New Test Track? Don't know if I like the idea

[NJDisneyFreak93]

So I was searching allears.net to get my daily Disney fix (haven't been to the world in awhile ) and like I always do I checked the rehabs to see what changes are happening. I saw test track was closed to rehab until fall 2012, as I read on I was shocked to see that it was going through a full make over on the inside attraction. Reading through the press release (I will include a link in the comments) it seems test track is taking on a more futuristic feel. Personally test track is one of my all time favorites and seeing the concept art I'm not too thrilled. I was expecting an updated queue and maybe a new pre-show but I was not prepared to see a whole new ride experience. I'm I the only one that is disappointed or shocked by the extreme rehab/update?

 

[hollygolitely93]

I'm sorry you didn't like it and sure others are in your camp. I did like the renderings...felt way cooler and my boys are always a sucker for anything gfuturistic themed...buzz and star wars...this will fit right in!

Now if I Ly it would be for sure open on 11/30!!!!!!!

 

[NJDisneyFreak93]

I agree holly I like the futuristic theme and that Disney is bringing it to attraction updates. I've always like original attractions and felt like this is too big of a change to a great attraction, guess I was a little shocked about what I saw but I'm sure it will grow on me

 

[minnie mum]

How about just waiting until you have actually experienced the new ride before deciding that you don't like it? Sometimes a re-imagined ride is a good thing.

 

[NJDisneyFreak93]

How about just waiting until you have actually experienced the new ride before deciding that you don't like it? Sometimes a re-imagined ride is a good thing.

I was just saying I don't like the idea but I will not fully decide if I like it or not till I ride it.

 

[kaligal]

Always liked TT and always said so. Was very bummed when the changes were announced.

But I've done my TT mourning and am ready to see the new thing. I'm prepared to like it on its own merits. So far, all I've seen are sketches of artwork I don't much care for, but I will like it if I can.

I do hope they'll change the name, though. It will be very difficult to not make comparisons if it is supposed to be the same ride.

 

[NJDisneyFreak93]

I do hope they'll change the name, though. It will be very difficult to not make comparisons if it is supposed to be the same ride.[/QUOTE]

I read that the name is reportly being changed to Chevrolet Design Center at Epcot which fits into the new theming of the ride I assume. But I always agree with you in regards to mourning over the changes of TT I will try my best to like the new version as much as I can.

 

[Raenstoirm]

Personally I thought TT was very old and rather tired. It really felt circa 1995. (yes I know it didnt open till '99 but it was designed in the mid nineties) It had so much potential and I was always disappointed in it after riding. I have high hopes for the new version.

 

[Cafeen]

I'm playing the wait & see approach on TronTrack as well.

It all depends on how they're doing the "futuristic" stuff. If they're doing it to be futuristic for the sake of being "futuristic" and without a message or any education behind it, I'm not going to like the idea all that much. I'll ride it, but it would hold little special meaning to me.

Now, if they set it up as more of a concept proving ground type of deal, that educates about the technology, design, and future possibilities, that'll work for me. It would fit better with the original intention and philosophy of Epcot in general, and Future World in specific. However, this vision seems to be getting lost for the sake of "Rides" rather than "Attractions" (See Soarin' for example, and Mission:Space for a borderline example (although, I do enjoy MS quite a bit ))

And I think this is why I felt Horizons, SSE, the original Living Seas and Imagination, World of Motion, and the original Living with the Land all worked better than much of what we have now. They weren't just rides (albeit, well themed rides), they were much more and had a philosophy of education, history, technology, and the evolution of the way we did things moving forward into the future behind them. (Wonders of Life as well, but I admit to very little experience here, did Body Wars once and that's about it).

 

[Reddog1134]

I'm all for it being futuristic. It IS in Future World after all.

That being said, I hope it's not "all flash and no substance".

