Changes
{{Template:Infobox Disney ride |
| image=Testrack3.jpg
| caption='''Test Track sponsored by Chevrolet now features futuristic aesthetics'''
| land=Future World
| park= Epcot
| duration= 5:34
| opened= March 17, 1999
| height_requirement=40
| soft_opened= December 19, 1998
| theme = Automobile Design
| guests_per_vehicle = 6
| sponsor= General Motors (1999-2012) <br> Chevrolet (2012-Present)
| custom_label_1 = Replaced
| custom_value_1 = [[World of Motion]]
|custom_label_2= Disney Genie +
|custom_value_2= Yes
}}
Test Track is an attraction located in [[Epcot]]. If your looking for the pavilion that houses the attraction see: [[Test Track (Pavilion)]].
==Attraction History==
The development of Test Track began in 1992, as a replacement for the World of Motion. General Motors had sponsored the World of Motion pavilion (which focused on the history of transportation) since 1982; however the pavilion's popularity had been waning. When GM’s sponsorship ran up in 1992 the company was unsure whether or not to renew <Ref name= "Martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=141 </ref>. In order to have more time to make their decision, GM decided to continue its sponsorship for another 12 months <ref name= "Martin"/>. At the end of this period, General Motors chose to renew their sponsorship, but with the understanding that a new attraction would need to be constructed <ref name= "Martin"/>.
Construction on the Test Track’s interior track began on March 4, 1996<ref name= "intercot"> http://www.intercot.com/edc/Motion/facts.html </ref>, and with the exterior track was finished 25 days later<ref name= "Lou"/>. Although construction of was continuing on schedule, problems with the attractions attraction’s tires (which could not withstand the rigor of the ride) and the computer system, led to major setbacks<ref name= "Lou"/>. On Despite this, on October 28, 1996 , a single -car test run was held, although the attraction was nowhere near completion<ref name= "intercot"/>. Even though on On February 14, 1997 the show instillation was complete, ; however when May rolled around Test Track was still not open<ref name= "Lou"/>. In fact the only change that guests could seeat the time, was the removal of that the "Opening in May 1997" sign and the addition of a was changed to "Opening Soon" sign<ref name= "Lou"/>.
By 1998 the attraction Test Track was still not open, but the concept art and videos shown in the Test Track Preview Center were updated<ref name= "Lou"/>. Guests also began to see Test Track merchandise available both at a cart outside of the pavilion, as well as throughout the rest of Epcot<ref name= "Lou"/>. Finally, in December of 1998 the ride was complete<ref name= "Lou"/>. The At this time, the large mural on the outside of the building was removed, and soft openings for guests and cast members began<ref name= "intercot"/>. Although complete, Test Track broke down frequently, and took a long time to restart. This pushed back the opening of the attraction once again , this time to March of 1999<ref name= "Lou"/>. After three years of construction, Test Track was officially dedicated on March 17, 1999. On hand for the event was NASCAR driver Richard Petty and supermodels Christine Brinkley, Angie Everhart, Carol Alt, and Frederique. Musical bands Earth, Wind and Fire and The Spinners played as fireworks flew over Epcot.
==Attraction Plot==
===Original Test Tack (1999-2012)=======Queue and Preshow====The story that the original Test Track is a high speed attraction which shows told began when guests entered the rigors queue. Once in line, they entered an area that was themed to look like an industrial testing laboratory. In the laboratory, there were two different kinds of tests. First, in the Quality Zone, guests could see how General Motors used various technologies in their vehicles go through before and how these components were tested. The second part of the queue consisted of the Quality Zone, where guests could see how brakes, wheels, airbags, suspensions, seat belts and the windshield were all tested. As guests moved further into the queue they are soldcould see various "Snap-On" tools and GM's test machine, while television sets showed other tests being performed.
