)
On September 9th, 2023, it was announced at Destination D23 that Disney Imagineers along with teams from Chevrolet are looking back to the original World of Motion for inspiration and bringing that spirit of optimism to the next iteration of the attraction. For this update, the canopy that had been outside the building since 1990s was finally removed. Inside, the Chevrolet Design Studio was gutted and six exhibits were set up in the queue, each celebrating different concept vehicles and the people behind them.
After exploring these exhibits, guests would then board a "Test Vehicle of Tomorrow" and would go for a ride where several present and future technologies are demonstrated, including onboard sensors, smart roads and even personal customization. The experience once again concluded with a visit to a showroom featuring many present and future car designs.
For this update, the ride vehicles would retain their original design, but would have their blue "SimCar" paint replaced with a minimalistic black paint scheme.
The ride closed on June 17, 2024, and barriers were placed along the paths. Various Chevrolet cars were later placed on display outside the barriers. It was later announced that Test Track would revert to its original General Motors sponsorship.
The updated ride soft opened from July 13-16 as well as July 18-19, 2025, before officially opening on July 22, 2025.
Ride overview
1999–2012
Queue
During the first part of the queue, guests viewed a sample repair and test shop. As guests entered the queue in the welcome center they were shown tests performed on cars and parts before being released. The queue wound by different tests for tires and car doors, an anechoic chamber for radio receivers, and an area for crash test dummies to be tested. At the end of the queue, a group of guests would be brought into a briefing room where they were shown automobile testing facilities and examples of tests being performed. The host, Bill McKim (John Michael Higgins) told the guests that they would take part in some of these tests and also told the technician Sherrie what tests to set up. Small videos of each test were shown as he spoke. He finally told her to choose one final "surprise test," and a video of a car crashing into a barrier was shown as a door opened for guests to enter the interior queue.[12]
Ride
Upon reaching the end of the second queue, guests were loaded into test cars. Upon dispatching from the loading dock, the car was brought through an accelerated hill climb. Next, the car's suspension was tested over different types of road surfaces, including German and Belgian blocks & cobblestones. Next, the car's anti-lock braking system was turned off and the car tried to navigate a course of cones, knocking many over in the process. The anti-lock brakes were then turned back on and a similar cone course was navigated easily. Guests were shown a video overlay of the difference. Then, the cars were brought through 3 environmental chambers: a heat chamber, a cold chamber, and a corrosion chamber.[12]
The handling of the car was then tested. It climbed a set of hills with blind turns while increasing its speed by 10% each time. At the top, the car almost crashes into an oncoming semi-truck before swerving out of the way. The car was now brought to the final test shown in the briefing room: the barrier test. The car lined up across from a barrier and began to accelerate towards it. Just before hitting the barrier a series of flashes occurred, where a picture of the guests was taken, and the barrier opened to a track outside. The car took a lap around the building with banked turns and a max speed of 64.9 mph (104.6 km/h). As the car returned to the loading dock, a thermal scan was taken of the guests and shown on a large screen.[12]
Like many Disney attractions, Test Track exited into a themed gift shop featuring merchandise associated with the attraction. Guests could also view and purchase photos taken of their vehicle on the ride or scan their Photopass to view or purchase the photos later. There was also an area where there was a showroom of all-new, prototype, or legendary GM vehicles.[12]
Post Show: The Assembly Experience
Experience designer Bob Rogers and the design team BRC Imagination Arts,[13] were commissioned to create the new post-show experience entitled: "The Assembly Experience."[14] The Assembly Experience is a walk-through environment, giving the guest the illusion that they are on the floor of a vast automotive assembly plant. Automotive doors, seats, and engines glide overhead on assembly line chainveyors, while simulated automotive die-press caused the floor to "rumble" as each automotive part was pressed. Video monitors provided real GM workers a chance to tell EPCOT visitors how they felt about their products and their work.[15]
2012–2024
Queue
The first queue uses the same area as the previous version, but it's now is themed to Chevrolet's Design Studio. Entering the building, guests pass by two concept cars, the Chevrolet Miray and the Chevrolet EN-V. Both are accompanied by screens displaying each design's capabilities.
Afterwards, the standby queue leads to a section where a small model car is drawn on through projections while different Chevrolet employees discuss the design process for cars. Guests then pass by large touchscreens where they can learn to draw the shape of a car before reaching the entrance to one of two identical design studios.
Here, guests will be given a white RFID card called a "design key" to use in the design process. MagicBands and park tickets can also be used for this experience. Once in the studio, riders have a set amount of time (that varies depending on the ride's operational status) to design their own "Chevrolet Custom Concept Vehicle". Starting with the basic shape, guests are able to create a design based on four performance attributes: Capability, Efficiency, Responsiveness, and Power. Once the time expires, guests move to the second queue and are led to the ride's load area.
