Test Track
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 which previews the tests guests will occur on the attraction, and the cars which they will be riding in. After watching the video guests proceed to the loading area, where they board their cars.
