Test Track refurb

[travelbug]

I saw on another site that Test Track will close in "April 2012" for an extensive refurbishment. But no specific date in April was listed. Has anyone (maybe a CM?) heard anything more specific?

Our first park day of our upcoming stay is April 1. My BIL has never been on Test Track and is really looking forward to riding it this time. It was down every time we tried to ride it on his last stay. I haven't had the heart to tell him yet that he may not get to ride it this time either. I'm hoping that maybe there isn't yet a solid date for the closure, and that we might luck out on April 1.

 

[Rosanne]

Someone else will remember which site had these dates but I remember reading in a couple of places (although it could have been the original site and then people mentioning the site) that the date might not start until April 15th. We are reeeeeaaaallly hoping for this as we will be there April 2-6 and it is DD11's favorite ride.

 

[sarewil]

Someone else will remember which site had these dates but I remember reading in a couple of places (although it could have been the original site and then people mentioning the site) that the date might not start until April 15th. We are reeeeeaaaallly hoping for this as we will be there April 2-6 and it is DD11's favorite ride.

It is indeed April 15th from what I have seen online. Which stinks for us because that is the day before we arrive to WDW.

 

[travelbug]

Thanks for the replies! That is great news for us. But I'm sorry that it's not good news for you, sarewil. I hope you have a wonderful time anyway. (You too, Rosanne!)

 

[BenKling]

I've seen April 15 as well, but nothing that "officially" confirms that date.

I'll be really bummed out if that's the case though, because we are planning to be at Epcot on the 16th...

 

[melissafox18]

I've seen April 15 as well, but nothing that "officially" confirms that date.

I'll be really bummed out if that's the case though, because we are planning to be at Epcot on the 16th...

I check Disney's site every day to see if there is an official note of when it's closing. I still have yet to ride in several trips to WDW. Last time the days we were in Epcot it was pouring rain. I'll make a special trip and stand in hours long line to ride once. Pleaseeeeeee no closing yet!

 

[Shannon84]

Has a date been confirmed for this? I just see "to be determined"

 

[kadesha]

Rumor is that it is delayed. Time will tell.

 

[DisneyAbsolutely]

Do they usually give notice far in advance for closures? It seems unlikely that Disney would wait until a few weeks before to make an official announcement. Some people plan their Disney trips far in advance so you would think Disney would be good about releasing official information as soon as possible! I also don't care for the idea of two major attractions being closed at once.... during the busiest season! Some of you are really well informed - how do they usually announce the closing of a major attraction? I would assume that they aim to let people know at least 6 months beforehand! thanks!

Sincerely,
another biased poster hoping to be riding the Test Track in May

 

[kadesha]

Do they usually give notice far in advance for closures? It seems unlikely that Disney would wait until a few weeks before to make an official announcement. Some people plan their Disney trips far in advance so you would think Disney would be good about releasing official information as soon as possible! I also don't care for the idea of two major attractions being closed at once.... during the busiest season! Some of you are really well informed - how do they usually announce the closing of a major attraction? I would assume that they aim to let people know at least 6 months beforehand! thanks!

Sincerely,
another biased poster hoping to be riding the Test Track in May

There is no concrete timeframe to announce a closure. Typically there is a good amount of time in advance. I think it would be unusual to close a major ride like TT without an official announcement so close to time, so I feel like it's probably delayed.

 

[DisneyAbsolutely]

There is no concrete timeframe to announce a closure. Typically there is a good amount of time in advance. I think it would be unusual to close a major ride like TT without an official announcement so close to time, so I feel like it's probably delayed.

What is considered the legitimate source for this information? Where and when did they announce Thunder Mountain was closing? Just curious how they normally inform the public about these things. I'd imagine many Disney folks don't even know until they get there!!! I think that would stink more. I'd rather know now.

 

[JetsetJAK]

The discussion about the Test Track refurb over the last few days got me curious, so this morning I went to Twitter and did a search for "Test Track" just to see what people were saying.

I found a tweet from March 29th from a guy named Mark (@illuminatepcot) that said this: "BREAKING Test Track News: we've learned that the refurb is on for April 16, however new preshow changes will mean a longer refurb period."

