Walt Disney World Epcot Discussion Thread

[ernierocker]

I was a big fan of the original Test Track, so I am looking forward to seeing this revamped version. I will reserve judgement until after I have rode it, but from the video it definitely does not look disappointing!

[vacoaster09]

The ride looks awesome! I don't mind the fact that a tron connection or reference can be made. In my opinion its kind of a safeguard. If for whatever reason Chevrolet's (I assume lease) connection with this ride expires or is discontinued... Disney can easily rebrand the ride into one of their own. They can fall back on Tron and the ride would still work and make sense (althought not light cycles).

[Hilltopper39]

Looks like Carl Edwards was doing some undercover research for Ford and their new car rides concept set to open at Six Flags Parks across America in 2014.....

 

 

But seriously this whole revamp looks fantastic, can't wait to check it out. I guess my only minor complaint is that I've always thought the outdoor section of this ride is kind of bare, and now with the inside so futuristic and awesome looking the transition from inside to outside is even more drastic than it was before. I wish they would have tried to incorporate some of the themeing elements of the inside dark ride portion onto the outside track sections even if it was something as minimal as some neon for the rides at night , or some head chopper signage above the track or a couple of little tunnel with some lighting effects or something. Still looks like an awesome attraction, and one that will around for a while.

[Sir Clinksalot]

I think it looks great, hope we'll get out to FL soon.

 

but this seems like a good step in making the place more forward-focused in theme and concept.

True, but at the same time one of the hazards of doing futuristic themes is their tendency to date.

Think of the way Tommorrowland feels today, or the way the architecture of Future World feels as a whole. When I first visited Epcot (2007) I guess it felt like an 80s rendition of the future.

....The future?...

 

Here's the thing, using the digital screens like they have makes it easy to update in the upcoming years.

 

Question, and forgive me if this has been asked:

 

Is the ride experience different each time you go through? For example, the digital projections, are they the same every time?

[JayTricky]

Really, really impressed with the new Test Track experience. Looking forward to my trip in January. Epcot is such a wonderful park with huge variety.

[Reality15]

Is the ride experience different each time you go through? For example, the digital projections, are they the same every time?

Yes, the ride experience is the same every time. The only part that changes are the four screens ranking riders' custom creations at the end of each section.

 

Has anyone ridden it today or yesterday? We rode it on Saturday for a few hours when it first opened up and everything was working fine, but it sounds like later in the day some of the effects stopped working (syncing riders' custom cars to the sim cars, the burning tire smell at the semi, and the efficiency testing in general). Is everything working 100% again?

[robbalvey]

^ I would say that during these adjustment days, there are going to be things that may be working/not working depending on how they are operating things. I'm sure by Thursday everything that is supposed to be functional (or at least hasn't been problematic) will be working again.

[Chroniq]

Dateline December 2012 - Disney announces they've just revamped a major e-ticket ride to appeal to every market. Enthusiasts will enjoy the futuristic, pure EPCOT vision . Nerds will enjoy the next gen customization technology, while geeks will enjoy the nods to World of Motion. The general public will enjoy a revamped ride that doesn't seem stuck in the early 90's . Families will enjoy the post show choices of allowing non riders new experiences while waiting for a family member... Everyone complains.. Welcome to the future

[Hotlanta]

As a huge fan of the old test track, honestly i am not yet sure about how to feel. I really liked the factory look of the old version. Like other said, pictures and POV can't really convey what it really is like. I think everyone has to personally experience it.

 

Maybe i didn't understand the concept of the car design in the preshow properly, but does every one get to design their own car or is it 1 per group? Of course Disney knows a lot more than i do, but is there a possibility for bottlenecks in the line?

[pianojohn]

I rode it yesterday and loved absolutely everything about it. The pre-show was fun and engrossing, the ride, though the same layout, felt brand new. And the post show exhibits were also a lot of fun. I could see spending a lot of time in the pavillion, like what Epcot USED to be like!

Can't wait to ride it again and spend more time checking out all the new stuff pre and post show.

[goatdan]

For those that have gotten to ride it...

 

I wanted to avoid watching it since I'm going this summer, but the "now I'm a dad, can the little one handle it?" side kicked in so I did. Visuals were stunning, I agree that the ride seems to better fit the "mission" of Epcot, but one question that I have...

 

During that whole initial indoor part, I couldn't tell what was going on much in the way of changes in speed / direction, etc. I remember really liking how the ride did the whole "here's non-anti lock brakes, here is anti-lock brakes" etc junk before, and while the visuals here are a million times more interesting and less dated looking, does this retain any of that? If not, does the length feel too long, or just right? Seemed like we were in there for a LONG time before the outdoor section.

