Test Track refurb

[Maggie'sMom]

So not only will BTMRR be shut, along with most of fantasy land, but it now looks like TT will be too? I am very disappointed with the timing of all this, and the way it has been handled. Why gets peoples hopes up? I suppose nothing is set in stone until there is an announcement from Disney, but 2 weeks notice is all the guests are getting? This is unprofessional behaviour from a normally very professional company. Major sadface

Huh??? Most of Fantasyland is not closed. One of the two Dumbo rides is currently open so nothing is lost there. The rethemed Barnstormer is open. All the other existing Fantasyland attractions are open. Snow White will close at the end of May. The new attractions, i.e. Little Mermaid and the 7 Dwarves Mine Ride, aren't open yet, but that's all new stuff. Outside of some construction walls, I don't see the construction having much impact on FL at this time.

 

[kadesha]

This is insane! We will be there over Memorial Day, so crowds will be thick anyway. And with 2 headliners down? Just lovely.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

~These refurb rumors are getting out of control, it's becoming worse than the xPASS rumors! The last I heard was Big Thunder's refurb was going to extend into August and a Test Track refurb wouldn't start until after BTMR was complete. I just checked Disney's website (again) and the only refurb I see for April 16 is for the River boat. I just don't buy that Disney would overlook a refurb of that magnitude! I wont believe anything until I hear official word from Disney. I know TT will be refurbed, but the question is when?!?

 

[staceysparkle]

Huh??? Most of Fantasyland is not closed. One of the two Dumbo rides is currently open so nothing is lost there. The rethemed Barnstormer is open. All the other existing Fantasyland attractions are open. Snow White will close at the end of May. The new attractions, i.e. Little Mermaid and the 7 Dwarves Mine Ride, aren't open yet, but that's all new stuff. Outside of some construction walls, I don't see the construction having much impact on FL at this time.

Oops, my bad. I meant most of the new section. Glad Barnstormer is open though!

 

[DisneyAbsolutely]

This is so frustrating to me. Although many unofficial Disney blogs are discussing this refurbishment, no official Disney press has been released since January!!! It really bewilders me that visitors would have to google this topic like crazy in order to even know it was happening! It doesn't really seem fair. Most people don't think to check blogs for this information. They trust what they see on Disney's main page to be current.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Does anyone besides me find it hilarious that multiple posteres are pointing to the fact that this isn't on the official website so it must not be true?

The "official" website is notorious for being outdated and inaccurate and has been for years it is often the very last place to be updated to any new info so I wouldn't bother looking there for the info.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

~I never said because it's not on Disney's "official" website it must not be true! I said, I don't believe it, big difference! And if anyone has an issue that, then too bad, don't read it! LOL! LOL!

 

[JetsetJAK]

I wont believe anything until I hear official word from Disney.

Well for what it's worth, the blurb from yesterday in the Orlando Sentinel about the refurb happening "as planned" claims to be from an official Walt Disney World spokeswoman. I know the official Disney website is notorious for being out-of-date so I'm not sure where else an "official" word would come from.

Also, the epcyclopedia website posted about what the Orlando Sentinel said, and added that it was "a direct response to questions over internet criticism and the lack of guest information about Test Track’s closure mentioned earlier this year", but I'm not sure where they got that from.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Well for what it's worth, the blurb from yesterday in the Orlando Sentinel about the refurb happening "as planned" claims to be from an official Walt Disney World spokeswoman. I know the official Disney website is notorious for being out-of-date so I'm not sure where else an "official" word would come from.

Also, the epcyclopedia website posted about what the Orlando Sentinel said, and added that it was "a direct response to questions over internet criticism and the lack of guest information about Test Track’s closure mentioned earlier this year", but I'm not sure where they got that from.

~It's funny how some poster's find it amusing that I choose to wait for official word from Disney. I guess that because all of the "other" sources got the exact date right! LOL! But I'll take my chances!

 

[JetsetJAK]

I don't find it amusing, I was just pointing out that if the Orlando Sentinel thing is true, then isn't that technically "official word" from Disney?

I'm fairly new to the whole Disboards/major vacation planning thing as of the last few months, so in this sort of situation I honestly don't know where else a more "official" announcement would come from.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

I don't find it amusing, I was just pointing out that if the Orlando Sentinel thing is true, then isn't that technically "official word" from Disney?

~I'm fairly new to the whole Disboards/major vacation planning thing as of the last few months, so in this sort of situation I honestly don't know where else a more "official" announcement would come from.

~Thanks for the link to the article. I would have to agree with you that it is technically "official word" from Disney. But, I still have my doubts and I cannot deny that I could be dead wrong, to think otherwise, lol.

~What a previous poster said about Disney's website giving misinformation is very true! However, I've only seen it to the extent of mixed up park hours, EMH, fireworks, parades and other "minor" but annoying things. It is also true, that Disney does not communicate major things that could adversely impact visitors vacations. The info usually comes from other reliable sources, so that poster is correct. And, we do tend to hear information first, before Disney even announces it.

~But, in this instance we are talking about a major refurb and taking a major attraction offline for several months. I find it difficult to believe that Disney would overlook something this by not announcing it or at least acknowledge the dates on their website. Here is the website link ~Disney Park Hours~

~I didn't mean to confuse anyone, it's just my opinion. But, I would be very impressed if TT actually closed on April 16!