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm not sure I like it either, especially the emphasis on the Chevrolet brand, just seems like it will be more of a commercial. But that is what you get when they must have outside sponsors. I like the Tron idea though.

 

[Livin' the Dream]

I'm all for it being futuristic. It IS in Future World after all.

That being said, I hope it's not "all flash and no substance".

I like the idea of moving forward and would like to see EPCOT (FW) go as much in that direction as possible.

 

[DCTooTall]

I'm not sure I like it either, especially the emphasis on the Chevrolet brand, just seems like it will be more of a commercial. But that is what you get when they must have outside sponsors. I like the Tron idea though.

I honestly don't have a problem with the Chevrolet branding. I doubt the branding will be any more obvious than the GM branding that's always existed in World of Motion and TestTrack. GM has the experience working with Disney and generating the exposures at the park, so I'm seeing/thinking the Chevrolet thing is less of an attempt to be more overt in their sponsorship, Than an attempt to make that impression more about a specific part of the GM company and less about the parent.

(GM has a LOT less brands than it did in the US than it did when Test Track or WoM opened, so there would be less need to give all the brands coverage. There may also be an attempt to distance the GM Parent from the actual consumer product brands to avoid any negativity stemming from Auto Bailouts)


As for the Design... My impression from what I've read/seen is that they are going to keep the general Auto Proving ground theme... But since more and more proving ground activity is done thru computer simulations, we are moving from a "real life Proving ground" to a simulated Proving ground within the virtual environment.

Of course... that creates an obvious situation which can generate a lot of visuals from Tron.


Bonus... It would allow for much smoother transactions between the different testing stations from a story standpoint.

 

[DWJoshua]

I LOVE the new concept art for the TT redesign! I have to admit that I was never thrilled with the original design - it didn't really showcase anything new or innovative. It was a fun ride, but didn't fit all that well into Future World.

I really hope the new name isn't "Chevrolet Design Center." It just sounds boring...

Just my thoughts!

 

[bytheblood]

Personally I thought TT was very old and rather tired. It really felt circa 1995. (yes I know it didnt open till '99 but it was designed in the mid nineties) It had so much potential and I was always disappointed in it after riding. I have high hopes for the new version.

I agree with this. I am really looking forward to riding it in December!!!

 

[FantasiaMagic]

I would rather Disney reimagine a ride then get rid of it totally. Lets be happy to still have TT...I don't really mind the new look they showed us...it seems fine.

The only thing I'm upset about is that I'll be in EPCOT this summer during the construction of it and won't be able to ride it...but I'll manage LOL

 

[mamajo]

So much potential to do it right. How about a Tron theme? Could be cool. I love TT but it needed an upgrade. Hope the new one is cool.

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

I'm all for it being futuristic. It IS in Future World after all.

That being said, I hope it's not "all flash and no substance".

100% this. I'm all for flashy and futuristic whatnot, but don't take away from the ride: enhance it!

 

[MrRob]

It would fit better with the original intention and philosophy of Epcot in general, and Future World in specific. However, this vision seems to be getting lost for the sake of "Rides" rather than "Attractions" (See Soarin' for example, and Mission:Space for a borderline example

You have no idea how happy I am to see other people who think that Epcot is losing focus of the principles it was founded on!

I also agree 100%, as long as this ride has a grounded and forward facing take on the future in terms of automotive technology, I'll be happy.

I'm worried though that it'll be like Mission Space, as in, it'll take the aesthetics and theme of the future and ignore all the science.

Guess we'll have to wait and see!

 

[larryz]

Always liked TT and always said so. Was very bummed when the changes were announced.

But I've done my TT mourning and am ready to see the new thing. I'm prepared to like it on its own merits. So far, all I've seen are sketches of artwork I don't much care for, but I will like it if I can.

I do hope they'll change the name, though. It will be very difficult to not make comparisons if it is supposed to be the same ride.

Actually, I'm still pulling for Test Track with Dreamfinder and Figment...