Fastpass+/Lightning Lane guests are taken directly to the design studios. For single riders, guests use their MagicBand, ticket, or a design key to select a pre-designed vehicle from one of the four performance attributes: Once guests select their vehicle, they move to the same second queue. While waiting to board the SimCars, all guests must scan their MagicBand, ticket, or design key again at the gate to upload their designs to the vehicle.
Ride
After guests board their SimCars, they enter the SimTrack by ascending the hill as before. Projections around the vehicle give the impression of entering a virtual world while the SimCar connects to OnStar.
Leaving the first hill, the SimCar then runs the Capability test by accelerating past a rain/snow projection and skidding out of control. The path ahead of the car is then blocked off by an avalanche, and the vehicle turns around. Speeding up again, the SimCar makes a sharp left, narrowly avoiding a lightning strike. The car then passes by a futuristic city while the results of which design scores are displayed on a screen.
Beginning the Efficiency test, SimCars enter a room where overhead scanners check "optimum eco-efficiency". The second test performs an aerodynamic test on the vehicle, which is displayed on a mirror to the right. Finally, "hyper-spectrum imaging" takes place, with the SimCar being scanned on screens to the sides. The results are once again displayed at the room's exit.
Next, the SimCar runs the Responsiveness test ans it accelerates around hairpin turns with laser-projected trees and road signs. Heading down a shallow slope, the car enters a tunnel anc encounters the truck from the original version. This time, however, the truck is displayed with lasers, indicating that it's part of the simulation. When the vehicle exits the tunnel, the results of the Responsiveness test are displayed alongside the Attribute icons.
Starting the Power test, the SimCar comes to a brief stop before accelerating through flashing purple arches to a door with the ride's logo. The door then opens, and the SimCar pulls onto the outdoor track, making a right swift right turn, followed by a wide left. The car then hits a straightaway and before making one final long left turn, looping around the front of the building as before. Re-entering the building, guests see the results of the Power test displayed overhead before returning to the loading area to disembark.
Leaving the loading area, guests can use their MagicBand, ticket, or design key that has their Chevrolet Custom Concept Vehicle to play games on a virtual racetrack and make an ad in the "Chevrolet Showroom". There is also a shop located at the exit like the original version of the ride.[16]
Many World of Motion logos can be found throughout the attraction. These logos are references to the old attraction and can be found on trash bins, murals, and the attraction's main sign.
2025-
Queue
The first part of the queue uses the same space as the previous version's Chevrolet Design Studio, except now it features three exhibits for concept cars such as the Chevrolet Astro III, the GM Hy-Wire, and the Chevrolet PEV. Each exhibit also features screens that display videos about each design and plaques with information on how each vehicle helped shape the future of transportation.
The next room features three more exhibits about what GM is currently doing to shape the future, including electrifying modern vehicles, recycling old materials, creating environmentally-friendly ones, and using alternative energy sources to power electric cars. Models for different electric car designs are also shown, including a roadster, a sedan, an SUV, and even an off-road crossover, are also displayed.
As guests ascend a walkway and turn a corner leading into the second queue, they pass one final exhibit featuring a model of the ride vehicle, dubbed the "Test Vehicle of Tomorrow".
Ride
After boarding their cars and fastening their seatbelts, guests spiral up past a window overlooking the first queue room as they are introduced to their guide and their automated vehicle, who welcomes them to "set a course for the future". After ascending the first hill, guests ride down a modern city street that transforms into a fiber-optic cityscape as the guide explains how modern cars feature sensors and cameras that scan for hazards. The test vehicle then speeds ahead, narrowly avoiding hitting another car.
Turning a corner, the test vehicle then drives along a "smart road" that wirelessly charges her battery before she pulls up to a large house. Heading inside the house, the car demonstrates how future vehicles will be able to be customized at home. Mirrors in the garage show off different body designs, from an electric sedan to an SUV (or an off-road crossover in some ride-throughs) and a roadster.
Leaving the garage, the car rounds several hairpin turns while ascending, driving through a pine forest before heading into a tunnel. In the darkened tunnel, the test vehicle swerves out of the way of a truck. Unlike the previous versions, however, this truck has a smaller, flat-nosed electric design instead of the long, sharp-nosed model.
Exiting the tunnel, the car then enters a hanger where an electric VTOL aircraft is parked as the vehicle and guide talk about how technology keeps moving forward, bringing about new modes of transportation. Guests are then shown a view of a futuristic city with flying vehicles, monorails, and other designs before their vehicle speeds out the door to the outside track, where their picture is taken. Looping around the building, the test vehicle passes the banked turns before reaching a maximum speed of 65 miles per hour.
