GM News: Epcot GM Test Track to Get Refurbished, New Name

[GMTruckGuy74]

I am a huge Disney Parks fan - My favorite attraction to visit at Epcot in WDW happens to coincide with my passion for all things General Motors - the GM Test Track (formerly GM's World of Motion pavilion).

Mouseplanet's weekly WDW news update reports that the GM Test Track attraction is scheduled to be closed from April 15 through September 21, 2012 for an upgrade to include a name change -Test Track presented by Chevrolet:

…Our friends over at TouringPlans.com are reporting that Test Track may close from April 15 through September 21, 2012 to get an upgrade and to also change the official sponsor from General Motors in general to GM's Chevrolet brand in particular. It's likely that the changes to some of the attraction's vehicles are a preview of some of the new look. We'll have more once this closure is confirmed.

TouringPlans.com also reveals a possible logo change for the attraction, seen below.

The ride will feature new vehicles designed by GM's own research and development team rather than Disney's Imagineering unit who previously did the cars. Essentially, the ride will be gutted to the point where only the track path and vehicle chassis remain with a new ride built on the skeleton. The theme is going to be highly futuristic to mesh with the rest of Epcot .

So, what's your take on this news? Is it a good idea for GM to concentrate on only one of it's brands in such a widely seen place?

Source: Mouse Planet, TouringPlans.com, epcyclopedia.com

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Edited January 3, 2012 by GMTruckGuy74

[Turbojett]

I'ver actually been on that ride. then the ride had to stop and my car got stuck in the heat lamp room because some kid three cars ahead of us puked in his seat. (I mean really guys, you couldn't have advanced us forward just a little bit?)

the end where you go out on the track was fun though.

[hyperv6]

I wish they had one at the California park. That is the one I get to normally since I get to California often.

But then after Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point it would be hard to impress unless GM hands out keys to a ZR-1 in an open parking lot. LOL! They did give me the keys to a Z06 on a taxiway at Cleveland Hopkins airport set up as a autocross track. Then they told me to drive it as deep as I like on my runs. That also left an deep impression.

Anyone see the new Ferrari world coaster in Dubi? That one really is amazing.

[GMTruckGuy74]

I wish they had one at the California park. That is the one I get to normally since I get to California often.

You're getting your wish, partially. When the new CARS Land opens in Disney California Adventures park this summer, one of the rides (through Radiator Springs) uses the test track system. So while you may not get the GM feel of the "Test Track" attraction, you will get a similar ride experience.

[Robert Hall]

I wish they had one at the California park. That is the one I get to normally since I get to California often.

You're getting your wish, partially. When the new CARS Land opens in Disney California Adventures park this summer, one of the rides (through Radiator Springs) uses the test track system. So while you may not get the GM feel of the "Test Track" attraction, you will get a similar ride experience.

Hmm...may have to check it out...I've never been to any of the Ca Disney parks (went to Disney World in the '80s when I lived in Florida). But I do go to So Cal a few times a year, so it's doable for me..

[GMTruckGuy74]

This week's (1/9/12) MousePlanet update:

Test Track to get a makeover; GM renews sponsorship

As noted last week, Walt Disney World has signed a new agreement with General Motors that extends their founding sponsorship of the Test Track (originally World of Motion) pavilion at Epcot. As part of the agreement, GM's Chevrolet brand is appearing as the sponsor name instead of all brands under the GM umbrella. The attraction also undergoes a "re-imagining," adding a Chevrolet Design Center before the ride portion of the attraction.

At the Design Center, guests can create their own concept car design. They then move to the ride portion, where they test their design in a "SimCar" vehicle. The post-show areathen lets them see how well their design fared in the tests. The pre-show Design Center iis to feature a collection of Chevy concept cars, with current production models in the showroom.

The sponsorship has been in doubt for some time. While the site has been a positive promotional outlet for GM, there was uncertainty as to whether they would be able to justify the cost of renewal in light of the automaker's bankruptcy filing. After a year of solid growth, however, it appears that there is again money to cover the substantial cost of sponsoring the pavilion. There is no current word on the financial terms of this agreement, but it has been reported that the last 10-year extension cost GM $100 million. The contract had been extended in short-term intervals while GM regained its financial footing.

The attraction closes in April and is expected to re-open this fall.

Looks like the rumor has proven true!!

Also: see the official Press Release here

[hyperv6]

I wish they had one at the California park. That is the one I get to normally since I get to California often.

You're getting your wish, partially. When the new CARS Land opens in Disney California Adventures park this summer, one of the rides (through Radiator Springs) uses the test track system. So while you may not get the GM feel of the "Test Track" attraction, you will get a similar ride experience.

I saw right after we were there last they were turning the California Adventure into the Pixar park.

