Does Test Track Need Some Refurbishment?

[boilerbabe]

I often wondered about the GM cars parked there too, seems like a waste like Wizzard said...why park a perfectly good car there to do nothing?!?!

They should at least update the video for this attraction like we've said in earlier posts.

[Wizzard419]

That probably explains why they needed the bailout though.

You brought up a good point though, Disney/Sponsors put all the money into making attractions, using video screens to tell the story/move the ride along but they do it once and never update the content (only the display system). While I know it isn't free to make new content, you would think it would be an inexpensive ride upgrade that would only need to be done once every so often. Same with a lot of the set pieces, such as the snowglobe that's been there so long it lost half it's water.

[Amy]

That probably explains why they needed the bailout though.

You brought up a good point though, Disney/Sponsors put all the money into making attractions, using video screens to tell the story/move the ride along but they do it once and never update the content (only the display system). While I know it isn't free to make new content, you would think it would be an inexpensive ride upgrade that would only need to be done once every so often. Same with a lot of the set pieces, such as the snowglobe that's been there so long it lost half it's water.

Maybe if we made a new on-board ride video and offered it to them for free they would use it?!

[Len90]

I remember the first time riding it that it seemed odd to park there, and in such a perfect formation. Then realized they were only for show. Though it seems rather silly to use functioning cars since they are just going to sit there.

Most likely those vehicles were stripped down so they could be placed there. I would bet that they most likely don't have engines or transmissions on them. They most likely are just shells so they can function as a set piece.

[boilerbabe]

I remember the first time riding it that it seemed odd to park there, and in such a perfect formation. Then realized they were only for show. Though it seems rather silly to use functioning cars since they are just going to sit there.

Most likely those vehicles were stripped down so they could be placed there. I would bet that they most likely don't have engines or transmissions on them. They most likely are just shells so they can function as a set piece.

That would make sense Len, I wonder if we can actually find out if that is true or not?!

[Wizzard419]

That probably explains why they needed the bailout though.

You brought up a good point though, Disney/Sponsors put all the money into making attractions, using video screens to tell the story/move the ride along but they do it once and never update the content (only the display system). While I know it isn't free to make new content, you would think it would be an inexpensive ride upgrade that would only need to be done once every so often. Same with a lot of the set pieces, such as the snowglobe that's been there so long it lost half it's water.

Maybe if we made a new on-board ride video and offered it to them for free they would use it?!

As the standard legal response to these offers "LALALALALALALALA I can't hear you!" while shutting your eyes and blocking the ears.

[MadEye]

Most likely those vehicles were stripped down so they could be placed there. I would bet that they most likely don't have engines or transmissions on them.

Oh, they have engines and transmissions, they just don't have every single upgrade GM wants you to get with them. They are regular cars like you see on the road.

[Len90]

Most likely those vehicles were stripped down so they could be placed there. I would bet that they most likely don't have engines or transmissions on them.

Oh, they have engines and transmissions, they just don't have every single upgrade GM wants you to get with them. They are regular cars like you see on the road.

Wow I always thought they were shells. I don't want to even think about the damage to those engines from not running them and leaving the fluids stationary. That really is a waste of money. At least they were smart enough to use base models.

[Wizzard419]

Again, is anyone surprised that they have been circling the drain for ages? I understand attention to detail but when detail means something like that then it's just a collosal waste. I can't even imagine the tax write off is worth it.

[Jacca5660]

They have electric motors. I believe one for each wheel.

[MadEye]

Oh, they have engines and transmissions, they just don't have every single upgrade GM wants you to get with them. They are regular cars like you see on the road.

Wow I always thought they were shells. I don't want to even think about the damage to those engines from not running them and leaving the fluids stationary. That really is a waste of money. At least they were smart enough to use base models.

The cars are not there for long. Usually a month or two and switched out with another one fresh from the factory. They eventually sell every car you see while on the ride and in the show room.

[Admiral01]

I always enjoy Test Track when I am at EPCOT. Fun ride, cool ride system, some science and engineering education, neat story telling, fits EPCOT pretty well. However, I think the biggest issue I have with Test Track is the lack of futuristic content in the ride. It feels like I am walking through a late 1990s test facility (which I realize was the idea) instead of seeing the future of transportation. Seems like it would be relatively easy to update the ride to simulate a future car test facility. Have the cars represent different engine types (hybrid, hydrogen combustion, fuel cell, all electric, etc). Replace the signage and the queue area with more futuristic sets. Replace the cars you see in the ride with some concept cars. Replace the videos. Nothing too big, but small and subtle changes so you don't simply feel like you are in the world of today. That way, when you leave the ride and walk through the post show showroom, you can feel like the GM cars you see there are cars representing the first step into the future you had just seen in the ride.

[Wizzard419]

Until you brought it up I had never really thought about it. If it weren't that it was called "Future World" it wouldn't have been an issue. The entire concept is supposed to be a replica of what a real car goes through, which isn't futuristic just more of a science angle. The plot is so locked down in concept that it can't allow for new stuff like alternative energy cars since they have to go through the same testing as well and it wouldn't be able to add to the story.


Speaking of, what are those numbers that appear on a display near the track at the entry to the queue? They are constantly changing and almost look like a readout on the noise levels.

[Jacca5660]

I was talking about the ride cars. MY BAD!!

[MadEye]

Speaking of, what are those numbers that appear on a display near the track at the entry to the queue? They are constantly changing and almost look like a readout on the noise levels.

If it is under the track near the entrance, it is the number of the car that just went by. It helps the CMs with adding or taking a vehicle off the track.