Things are starting to look a lot different outside Test Track at EPCOT. The large canopy that sits just outside Test Track’s entrance is finally coming down. Crews have already removed the themed canvas, and work is underway to take down the metal support structures.
We have a great look at the canopy’s final days thanks to DC Baker.
Removing the canopy will bring the Test Track building back in line with its original appearance when it was the World of Motion attraction. The canopy came online with the shift to Test Track in 1999, and won’t be missed. The concept art for the outside of the updated Test Track, which we’ll call Test Track 3.0, shows how everything will look post-canopy.
Disney has described the updated Test Track as a collaboration with Chevrolet to “push innovation forward and celebrate humanity’s enduring drive on the thrilling road to a brighter tomorrow.”
Here’s a quick summary of the new Test Track queue from the Disney Parks Blog:
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.
As for the ride itself, Disney provided some brief, albeit vague, details. The update sounds pretty extensive despite us not having all the specifics.
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.
Disney says Test Track 3.0 is set to open at some point in 2025. We don’t know if they’re aiming for the first half of 2025 or the back half of the year. The ride closed for the current update on June 17, 2024, which means Disney is planning for the update to take at most about 18 months.
Test Track being down could make a big impact on crowd flow during peak seasons. Its closure is a big loss for the overall EPCOT lineup. And, as you’d imagine, Test Track’s closure puts added pressure on the Lightning Lane availability of other EPCOT rides.
