Test Track Refurb 2012

[Strmchsr]

So, I've heard from a couple of Epcot CM friends that they have been told Test Track will close for a 6-8 month refurb beginning January 2012. What they don't know (and none of us know) is what that means. Will they just be cleaning and restoring TT as it is? The rumor gaining a lot of traction is a possible Cars re-theme. There's another rumor that it'll stay in the vein of "normal" car testing but with a few new twists. It seems GM is keeping its sponsorship and actually footing some of this bill to gain some new marketing and publicity. The other notion that seems to be firm is that whatever happens the basic ride mechanism and track would stay the same, which is why they could potentially do a complete overhaul in 6-8 months. So, at any rate, I thought I would pass this along. No idea what it means. Just speculation right now. Hopefully we'll see something at D23 or sometime soon.

[WDWfanatic742]

I think I've read about changing the vehicles and some of the theming into a more futuristic theme, which if true actually sounds pretty cool. The ride system still needs some tinkering done a decade plus since opening, and any help to reduce downtime I'd be glad to see. I just truly hope that they don't re-theme it with Cars. DCA is getting their Cars Test Track, keep the two somewhat different. Not every ride has to change with a character theme added to it...

So besides that, anyone else think the timing is a bit strange? There are quite a few attractions at Epcot itself that need refurbishment at the moment. I realize that this is coming from GM and who knows what's going to happen to the economy and car industry over the next few years so they are doing it while they can which is fine. I'd just like to see Disney and the sponsors give some of the attractions the love, when Test Track gets hour long plus wait times most days and they are still talking about changing things up.

[laprana]

I just hope that if this refurb does happen, it involves extensive work to keep the ride from malfunctioning and shutting down all the time!

[Strmchsr]

So besides that, anyone else think the timing is a bit strange? There are quite a few attractions at Epcot itself that need refurbishment at the moment. I realize that this is coming from GM and who knows what's going to happen to the economy and car industry over the next few years so they are doing it while they can which is fine.

That's my thought, too, David. GM is pushing the change. There are several areas of FutureWorld that need some love, but if the sponsor is willing to pay for, or help pay for, this new version then I can't blame Disney for taking advantage of that opportunity.

As for the "futuristic" version. I heard that, too. That it would be themed around how cars are developed and created, not just tested. I'll be interested to hear details!

[dnickels]

The cars re-theme definitely wouldn't surprise me. The broader theme at all the parks has been to increase the product / merchandising tie-ins with the rides.

[RBrooksC]

The cars re-theme definitely wouldn't surprise me. The broader theme at all the parks has been to increase the product / merchandising tie-ins with the rides.

And Walt Disney did that all the time. The original castle in Disneyland was supposed to be Snow White's Castle but since Sleeping Beauty was about to premiere, he changed the name and the theming of the castle to match his new animated feature.

So, before you blast Disney for trying to create synergy between the parks and the movies, Walt Disney tried to do that as much as he could.

[Melanie]

So, before you blast Disney for trying to create synergy between the parks and the movies, Walt Disney tried to do that as much as he could.

No doubt, he was savvy that way. Paid for a lot of his new ventures.

[dnickels]

And Walt Disney did that all the time. The original castle in Disneyland was supposed to be Snow White's Castle but since Sleeping Beauty was about to premiere, he changed the name and the theming of the castle to match his new animated feature.

So, before you blast Disney for trying to create synergy between the parks and the movies, Walt Disney tried to do that as much as he could.

I think you're reading things into my statement that aren't there.

Heck, I own Disney shares through mutual funds in my IRA and 401k. More merchandising opportunities = more profit for Disney is a good thing for me. The cars theme is a natural fit at either Test Track or Tomorrow Land Speedway so I wouldn't be surprised to see it show up at either one.

You have a great day too!

[DizneyFreak2002]

No Cars retheme... I understand this is part of the NEXT-GEN project... You will no longer be visiting a test lab... A device will be used to track information as you move along the queue... You add different options as you move along... What those options are, I don't know... Then, you upload those options to your ride vehicle... Audio and video will change, but the track will stay the same... The specs you create will be shown to you as they hold up during the test track run...You may also be able to email the video you yourself in the new post show...

