“Mommy, tell your readers they have to ride the New Test Track at Epcot! It’s soooooo much fun!” — Ellie, age 9
There you have it, folks! My daughter — who two days before riding Test Track at Epcot was terrified of all rides big, fast and loud — loves it! As for the rest of us… we think it’s pretty awesome too.
What is the “new” Test Track at Epcot?
We loved the original Test Track ride, but the cheesy video intro left a lot to be desired. The queue area, the cars, and even the ride itself looked tired. The new Test Track at Epcot, sponsored by Chevrolet, offers interactive features that make the ride entertaining time after time. In two days, we rode it four times — each experience a fresh thrill.
In the stand-by queue, riders learn about four different elements that go into creating a great vehicle:
- Capability (handling)
- Responsiveness (maneuverability)
- Efficiency (fuel-saving and environmentally friendly)
- Power (speed)
Fast pass riders do not learn how these factors interact, so they do miss out on a bit of the experience.
Finally through the queue, riders get to “create” their own virtual concept car in the Chevrolet Design Center. Each choice made affects the rating for the four elements. The goal is to design the best overall car, though when you have a nine year old girl along, sometimes the goal is just to make a fun-looking, pink, “flowerdy” car that will never be available in the real world. 🙂
Left side: loading station to enter your vehicle data into the car’s computer. Right top: one of our car designs. Bottom right: Ben and I made high score at Epcot’s Test Track for the whole day!
After designing your vehicle (there’s a five minute time limit), your vehicle gets “tested” against all other vehicle designs in your car to see which performs best in each area and overall. The new Test Track at Epcot runs on the same track as the original ride, but the entire place has been reimagined for a more futuristic experience. It’s loads of fun! And… it ends with the thrilling 65 mph ride on the outdoor track.
After riding, park guests can create commercials featuring their concept car, use their concept car in a virtual video game, check their performance against other riders that day, and more. The changes to Epcot’s Test Track made for a fabulous interactive experience every member of our family thoroughly enjoyed.
Tips for riding the New Test Track at Epcot
- The line for Epcot’s Test Track gets long quickly. When entering the park, skip Spaceship Earth, Innoventions and other attractions to get here first. If the standby queue is 30 minutes or less, get fastpasses for later in the day AND ride now. It’s worth riding twice!
- Disney has changed fastpass rules, so if you ride using a fastpass, be sure to arrive during your scheduled time or risk not being allowed to ride.
- When creating your concept vehicle (share this with other members of your group if you want — or treasure the secret and marvel your family with your high score!):
- Remember you have only 5 minutes to create your car — don’t get too bogged down in details.
- Wider, lower cars tend to perform better overall.
- Look at each “add-on” option available to see which improve your score the most (some lower it — though they look cool)
- Allow young riders/non-competitive family members to select the color and decorations (last step) — just save some time for it!
- Have FUN!
- Test Track does shut down in inclement weather. If rain is in the forecast, make Test Track a priority!
We emailed ourselves “commercials” of our concept cars and had a great laugh after getting home from our trip. Enjoy Epcot’s Test Track!
Have you ridden the New Test Track at Epcot? Any advice for our readers? What’s your high score?
Rhonda says
We are going to Disney in December. Thanks for the tips. Maybe I can finally beat my kids at a video game.
Leigh @oneandoneequalstwinfun.com says
The twins would love this. They adore anything cars and anything fast!
Karen Dawkins says
Good news for you — they’re not quite tall enough yet. You have a year or two to save up for the trip. 🙂
Katherine says
Ahhh that looks so fun!! I’ve never been to epcot but it’s on my bucket list!
Karen Dawkins says
Katherine, It’s loads of fun! We’re ultra-competitive so Test Track is our family favorite. 🙂
Loreina says
That looks like so much fun!!
Karen Dawkins says
Especially when the mama gets high score and beats out the men…. not that I’m competitive or anything!
Michele says
They did not have that ride when I was at Epcot-but being an adult (with no kids along) perhaps I just didn’t notice it. AND who says there are no flowery cars around–remember the old VW’s–people used to paint the with flowers all the time!!
Karen Dawkins says
Shhhhhhh!!!! Don’t tell Ellie about the old VWs. It’s bad enough that she loves the eyelashes they sell for today’s VWs!
Christy Maurer says
They must have redesigned it cuz when we went like 8 years ago it was there, so that’s not very new lol. It was a blast when we did it, so I’m sure it’s even more fun now!
Karen Dawkins says
Definitely recent, end of 2012. 🙂 And yes… lots more fun with the interactive component. 🙂
maria @ close to home says
Looks like so much fun, I need a trip to disney soon for my youngest….
Karen Dawkins says
Our daughter is 10 years younger than our oldest — it’s fun going through it all with another young one. Next time, probably not until grandkids — which better be a long way off still!
Kim says
I hope to take my grandkids there one day. This ride sounds like something they’d love to do. Thanks for sharing.
Karen Dawkins says
They’ll love it. I am posting more on Epcot next week. Be sure to come back and visit!
Pamela R says
Sounds like a hit– when we went to Disney we didn’t even do Epcot–guess it will be on our list for the next visit.
Karen Dawkins says
Epcot is great, especially for families with a huge age spread and the middle elementary-young teen set. And it’s got great food! 🙂