Test Track (Pavilion)
Test Track is a pavilion located in Epcot. The pavilion was known as the World of Motion pavilion from 1982-1996.
| Test Track (Pavilion) | |
| |
| The entrance to 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 (1982-1999) |
| Sponsored by | GM (1982-Present) |
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Contents
Pavilion History
Test Track opened as the World of Motion pavilion in 1982 with the rest of EPCOT Center. The pavilion was sponsored by General Motors, the first company to agree to sponsor an Epcot pavilion. The World of Motion pavilion was shaped like a large, chrome wheel. The pavilion only featured one attraction, also called the World of Motion, which took guests through the history of human transportation. The attraction featured 30 different scenes which showed transportation advance, from the invention of the wheel, all the way to the modern highway system. The World of Motion even predicted what the future of transportation would be like, by showing guests CenterCore, a futuristic metropolis where everything seemed to be in motion. The ride specifically focused on how advancements in transportation have made our lives more fun and free. Unlike the other Epcot pavilions, The World of Motion took a humorous approach to its subject. Imagineer Ward Kimball helped create the attractions storyline, while Imagineers X Atencio and Buddy Baker penned the attractions theme song "It's Fun to Be Free". After exiting the attraction, guests would enter General Motors' TransCenter. Here guests could see new prototype transportation methods, and even watch automated robots assemble various vehicles.
In 1992 General Motor's ten year sponsorship of the pavilion ran up, and General Motors was unsure if they wanted to renew it. Due to the slumping economy, GM was facing large cutbacks and layoffs, and the company was not sure how beneficial their Epcot sponsorship was. If General Motors was to renew their sponsorship, it would require them to perform major renovations or even develop and new attraction altogether (as Disney wanted). GM eventually decided to renew their sponsorship for one year. The stop-gap sponsorship allowed the company to determine how beneficial their sponsorship was, while also protecting the pavilion from a rival sponsor. The one year sponsorship also gave GM time to see if the economy would recover. At the end of the year GM decided to re-up their sponsorship for (presumably) ten years. With the signing of the new sponsorship, GM and Disney decided to create a new attraction for the pavilion. It was also decided that the World of Motion attraction would remain open until the new attraction was developed.
When designing the new attraction, General Motors decided that they wanted to the new attraction to focus on the automobile side of transportation. Walt Disney Imagineering decided to revisit one of their original ideas for the pavilion, an attraction that would let guests experience how cars were tested before making in to the lot. Disney and GM engineers then visited the GM's proving grounds, to get ideas for the new attraction. It was eventually decided that the attraction would be called Test Track, and that it take guests through the rigorous testing that GM cars are put through. On January 2, 1996 the World of Motion was permanently closed. Later in the year, the GM Test Track Preview Center opened giving guests an idea of what the new attraction would be like. Although Test Track was supposed to open in the spring of 1997, problems with the ride vehicles plagued the attraction. Due to the delay, Test Track officially opened on March 17, 1999. Test Track took guests through the various training exercises that crash test dummies usually go through. When it opened, the attraction was the fastest in Walt Disney World, with speeds reaching 65 mph.
In Test Track's post show, guests can see General Motors newest cars up close and personal. They can also learn about the newest technology in the automotive industry.
Attractions
Test Track- This high speed attraction lets guests experience first hand, the rigorous testing that General Motors vehicles go through. On this attraction, guests will board futuristic ride vehicles and travel through, the brake room, the hot and cold room, and a handling test room. The finale of the ride takes guests on a thrilling 65 mph loop around the pavilion.
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 allowed guests to watch automated robots assemble GM cars. Here, guests could also see prototype vehicles from GM.
Shopping
Test Track Giftshop- At the Test Track Giftshop guests can purchase Test Track ride photos, General Motors merchandise and other Epcot souvenirs. Located just outside of Test Track.
Fun Facts and Triva
- The closure of the World of Motion Pavilion, led to Horizons being briefly reopened in 1997. This was done to make sure there were enough attractions for guests to experience in Future World.
- General Motors is the only sponsor that the pavilion has ever had. This makes it unique among Epcot pavilions.
- The third floor of the pavilion holds GM offices and the GM VIP lounge
- When the World of Motion pavilion closed, many of the cars were moved to the boneyard scene in the Backlot Tour at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
References
http://www.intercot.com/edc/Motion/facts.html
http://www.lostepcot.com/worldofmotion.html
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/attractions/test-track-pavilion/
http://www.guide-to-disney.com/epcot/future-world/test-track/inside-track-shop.php
