A LOT is changing in Disney World, specifically at EPCOT. Okay, actually a lot has already changed at EPCOT as it’s about to finish a multi-year massive transformation.
Test Track
However, Disney isn’t quite done with EPCOT just yet. Disney previously announced that one of EPCOT’s most popular rides, Test Track, would be getting an update, and that update is going to happen sooner rather than later. Test Track will close on June 17th, but as to what we can expect from the update…well…Disney has been pretty tight-lipped about most of the details. So we asked YOU, our DFB readers, what you think the new Test Track will be like, and you had some theories!
What won’t change
First, we need to go over the things that we’ve confirmed won’t change with Test Track. For example, the ride isn’t moving. It’s staying in the same building it’s always been in. Disney has also confirmed that it has a great relationship with Chevrolet, who will remain as the sponsor for the ride.
Chevrolet will remain the sponsor
Finally, concept art of the new version of the ride suggests that the outdoor portion of the track will also remain intact. We know this is a source of frustration for some because with part of the ride being outdoors, well, that means that the ride closes during bad weather.
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What will change
We know from concept art that the ride’s exterior will get a bit of an update. It looks like the ride’s main sign will change, along with some of its nighttime lighting. There is a lot more purple mixed with the blue lighting in this concept art of Test Track’s new nighttime look.
©Disney
The ride’s overall theme will also change. Disney promised the new Test Track would take inspiration from World of Motion, the opening day EPCOT attraction that was originally in that space. That attraction “took visitors on a time travel journey through the history of transportation.”
World of Motion ©Disney
From the concept art, we can also see that the ride vehicles may be changing. It looks like the cars will be gone to be replaced by a different vehicle inspired by World of Motion, which used an Omnimover system for the vehicles.
3 Clues About How Test Track Will CHANGE in EPCOT
Theories
Okay, so let’s talk about the theories YOU, our readers shared with us. One of the overall theories, which seems plausible is a focus on Autonomous Vehicles, aka self-driving vehicles. This would certainly make the attraction more futuristic. Steve said, “I would like to see them lean heavy on the autonomous vehicle concept. That appears to be the future of cars. You already don’t actually drive the car, so they should make that more obvious. It could help people get into the future that GM is working towards.”
Current Test Track queue
Another theory was that the ride would be given a Sugar Rush theme from Wreck-It Ralph. Skyler said, “They should make it into Sugar Rush theme from Wreck it Ralph. Play the mini games to earn candies to build your car, then go test it before the big race.” We’re pretty sure this isn’t the plan for Test Track, but wouldn’t this be a cool concept for Tomorrowland Speedway in Magic Kingdom?
Test track vehicle
One of our readers, Donnie, had a very cool theory about incorporating seasonal overlays into the ride: “I’m hoping that it’ll be like a country scene like you see in the concept art I don’t know if they’re gonna build a show building outside to cover the current track, but it’ll be cool if they did that but like screens around the building outside where you speed around on the track and it changes with the seasons it could be like a snow overlay with Christmas and could be fall Halloweenish there’s so many overlays you could do.”
Inside Test Track
Of course, we KNEW someone had to mention potentially giving it a Cars theme so that it’s like Radiator Springs Racers in Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort. Richard said, “I LOVE the Cars track in CA.” Well, we do, too, but, again, Disney’s concept art doesn’t look like it’s going in that direction.
Radiator Springs Racers
Several of our readers think that the ride will focus on Electric Vehicles (EVs). Kelli said, “It’s still sponsored by GM and they are pretty serious about it. It wouldn’t surprise me if it deals more with electric cars.” That would certainly take the attraction into the future, right?
Of course, these are all theories, and we won’t know for sure until Disney reveals more information about its plans to upgrade Test Track. We’ll let you know when we find out more. Want to participate in these discussions? Be sure to follow us on Facebook.
Stay tuned to DFB for more.
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I hope they redesign the cars so that people can sit more comfortably. Either make them with just a flat bench so they can keep fitting 6 people in the cars, or change them so that it’s only 4 people and they’re not crammed in.
I wish they could just turn back the hand of time and bring us back to the old days by merging the original concept of the History of Transportation to the journey thru the Factory which I thought was fascinating. Then end up on the tract with a time tunnel passage into the future of transit. We need more educational experiences in Epcot and less thrill rides in the dark.