Test Track Closing?

[Shellandscott]

I read on another website a statement about Test Track, it said Disney & GM are entering into a new multi-year "strategic alliance agreement" that includes a partnership to develop a re-imagined, design-centric Test Track experience. The current GM Test Track at Epcot will close for refurbishment in April 2012, with an anticipated opening of Test Track Presented by Chevrolet scheduled for fall 2012. But there is nothing on the Disney website about this, is the actual ride closing or just the end part that they dump you off into where the cars where all on the floor?

 

[LilyWDW]

I read on another website a statement about Test Track, it said Disney & GM are entering into a new multi-year "strategic alliance agreement" that includes a partnership to develop a re-imagined, design-centric Test Track experience. The current GM Test Track at Epcot will close for refurbishment in April 2012, with an anticipated opening of Test Track Presented by Chevrolet scheduled for fall 2012. But there is nothing on the Disney website about this, is the actual ride closing or just the end part that they dump you off into where the cars where all on the floor?

It is closing. There was something on it on the Disney Blog not too long ago. They are redoing the whole of the attraction and it will be down from April until some time in the Fall (unknown exact date).

 

[smitch425]

I read on another website a statement about Test Track, it said Disney & GM are entering into a new multi-year "strategic alliance agreement" that includes a partnership to develop a re-imagined, design-centric Test Track experience. The current GM Test Track at Epcot will close for refurbishment in April 2012, with an anticipated opening of Test Track Presented by Chevrolet scheduled for fall 2012. But there is nothing on the Disney website about this, is the actual ride closing or just the end part that they dump you off into where the cars where all on the floor?

The entire Test Track attraction will be closed for the refurb.

 

[Shellandscott]

Thank you for your quick replies.

 

[Miss Marie]

It stinks that they are closing the whole of it to "re-imagine" it. Hopefully the rumors about it going virtual aren't true. Test Track is fun just the way it is.

 

[andyman8]

I have heard from several folks that it might be closed on select Saturdays and Sundays throughout the Summer be open to ease congestion at neighboring attractions. I don't know how creditable it is, but I would count on it closing. Who knows?

 

[LilyWDW]

It stinks that they are closing the whole of it to "re-imagine" it. Hopefully the rumors about it going virtual aren't true. Test Track is fun just the way it is.

It will not be virtual. Responses in the Disney Blog post said as much. It will still be a car on a track. Nothing else has really been released.

 

[h2odivers]

I hope it is back up by our Christmas trip

 

[wbeem]

I rode tonight. Haven't been on it in a few years, but I think I enjoyed it more as a night ride than I did back then during the day. Went as a single rider (10 minute wait vs. 50 minute).

 

[brajfamily]

I have heard the dates of April 15 and then April 12 as the dates that TT will close for refurb. However, Disney has not announced an official date. Any idea of the actual date? Also, how close to the actual closing will Disney wait to make an official announcement of the closing? Any chance that since Disney has not made an official announcement the closing could be pushed off??? Thanks!!

 

[GirlDreamer]

Is there any official date for when it should be finished, or have they just said fall? I really hope it's done by my trip in september.

 

[mom22boys]

Oh no! We will be there April 7-14. My DSs will be so bummed if TT is closed.

 

[livsmom04]

That stinks! We will be down in Disney World April 22-27 and my daughter is looking forward to riding this again. Her other favorite ride will be down too. But we will find new rides to ride I guess.

 

[Suellen]

Hmmm... isn't this ride down often enough for "technical difficulties" ~ perhaps their goal is to remedy that?

We've not noticed it down often but it seems people here talk about it breaking a lot.

 

[Robo]

1- Disney has not announced an official date.

2- Any idea of the actual date? Also,

3- how close to the actual closing will Disney wait to make an official announcement of the closing?

4- Any chance that since Disney has not made an official announcement the closing could be pushed off???

1- Correct.
2- Nope.
3- There are no set times for these things.
Often, the announcement comes very close to the actual closure date.
4- Sure. Stay tuned.

 

[OldsDr]

I know this is a Disney site, But I can't help but wonder wonder if this means anything about how GM is going forward as buisness. Going from a platform to have ability to promote all divisions to giving one divison the sponsorship (which doesn't mean as much today as it would have 10 years ago) makes me think we will be seeing some bigger changes from them going forward.

 

[Robo]

I know this is a Disney site, But I can't help but wonder wonder if this means anything about how GM is going forward as buisness. Going from a platform to have ability to promote all divisions to giving one divison the sponsorship (which doesn't mean as much today as it would have 10 years ago) makes me think we will be seeing some bigger changes from them going forward.

GM has little directly to do with the design of the Test Track ride.

The ride is designed by Disney Imagineering.
The corporate connection is with a sponsorship payment (and approval, of course) from GM.

Even if GM pulled its sponsorship, Disney could continue to operate TT in any way the Mouse chose to do so.

 

[OldsDr]

GM has little directly to do with the design of the Test Track ride.

The ride is designed by Disney Imagineering.
The corporate connection is with a sponsorship payment (and approval, of course) from GM.

Even if GM pulled its sponsorship, Disney could continue to operate TT in any way the Mouse chose to do so.

But from what I have read it will now be presented by "Chevrolet" so they are keeping their sponsorship, but shifting the direction. I am an Oldsmobile man so I have not paid much attention to GM over the past few years, other than to berate them. I just find it a very interesting change in how they are going about their sponsorship.

 

[SaraJayne]

Hmmm... isn't this ride down often enough for "technical difficulties" ~ perhaps their goal is to remedy that?

We've not noticed it down often but it seems people here talk about it breaking a lot.

Yes, TT goes "down" frequently. We've never had a trip where it hasn't been down at some point while we're there. Sometimes it's down for the rest of the day, sometimes it only takes a couple hours.

 

[Emma1987]

The main reason they're closing it is to get more endorsement from other companies, such as Chevrolet.

Personally, I don't like the fact that they're getting rid of Test Track. Was always one of my highlights of travelling to Epcot!