EPCOT's Test Track Canopy Removal Completed as Disney Imagineering Files More New Permits

Aug 28, 2024 in "Test Track"

Gallery / 4 Photos
Test Track refurbishment - August 28 2024

Posted: Wednesday August 28, 2024 11:!3am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Two pieces of Test Track reimagining news this week as work continues reimagining EPCOT's original thrill ride.

Test Track refurbishment - August 28 2024

First, the exterior canopy structure has been completely removed, making way for the new, cleaner, sleeker exterior of the upcoming Test Track 3.0.

Test Track refurbishment - August 28 2024

Concept art showing the new exterior of the reimagined Test Track

Progress continues inside the building as Walt Disney Imagineering has filed another construction permit. The latest permit is for electrical work to be carried out by Pro Sound, Inc., a Walt Disney Imagineering vendor based in Florida.

New Test Track concept art

Consistent with previous permits for Test Track, this one carries the standard one-year expiration date, hinting that a summer 2025 opening is still a strong possibility.

Concept art of new Test Track marquee and entrance

Disney says Test Track will celebrate today's innovation while highlighting the past, present, and future.

The queue will feature six distinct exhibits, and within each room celebrate the vehicles – and people behind the vehicles – that push the envelope and help get people to our next chapter in our motion journey.

New show scenes will be added showcasing technological advances and how our lifestyles and relationships to mobility connect everyone. Enjoy a joy ride through scenes focusing on onboard technology, customization and personalization. Followed by a trip through a scenic outdoor route reminding us all of the joys of driving, taking in the world around us and spending quality time with friends and family.

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

AidenRodriguez7311 hour ago

Could this not apply to depictions of other countries through movies/IP as a way of showing how we in different countries are able to more easily connect to different cultures through the media we watch? Which emphrasizes why it matters so much that we feature cultures different to our own in movies as it allows us to get a basic level understanding and pulls up in to learn more about what we were shown?

The Leader of the Club1 day ago

EPCOT was always the park my family skipped as a kid because it had the reputation as being “boring” or “adult.” I have a feeling I wasn’t the only one. I think that by adding characters that kids recognize, you give families reason to go to that park. I believe you can do it tastefully with characters who fit the themes and stories within EPCOT

ToTBellHop1 day ago

That ship sailed about 18 years ago.

osian1 day ago

Nope. This argument could go round in circles again! No fictional character from cartoons and movies can ever be a "great fit" for EPCOT, which showcases humanity and our connection with the earth. We are talking reality, not fantasy. Leave that to the other parks.

The Leader of the Club1 day ago

There are great ways to incorporate IP into World Showcase. A Poppins dark ride in the UK would be wonderful. Luca would be a great fit for Italy. I hope that once SSE, WOL, and Figment are done they’ll focus back here. Maybe the next decade

Bocabear1 day ago

I think the main concourse at The Land is pretty lackluster and could use a more imaginative overhaul...not doubling down on the Airport/shopping mall Food Court...but take it back stylistically to more of what we had... or something even more organic inside... Like the interior grew there... (It is The Land Pavilion)... And put the Listen To The Land song back on the boat and I would be happy with that one, and yes! France aside from the ridiculous Singalong, is in better shape with it's expansion and Remy... Forgot about that!! All of the World Showcase pavilions need an attraction... that should have been the mandate...not cramming inappropriate IP into the park. MK and DHS are mostly completely vehicles for IP except for a very few exceptions... Allow EPCOT to have it's own identity... All 4 Parks should not be the same Disney character IP fest...and I think that was always the best part about EPCOT...it was a break from fairytale and movie characters... yeah yeah I know Bob's Mandate... a mandate can also evolve in order to create an overall varied and richer experience...

DreamfinderGuy1 day ago

If they put the song back in the boat ride and gave the interior an update, The Land would easily be in the best shape its ever been in.

Blobbles1 day ago

The land still feels like pure Epcot to me. It also is the single best place at wdw to go to when it starts raining for a long period of time.

ToTBellHop1 day ago

I think The Land is better. Food Rocks was fun but couldn’t last forever and I like Soarin. Wish they’d improve Sunshine Seasons… During the 90 min they play Impressions, France is better.

Bocabear1 day ago

Aside from The American Adventure, pretty much every attraction in EPCOT has been touched / made worse... I will say I really like GOTG, but could have been integrated better... made into more of a Pavilion with an attraction instead of just a ride. That said, there are none of the original pavilions that feel better to me than say 1990 Epcot...

ChrisFL1 day ago

What's kinda sad is that I was thinking of whether there was an attraction I was hoping they wouldn't touch/make worse but there's hardly any left in Epcot they haven't done that to