[DVC2004]

I just hope that if this refurb does happen, it involves extensive work to keep the ride from malfunctioning and shutting down all the time!

Just what I was going to say! We don't ever do stanby for this ride since a trip with three ride attempts accompanied with three breakdowns.

Also, a tweaked refurb would be cool.

[mommad]

I for one will be glad to see a TT refurb. It is badly needed. Last time I rode it in April you could barely feel any of the bumps from the blocks because they are worn down to nothing and the cars in the ride itself plus the ride cars are really starting to show their age. They need to update all the cars in the foyer before the ride itself and in the ride videos too. I'm not real thrilled about it being a Cars rethemed, but would mainly like to see everything updated or even a bit futuristic seeing as how the attraction is in Future World after all.

[RBrooksC]

I think you're reading things into my statement that aren't there.

Heck, I own Disney shares through mutual funds in my IRA and 401k. More merchandising opportunities = more profit for Disney is a good thing for me. The cars theme is a natural fit at either Test Track or Tomorrow Land Speedway so I wouldn't be surprised to see it show up at either one.

You have a great day too!

Nope. I was agreeing with you. I get so sick and tired of people who complain of rides being "themed to a movie." Blah, blah, blah. Walt Disney did that ALL the time. If it wasn't based directly on a movie, it was inspired by a movie. The whole point of the parks is to exploit the film products.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Nope. I was agreeing with you. I get so sick and tired of people who complain of rides being "themed to a movie." Blah, blah, blah. Walt Disney did that ALL the time. If it wasn't based directly on a movie, it was inspired by a movie. The whole point of the parks is to exploit the film products.

Exactly... I don't mind a movie themed attraction as long as the attraction is good... but Cars is not going to take over Test Track... There is no Cars overlay coming... Could plans change??? of course... but as of now, don't worry LOL...

[JPL]

From what I heard they are basically going to start by changing out the cars using the newer technology that will be used for Cars Land. I think this is where the Cars re-theme rumour has come from. The ride in DCA will use TT 2.0 technology. I highly doubt GM would want a Cars retheme since the movie contain cars from it's competition. It will basically just make the ride more reliable and efficient. Remember the technology used in the Epcot version in the attraction is about 15 years old. As far as what else they have planned I haven't heard much just an overall upgrade to the newer cars.

[Polynesian Dweller]

I highly doubt GM would want a Cars retheme since the movie contain cars from it's competition.

Totally agree. GM would only be interested in advertising it's products. Even Lightening McQueen is a hybrid with elements of Mazda, Chrysler and Ford products.

But the ride needs an update and good to see a sponsor willing to improve their attraction.

[Melanie]

No Cars retheme... I understand this is part of the NEXT-GEN project... You will no longer be visiting a test lab... A device will be used to track information as you move along the queue... You add different options as you move along... What those options are, I don't know... Then, you upload those options to your ride vehicle... Audio and video will change, but the track will stay the same... The specs you create will be shown to you as they hold up during the test track run...You may also be able to email the video you yourself in the new post show...

sigh

I guess I need to accept that this next gen interactive queue stuff is here to stay.

But wondering how this will work for FP?

[brownie]

I just hope that if this refurb does happen, it involves extensive work to keep the ride from malfunctioning and shutting down all the time!

I believe that not all the shutdowns involve malfunctions. Some of them occur due to the safety features of the ride that kick in when things happen. Mufasa wrote an extensive post on this a while back; I'll see if I can find it.

[Ian]

No Cars retheme... I understand this is part of the NEXT-GEN project... You will no longer be visiting a test lab... A device will be used to track information as you move along the queue... You add different options as you move along... What those options are, I don't know... Then, you upload those options to your ride vehicle... Audio and video will change, but the track will stay the same... The specs you create will be shown to you as they hold up during the test track run...You may also be able to email the video you yourself in the new post show...

You know ... I guess I'm just old, but to me the fact that I have no clue what you're even talking about means this is probably another over-engineered, under-thought, inexplicably complex mess coming down the pike ....

NextGen =

[JPL]

With all the Next Gen some how the thinking at Imagineering seems to have changed instead of thinking we have a story to tell how can we tell it. It went to there is all this new technology how can we cram it in the parks.

[A Big Kid]

If it closed for refub during marathon week, I am going to pull my hair out