After all the announcements at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, we’re gearing up for some BIG changes coming to Disney World.
Spaceship Earth
With additions like a Villains Land and a Monsters, Inc. Land on the horizon, there’s going to be quite a bit to explore in the future. Unfortunately, it’ll likely take some time for these projects to be completed. The good news is that one of Disney World’s big updates is already underway, and it’s set to open next year!
Test Track in EPCOT closed in June of this year to receive a major overhaul. This isn’t your regular ride refurbishment — nope, the attraction will be getting a new storyline and new ride vehicles before its reopening in 2025.
Test Track
During the Disney Experiences showcase at D23, we got a little more information about the changes coming to the ride. The updated version of Test Track “will celebrate today’s innovation while highlighting the past, present, and future.” The queue is getting six different exhibits that celebrate the vehicles (and the people behind the vehicles) that “push the envelope and help get people to our next chapter in our motion journey.”
Reimagining concept art ©Disney
New show scenes will be added throughout the ride to celebrate transportation technology and how this age of mobility connects everyone. Disney says we will, “Enjoy a joy ride through scenes focusing on onboard technology, customization and personalization.” At the end of the ride, you’ll take a trip through a “scenic outdoor route reminding us all of the joys of driving, taking in the world around us, and spending quality time with friends and family.”
©Disney
It’s that last description that has fans of the old version of Test Track getting worried. If you’ll recall, the ride used to take visitors on a “sim car test” where you would design a car and then go through a course to test things like the capability and efficiency of your vehicle. The ride ended with a climactic “power test” where you’d reach top speed as you did a lap around the outside of the ride building.
Power Test launch
But with this new description of a “scenic outdoor route” where we’re reminded of the “joys of driving,” it doesn’t exactly sound like a high-speed thrill ride. In fact, it sounds more like Disney’s describing a Sunday afternoon drive. You know, the kind where you roll slowly through your hometown with the windows down on a nice day? Yeah, that’s not really the same vibe as the old Test Track.
On the Power Test
Ultimately, Disney hasn’t given specifics yet on the top speed of the ride or what EXACTLY will happen during that final lap around the building. We’ve got our fingers crossed that we’ll get to keep the speed element, but we’ll have to wait and see. And maybe one of those “joys of driving” is going 65 mph in an open-top car? We sure think so!
The former final lap on Test Track
We’ll continue to bring you more news and updates about ongoing projects in Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest.
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I’v decided to ignore Disney’s updates and descriptions. We were lead to expect a few announcements for new things coming to the parks at D-23 and look what we got. I will just wait and see and not get too excited or disappointed until I ride the ride.
What a sad state we now live in. Test Track, in its original version after the World of Motion was a logical step the journey of transportation and how it evolved into a same mode. It was ground breaking, innovative, immersive, breathtaking and all of the wonderful imagination that Disney has become famous for. This new version scares me and I am very concerned that it will become another walk by like Moana and the current craze of dark spin and puke rides, not attractions.
Why is it so bad to slow down the Test Track ride and make it more FAMILY FRIENDLY? It is not as if EPCOT is without thrill rides, for example Sorin, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, Mission Space, and some even believe Remy. It would be nice to have more new rides family friendly.
I would take any speed if they cover the track outdoors so Test Track don’t go down in inclement weather!
Kevin, I like your idea of covering the track. It would keep, the ride “up” in all weather, but I might miss the wind in my face. I am a ride weenie, a real chicken and test track was my limit. Still haven’t been on GOG-CR or Tron and Remy is not good for my vertigo. But having test track weather resilient would be nice.