After passing through the turnstiles, guests reached the preshow room. Here, they would watch a video hosted by Bill McKim. Bill told a technician that he wanted to set up certain tests, as guests watched a short clip showing what each test would entail. Before guests boarded their cars, Bill told the technician that he wanted a "surprise test", which was accompanied by a clip of a car crashing into a barrier. After watching the video, guests proceed to the loading area, where they boarded their cars. ===Queue and Preshow=Main Ride====[[Image:Testtrackspeed.jpg|thumb|400px|Guests on the "speed lap" portion of the original Test Track.]]On the original Test Track, guests went through various simulations that General Motors vehicles go through before being sold to the public. These included:
'''Suspension Test'''- After passing through reaching the turnstiles, guests reach the preshow room. Here guests watch a video hosted by Bill McKim. Bill tells a technician what tests he wants to set up, as guests see a short clip top of what each test will entail. Before boarding their cars, Bill also tells the technician that he wants a "surprise test"ascension, which is accompanied by a clip of a car crashing into a barrier. After watching the video guests proceed to the loading area, where they board their carsdescended down one floor over various surfaces including bricks and cobblestone.
'''Hill Climb TestEnvironmental Chambers'''- After guests enter their carsgoing through the brake test, the vehicles begin to go up a three story ascension. As the cars go upentered the Environmental Chambers. Here, their engine roars guests were exposed to extreme heat (110°F) and their tires squealextreme cold (10°F), before they were sprayed with a corrosion mist by robots.
'''Suspension Ride Handling Test'''- After reaching The next test that the top of guests endured tested the ascensioncar's handling. In the handling tests, the cars descend down one floor over various surfacescar climbed up a series of hills, while increasing its speed and making blind turns. Surfaces which At the cars drive over includetop of the hill the car almost drove directly into an oncoming semi-truck, bricks and cobblestonebefore dodging it at the last second.
'''Brake Barrier Test'''- The next tests that guests go through is After completing the brake handling test. First, guests experienced the cars antitest shown in the preshow film-lock braking system is turned off as the car tries to navigate through a cone coursebarrier test. With the system offAt this time, the car knocks over many cones. Next, the anti-lock braking is turned back on lined up with a barrier and the car is easily able began to navigate the courseaccelerate towards it. After completing Just before hitting the second coursebarrier however, guests watch an instant replay a series of flashes occurred and the barrier flew out of the testsway. At this point guest's picture were taken, to reinforce how important which could later be purchased in the anti-lock breaking system ispavilion’s shop.
'''Environmental ChambersHigh Speed Lap'''- After going through the brake testbarrier moved away, guests enter the Environmental Chambersfound themselves outside and moving at a much faster rate. HereAs the car took a lap along the banked roadway, they are exposed guests could reach speeds of up to extreme heat (110°F)65 miles per hour. After the lap had ended, extreme cold (10°F) and they are even sprayed with a corrosion mist by robotsthermal scan was taken of guests before they unloaded into the gift shop.
==Fun Facts and Trivia==
* Test Track holds the distinction of being the fastest attraction (reaching speeds up to 65 mph) in all of Walt Disney World<ref> http://www.insidethemagic.net/2012/04/test-track-tribute-experience-the-fastest-walt-disney-world-ride-as-epcot-changes-its-gears-in-an-extreme-makeover/ </ref>. * Test Track also features 5,246 foot track, the longest in Disney World <ref name= "intercot"> http://www.intercot.com/edc/Motion/facts.html </ref>. * On average each of Test Track’s ride vehicles travel 50,000 miles per year <ref name= "intercot"/>.
* The attraction also holds the record for longest construction time at approximately three years!attractions host Bill McKim is played by actor John Michael Higgins <ref> http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0383422/otherworks </ref>.
* The nozzles that spray guests with mist in score for the Enviormental Chambers are actually Hidden Mickeysoriginal Test Track is titled Test Track Medley and was composed by George Wilkins <ref> http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0929260/ </ref>.
* The attractions host Bill McKim is played by actor John Michael HigginsAlbert Yu designed the original Test Track ride vehicles <ref name= "book"/>.