Test Track Refurb Official with Chevy as New Sponsor
Disney released the following Press Release regarding the refurbishment and renovation of Test Track at Epcot this spring as was previously reported on the blog as tentatively scheduled. As far as we know the schedule is still April 15 to September 21, 2012.
Here’s the official press release for your viewing pleasure:
Two of the world’s most recognized brands extend an alliance that will create a new experience for millions of Guests at Epcot.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Jan. 6, 2012 – Disney and General Motors have renewed their long-term business relationship with a new multi-year corporate alliance.
As part of the new alliance, GM will be actively involved with Walt Disney Imagineering in the development of a re-imagined, design-centric Test Track experience. The refurbished Test Track will be presented by one of GM’s most famous brands, Chevrolet. As Chevrolet marks its 100th anniversary, the new alliance agreement enables General Motors to tell its story in new and exciting ways to millions of Guests from around the world and continue as the official vehicle sponsor of Walt Disney World Resort.
“We are excited to renew our long-term alliance with General Motors,” said George Aguel, Senior Vice President, Corporate Alliances for the Walt Disney Company. “This unique agreement extends collaboration between two of the most recognized brands in the world, a relationship that spans over 30 years. The re-imagined Test Track Presented by Chevrolet will continue our shared goal of providing unique and innovative experiences that engage Disney guests in exciting and interactive ways.” ”
“As a global brand, Chevrolet is looking forward to welcoming Guests from around the world to the re-imagined Test Track,” said Joel Ewanick, Global Chief Marketing Officer for General Motors. “The best of Disney and the best of Chevrolet will come together to bring Guests an immersive experience in the design process of the vehicles they see on the road today and will see in the future.”
Plans call for closing the current GM Test Track in April 2012, with an anticipated opening of Test Track Presented by Chevrolet scheduled for fall 2012.
As part of the re-imagining, the Future World attraction will feature a sleek new “Chevrolet Design Center at Epcot” immersing Guests in the fascinating world of automotive design. Amid upbeat music, engaging media, dramatic lighting and a collection of Chevrolet concept cars and model vehicles, guests themselves will become automotive designers – and peer into the future of personal transportation in the process.
At interactive design and styling workstations, Guests will be able to create their own custom concept vehicles. The adventure will then shift into high gear as Guests buckle into their 6-person “SimCar” ride vehicle and put their design through its paces on the exhilarating hills, switchbacks and straight-aways of the Test Track circuit.
Their performance testing complete, Guests will move into a post-show area filled with special effects and be scored on how well their custom concept vehicle did. And of course, Guests will be able see the very latest Chevrolet vehicles in an all-new state-of-the-art showroom.
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I was an EPCOT cast member and test track was my home for a little over a year. I am sad to see her go however i think that change is good, so im excited and sad at the same time. On the not that jeff made, i agree that EPCOT needs some work but its not all dead. Sure i would take horizons over mission space but MS isnt a bad attraction. With that said i was talking to an imagineer the othe day and said that EPCOT is in the books for a park wide Renovation. The imagineer would not disclose any other info but it is exciting to think of possible future plans for EPCOT. Even today EPCOT is my favorite park.
I read there was going to be a Tron element to the new test track. Is that still the case?
Bulldoze that awful boring attraction and put a proper dark ride back in it’s place which inspires us to look forward to the future of transportation like World of Motion did. Future World is a MESS and needs help. The one pavilion that stands for everything the entire company was built upon (Imagination) is a complete joke and embarrassment to the company. The finale of SE now evokes no emotion and leaves us with nothing but a campy video. Mission Space is a sad excuse of a glorified tea cup attraction with a video stuffed in our face and always has been. The Life pavilion still stands closed and wastes space. The graveyard in front of SE needs removed and should have been along with that awful carny wand. EPCOT needs help. I’m thankful for the Fantasyland update and am not holding my breathe that Future World will gain some sort of cohesive identity anytime soon. In it’s current state, Future World reminds me of nothing but a 1970’s community college campus. It’s an appalling failure and has been for years now. It does nothing to inspire. Commercial developments around the world have managed 10x the imagination and futuristic design that EPCOT’s current Future World holds. Roppongi Hills in Tokyo is a prime example of future urban development, entertainment, education, and transportation. This is what EPCOT’s Future World should look like. Funny, while I was at the Mori Museum at Roppongi a few month ago, they featured an exhibit about the architectural and design movement in 1960’s Japan called Metabolism. After viewing the 4 hour exhibit, it was more than clear that Walt’s original vision of EPCOT was completely lifted from the metabolism movement. Look it up. It’s indisputable. The movement was in place in the very early 70’s at the latest while Walt came around and unveiled “his” vision that completely mirrored the movement after the fact.
Whoa there Jeff — Walt died in 1966; the original EPCOT concepts were announced in 1965 and likely developed a year or two prior. So unless there’s Disney time machine somewhere, I don’t see how it’s “indisputable” that EPCOT was “lifted” by a deceased Disney “after the fact” from a 1970’s Japanese architectural movement
It seem somebody forgot to use their imagination and is being too literal.
We are going to be down at Disney in June. I would assume with Test Track closed this will have a major impact on the wait times for the big attractions.
That’s a good point since the only other “ride” is Soarin. Those wait times are awful even on the slowest of days. Once test Track closes it’s going to be so much worse.
Going in August. Was really looking forward to going on this. Thumbs down!!!
Sounds neat. But if the ride vehicle has 6 people in it, who’s design will the car follow? All 6? Randomly pick parts of the 6? Or do all 6 have to agree? So many questions!
Seems similar to Sum of All Thrills in a lot of ways.
Hopefully people won’t take too long to decide which ‘tests’ they want their car to go through. That could really mess up wait times. I hope Disney has figured that into their planning so I don’t have to wait to board my car if the people in front of me are taking forever to decide.
Sounds awesome! I’m glad we’re waiting until 2013 for our next visit! There will be so many great new rides. 🙂
Same here, we are waiting until 2013 for our next visit. Just came back in Novemeber. By mid to late 2013 most of these big changes should have all its quirks out….excited!!!
Is this going to be a simulator or will it still go on a track like it does now?
Same track – the vehicles are programmable, they always have been. A matter of computing power to be able to space and control them. The ability to have different “shows” was a design of the original pavilion overhaul to Test Track. Complication set it as a single-show ride through. Now they can use that technology for a different experience per vehicle. Not majorly different – same general ride path – but different enough. The most difference will be the pre- and post- show areas.