Test Track to close April 16 for refurb

[lonepalm]

As mentioned in the past, Test Track will close for it's refurb. However, no exact date was known...until now! April 15 will be the last day to ride...April 16, it will be closed. Read my story here, http://interactivewdw.com/epcot/test-tr ... or-refurb/ , which links to Dewayne Bevil's original story.

[Soarin08]

Eh. I won't miss it during its downtime. I rode it Sunday, that's enough for the time being.

[DisneyYorkie]

Hmmm....we were going to go to AK on Sunday the 15, but DD really loves Test Track, so maybe we should swap our AK day on the 15th and go to Epcot THAT day and go to AK on Friday the 27th.

Anyway....thanks for posting this. I probably wouldn't have known it otherwise!

[horizons1]

Anything to update that ancient preshow and get those old cars out of the queue.

[lonepalm]

I won't really miss it either (although I won't be down there until after it is re-opened). I was never a huge fan of it anyway. Not to change the subject of the thread, and a bit hesitant to say because of the responses to follow, I would have much preferred World of Motion to still be open instead of Test Track. As I've said before, I have always, and still do, view Epcot as more of an educational park, and it used to be just that until the last 10 years or so. Disney had a wonderful opportunity to capitalize on that, and they did for a long time...they had World Showcase, which in itself, has education built right into it. The Future World pavilions originally had the element of education to them, some still do, some have been changed, and some have been abandoned entirely. Epcot used to be one of a kind, but now, however, is turning into just another theme park, although it is still my favorite!

Sorry, now back to the topic at hand! It will be interesting to see exactly what changes. I have no information whatsoever, other than the widely known information that instead of GM branding, it will be Chevrolet. Obviously, the preshow will change (it has to, right?). I'm not sure about the ride itself, although I think it will change, but what... I don't know? Maybe I will create a post on my website with some thoughts and ideas!

[MmeLeota]

I won't really miss it either (although I won't be down there until after it is re-opened). I was never a huge fan of it anyway. Not to change the subject of the thread, and a bit hesitant to say because of the responses to follow, I would have much preferred World of Motion to still be open instead of Test Track. As I've said before, I have always, and still do, view Epcot as more of an educational park, and it used to be just that until the last 10 years or so. Disney had a wonderful opportunity to capitalize on that, and they did for a long time...they had World Showcase, which in itself, has education built right into it. The Future World pavilions originally had the element of education to them, some still do, some have been changed, and some have been abandoned entirely. Epcot used to be one of a kind, but now, however, is turning into just another theme park, although it is still my favorite!

Sorry, now back to the topic at hand! It will be interesting to see exactly what changes. I have no information whatsoever, other than the widely known information that instead of GM branding, it will be Chevrolet. Obviously, the preshow will change (it has to, right?). I'm not sure about the ride itself, although I think it will change, but what... I don't know? Maybe I will create a post on my website with some thoughts and ideas!

I agree with you about Epcot...I went on an educational trip to Florida through a club at school when I was in junior high and we went to EPCOT and MGM Studios (when it was actually still a working studio), among other places in Florida. That was back in the early 90s when EPCOT was awesome and educational. I hate that everything has to be catered to thrill seekers...that park should continue to be educational and not conform to just another theme park, IMHO. Education can be fun...especially with some really good music and imagination to boot!!!! But as long as there's World Showcase, I will still love it!

[Wizzard419]

I think one of the biggest problems of having an "educational" park was that it didn't have the pull of a traditional theme park. They did try but the guests weren't interested. The other big problem is that it's expensive and slow to update educational exhibits, plus you're kind of limited in content since you will only have their attention for so long.

[lonepalm]

I think one of the biggest problems of having an "educational" park was that it didn't have the pull of a traditional theme park. They did try but the guests weren't interested. The other big problem is that it's expensive and slow to update educational exhibits, plus you're kind of limited in content since you will only have their attention for so long.

I guess I probably agree with most of that, except for the theory that you can't have a fun, thrilling educational ride. I think that you definitely can. I think Maelstrom is partially an example of that. Wait times can get long for that ride, and it is decently educational. Yes, it isn't the perfect example, but I'm no Imagineer! It definitely is possible to have a thrilling educational ride.

[Wizzard419]

I wouldn't really consider it educational because it doesn't actually teach anything. It doesn't really have a cultural push other than "we had vikings and we are scared of trolls".

DLR has been on a science bent for the last few years, I'm not 100% sure what it is though. If you go on a weekday during the school year you will see staff giving instruction on things like physics then taking the group on the ride. Not sure if they do that at WDW though.

[Amy]

I wouldn't really consider it educational because it doesn't actually teach anything. It doesn't really have a cultural push other than "we had vikings and we are scared of trolls".

DLR has been on a science bent for the last few years, I'm not 100% sure what it is though. If you go on a weekday during the school year you will see staff giving instruction on things like physics then taking the group on the ride. Not sure if they do that at WDW though.

That sounds fun! I don't think WDW has anything like that though...

[Wizzard419]

The first time I saw them, I thought it was some kind of training program, then I overheard them talking and bringing out the hula hoops.

[cy1229]

I wouldn't really consider it educational because it doesn't actually teach anything. It doesn't really have a cultural push other than "we had vikings and we are scared of trolls".

DLR has been on a science bent for the last few years, I'm not 100% sure what it is though. If you go on a weekday during the school year you will see staff giving instruction on things like physics then taking the group on the ride. Not sure if they do that at WDW though.

I think instead of "educational" we might use the word "informational" because it doesn't really teach anything - as you stated - but it does provide good information.

drags out soap box of teacher-speak

With regard to the science of rides, there are a LOT of really great physics lessons in any thrill ride - momentum, energy, angular velocity, friction, oh I could go on and on. Newton would find the average theme park a great laboratory of learning. Lots of theme parks in the Midwest offer "Physics of Roller Coasters" programs, and if the teachers are lucky enough to get approval from their administrators, they and their students have a great time while learning about all the components that go into building a safe but thrilling attraction.

My students got a video - which was pretty informative - but not as much fun as actually experiencing the ride.

putting away soap box now

[Wizzard419]

Even that may be a stretch, since it would be akin to saying Pirates provides information on carribean sailing.

I do wonder how effective a learning tool it is? While the kids are there to learn, their mind may be focused on "I'm going to go ride this" more than the subject at hand.

[lonepalm]

Carousel of Progress also has a hint of education in it as well. Sometimes rides can be fun and informative!

[Len90]

Anything to update that ancient preshow and get those old cars out of the queue.

Very true. The quueue and video had some very old and antiquated things in it. It will be nice to see it finally refreshed and brought up to time. However, I will sort of miss it when I am there in June.