Test Track: Your experience

[bbz]

We will make our fourth trip to WDW in eight years the week of Feb 20 (CAN'T WAIT). This is the first trip (last was early 2001) that our 8 year old son is interested in the "bigger" rides. He is fascinated with Test Track, and I hope he has correct expectations. Is this ride more like roller coaster, or a simulation of fast driving?

I just discovered these boards, and am overwhelmed by the wealth of sharing. Thanks for your help!

 

[aec]

more like fast driving with breaking and turning on the inside part. More exciting than scary IMO.

Our last trip DDs were 4 and 7 and liked it. I thought is was fun. I am a roller coaster chicken and I was not scared.

 

[Valera]

I absolutely hate roller coasters and test track is my favorite ride. It does go fast at the end - it is the fastest ride in all of WDW. However there is no big drop just a really fast ride that tips a little bit to one side or the other. I would definitely suggest putting him in the middle.

There are a couple exciting situations but you have time to really quick tell him you really won't XXX (spoiler so I didn't want to write it down).

Other than that it is a fast somewhat jerky ride in a convertible.

Have fun it is a fantastic ride. - BTW make sure to use fastpass if it is available. Even in slow times this ride is always busy. It breaks down quite a lot so many of the people have to return and ride later.

 

[kilee]

Welcome to the DIS. This is truly a great place for all your Disney planning needs.

I LOVE test track. It is also my absolute favorite ride at WDW. I would say it falls on the thrill ride side. But-- not in a coaster sort of way. It's a combination of coaster meets fast driving meets plain old thrill ride.

 

[Tooneric]

My DD was 10 the first time she rode it. She does NOT like most bigger rides but this is now her favorite. I think your son will love it as well!

 

[capthooksmom]

DH, DS (3) and I rode it for the first time in December. It's exciting and fast!! DH and I loved it, DS thought it went a little too fast (but about an hour later he asked to do it again). It's fun, and more like the simulation you described in your original post. I agree with another poster that you should put him in the middle. Also, the back of the car might be better the first time if has any fears.

 

[Buzz's_girl]

Test Track is a ride where you go through the testing phases that a "new" vehicle would go through. They test the vehicle over different terrain, with and without anti lock brakes, etc. The last part of the ride is where it is more roller coaster like. (it goes fast around a curve). The only thing I noticed last time I was there (in aug '04) was that EVERY time we got in line (with FPs and without) the ride broke down. I read on another site that TT seems to have the longest queue of all the rides in all the parks. Just thought I would mention it, if you expect a wait and dont have one, then it will be even better!

 

[LargoLori]

Our DD8 loves Test Track. Make sure you get your fast passes early. We noticed in December that they ran out around 3:00 pm.

 

[ncbyrne]

Both of my DGDs love Test Track. They were 7+10. Your son (and you) will love it too. It's a very popular ride. If you experience long lines, be sure to get a Fast Pass.

 

[Buzz2001]

fast driving with the top down, wind in your hair and your in the back seat with no control over the vehicle. It's great!

 

[pandamom]

Our dd4 and dd6 loved it and so did I. I was a little scared about going on it but now it's my favorite ride! I agree with the other posters that you should get a fast pass for this attraction. Have fun!

 

[Mom2Ashli]

My DD5 just rode it for the first time in December and she LOVED it. So we had to ride it again.

 

[Selket]

I didn't find it scary (of course i'm not a little kid!) but it is very jerky I thought and the thing that DID scare me is I thought my glasses were going to fly off! I think next time when the car goes outside to go around the track (towards the end of the ride) I'll take off my glasses or make sure to wear my eyeglass strap.

Has he tried motion rides like Mission Space? Those seem less frightening to my 7 year old.

 

[gingermommy94]

I love Test Track.. The only thing I don't love is that it seems like it's down more than it's actually operating on our trips. Our trip in 2003, we were there for 5 days..working the first day, down the rest of the time.

Last year it was down off and on for the entire 7 days. We finally got to ride it once. Arrrrgghhhh!!

Anyway, when we actually get to ride it...it's great!

 

[Traveliz]

I love it but it sort of reminds me of the drive from Illinois to FL...some bumpy patches, some areas where I am just going to darn fast, some quick stops....really if your child has ever been in a car they will do just fine!

Liz

 

[PamNC]

We love Test Track. It is absolutely not a roller coaster type ride. My mom went with us one year and she is the most chicken person on the face of the planet. She was afraid to ride it, but we bugged her until she gave in. I think out of anger. Anyway, she loved it and it's now her favorite ride. She won't even ride Big Thunder Mountain...which as you know is a very tame coaster.

I think he'll like it - go for it. Test Track is tame, yet exciting, for the most part. There are some sharp turns and a very exhilarating fast portion outside the building. It's a fantastic attraction.

PamNC

 

[Slapster]

We had to use a little (a lot) of persuasion to get my son (age 10) on it, but once he rode it he wanted to do it over and over again. One very intimidating test is alluded to in the queue and during the pre-show, but it actually turns out to be a very clever trick. You can feel the g-forces pulling at you during the acceleration around the track, but that's about it. It's a fun ride - you are all certain to enjoy it.

 

[SomeSayImGoofy]

My two sons (age 4 and 9) both loved it! My wife did too....but her hair simply wasn't the same the rest of the day!

Great fun!

Kevin

P.S. Greetings to all from sunny SoCal!

 

[scrump]

We love this ride, but it does break down quite a bit. Make sure you get your FPs early!

 

[sarhenty]

I have a three year old that looks like a 4yr old so he rode it and loved it! It really is a great ride, in my opinion the last part which is the best is too short! Oh well, we'll have to do it again!