 

At first when I just saw the POV, it worried me that it was a weird update, but seeing everything before and after the ride in pics, this seems like a return to form for Epcot that has been missing for the last 10 or so years. Kudos to Disney.

Edited December 4, 2012 by goatdan

[Wes]

^ The ride path and timing is exactly the same. They just changed the visuals around it.

[goatdan]

^ So it still does the braking and stuff? Couldn't tell from the sounds in the video. I assume the "hot / cold" part is gone?

[Wes]

^ Yeah, the braking is the straightaways parts that end with the blizzard and then the lightning. It's not explicitly "we're testing anti-lock brakes" but the section is the same. And the hot/cold chambers were replaced by the aerodynamic effect.

[goatdan]

^ All right, assuming you've been on it, last question... is the truck part too intense for young 'uns? 3ish ones?

[Locostitch]

Is there actually a course b on Test Track?

[Justice]

Is there actually a course b on Test Track?

Yes, its where the moved all the props from Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

[SLUSHIE]

The part that was the anti-lock brake part is now supposed to be a snowy conditions/slippery road section, but the overall effect in that area to convey that seems lacking. The robo voice does mention it once or twice though. It's not nearly as spelled out as it was in the original ride as here is without, here it is with, and here is a monitor where you can watch with and without... all the while talking you though it.

 

^ All right, assuming you've been on it, last question... is the truck part too intense for young 'uns? 3ish ones?

 

The truck part is more of a 'what was that?' than a 'OH NO LOOK OUT A TRUCK, AAAAAH!!' You can't see it till your there then it's over really quick. I'm not 3 though, so maybe some could think it's scary.

[Aaronupsidasium]

The interactive elements looks fun and very promising. Hopefully they will let you design the car on your phone before or while in the queue since I hear that you can create a ton of different designs that you may need more than 5 minutes to make.

 

As for what I've seen of the interior, the effects look really cool if I can be convinced what they have to do with automobiles. Some people have been saying Tron-inspired, I would say direct re-creation of scenes from Tron Legacy.

 

Even though I think the movies mostly suck, I still hope they put this stuff in a Tron roller coaster somewhere.

[A.J.]

^ All right, assuming you've been on it, last question... is the truck part too intense for young 'uns? 3ish ones?

It's more startling than intense. I don't think it's any worse than the first anti-lock brake/slippery road section.

[goatdan]

Thanks for the input everyone

 

I'm not 3 though, so maybe some could think it's scary.

 

I found out he fell while I was at work today and got 3 stitches... and didn't have much of an issue with that. Knowing that, he's probably good to go.

 

I took him on a Dragon Wagon this summer at a church festival - at first we thought he was too short, but then we found out he could go with an adult, so I crammed on there... and he held up his hands during the ride because he had seen some other kids doing it. With this input, he'll be fine

[Skycoastin Steve]

Just rode Test Track a little bit ago, and it's..........different. Seemed more like an extended commercial for Chevy and OnStar than a "Test Track." I definitely think a name change should have happened. The visuals were definitely cool, though. The biggest complaint I have is the outside section still having all that backstage area visible. It's something I thought a company as obsessive about the overall experience as Disney would make sure didn't look that janky.

[Chroniq]

Is there actually a course b on Test Track?

 

 

 

There was, but unfortunately it is "standing but not operating" after the refurb. It was pretty amazing.... Hoping that Prince Desmond makes an effort to save this.

[coasterfreak101]

The biggest complaint I have is the outside section still having all that backstage area visible. It's something I thought a company as obsessive about the overall experience as Disney would make sure didn't look that janky.

 

I haven't ridden the new version yet, but I do agree with this just based off the videos - it might've been okay with the old, generic Test Track, but with the sleek, futuristic appearance of everything inside, launching outside into a course that doesn't have any touchups besides the purple stripes seems pretty disappointing.

[p0tat0]

The biggest complaint I have is the outside section still having all that backstage area visible. It's something I thought a company as obsessive about the overall experience as Disney would make sure didn't look that janky.

 

I haven't ridden the new version yet, but I do agree with this just based off the videos - it might've been okay with the old, generic Test Track, but with the sleek, futuristic appearance of everything inside, launching outside into a course that doesn't have any touchups besides the purple stripes seems pretty disappointing.

 

 

After watching the videos, the facelift looks incredible. Awesome futuristic look, almost looks like a Tron ride . I've ridden the old one, I would love to ride this new one now!!!

 

The launching outside was a bit odd, you go from a dark, neon, filled room to plain ol' outside. A really strange transition.