 

[staceysparkle]

Where on the above link am i looking for the refurbishments and maintainence? I can't seem to find it

 

[kadesha]

I emailed WDW from Disneyworld.com inquiring about the closing dates for Test Track a few days ago. I just received the following response:

Dear Kadesha,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

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.

The re-imagined Future World attraction will transform into the sleek "Chevrolet Design Center at Epcot" with interactive design and styling workstations where Guests will be able to create their own custom concept vehicles. Also included will be a "SimCar" ride vehicle experience where Guests can put their design through its paces on the exhilarating hills, switchbacks and straightaways of the Test Track circuit. Guests will enjoy a post-show area filled with special effects, be scored on how well their custom concept vehicle did and see the latest Chevrolet vehicles in an all-net state-of-the-art showroom.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-mail address, and reservation number if applicable on all correspondence.

Sincerely,

Cathy Biagiotti
WDW Online Communications

So is that "official word?" They are still sending out the same standard "April" response.

 

[Traveliz]

I'm hearing such conflicting things.
Many recent articles are saying that CM's working on Test Track know absolutely nothing of this refurbishment. Yet Traveliz is saying her daughter that doesn't work on Test Track knows the exact date? This is so confusing!

It seems unfair to expect people to go by an announcement from January. People logging onto Disney sites today will see nothing about Test Track closing. Even the announcement from January was non-specific. I really hope folks don't have to wait until the day comes to find out! That's super annoying to people who are eager to know right now!

My daughter works on that side of Epcot and cross trains with people there -she chose not to cross train there because of the impeding refurb date. I have given out correct information before...I wait as long as possible to be as sure as I can be and then I get these comments time and again. Pretty much done with any scoop.

Liz

 

[kadesha]

My daughter works on that side of Epcot and cross trains with people there -she chose not to cross train there because of the impeding refurb date. I have given out correct information before...I wait as long as possible to be as sure as I can be and then I get these comments time and again. Pretty much done with any scoop.

Liz

Someone will always doubt your information, no matter how accurate. Please continue to post anything you may find out. Many people appreciate it!

 

[JetsetJAK]

Wow kadesha, if I'm not mistaken, that email you got may contain more actual info about what the refurb actually is than any press releases or anything else has!

And thank you very much for posting your info Traveliz, it is much appreciated. I guess since Test Track is a beloved attraction for many, there are a lot of people getting pretty worked up about the refurb and how it's been handled (just go to Twitter and search "Test Track" to get an idea of some peoples reactions). I think a lot of people, myself included, are looking for any bit of info they can cling to that would mean Test Track would be open for their vacation, lol.

 

[cookpr]

Simply put, right now you have to assume TT will be open. All this rampant sepculation and "I thinks" got us here in the first place. Until its is posted otherwise (ie, an official Disney press release, or posted on the actual Disney site) you can't take all this chatter, or some Orlando Sentinel piece that likely did no more than talk to some CMs, serious.

 

[Friendly Frog]

I emailed WDW from Disneyworld.com inquiring about the closing dates for Test Track a few days ago. I just received the following response:

The re-imagined Future World attraction will transform into the sleek "Chevrolet Design Center at Epcot" with interactive design and styling workstations where Guests will be able to create their own custom concept vehicles. Also included will be a "SimCar" ride vehicle experience where Guests can put their design through its paces on the exhilarating hills, switchbacks and straightaways of the Test Track circuit. Guests will enjoy a post-show area filled with special effects, be scored on how well their custom concept vehicle did and see the latest Chevrolet vehicles in an all-net state-of-the-art showroom.

Ok someone interpret the above information for me, please.
Will we still get the current type test track ride, with the addition of a simulator? Or, will be loose the existing ride and now get a simulator ride plus the other refurb stuff?
I hate, hate, hate simulator rides.

(Please don't stop posting info Traveliz.)

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Where on the above link am i looking for the refurbishments and maintainence? I can't seem to find it

~It's at the very end of each park's hours. Epcot doesn't show any refurbs at all, but if you scroll down to DHS you will see a refurb scheduled for the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show. Animal Kingdom park shows no refurbs but if scroll down to Magic Kingdom park at the end of the hours, they show dates for Big Thunder Mountain, Liberty Square Riverboat and Buzz Lightyear.

I emailed WDW from Disneyworld.com inquiring about the closing dates for Test Track a few days ago. I just received the following response:

So is that "official word?" They are still sending out the same standard "April" response.

~Thank you for sharing this, I guess that is "official word", lol. But, I am really annoyed and conflicted that this info is not readily available to everyone on their website. I find it sad that guests have to write and ask guest relations, but I'm certainly glad you did! Again, it could just be an oversight on Disney's behalf.

My daughter works on that side of Epcot and cross trains with people there -she chose not to cross train there because of the impeding refurb date. I have given out correct information before...I wait as long as possible to be as sure as I can be and then I get these comments time and again. Pretty much done with any scoop.

Liz

~Thank you for sharing the scoop! I truly appreciate any inside info, especially from the CM's. It was very kind for you and your DD to share that with us. I hope you are not pretty much "done", lol.

 

[kadesha]

~Thank you for sharing this, I guess that is "official word", lol. But, I am really annoyed and conflicted that this info is not readily available to everyone on their website. I find it sad that guests have to write and ask guest relations, but I'm certainly glad you did!Again, it could just be an oversight on Disney's behalf.

It's annoying to me too. I mean, if the refurb is happening, how hard is it to add it to the calendar on the website? Seriously.