This guys twitter page says that it's the official twitter for IlluminatingEpcot.com and a co-host of @GenerationMouse podcast, so it seems like he may know what he's talking about here.

If this is true, then it sounds like those of us hoping the refurb was on schedule so it'd be open for fall trips, as well as those hoping it was delayed so it'd be open for summer trips...I guess we're all just out-of-luck!

 

[JetsetJAK]

Sorry to double-post, but also just found this post from this morning at the "Disney At Work" blog that mentions the Test Track refurb at the very end:

Finally…while this doesn’t have anything to do with interactive games per se, some have wondered what is going on with the Test Track renovation. Yes! It’s going to happen. But there’s been some question as to whether the time frame allotted for making the changes was sufficient. Imagineering feels they need more time to complete the overhaul. Therefore, they are re-looking at the time frame for doing the work needed.

 

[Missymouse18]

I have no definite news and certainly no official inside info, but a close friend of DS22 is a CM at Epcot and she said that rumors are refurb plans are being put off to a later date. If this is true then plans will not begin until mid June. I am hoping this is true because DH and I will be at Epcot on May 29 and he has never ridden TT, which is one of my top ten. As stated, I am not sure that the info is true, but one can't help but hope!

 

[LHARPSTER]

Is it a refurb or is it closing forever??? If its just a refurb do they say how long it will be down for??? Any chances it will be back in Sept??

 

[JetsetJAK]

I am hoping this is true because DH and I will be at Epcot on May 29 and he has never ridden TT, which is one of my top ten. As stated, I am not sure that the info is true, but one can't help but hope!

Thanks for the info missy! Ha, unfortunately I'm in the other boat - I was really hoping for the refurb to be right on schedule, since I'm going at the end of September with somebody who's never been there before, and he's a big car guy and I already got him all pumped up about the new Test Track (since it was supposed to be re-opening right before we get there). I'd really hate to have to tell him that now he's not going to be able to ride EITHER version, since if it gets delayed at this point it probably won't be open when we're there.

I still feel like Disney would want to make sure that the refurb was completed, or at least that the original version was still operational, by the time of their 30th anniversary on October 1st, but who knows? Maybe that's just a bigger deal to me than it is to the Disney execs, lol!

 

[kadesha]

The discussion about the Test Track refurb over the last few days got me curious, so this morning I went to Twitter and did a search for "Test Track" just to see what people were saying.

I found a tweet from March 29th from a guy named Mark (@illuminatepcot) that said this: "BREAKING Test Track News: we've learned that the refurb is on for April 16, however new preshow changes will mean a longer refurb period."

This guys twitter page says that it's the official twitter for IlluminatingEpcot.com and a co-host of @GenerationMouse podcast, so it seems like he may know what he's talking about here.

If this is true, then it sounds like those of us hoping the refurb was on schedule so it'd be open for fall trips, as well as those hoping it was delayed so it'd be open for summer trips...I guess we're all just out-of-luck!

There's plenty of other blogs/people/sources reporting otherwise. From all of the conflicting information I have gathered I think that the refurb is going to be longer than expected so it's being pushed back to allow more time. However, no one will know for sure until there is some kind of announcement....or April 16, whichever comes first!

 

[WillAustin]

I'm hoping we'll hear something in the next week or so once the CMs who would normally work TT might see a scheduling change. Wouldn't they hear about it at least a week or two in advance?

 

[teach819]

This would make me sad if it closes on April 16th. It's our first day at WDW and the one ride DH wants to go on. I guess somebody has to lose out whatever they decide.

 

[staceysparkle]

I've got my fingers crossed for the refurb being delayed til the summer. I am going to Disney in May, and it's my car-crazy boyfriends first time, and I was so looking forward to showing him TT, and was gutted when I heard it was closed for a refurb. I'm thinking Disney would give as much notice as possible for this kind of thing, as it may affect when some poeple choose to visit. I think (and really hope!!!) it's no longer taking place in April. What would be the point in saying April, then saying TBC, then saying April again?

I've got all my fingers and toes crossed!