Orlando, Florida - When Walt Disney announced the concept for EPCOT he claimed that:

"EPCOT will take its cue from the new ideas and new technologies that are emerging from the forefront of American industry. It will be a community of tomorrow that will never be completed. It will always be showcasing and testing and demonstrating new materials and new systems."

Today Disney announced an extensive refurbishment of the popular Test Track attraction that will re-enforce the message of original EPCOT. The new Test Track will be an “immersive experience in the design process of the vehicles they see on the road today and will see in the future.” The new Test Track attraction will allow guests to become car designers. Guest will create and design concept vehicles. The cars guest designed will then be put to the test as guest board a “SimCar” to test them out on a rigorous Track Circuit.

The new Test Track will also feature a new post-show experience where guests will be able to evaluate the car concept they designed. Guests will also be able to view all of the new and exciting concepts that Chevrolet is working on.

So what does this all mean? Well most importantly Test Track will be closed from April 2012 until Fall 2012, when Chevrolet will be celebrating their 100th anniversary. When the new Test Track re-opens it will “....enable 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.”

It is likely that the physical ride system and track layout will remain exactly the same. The Test Track ride system is very complex and would probably require a much longer amount of time to rebuild. However rumors indicated that the new ride may incorporate RFID technology that will allow the ride to provide different shows to each rider based on how they design their vehicle. Disney conducted an RFID experiment in early december 2011 on Test Track. A memo that was released to cast members read: “We often test new concepts and technologies in our parks as part of our ongoing innovation process to make the entire Guest experience even better. As part of that effort, we will be testing a new technology at Epcot at Test Track, December 6-7. The technology we are testing may or may not end up as part of our park offerings.”


Test Track (Sponsored by General Motors) is a high speed thrill attraction that takes guest through a simulated automotive testing facility. Test Track opened in 1998 replacing an original EPCOT ride World of Motion (Also sponsored by General Motors) a humorous dark ride that explored the history of transportation.

With this new overlay it seems that Test Track will fit the message of EPCOT with guest being able to experience first hand a demonstration of new technological advances in the automotive field. This ride is also sponsored by a company that truly represents the American industry. It will be very exciting to see what comes out of this refurbishment!

Below is a video of an Interview Coaster-net.com Reporter Zachary Fakterowitz conducted a few months ago at IAAPA. It is with Nathan Loewen a Senior Engineer for Dynamic Structures. A company that worked on Test Track and many other amusement park projects!