Difference between revisions of "Test Track (Pavilion)"
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Revision as of 15:47, 25 March 2016
Test Track is a pavilion located in Epcot. The pavilion was known as World of Motion from 1982-1996. For the attraction located within the pavilion see Test Track (Attraction)
| Test Track (Pavilion) | |
| |
| The entrance sign for the Test Track pavilion. | |
| Epcot | |
| Land | Future World |
|---|---|
| Theme | Transportation |
| Opening date | October 1, 1982 |
| Number of Attractions | 1 |
| Formally Known As | World of Motion (1982-1996) |
| Sponsored by | General Motors (1982-2012) Chevrolet (2012-Present) |
|
| |
Contents
Pavilion History
The history of what is today known as the Test Track pavilion began in 1975 when designs for an EPCOT theme park were just beginning [1]. As part of the plans for the new theme park, Imagineers planned on having a Transportation pavilion in the in new park [1]. A chance meeting between Imagineer Harper Goff and Bill Mitchell (General Motor's head of design) at a school dedication in 1976 [1], eventually led to GM signing on as the sponsor of the Transportation pavilion in the unbuilt EPCOT Center [1]. 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 [2].
By 1978 the Transportation pavilion began to take shape [3]. The pavilion's major attraction was to be a dark ride that took a historical look at the evolution of transportation[3]. The "history of transportation attraction" was designed to end in a model city of the future (a concept borrowed from Ford's Magic Skyway pavilion at the 64 World's Fair) [3]. The attraction was initially created by Imagineer Claude Coats, however due to GM's preference for a more lighthearted tone, Imagineers Ward Kimball and Mark Davis were brought onto the project [1] A secondary attraction was to feature an outside track, although this was scrapped as plans for the pavilion continued to develop[3]. Another aspect of the pavilion that was eventually scrapped, was the idea that the omnimover attraction would weave in and out of the pavilion [4]. Finally, a space was cleared on the pavilion's first floor to house a preshow exhibit, however this space was never used [5].
The Transportation pavilion was eventually named the World of Motion and construction began in 1979 [1]. 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 [3]. 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 Transportation" attraction (also named World of Motion) and the TransCenter, and postshow area that featured interactive exhibits [3]. Although there were minor changes to the TransCenter, from 1982 until 1992 World of Motion remained essentially unchanged [3].
By the end of GM's original contract in 1992, the popularity of the World of Motion had declined [5]. With this is mind General Motors was hesitant about continuing their sponsorship of the pavilion [6]. After 1992, 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 [3]. Eventually, General Motors decided to renew, but with the understanding that World of Motion would be updated [3]. Instead of renovating the existing attraction however, Disney and GM decided to create a new attraction for the pavilion all together.
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 [3]. While visiting the grounds, Imagineers got to see the process that GM's prototype cars went through when they were tested[3]. 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[3]. an attraction that let guests experience how cars were tested before they became available to the public [3]. After getting 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 put through[3].
With plans for Test Track underway, on January 2, 1996 the World of Motion pavilion closed for renovations [3]. On February 13, the GM Preview Center opened in front of the closed pavilion, featuring concept art for Test Track, and a large mural painted by Catherine Feff (which was installed in order to hide the pavilion during its construction) [7]. Due to a series of delays related to both Test Track's ride system and ride vehicles, the attraction was not ready for its May 1997 opening [7]. Instead, in 1998 the GM Preview Center was updated to feature new attraction artwork. Finally, in late 1998, the Preview Center was removed and the attraction soft opened to guests on December 19, 1998 [7]. Despite the fact that both guests and Cast Members were able to ride Test Track in December 1998, due to constant ride breakdowns, Test Track's Grand Opening was pushed back to March 1999 [7]. Finally, after three years of construction, Test Track was officially dedicated on March 17, 1999 [7].
On January 6, 2012 Disney announced that Test Track would be closing for a refurbishment [8]. Although the track and ride vehicles remained, the theming of the attraction was altered. As opposed to showing guests how cars were made, the new version of Test Track focused on the testing of cars. In Test Track 2.0, guests design their own ride vehicle in the queue before testing its capability, efficiency, responsiveness, and power in the attraction itself. Following the attraction, guests now receive a card with their car information on it, which they can use to play various interactive games. On December 6, 2012 Test Track reopened to guests [9]. Since the 2012 refurbishment, Test Track has been sponsored by General Motors' Chevrolet as opposed to the parent company GM [10].
Attractions
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.
General Motors' TransCenter- The General Motor's TransCenter featured 10 exhibits that allowed guests to further explore the history and future of transportation.
Shopping
Test Track Shop- Located at the exit of Test Track, the Test Track Shop allows guests to purchase ride photos, General Motors merchandise, and other Epcot souvenirs.
Former Shopping
Inside Track- The original Test Track gift shop, Inside Track sold automobile souvenirs, Epcot merchandise and guests' on-ride photos. Inside Track was open from 1998-2012.
Restaurants
Taste Track- Located just outside of the Test Track pavilion, this quick service stand sells grilled cheese sandwiches as well as beer.
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 [11] [12].
- General Motors is the only sponsor that the pavilion has ever had (current sponsor Chevrolet is owned by GM). This makes it unique among Epcot pavilions.
- The third floor of the Test Track pavilion holds GM offices and the GM VIP lounge [13].
- When the World of Motion pavilion closed, many the attraction's Audio Animatronics and props were moved to the Backlot Tour at Disney's Hollywood Studios [14].
- During Test Track's 2012 refurbishment, the Test Track All Stars musical group performed outside of the pavilion [15].
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 http://www.omniluxe.net/wyw/wom.htm
- ↑ http://progresscityusa.com/2011/06/28/whirl-of-motion/
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 http://www.martinsvids.net/?s=World+of+Motion
- ↑ http://progresscityusa.com/2011/06/28/whirl-of-motion/
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Pedersen, R.A. The EPCOT Explorer's Encyclopedia:. United States: Epcyclopedia, 2011. Print.
- ↑ http://www.intercot.com/edc/Motion/facts.html
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 http://allears.net/tp/ep/e_tt2.htm
- ↑ https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/01/re-imagined-test-track-will-put-guests-in-the-designers-seat-this-fall-at-epcot/
- ↑ https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/10/test-track-to-reopen-at-epcot-december-6
- ↑ http://www.autonews.com/article/20121109/BLOG06/121109854/chevy-supercharges-test-track-at-disney-world
- ↑ http://www.horizons1.com/history.htm
- ↑ http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=35
- ↑ http://www.intercot.com/edc/Motion/facts.html
- ↑ http://www.lostepcot.com/worldofmotion.html
- ↑ https://touringplans.com/epcot/attractions/test-track-all-stars
