Difference between revisions of "Test Track"

Revision as of 23:25, 4 April 2012

Test Track is an attraction located in Epcot. If your looking for the pavilion that houses the attraction see: Test Track (Pavilion).

Attraction History

Test Track was built as a replacement for the World of Motion pavilion which closed in 1996. The World of Motion opened with the park in 1982, and was sponsored by General Motors. The attraction was a dark ride which took guests through the history of transportation. When General Motors sponsorship ran up in 1992, the company was unsure if it wanted to renew. Eventually, GM decided that if it was going to sign a new deal, a new attraction would need to be constructed. Disney agreed, and Imagineers quickly went to work on designing a new attraction. Since General Motors wanted the attraction to focus on the automotive industry, Imagineers went back to an old idea. They decided to create an attraction based on the rigorous testing that vehicles must go through before they are sold. The idea actually originated before the World of Motion pavilion was built, but it remained unused.

Although the plan to construct Test Track began in 1992, the World of Motion did not close until Jan 2, 1996. The interior of the pavilion was almost completely gutted, and a new track was built, both inside and outside of the pavilion. On February 13, 1996 the "GM Test Track Preview Center" opened. Here guests could see concept art and models of Epcot's newest thrill ride. An enormous mural was also painted on the outside of the building. The mural, which was painted by French artist Catherine Feff was 30 tall and 100 feet wide. A sign on the Preview Center promised that the opening date of Test Track would be in May of 1997.

Construction on the interior track began on March 4, 1996, and the exterior track was finished 25 days later. Although construction of was continuing on schedule, problems with the attractions tires (which could not withstand the rigor of the ride) and the computer system, led to major setbacks. On October 28, 1996 a single car test run was held, although the attraction was nowhere near completion. Even though on February 14, 1997 the show instillation was complete, when May rolled around Test Track was still not open. In fact the only change that guests could see, was the removal of the "Opening in May 1997" sign and the addition of a "Opening Soon" sign.

By 1998 the attraction was still not open, but the concept art and videos shown in the Test Track Preview Center were updated. Guests also began to see Test Track merchandise available at a cart outside of the pavilion. Finally, in December of 1998 the ride was complete. The large mural on the outside of the building was removed, and soft openings for guests and cast members began. Although complete, Test Track broke down frequently, and took a long time to restart. This pushed back the opening of the attraction once again to March of 1999. 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.

Since it's opening, the attraction has remained essentially the same. However in February of 2012, Disney announced that Test Track would be going under a lengthy refurbishment. General Motors' Chevrolet will assume sponsorship of the pavilion, and guests will now be able to design their own Chevrolet while in the queue. After designing their car guests will be see how their car endures through the various testing procedures by boarding the "SimCars"". The post show is expected to allow guests to see new models of Chevrolets, as well as future Chevrolet products.

Attraction Plot

Test Track is a high speed attraction which shows guests the rigors that General Motors vehicles go through before they are sold.

Queue and Preshow

The story that Test Track tells begins when guests enter the queue. The first area that they enter is themed to look like an industrial testing laboratory. Here their are two different types of tests. In the Quality Zone, guests see how GM use various technologies in their vehicles, and how these are tested. The other part of the queue consists of the Quality Zone, here guests can see tests of the brakes, wheels, airbags, suspensions, seat belts and the windshield. As guests move further into the queue, they can see various "snap-on" tools and GM test machines. In this area, their are also televisions which show different tests.

After passing through 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 of what each test will entail. Before boarding their cars, Bill also tells the technician that he wants a "surprise test", 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 cars.

Main Ride

On Test Track, guests go through the various simulations that General Motors vehicles go through before being sold to the public. The tests that guests will encounter on the ride are:

Hill Climb Test- After guests enter their cars, the vehicles begin to go up a three story ascension. As the cars go up, their engine roars and their tires squeal.

Suspension Test- After reaching the top of the ascension, the cars descend down one floor over various surfaces. Surfaces which the cars drive over include, bricks and cobblestone.

Brake Test- The next tests that guests go through is the brake test. First, the cars anti-lock braking system is turned off as the car tries to navigate through a cone course. With the system off, the car knocks over many cones. Next, the anti-lock braking is turned back on and the car is easily able to navigate the course. After completing the second course, guests watch an instant replay of the tests, to reinforce how important the anti-lock breaking system is.

Environmental Chambers- After going through the brake test, guests enter the Environmental Chambers. Here, they are exposed to extreme heat (110°F), extreme cold (10°F) and they are even sprayed with a corrosion mist by robots.

Ride Handling Test- The next test that the guests must endure, tests the car's handling. Here, the car climbs up a series of hills, while increasing it's speed and making blind turns. At the top of the hill the car almost drives directly into a oncoming semi, before dodging it at the last second.

Barrier Test- After completing the handling test, guests experience the test shown in the preshow film: the barrier test. The car then lines up with a barrier and begins to accelerate towards it. Just before hitting the barrier however, a series of flashes occur and the barrier flies out of the way. At this point guests picture is taken, which can be purchased in the attractions gift shop.

High Speed Lap- After the barrier moves away, guests find themselves outside and moving at a much faster rate. As the car takes a lap along the banked roadway, guests can reach speeds of up to 65 miles per hour. After the lap has ended, a thermal scan is take of guests, before they unload into the gift shop.

Postshow

In Test Track's postshow, guests can buy attraction merchandise and on ride photo's which were taken just before the high speed lap. The postshow also features a show room which holds past, present and future GM cars. It is expected that following Test Tracks refurbishment, the postshow will feature future Chevrolets.

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.

• The attraction also holds the record for longest construction time at approximately three years!

• The nozzles that spray guests with mist in the Enviormental Chambers are actually Hidden Mickeys.

• The attractions host Bill McKim is played by actor John Michael Higgins.

• The score for the attraction is titled Test Track Medley and was composed by George Wilkins.