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

16 days ago in "Test Track"

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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.

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TTA947 hours ago

Well the definition of “leisurely” to some could be driving high speeds. Lol.

Disstevefan18 hours ago

Gusey8 hours ago

It's a reocurring trend with new attractions. Frozen Ever After & Rise of the Resistance also experienced significant downtime when the opened, so much so for Rise that they introduced the Virtual Queue. Hopefully Test Track won't face a similar downtime when it ropens, except for the obvious weather

Disgruntled Walt8 hours ago

That line about a "leisurely outdoor drive" was the only thing that gave me any pause about whether the fast part would stay. But they'd be nuts to change that.

Disstevefan18 hours ago

I think (hope) this TT work is just glorified redecorating and the ride system/vehicles/track will stay the same.

Sneaky9 hours ago

I will never not think that Tiana as it happened in our universe was doomed from the start by multiple factors. But i do get what you intended to say about downtime. I worry slightly too.

ToTBellHop9 hours ago

I was referring to ride system updates causing extended downtime, not grown adults clutching at pearls.

Creathir9 hours ago

I'd imagine the large components of the Tiana issue surrounded the political implications combined with the complete removal of the existing theme which had been in place for almost 30 years. TT has had its theme changed several times in the 20 years it has been around. I doubt we'll any backlash at all.

Bocabear9 hours ago

is it going to be a true 3.0? or just a redress of the sets like the last overhaul was? I know it had a new preshow and the car design component added, but the interior was largely the same...or so it seemed to me...

rle4lunch13 hours ago

My wife and I were there the first day TT 2.0 opened. It was 'clunky', to say the least. The CM's weren't trained nearly enough on how to help riders design their cars, making the preshow pretty much a failure from the get-go. Fast forward to future visits, they NEVER put any work or fine tuning into the ride, only to see it go downhill over the years. Unless they dumb it down even farther than what 2.0 was with the neon crap and soulless ridealong, 3.0 will surely be an upgrade.

ToTBellHop15 hours ago

That’s actually what led to this happening. GM/Chevy are basically committing to another couple decades by paying for the maintenance work and said, “if we are paying this much and it has to close anyway, let’s make updates.” Let’s hope that work doesn’t cause Tiana-level meltdown when TT reopens. It has enough downtime as it is.