Test Track is getting ready to reopen at EPCOT on July 22. Ahead of the official reopening various individuals will have access to ride previews. Cast Members are some of the first to ride the new version which pays homage to the original “World of Motion” attraction, including a lyric-free version of the song “It’s Fun To Be Free”.
This version of the ride seems to focus more on the aspect of travel, including driving through a “forest.”
The Concrete Wanderer posted a video featuring the queue and ride-thru.
Attractions Magazine has recently uploaded a unique video that puts all three versions of the attraction side by side.
It’s interesting to see the track, which is the same, utilized in three different ways.
For those unfamiliar with the versions, let me break it down for you.
Test Track replaced The World of Motion at Walt Disney World, officially opening in March 1999. You can learn more about the original World of Motion here.
The first version, Test Track 1.0, ran from March 1999- April 2012.
In the original ride, guests were taken through vehicle safety testing in a GM testing facility. It looked very industrial and was focused on bringing the rider into the testing methods at the time.
It also featured the Crash Test Dummies, which were incredibly popular at the time, and often seen in advertisements for cars.
Test Track 2.0 opened in December 2012 and ran until June 2024.
Chevrolet sponsored this version and took the testing into the future. Guests would design and “ride in” their Sim-Car through digital-looking tests meant to seem more like a simulation.
The latest version, Test Track 3.0, will officially open on July 22.
GM is once again be the sponsor for this attraction. Imagineers would take inspiration from the original General Motors-sponsored “World of Motion” and weave elements into Test Track 3.0.
One of the obvious homages to the original World of Motion is a version of the song “It’s Fun To Be Free.”
Another Easter Egg people have spotted is the building number 10182 which would represent October 1, 1982, when EPCOT and the World of Motion opened.
I don’t yet know what other hidden references are in the attraction without seeing more. I can’t wait to ride it!
All Ears has some great images of the queue and the ride as well!
What do you think? Which version is your favorite?
Comment and let us know!
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