Test Track Refurb in 2012 Rumour- Anyone Heard For Sure?

[Wizzard419]

Careful, some members here would punch you in the mouth for saying such things.

[boilerbabe]

We just returned from the World, and we noticed a few cars that had a new paint job, but everything else seemed to be the same. This attraction is in desperate need of an overhaul!!! But, we still enjoy it!

[Soarin08]

Now that this is an official refurb, got details on it on my employee website for WDW. I will paraphrase what they told us next time I check the site.

[MadEye]

From the Portal or Hub... whatever they call it now.

Re-imagined Test Track experience to open this fall
01/06/2012

By Bryan Malenius

Today Disney and General Motors (GM) announced they have renewed their long-term business relationship with a new multiyear corporate alliance.

As part of this new alliance, GM will be actively involved with Walt Disney Imagineering in developing a re-imagined, design-centric Test Track experience at Epcot. 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."

Plans call for closing the current GM Test Track in April, with an anticipated opening of Test Track Presented by Chevrolet scheduled for this fall.

As part of the re-imagining, the Future World attraction will transform from the current testing workshop into the sleek "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 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 six-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.

"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."

[Amy]

Hmmm, I figured you would have a little more inside information but this sounds exactly like what has been shared through several sites now. Either way, it is still an exciting change ~ hopefully!

[theBIGyowski]

Because this is such a short refurb time window...I am going to assume most of the changes will just be to scenery and software. So...some parts of the track may change...but I doubt it. Think about how much has to go into the construction and testing of this ride system...I just don't see this being an overhaul.

That said...I will be happy if that is the case. I think the ride is fantastic and freshening it up will make it that much more enjoyable. Maybe it will also help pull some of the lines away from Soarin'. One can only hope.

[Soarin08]

I'm confused as to what they're actually doing with it... maybe I'm missing something reading the article.

[dstrawn9889]

they are using the current trackbed, refreshing the queue and ride vignettes, ad adding the interactive crap in the queue, ostensibly to have you 'customize' your ride, the only available specs the computer could mimic on the track layout is wheel travel, weight balancing, horsepower, brake sizes, areodynamics, tcs, abs, collision avoidance... things tha can be mimiced by the ride vehicles that are currently on the track now. all of these things can be 'made' real by adjusting stopping distances, accelleration, roughness of the ride over the [speed bump test]...

[dstrawn9889]

i mean those specs can be changed, unlike wheelbase, seating arrangement, vehicle physical size, etc...

[Soarin08]

they are using the current trackbed, refreshing the queue and ride vignettes, ad adding the interactive crap in the queue, ostensibly to have you 'customize' your ride, the only available specs the computer could mimic on the track layout is wheel travel, weight balancing, horsepower, brake sizes, areodynamics, tcs, abs, collision avoidance... things tha can be mimiced by the ride vehicles that are currently on the track now. all of these things can be 'made' real by adjusting stopping distances, accelleration, roughness of the ride over the [speed bump test]...

Too much work for me to enjoy going on it... and I hate that interactive you-know-what in the queue lines.... If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[dstrawn9889]

i would say that there is a std profile for those that do not want to deal with all the crap...

[dstrawn9889]

could also be kiosks after the queue, you know in the 'briefing room' or podiums in the interior queue after the briefing room

[Soarin08]

i would say that there is a std profile for those that do not want to deal with all the crap...

I for one certainly hope so. I won't miss the ride anyway once it goes down, it has never been on my top list to do and besides, Epcot and I are taking a much-needed emotional break. So I won't be visiting the park for a while as it is.

[pixiesparkles]

This is the first that I have heard of any Test Track refurb...interesting.

[mills10]

I'm guessing most of us one here have seen this, but I'll put the link just in case:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2 ... -at-epcot/