Test Track is a giant slot car attraction at Epcot sponsored by Cheverlot (used to be General Motors). The ride is a simulated excursion through the rigorous testing procedures that Cheverlot uses to evaluate its vehicles, culminating in a high-speed drive around the exterior of the attraction.
Guests ride in futuristic "test vehicles" in a Cheverlot "testing facility" and are taken through a series of assessments to illustrate how automobile prototype evaluations are conducted. The highlight of the attraction is a speed trial on a track around the exterior of the Test Track building at a top speed of 65 miles per hour (104.6 km/h) on a 50-degree banked curve, making it the fastest Disney theme park attraction ever built, next to California Screamin', Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Tokyo DisneySea's Journey to the Center of the Earth (which uses an improved version of Test Track's ride system).
During the entering of the queue, guest view a sample repair and test shop. As guests enter the queue in the welcome center they are shown tests performed on cars and parts before they are released. The queue winds past different tests for tires, car doors, an anechoic chamber for radio receivers, and an area for crash test dummies to be tested. At the end of the queue a group of guests are brought into a briefing room where they are shown automobile testing facilities and examples of tests being performed. The host, Bill McKim ( John Michael Higgins ) tells the guests that they will take part in some of these tests and tells the technician Sherrie what tests to set up. Small videos of each test are shown as he speaks. He finally tells her to choose one final "surprise test," and a video of a car crashing into a barrier is shown as a door is opened for guests to enter the interior queue.
Upon reaching the end of this second queue guests are loaded into the test cars to begin. Upon dispatching from the loading dock, the car is brought through an accelerated hill climb. Next, the car's suspension is tested over different road surfaces, including bricks and cobblestones. Next, the car's anti-lock braking system is turned off and the car tries to navigate a course of cones, knocking many over in the process. The anti-lock brakes are then turned back on and a similar cone course is navigated easily. Guests are shown a video overlay of the difference. Next, the cars are brought through environmental chambers: a hot chamber of 110F (43C), a cold chamber of 10F (-13C), and a corrosion chamber. The nozzles on the corrosion robots are actually Hidden Mickeys.
The handling of the car is tested next. It climbs a set of hills with blind turns while increasing its speed each time. At the top the car almost crashes into an oncoming semi-truck before swerving out of the way. The car is now on the final test shown in the briefing room: the barrier test. The car lines up across from a barrier and begins to accelerate towards it. Just before hitting the barrier a series of flashes occur, where a picture of the guests is taken, and the barrier opens to a track outside. The car takes a lap around the building with banked turns and a max speed of 65 mph (104.6 km/h). As the car returns to the loading dock a thermal scan is taken of the guests and shown on a large screen.
Like many Disney attractions, Test Track exits into a themed gift shop featuring merchandise associated with the attraction. Guests can also view and purchase photos taken of their vehicle on the ride or scan their Photopass to view or purchase the photos later. There is also an area where there is a showroom of all new, prototype, or legendary GM vehicles.
Touring Tips
- Test Track isa FASTPASS Attraction. The ride is so popular, that the FASTPASSs are usually gone by mid-afternoon. It is not unusual to arrive at Test Track at 10:00 am to find the FASTPASS time for your return is mid to late afternoon. Test Track remains the one FASTPASS attraction where you still encounter long waits in line.
- If you are a single rider or don't mind splitting up your party ask the Cast Members you see on the outside part of the queue where the single rider line is. A single rider line means your party will be separated, but you will bypass the inside queue and waiting time. You will be loaded in vehicles as single spaces become available. You still see the Pre-Show.
- There is a huge queue area both inside and outside of the Test Track building! Once you are inside the building, if all 3 pre-show rooms are operating and the ride is fully functional, your wait will be between 30-60 minutes. Outside of the building, depending on the length of the lines, you could have a 1-2 hour wait.
- Be aware that the inside queue area is loud, Louder and loudest as you walk further in.
- Children under the age of 7 cannot ride Test Track without being accompanied by an adult and a height restriction of 40" is in effect but parents may wish to use the "switch off" option.
Facts
- Opened March 17, 1999.
- The ride remains powered up 20 or more hours a day, due to lengthy start up times and nightly maintenance.
- Powered by three onboard computers which together have more processing power than the Space Shuttle, each test vehicle steers passengers through more than five minutes of tire-squealing road tests. The rigorous testing schedule includes an engine-roaring, three-story ascent; a wildly out-of-control skid; and a 50 degree banked curve at 65 mph.
- Test Track climbs, spirals and snakes through the 150,000-square-foot pavilion, including areas simulating arctic cold and desert heat. About half of the track loops outside the pavilion where maximum speeds are obtained.
- This ride holds the distinction of being the most-delayed attraction at any Disney theme park. It was three years late in opening. Second places goes to the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.
History
Test Track opened to the public on December 19, 1998 after a long delay due to problems revealed during testing and changes to the ride design. It had many opening dates that it missed, such as May 1997 and August 1998. It replaced the World of Motion, though it uses the same ride building. It did not receive its official grand opening until March 17, 1999.
Hidden Mickey
- There are many on this ride - check out the Mickey Pez dispenser on the workbench in area 2B, the white workbench in area 8B where three large washers form Mickey's head, the Cold Room that shows Mickey in frost on the back wall and the Corrosion Room that has a Mickey in rust on both sides of the room.
- The nozzles on the corrosion robots on the queue are actually Hidden Mickeys.