Re-entering the building, the guests' car then descend a short slope before passing several screens showcasing General Motors' designs and returning to the unload area as the host and car thank the guests and encourage them to check out the post show.
Leaving the unload area, guests can pick up their on-ride photo before exploring the General Motors showroom and the Test Track Gear Shop.
Gift Shop
Guest Exit into the Test Track Gear Shop, where they can buy car-themed merchandise.
Drink Stand
There is a drink stand near the pavilion called Cool Wash.
Food Stand
There is a new food stand near the pavilion called Donut Box.
Trivia
- Opening three years later than scheduled, Test Track claims the record for the most delayed attraction in Disney parks history.
- Test Track holds the title for the fastest Disney attraction (registering at a top speed of 65mph) and the longest ride track length.
- At an estimated cost of $300 million, Test Track is the most expensive theme park attraction in the world.
- The 2012 version of Test Track includes several nods to the World of Motion. These include logos for said attraction hidden around the ride, a futuristic city that evokes the look of CenterCore, the World of Motion's finale, and a sign that reads, "FN2BFRE", a nod to the World of Motion's theme song "It's Fun to Be Free".
- The 2012 update of Test Track also includes a reference to the 2006 Pixar film Cars in the form of a sign that reads, "Turn Right to Go Left", which is a nod to advice that Doc Hudson gives to Lightning McQueen so he can make a turn on dirt.
- The 2025 update features even more nods to The World of Motion, including:
- Mirrors that show guests inside futuristic cars, much like The World of Motion's finale.
- The house having the number "10182", referencing the date when The World of Motion and EPCOT officially opened.
- The car says, "It's always fun to be free!", referencing the ride's theme song.
- A roadsign that reads "82 miles" as a nod to the year of the ride and EPCOT's opening.
- A projected screen showing a futuristic city not unlike the CenterCore.
- A 3D Printed model of the Sea Serpent and explorer in the garage scene.
- The 2025 version also includes a nod to the 1999 version with the Roadster design, which features a predominantly yellow paint scheme like that featured on some of the cars in the original attraction.
Gallery
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Epcot: Test Track back on Dec. 6". Orlando Sentinel (October 9, 2012). Retrieved on October 9, 2012.
- ↑ https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2023/09/youre-invited-disney-parks-unveils-future-projects-surprises-at-destination-d23/
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Worlds of Motion / Test Track". Epcot Discovery Center. Retrieved on July 2, 2012.
- ↑ Timeline – "General Motors and the Walt Disney Company sign a new contract that ensures GM's presence at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida until the 21st century. The contract extends the partnership at Epcot until 2007 and provides for a complete redesign of the existing GM World of Motion pavilion." General Motors. Archived September 8, 2014. Original webpage here.
- ↑ "World of Motion and Test Track Concept & Construction Pictures". Epcot Discovery Center. Retrieved on July 2, 2012.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Jennifer Fickley-Baker (January 6, 2012). "Re-Imagined Test Track Will Put Guests in the Designer's Seat This Fall at Epcot". The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved on January 8, 2012.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Epcot's Test Track to put it in park on April 15". Orlando Sentinel (April 10, 2012). Retrieved on July 3, 2012.
- ↑ "Test Track's Refurbished Vehicles – PHOTOS". The Disney Corner (September 6, 2011). Retrieved on July 3, 2012.
- ↑ Jennifer Fickley-Baker (April 27, 2012). "New Renderings Depict a Re-imagined Test Track at Epcot". The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved on May 3, 2012.
- ↑ "Test Track All Stars | Epcot". touringplans.com.
- ↑ "Test Track Refurbishment With Chevrolet Re-branding Begins, Test Track All-Stars Make Their Debut". Da Mouse (April 19, 2012). Retrieved on July 5, 2012.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 "Test Track Tribute – Full ride, queue, pre-show, and post-show at Epcot". InsideTheMagic (YouTube) (April 16, 2012). Retrieved on July 3, 2012.
- ↑ "Bob Rogers: Theme Park Storytelling". mouseplanet.com (January 12, 2011).
- ↑ "GM Test Track: Them Assembly Experience". BRC Imagination Arts.
- ↑ "BRC - Creators of World Class Attractions". brcweb.com.
- ↑ "Full Test Track 2.0 queue, ride, and post-show at Epcot, Walt Disney World". InsideTheMagic (YouTube) (December 1, 2012). Retrieved on January 18, 2013.
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