A Walk Through The Re-Imagined Test Track

The very first stop on our very first day of our most recent Walt Disney World trip was the newly re-imagined Test Track.  We were excited to see the changes of one of our favorite attractions. 

The queue weaves guests around futuristic models of vehicles.  Get your cameras ready!

Once around the far corner, a model car is visible with images being projected onto the car along with corresponding music and sounds.  Hence, the white looking car in the photo--as the images don't appear on the camera.

Next come a variety of screens in which to practice designing your future vehicle.  The premise is that you are going to design a car and then test its performance on the track--Test Track.

When we were there, guests were then given cards to scan to digitally hold the code for the test car design.  The second time we did this, our Key to the World Card was used as it was AM Extra Magic Hours.  Now I understand that guests' MagicBands are used rather than the cards.   If memory serves, it is one card for every 2-3 guests.

We were then assigned to stand on a number on the floor.  When the design studio doors open, you will then find the screen with the corresponding number.

Here we are at Design Station 5.  Time to get going on designing our test car.

Multiple language choices are also offered on the first screen.

As the designer moves through various menus to add options to the car, the 4 test elements--Capability, Efficiency, Responsiveness, and Power are rated.  There is also a countdown timer.  If memory serves, the time was 4-5 minutes.

As you can see, the design car went through several renditions and the photo above was the last model.

The screen then tells you to move on to the testing location.

Time to get ready to ride!  The card was scanned near the ride entrance on special scanners, again with the idea that you are now testing your designed vehicle.

Here we are testing our car on the Test Track!

The first time we designed and rode the car, our design did not register during the simulation.  It could have been us and it could have been Test Track.  Needless to say, we asked about it when we exited the ride and were put back on the ride to try it again, still with varying results.  When we returned to EPCOT and rode Test Track later in our vacation, the outcome was better.  We look forward to trying it again during our next vacation.

The ride through portion in terms of the track or path is the same.  What is different is the story and the design elements.  Frankly, I missed the trees, the brake signs, the truck coming at us.  The blinking lights did not make the story for me.  I told the husband that we aren't the target demographic for this attraction.

Another portion of the attraction that has changed is the exit area.  Now, this is the part I enjoyed.  There was even more opportunities to utilize the car you designed for other things, such as viewing it in a commercial--with you!

Hints and tips for getting the most out the newly re-imagined Test Track:

• Experience the Stand-by queue at least once.  We go to Test Track first when the park opens for minimal wait times.  Otherwise, use FastPass +.
• Practice designing on the practice screens before the Design Studio to get a feel for the touch screens.
• Make designing the car a family affair.
• Enjoy the ride!
• Plan to spend time on the after attraction area as it is worth it.
• Make sure to scan your MagicBand and have the ride photo added to your Memory Maker account.

The boy loved designing the car both times.  Test Track is on our "must do" list for our next trip!

Test Track

One of the fastest rides in all of the Walt Disney World Resort is Test Track in Future World at EPCOT.  Test Track simulates the tests that a new vehicle would undergo before being marketed and you as the rider, well, you are the "crash test dummy" so to speak.

Test Track can be found in Future World at EPCOT. . . just hang a left at the Fountain of Nations, go forward and you'll run right into it.  Did you know that there are more straight lines on that side of Future World to represent the left hemisphere of the brain where logic rules and more curved lines on the right side of Future World to represent the right hemisphere of the brain where creativity is king.  Oh, how I digress from the subject at hand.  OK, Test Track is a Fastpass attraction (click here to read more about Disney's Fastpass) and has a 40" height requirement. 

As you weave around the queue you will see various tests in action and information about automobiles, etc.  Once you go up the incline in the queue you will be sorted into area 1, 2, or 3 (click here to read about "smushing" queues).  The doors will open and you will go into a staging chamber of sorts--see those doors at the other end of the chamber?  Go stand by them.  They will open when the sequence on the television monitor is over.  Speaking of television monitor. . . there will be a short preshow to set you up for the test drive.  You'll recognize the guy--he's been in most if not all of Christopher Guest's movies.  When the show is done, the doors on the other side of the chamber will open and you will be in another queue winding your way to the loading area.

Know that the cars seat 3 in each row.  The lap belts are generous.  I usually feel in a hurry to get mine fastened!  No worries, there is a stop and check point for seat belts just up the track a bit.  Purses or small bags will fit in the bottom of the car and be fine.

The ride itself if fun, mostly not scary, and mostly inside.  If you are like me and get blinded in the light, have your sun glasses ready to put on when the doors open and you head outside for the fast portion of the ride.  It took the boy a couple of trips before he was tall enough and even when he was tall enough he wasn't quite ready to ride.  Watching the ride through video on YouTube helped him see that it wasn't as scary as he thought it was.  Now Test Track is one of his favorites!

When you exit the car and head down to the "post show" area, have your Photopass card ready, as you can find the photo of your car on the wall of screens and scan it onto your Photopass account.  There will be someone there to help, and if you don't have your card, they will give you a new one and you can combine that with your Photopass account later.  Click here to read more about Disney's Photopass Service.

The "post show" area is a combination test chamber, new car showroom, and Disney Store.  It is also a good place to wait for friends or family members that are riding.

To read about our touring plan for EPCOT, click here.