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{{Template:Infobox Disney ride |
| image= Testrack2.jpg
| theme=Transportation
| sponsor= General Motors (1982-2012) <br> Chevrolet (2012-Present)
| land=Future WorldDiscovery
| park= Epcot
| opened=October 1, 1982
| custom_label_2 = Formally Known As
| custom_value_2 = World of Motion (1982-1996)}}
Test Track is a pavilion located in World Discovery within [[Epcot]]. The pavilion was known as World of Motion from 1982-1996. For the attraction located within the pavilion see [[Test Track (Attraction)]]
==Pavilion History==
The history of what eventually be known as the Test Track pavilion began in 1975 with Disney's plans for a "Future World Theme Center"<ref name= "widen"> http://www.omniluxe.net/wyw/wom.htm </ref>. An early precursor to what would eventually become EPCOT Center's Future World, the Future World Theme Center was to be made up of pavilions, in a similar fashion to the World's Fairs. Inside this park, Disney planned on creating a Transportation pavilion.
A chance meeting in 1976 between General Motor's head of design, Bill Mitchell, and Imagineer Bob Gurr led to GM and Disney to enter negotiations for GM to sponsor the Transportation pavilion<ref name= "widen"/>. Remembering the success that Ford had in partnering with Disney at the 1964 World's Fair, GM agreed to 15 year contract, becoming the first of EPCOT Center's many sponsors <ref> http://progresscityusa.com/2011/06/28/whirl-of-motion/ </ref>.
The Transportation pavilion was eventually named the World of Motion and construction began in 1979 <ref name= "widen"/>. The pavilion itself was designed to look like a large wheel (albeit one that was 65ft high and 320 feet across), with guests entering through a “wedge” that had been removed from the wheel it <ref name= "Martin"/>. On October 1, 1982 , the World of Motion pavilion opened with the rest of EPCOT Center. When the pavilion opened it featured the aforementioned "History or Transportationhistory of transportation" attraction (also named World of Motion) and the TransCenter, and a postshow area that featured interactive exhibits <ref name= "Martin"/>. Although there were minor changes to the TransCenter, from 1982 until 1992 World of Motion remained essentially unchanged <ref name= "Martin"/>.
By the end of GM's original contract in 1992, the popularity of the World of Motion had declined <ref name= "book"/>. With this is mind General Motors was hesitant about continuing their sponsorship of the pavilion <ref name= "intercot"> http://www.intercot.com/edc/Motion/facts.html </ref>. After 1992At this time, GM agreed to sponsor the pavilion for 12 months, in order to reevaluate the benefits of their sponsorship, while also protecting the pavilion from a rival sponsor <ref name= "Martin"/>. Eventually, General Motors decided to renewtheir sponsorship, but with the understanding that World of Motion would be updated <ref name= "Martin"/>. Instead of renovating the existing attraction however, Disney and GM decided to create a new attraction for the pavilion all together. [[Image:OldschoolTestTrack.jpg|thumb|400px| The Test Track pavilion as it looked from 1998-2012. Photo by Josh Hallett]]With instructions from GM to narrow the focus of the new attraction to automobiles, Walt Disney Imagineering decided to revisit one of the original ideas for the World of Motion pavilion. In 1976, Imagineers had visited GM's testing ground in Milford, Michigan, where they got to see the process that GM's prototype cars went through when they were tested<ref name= "Martin"/>. With this in mind, Imagineers had originally planned on creating a secondary attraction for World of Motion that would have had guests testing futuristic automobiles<ref name= "Martin"/>. Taking inspiration from the General Motors proving grounds, Imagineering pitched the idea of Test Track, an "E-ticket" attraction that would take guests through the rigorous testing that GM cars are put through<ref name= "Martin"/>.
With instructions from GM to narrow the focus of the new attraction to automobilesplans for Test Track underway, on January 2, 1996, Walt Disney Imagineering decided to revisit one of the original ideas for the World of Motion pavilionclosed for renovations <ref name= "Martin"/>. In 1976Subsequently, Imagineers had visited on February 13, the GM's testing ground Preview Center opened in Milfordfront of the closed pavilion. The GM Preview Center featured concept art for Test Track, Michigan and a large mural painted by Catherine Feff (which was installed in order to hide the pavilion during its construction) <ref name= "MartinLou"> http://allears.net/tp/ep/e_tt2.htm </ref>. While visiting the grounds, Imagineers got Due to see the process that GMa series of delays related to both Test Track's prototype cars went through when they were testedride system and ride vehicles, the attraction was not ready for its May 1997 opening <ref name= "MartinLou"/>. With this Instead, in mind1998 the GM Preview Center was updated to feature new attraction artwork. Next, Imagineers had originally planned on creating a secondary in late 1998, the Preview Center was removed and the attraction for World of Motion that would have had soft opened to guests testing futuristic automobileson December 19, 1998 <ref name= "MartinLou"/>. an attraction Despite the fact that let both guests experience how cars and Cast Members were tested before they became available able to the public ride Test Track in December 1998, due to constant ride breakdowns, Test Track's Grand Opening was pushed back to March 1999 <ref name= "MartinLou"/>. After getting inspiration from the General Motors proving groundsFinally, Imagineering pitched the idea after three years of construction, Test Trackwas officially dedicated on March 17, an "E-ticket" attraction that would take guests through the rigorous testing that GM cars put through1999 <ref name= "MartinLou"/>.
==Attractions==
[[Image:Worldofmotionscene.jpg|thumb|400px|A scene from the World of Motion attraction.]]'''[[Test Track]]'''- This high speed attraction lets guests design , and then test , their own SimCar. Reaching a top speed of 65 mph, Test Track is the fastest attraction in Epcot.
===Former Attractions===
'''World of Motion'''- This dark ride attraction took guests through 30 different scenes depicting the history of transportation. The ride concluded by showing guests the future of transportation in CenterCore- a futuristic metropolis.
==Restaurants==
'''[[Taste TrackBurgers and Fries]]'''- Located just outside of the Test Track pavilion, this quick service stand sells grilled cheese sandwiches as well as beerhamburgers and fries.
==Fun Facts and Trivia==
* The closure of the World of Motion pavilion (as well as Universe of Energy), led to Horizons being briefly reopened in 1995. This was done to make sure there were enough attractions for guests to experience in Future World <ref> http://www.horizons1.com/history.htm </ref> <ref> http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=35 </ref>.
==References==