Disney Files New Permit for Test Track CHANGES at EPCOT

BIG changes are coming to a popular EPCOT ride. Every once in a while, Disney will take a classic attraction and give it a little update! Recently, two Magic Kingdom rides were totally revamped to include new characters, new music, and new designs. But now, we’re headed over to EPCOT to talk about something NEW that is in the works.

Spaceship Earth at EPCOT

Disney’s Test Track ride has undergone several iterations since its introduction. Most recently, the ride was designed to simulate a series of tests with an innovative new car — hence the name, Test Track. But now, the ride is CLOSED. That’s because Disney has plans to update the attraction! So far, Disney has been pretty quiet about what is planned for the ride, but we do have an important new clue.

Walt Disney Imagineering recently filed a Notice of Commencement (a type of permit) to “Install set elements” in Disney World. Now, that’s a pretty vague description, but upon closer inspection, the address associated with the notice is actually the Test Track building. Interesting!

Test Track

The notice doesn’t list much else about what Disney has planned for the Test Track building, but we do know that Jon Richards Company is listed as the contractor. This is the same contractor that was recently mentioned in Disney’s permit to install new signage at the Country Bear Musical Jamboree in Magic Kingdom. Could that mean some NEW decoration elements are coming to Test Track? We’ll have to wait and see! For now, the building is pretty blocked from public view.

Test Track is CLOSED

We still don’t know how long Test Track will be closed, but Disney did share a few hints about what we can expect. For starters, the ride will represent the “spirit of optimism” from World of Motion in the next iteration of Test Track. World of Motion, if you’re unfamiliar, was an opening day EPCOT attraction that “took visitors on a time travel journey through the history of transportation.” The ride took you through various scenes that depicted the innovation of transportation over time. Here’s a peek at the updated Test Track concept art.

Reimagining concept art ©Disney

For comparison, here’s a look at World of Motion.

©Disney

Disney also shared some concept art of the INSIDE of the new Test Track, including some potential new ride vehicles. At this time, Disney hasn’t revealed whether the ride track will stay the same (like at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom) or completely change.

We’ll be sure to keep our eyes out for more information! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.

4 BIG CLUES About the Test Track OVERHAUL in EPCOT

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