Test Track Review and Planning Info
Test Track originally opened on: March 17, 1999, with the updated version opening on December 6, 2012
Pull up a list of all Epcot attraction planning reviews here.
Location: In the middle of what is currently Future World East, to the right of Mission: SPACE.
Extra Magic Hours: Morning and Evening.
Ride Length: 5 minutes.
Type: Vehicle simulator.
Similar To: DINOSAUR with a high speed finale.
Requirements: Must be 40” tall to ride.
Scary Factor: Medium. This ride isn’t as intense as Expedition Everest or Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. It’s still a “thrill ride” and there are certainly some exciting parts, but there are no major g-forces or significant drops to speak of. Even most guests who “hate” roller coasters enjoy Test Track. Younger children may be apprehensive, but if they did well on any of the previously mentioned rides, then they should be fine. Those with back or neck problems also probably want to consider skipping this one. The most exciting part is the outdoor section at the end, with speeds up to 65 miles per hour. This lasts for about 30 seconds.
What to Expect: Test Track saw a lengthy refurbishment throughout 2012 and reopened in December of that year. The ride vehicles, track, and movement are exactly the same as before, but the atmosphere is completely different.
Instead of touring a vehicle manufacturing facility, riders are actually “inside” a computer simulation. The ride is significantly darker than before and relies more on screen technology than physical sets.
Guests first wait in the queue surrounded by concept vehicles before designing their own prototype automobile at a kiosk.
The design process takes about three minutes and riders choose what they want their automobile to look like and whether they want to favor capability, efficiency, responsiveness, or power. It’s important to keep in mind that the design does not affect the ride in any way. Instead, guests will ride the “sim car” and compare the performance of their designs against those riding in the same vehicle.
Riders then embark on their journey with several sharp turns and increases and decreases in speed before launching outside at speeds up to 65 miles per hour. You can watch a video of the ride here.
Speedy Pre-Show Exit:
After the design process, riders will continue through the doors on the other side of the room. After you complete your design, start moving towards the doors to get a couple of minutes ahead of the lingerers.
Where to Sit:
It doesn’t matter too much. The first row may offer a slightly better view, but the windshield placement can make it difficult for taller people to see. Wherever you end up should be fine. Each row otherwise seats three people. Groups of four are typically separated so that two are in each row with a single rider filling the third seat.
On-Ride Photo:
Near the end of the ride, when the doors open to the outside portion, look up and to the right for the on-ride photo opportunity.
Single Rider:
Test Track is one of four attractions that offers a single rider line. Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Smugglers Run at Hollywood Studios are the three others. The single rider line is usually significantly shorter than the regular standby line. Due to the fact that each row seats three across, the single rider line usually moves fairly quickly because the majority of groups are two or four people. Note that single riders are usually split up from their party and placed in separate vehicles.
Single riders do not go through the usual design phase. Instead, they have the opportunity to pick a pre-made selection at the kiosk in the picture above. Most single riders bypass the design process entirely and enjoy the ride.
At least initially, it’s likely that Test Track will reopen without single rider as an option.
Post Attraction:
You’ll find one of Disney World’s more expansive post-show areas after experiencing Test Track. There are a number of interactive exhibits and games to play.
And Chevrolet vehicles to inspect.
FastPass+: Yes, it’s the highest Tier 1 priority with longer waits and less FastPass+ availability than Soarin’ or Frozen. The Ratatouille ride in the France Pavilion will likely also be a Tier 1 FastPass+ and it’s unclear whether demand will be higher there. Test Track would remain a high priority either way. Guests able to take advantage of single rider at Test Track may elect to use FastPass+ elsewhere.
What You Miss Using FastPass+:
You’ll bypass the main queue, which includes some futuristic model vehicles and an assortment of other things to keep guests occupied during what’s likely a 60+ minute wait. This is a photo of the standby queue from the FastPass+ line as the standby line extends outside. You’re not missing a whole lot other than the wait.
Total Average Experience Time with FastPass+: 25 minutes.
While FastPass+ users bypass the main queue, there’s still the wait for the design stage and the design process, followed by the wait to board the vehicle after, the ride, and then the walk back out front.
4th FastPass+ Availability: Currently, there will likely be no day-of FastPass+ availability for Test Track outside of other people’s cancellations. It will likely take a considerable amount of refreshing to find a FastPass+ with a suitable return time. Still, they do become available. Assuming Ratatouille is added as a Tier 1 FastPass+, it will improve availability for Test Track as guests select Epcot’s newest attraction instead.
Expect to Wait:
Test Track is currently Epcot’s most popular ride, and the one that most people head to first thing. Even on some of the least crowded days of the year, 30+ minute waits materialize almost instantaneously.
When to Go: Immediately at Park opening, in the final 30 minutes of operation, or with FastPass+. Most days, in order to ride Test Track quickly in the morning, you’ll need to arrive at the main entrance at least 45 minutes before Epcot opens. Most guests head to the attraction first thing, particularly with current construction leading everyone on this side of Future World directly towards it. Guests heading in from the International Gateway in World Showcase are at a disadvantage because the ride is further away. From there, it makes more sense to rope drop Frozen (and eventually, Ratatouille). If you can’t or don’t want to arrive that early, plan on using FastPass+, or ride as late as possible. Waits at the very end of the night are typically under 20 minutes.
Rating: 8/10
Josh’s Take: Test Track is a fun ride that just about every Disney guest enjoys. While not super-intense, the ride certainly has its moments, and most riders leave with a smile on their face. The downside is that lines are long and time consuming, even with FastPass+. Consider single rider after experiencing the attraction together for the first time as it bypasses the design phase and waits are often shorter than standby or FastPass+.
Where is the Mexico ride?
oh, sorry…
This is one of the coolest rides at WDW. We ride this many times during our trips. We get the Photopass pictures loaded to our PP card since we buy the PP CD. We use FP and Single Rider line to maximize our rides. After awhile the pre-show does get monotonous. Sometimes when you do SR they will let you walk right on through. 🙂 We are excited that a Test Trak type of ride is coming to Cars Land at DCA in 2012. Can’t wait since our favorite part of TT is the high speed ending!
Just a heads up I think the closure notice on this is probably out of date, there’s no refurbs posted atm I think?
yes they refurbed it turning it into tron but the ride is unreliable at best now
I don’t like where they put the camera, especially when you ride it first thing, when you come out of the building, you are staring straight into the sun. most of the pictures of people taken at that time showed them trying to shade their eyes from the bright Fl sun.. they should put a 2nd camera at the end of the speed track to use in the morning, and switch off in the middle of the day so you don’t get the glare.
Pre-show is completely different now. No more banging and crashing, just a walk around a couple of Chevy concept cars (the sponsor is now specifically Chevrolet and not generically GM). After the line you go into a room and are assigned to a workstation where you “design” a car.
The ride itself is roughly the same but most of the “tests” have been deleted (no more hot, cold, etc. but avoiding the tractor-trailer remains). There 3 or 4 vague “test” sections and at the end of each you see how your designed car would have fared. Your design has no impact on the ride itself. You scan you magic band (or equivalent) at each step to insure you’re seeing your design.
I’m sure there are more thorough explanations out there but I wanted to give a heads up that most of the description above is from before the recent renovation.
The one time I rode this since the redesign it was as a single rider. From the regular line, can you just refuse to participate in the “design your car” part and still proceed? I know that would leave you just standing there instead of doing stuff on an interactive screen, but for me that would be preferable.
It is fun to design because you can compare your cars to others. My family finds this to be one of the best parts of the ride. Give it a try. Attempted to get the worst fuel economy…you’ll have a bad**s car!