Possible Test Track overhaul in 2012!

[Figment632]

http://t.co/3f3IYRXu

Awesome if it's true hybrid of TT and WOM!!

 

[nytimez]

Sounds interesting, but I have a hard time believing it. Despite the problems TT has had, it regularly has some of the longest waits in Epcot, second only to Soarin'. Why dump all that cash into something that draws? Does GM have money burning a hole in its pocket all of a sudden?

Refurb, I can see... but gutting the ride and starting all over? Sounds a little far-fetched. You never know, I guess.

 

[DCTooTall]

It does indeed sound interesting. I actually hope that if it does come to be, that it does actually bring back some of the old WoM feeling. Future World is really lacking the Future these days.


As for the comment about the $$$... Who actually pays for the refurb? GM is agreeing to sponsor the attraction for another 10 years, but it doesn't say they are paying the money to refurb the attraction PLUS the sponsorship costs over the next 10yrs. From the GM budget, I have to think that the exposure and goodwill generated from the EPCOT pavilion would be a pretty good bang for their advertising dollar. (Think about how many people would never step foot in a Chevy dealer to see their latest cars, but might see one in the post show and have it grab their eye and want to find out more).

The article also mentioned that the ride track and systems would remain the same, so it obviously wouldn't be gutted on the same scale as WoM was. Considering that ultimately the show area is one big open room with props placed around the track, I can't see that "gutting" the existing show and putting in a new show around the existing vehicle track would really be something super expensive to implement. (assuming the Imagineering is done properly to begin with)

 

[serendipity]

I agree that it's interesting, but I can't see it happening based on how GM and Disney are both suffering. If they do anything at all I'd think it would be more likely that they will do something similar to what they are doing in Disneyland with Cars...

 

[DCTooTall]

I agree that it's interesting, but I can't see it happening based on how GM and Disney are both suffering. If they do anything at all I'd think it would be more likely that they will do something similar to what they are doing in Disneyland with Cars...

Disney.....suffering?


That's funny.

(I don't think upper management issues really counts as them suffering.)

 

[mike the canuck]

This sounds awesome!

 

[ChrisFL]

Yeah, its been rumored for a month or so and all of the insiders seem to be pretty sure *something* relatively big is happening to it, if not a full overhaul.

 

[skiingfast]

Hmm I can be an armchair engineer too. We will be riding Mr. Fusion powered Deloreans.

 

[DCTooTall]

Hmm I can be an armchair engineer too. We will be riding Mr. Fusion powered Deloreans.

Wrong park....


....And they replaced that attraction with Simpsons.

 

[tjkraz]

Just my outsider's $.02 but I could see this being a situation where GM wants to re-up their agreement but one of their conditions is changes to the nature of the attraction. The information I keep hearing is that GM wants a theme which does a better job of marketing their vehicles rather than the ambiguous proving ground scenario.

So if you're Disney, the choice is to either leave the attraction as-is--and without a sponsor--or re-up the sponsor while sharing costs of renovating the entire attraction.

Disney has also repeatedly said that the Test Track ride system has been significantly enhanced as they developed Radiator Springs Racers for DCA. If those enhancements are brought to TT, it's possible that WDW will experience operational savings over the long haul.

 

[ljandbucket]

At minimum this attraction needs a refurb to bring the pre show into this decade. I'm all for it if they can get it done. Sounds like a great new iteration.

 

[ChrisFL]

I just hope they change the queue, it gets annoying with all of the noise and crash videos after 5 minutes or so

 

[DizCaptain]

Just my outsider's $.02 but I could see this being a situation where GM wants to re-up their agreement but one of their conditions is changes to the nature of the attraction. The information I keep hearing is that GM wants a theme which does a better job of marketing their vehicles rather than the ambiguous proving ground scenario.

So if you're Disney, the choice is to either leave the attraction as-is--and without a sponsor--or re-up the sponsor while sharing costs of renovating the entire attraction.

Disney has also repeatedly said that the Test Track ride system has been significantly enhanced as they developed Radiator Springs Racers for DCA. If those enhancements are brought to TT, it's possible that WDW will experience operational savings over the long haul.

Yea its an odd look for now, I mean in my opinion, if they're going to re-do that much of the ride, they might as well just gut it all and use the radiator springs tech in the "new" test track should it go forth. I'm tired of partial refurbs, and the past few times I've ridden test track MOST of the effects/screens/audio didn't work and it was crappy; so I'm in favor of a gutting and reconstruction.

 

[Figment632]

I just hope they change the queue, it gets annoying with all of the noise and crash videos after 5 minutes or so

Fast Pass

 

[Goofypop]

I'd love to see this ride change. Bring back the WoM! I never really saw the point in TT and the queue line is annoying, yes yes, I know, use FP. That's not always an option. Besides you still have to walk through the thing. However, the idea of a meld between TT and WoM is interesting.

 

[nytimez]

I just hope they change the queue, it gets annoying with all of the noise and crash videos after 5 minutes or so

Fast Pass

Chris is right. It's not a great queue, even with FP. The noise can get to you -- and along with the auto testing noises, the acoustics of the room seem designed to irritate. It's just a loud room.

Also, FP here isn't as fast or efficient as it is on most other rides.

 

[mike the canuck]

I think this ride needs an interactive queue.

 

[KTJAY]

This sounds interesting but I think they need to work on updating some of the other attractions @ Epcot

 

[ChrisFL]

This sounds interesting but I think they need to work on updating some of the other attractions @ Epcot

Which would be great except that most of the others don't have sponsors.

 

[Figment632]

This sounds interesting but I think they need to work on updating some of the other attractions @ Epcot

Nope disagree while I want JII4 that will never happen while TT one of EC signature attractions is fixed. The ride breaks down a million times a day thus needs to be fixed!