Test Track to be reimagined with inspiration from the original World of Motion

Sep 09, 2023 in "Test Track"

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Gallery / 5 Photos
New Test Track concept art

Posted: Saturday September 9, 2023 10:06am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has today announced that Imagineers, along with teams from Chevrolet are reaching back into history for inspiration – from the original World of Motion – and bringing that spirit of optimism to the next iteration of the Test Track attraction at EPCOT.

New Test Track concept art

Details are scarce, but Disney has released a piece of concept art of the new experience. The look of the concept art suggests that Test Track may be moving into the EV era.

New Test Track concept art

The current version of Test Track opened in December 2012, and as part of Chevrolet's sponsorship deal with Disney, the attraction is due for a refresh. No closing date or timeframe for the update has been announced.

Test Track at EPCOT

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Epcot81Fan5 hours ago

Heck, replace the four trees out in front with palms and this could be the new Polynesian expansion!

danlb_20005 hours ago

Another permit for set element install 1440 AVENUE OF THE STARS(GM TEST TRACK) - Jon Richards Company Fl Inc - Install set elements

michmousefan1 day ago

FYI, in 2025 GM will be moving their HQ from the Renaissance Center complex to this brand new building (pic is a rendering) a few blocks away in Downtown Detroit. They only use portions of the current office complex, so this will consolidate staff.

SplashJacket1 day ago

I saw the photo Joe posted and was like, huh, that looks like Atlanta’s Westin. Checks out.

JoeCamel1 day ago

Thanks for expanding on this

lazyboy97o1 day ago

No. GM wasn’t involved in the design and construction of the Renaissance Tower. The central circular tower is also one of a few circular hotel towers designed by John Portman in the 70s, others being the Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta and the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles. The transportation pavilion was designed as a circle to represent the wheel.

JoeCamel1 day ago

So what do you think? Did one inspire the other?

lazyboy97o1 day ago

The Renaissance Center opened in the 70s and was actually started by a Ford. GM didn’t buy it until the 90s.

JoeCamel2 days ago

MY burning question is "was the "new" GM headquarters building designed with a nod to the WoM building?" Circles are expensive to build

Steamboat712 days ago

Will there be audio animatronics in 3.0?

rle4lunch4 days ago

Heck, I'd take an actual produced sign marking the entrance to it as a huge upgrade, considering they've had a tattered cloth banner hanging there for a decade...

DreamfinderGuy4 days ago

It's ugly and blocks the view of the building. It was only installed to serve as shade for the Test Track preview area and a structure to mount the giant preview mural on, then was retained as a relatively last minute decision. It was upsetting enough seeing it retained through TT 2.0, giving it a 25+ year life for something that was only supposed to be up for a year. The new canopy we're getting is a purpose built structure, isn't as invasive to the sightlines, and compliments the building's architecture. It's still a shade structure either way, which is a win. WoM didn't need a shade structure because its queue was entirely inside the building, even if the alcove itself was outdoors. The roof was the shade structure. Test Track on the other hand regularly spills people outside the building, so it benefits from having one. Just thankful it's now one they're putting effort into.

Rhinocerous4 days ago

I have to be honest. I don't get the canopy hate. Now, I never got to experience World of Motion, so maybe there is an attachment to the building architecture that I don't have. (It's fun to be cylindrical?) But I fail to see how removing a giant shade structure in Hell's sauna is an improvement.