Test Track closing?

[JoMarie]

Sorry if this has already been discussed but I just wanted to find out if it was true. My mom came into my room last night and said that she read online that GM's contract runs out soon for Test Track and with the current economic issue, they might not be renewing it. If that's true, test track would have to close right?

Does anyone know anything about this?

 

[Floydian]

I don't know anything about it, but I'd think if the contract did run out, they'd have to do some refurbishment for sure, just to remove all GM references.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I wonder if it will close because without corporate sponsership disney seems to close things down. Look at half of epcot.

I hope GM paid for many years in advance as part of a contract so it can stay open for awhile.

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

I hope not -- it's one of our favorite rides. We're going in July and DH and our girls are already looking forward to Test Track.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Rumors and News board.

 

[Tammy296]

No I don't think so. There was a story saying that if GM couldn't make a come-back on sponsoring that Toyota would take it.

I can't picture Test Track closing at all....

it's a very popular attraction.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

No I don't think so. There was a story saying that if GM couldn't make a come-back on sponsoring that Toyota would take it.

I can't picture Test Track closing at all....

it's a very popular attraction.

Two days ago Toyota asked it's government for a $3 billion dollar loan.

 

[Tammy296]

That doesn't surprise me although Toyota is fairing better than all the other dealers are I've seen.

I still think you'll find that Test Track will stay on. Last I read, Disney was trying very hard to keep GM on as a sponsor.

I don't think our govt should be bailing any corporation out right now (Because then they'll ALL want it ) it's already happening!!

Oh well another topic for another day... *sighs*

 

[jheigl]

Even if they lost all sponsorship, I think it is too popular of a ride for them to shut down for good. If they had no sponsors, I think they would probably keep it open and operate it without a sponsor until the economy gets better and someone sponsors it again.

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

Apparently, the contract expires the end of the month and Disney does not expect GM to renew (GM can not afford to spend 10M on WDW!!). I have heard that Test Track is really expensive to operate so am concerned what Disney will do. It is such a fun ride; let's hope someone or Disney keep it running.

 

[JanB]

If I'm not mistaken, Universe of Energy has been operating without a sponsor since ExxonMobil pulled out several years ago.

I have no clue about the financial implications. But apparently lack of a sponsor doesn't automatically mean that a ride must shut down.

If they've got to shut down a ride, maybe they will shut down Universe of Energy (even though I love Ellen), and put that money towards Test Track.

 

[vorpalswrd]

I believe spaceship earth used to be sponsored by AT&T and is no longer (Siemens?). So I can't see the lack of GM as a ride closer. Maybe they should look into Ford, at least they're solvent.

 

[racefanof88]

I believe spaceship earth used to be sponsored by AT&T and is no longer (Siemens?). So I can't see the lack of GM as a ride closer. Maybe they should look into Ford, at least they're solvent.

Ford is solvent at this point in time. Not too many people are out buying cars right now, of any make.

I think it really is sad that, with the prices of tickets, Disney relies on the monies of sponsors to keep an attraction running.

 

[lugnut33]

I wish Toyota would take it over. Plus the ride could use a little refurb.(though I know that's not going to happen in this economy)

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Two days ago Toyota asked it's government for a $3 billion dollar loan.

Obviously to pay for the TT sponsorship.

 

[Mickmse2002]

If WDW is unable to renew the deal with GM then I would think they would close for a relatively short rehab to remove the GM references then reopen either with or without a new sponsor. This is an E-Ticket attraction that EPCOT cannot afford to lose. With the other closed attractions this is a very crowded attraction with long lines. I was at WDW two weeks ago and the crowds in EPCOT were thin and yet the lines for Test Track (and of course Soarin" and Mission Space) were very long, like 60 minutes plus for standby.

 

[MrSplashMountain #1!]

No way would a ride like this go down just because it no longer had a sponsorship.

If Disney didn't like a sponsored ride (for whatever reason) im sure they would use the pull out of a sponsor to their advantage and shut it accordingly, sighting the sponsor as the issue causing it.

If Nestle goes bust do you think Soarin is gonna close? I dont think so.

 

[pepe2123]

Is not going to close. Remember when Fedex was the sponsor of space mountain or energizer for startours or other attractions. They are still in operation. I don't think Disney will close a popular attraction just because they don't have an sponsor right away. Maybe someone else is going to have the sponsorship for Test Track and could be, Toyota or Ford.
Think about Epcot, do you think they will close one of the most popular attractions there. I don't think so!!!!!

 

[Saxsoon]

I believe spaceship earth used to be sponsored by AT&T and is no longer (Siemens?). So I can't see the lack of GM as a ride closer. Maybe they should look into Ford, at least they're solvent.

Didn't GM solve the problem of the tires burning up to quickly with a special formula? Not saying someone else can't do it, but if this is true, it would have to be taken down long enough for Toyota to formulate something else.

 

[chevyrules05]

Disney Won't let toyota or Ford or Any other company sponser it, Disney has a Contract with GM to buy the vehicles and GM has been with Disney since it opened, the only non GM vehicles are backlot tour and the new buses, so if Gm is unable to give 10 millon dollars I bet they will keep it running until GM can get the money together in a year or two, as I said GM a Disney are to close for that