We got there at a great time. We hit the Magic Kingdom before School was out in CA but was already out in Ohio. We did all but 3 rides in one day.

We went back the second day [We have a place in San Diego to stay at] we hit the California Park and rode everything by 1 PM. We then hit the rides at the Magic Kingdom and picked up the rides we had missed and still had dinner in Newport Beach and was home in San Diego by Midnight.

We are planning to get to the one in FL at some point but we just don't get that way often. Sorry I am not a big fan of FL. It is just a place we go when we get on a cruise. I really need to spend some time down there as I am sure I will like it. The beaches look cleaner and warmer than CA.

I need to finish the PCH as I have driven it From Mexico to San Fran. I need to start at the Golden Gate and go North now. I have family up north of the bridge that have been wanting us to go out. They also have a Cobra kit car with a real 427 side oiler in it that I have been offered a drive in. I need to take him up on it.

[Justin Bimmer]

Not to nitpick, bit it is important to us Californians, it is Disneyland here and the magic kingdom in Florida.

[hyperv6]

Not to nitpick, bit it is important to us Californians, it is Disneyland here and the magic kingdom in Florida.

Sorry. I thought they had a sign somewhere on the entry plaza where one side said California Adventure and the other said Magic Kingdome. That is what you I hear the main park called back here in FL. I spent little time on the name as we went in as soon as we got there. I think they get the idea if it really matters.

It is amazing how they got so much stuff in such a small area.

[Robert Hall]

I went to the Florida park as a kid in '82 and in '88 for a high school graduation event... sure it's changed a lot since then. Never been to the California park, I'm usually going to beaches and/or races when I go to Cali...

[hyperv6]

I went to the Florida park as a kid in '82 and in '88 for a high school graduation event... sure it's changed a lot since then. Never been to the California park, I'm usually going to beaches and/or races when I go to Cali...

I had been past the California park many times but never stopped in till I had a kid. I never really had the time anyways as there is so much else to do there.

California is my theme park. It is a great place to visit but I would not want to live there. A week or two a year is fine with me.

I really need to get back to Hawaii. That is where I really love the beaches. Too bad they closed down Crusier Bob's on Maui. It is a blast riding a mountain bike from the top of a 11,000 foot Volcano to the ocean. I guess someone got killed and spoiled the fun. I about froze my butt off in August as it was only 34 degrees at the top.

Edited January 11, 2012 by hyperv6

[Justin Bimmer]

Not to nitpick, bit it is important to us Californians, it is Disneyland here and the magic kingdom in Florida.

Sorry. I thought they had a sign somewhere on the entry plaza where one side said California Adventure and the other said Magic Kingdome. That is what you I hear the main park called back here in FL. I spent little time on the name as we went in as soon as we got there. I think they get the idea if it really matters.

It is amazing how they got so much stuff in such a small area.

The Walt Disney Company when they created the "Disneyland Resort" refers to the two parks as Disney's California Adventure and Disneyland Park.

[hyperv6]

Not to nitpick, bit it is important to us Californians, it is Disneyland here and the magic kingdom in Florida.

Sorry. I thought they had a sign somewhere on the entry plaza where one side said California Adventure and the other said Magic Kingdome. That is what you I hear the main park called back here in FL. I spent little time on the name as we went in as soon as we got there. I think they get the idea if it really matters.

It is amazing how they got so much stuff in such a small area.

The Walt Disney Company when they created the "Disneyland Resort" refers to the two parks as Disney's California Adventure and Disneyland Park.

They can call it what ever but it is the house of the mouse to most of us LOL!

[Robert Hall]

I went to the Florida park as a kid in '82 and in '88 for a high school graduation event... sure it's changed a lot since then. Never been to the California park, I'm usually going to beaches and/or races when I go to Cali...

I had been past the California park many times but never stopped in till I had a kid. I never really had the time anyways as there is so much else to do there.

California is my theme park. It is a great place to visit but I would not want to live there. A week or two a year is fine with me.

I really need to get back to Hawaii. That is where I really love the beaches. Too bad they closed down Crusier Bob's on Maui. It is a blast riding a mountain bike from the top of a 11,000 foot Volcano to the ocean. I guess someone got killed and spoiled the fun. I about froze my butt off in August as it was only 34 degrees at the top.

I usually go to Cali 3-4 times a year....I'm thinking about my vacations this year, have 15 days + holidays w/ my new gig....thinking a few days in Hawaii (Maui or Big Island) around April and Montreal in June for the Canadian GP would be good...

[Turbojett]

Disneyland = California (Encompasses Disneyland Park, Resort and California Adventure)

Disneyworld = Florida (Encompasses half the City of Orlando)