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Test Track

 

This exhilarating attraction presented by General Motors is billed as the longest and fastest Disney attraction ever. Guests test a car at high speeds over rough terrain, round hairpin bends, and up & down hills.

Guests board a 6-passenger Test Track vehicle, then go on to experience how GM cars are tested. First comes the hill climb test. The passengers are subjected to the suspension test where they ride over a very uneven road surface. Next comes the brake tests, firstly with normal brakes, then ABS brakes.

In the environmental chamber tests, you are exposed to extreme heat, then freezing cold temperatures, then mist for the corrosion test. After the ride handling test, passengers feel what it's like to be a crash test dummy in the barrier test. Accelerating at high speed you crash through the barrier to the outside track where you continue to accelerate up to 65 mph on a 50 degree steeply-banked track right around the building. Once back inside you see your vehicle tested on the thermal imager.

Type - ride

When to go - Very popular, visit when park opens, or just before closing. Fastpass.

Where to sit - tall people should sit in the front where there is more legroom.

Duration - 10 mins

Fastpass

Restrictions
There is a minimum height requirement of 40 inches to ride this attraction.
Guests must be able to transfer from wheelchairs to board the attraction.
For safety and comfort, Guests should be in good health and free from heart, back, or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this ride.
Expectant mothers should not ride.

Tips - join the singles line, which is much shorter than the ordinary line, although you won't be able to sit with your companions.
Baby swap is avaialble.
A photo is taken of you during the ride, just as you exit at top speed through the double doors, and is available for purchase at the end.

Facts
The Total length of track in the ride is 5,246 feet, Disney's longest.
The building is 65 feet high and is 320 feet in diameter.
The maximum speed reached by the test vehicles is 65 m.p.h.
There are 31 vehicles in total, but only up to 25-26 on track at any one time.
The number of miles each test vehicle will travel per year is 50,000
Each vehicle was designed to last for 1 million miles.
During the ride it takes 8.8 seconds for each vehicle to go from 0-65 m.p.h.
There are 3 computers in each vehicle, which together have more processing power than the Space Shuttle
Each vehicle has 22 wheels, only 4 of which are visible
Each vehicle goes through 34 turns during the ride.
There are 6 braking systems on board each vehicle
The temperature change between hot and cold during the environmental chamber testing is 100 degrees
The crash-test dummies will be struck in the chest, banged on the knees and have their necks bent in pre-show demonstrations 720 times per day.
The track which runs around the outside of the building banks at 50 degrees
There are 85 road signs lining the ride
There is no steel between the front and rear wheels - the vehicle chassis is made of composite materials


Script

Sherry - Bill
Bill - Yeah.
Sherry - The next group's ready.
Bill - Oh, thanks. Hi, everybody. Welcome to the Test Track. My name is Bill McKim, I'm up here in the control center and in just a couple of minutes you're gonna be out there on that track. But first, let's put together your test schedule. These are the same kinds of tests that are run at GM test facilities all over the world. Let's put up the, er, 26-8 grade.
Sherry - You got it.
Bill - OK, we're gonna start you off on an accelerated hill climb. Now, these steep grades give us a chance to evaluate the effects of heat and stress on your engine and on the transmission.
Sherry - Twists or blocks?
Bill - Let's put up the blocks, er, German and Belgian.
Sherry - OK.
Bill - Next, your vehicle is going to go over a variety of rough road surfaces. These are designed to test the integrity of the suspension and the chassis.
Sherry - And it's gonna get a bit bumpy.
Bill - Yeah. Next you're gonna see and feel what it's like when your brakes lock up and you lose control of the steering. Not such a good feeling but hang in there because we're gonna do the test one more time, this time with the ABS or the anti-lock brakes.
Sherry - OK. What's next?
Bill - Let's do some environmental tests. Put up 2, 5, and 7.
Sherry - Seven?
Bill - Yeah, seven.
Sherry - OK.
Bill - After that, we're gonna subject your vehicle to some extremes in temperature as well as corrosive conditions to see how it handles nature's worst. And finally, we'll take you out for some handling runs.
Sherry - Off road or cornering?
Bill - Let's do the cornering. Erm, I'm gonna send you through some hairpin turns and then we'll take you out and do the high speed loops. And depending on how your vehicle and you hold up, ah, we'll even throw a few surprise tests in there.
Sherry - Surprise tests?
Bill - Yeah, pick one.
Bill - Now, if this whole routine seems a bit extreme, you're absolutely right, but that's what a test track is all about. The cars you drive at home are made up of over 15,000 different parts and every one of them has to pass the test under very extreme conditions before we ever let it off that test track and out onto the road. Now, as you can imagine safety is a big concern of ours so we're going to insist that you buckle up your safety belt securely.
Sherry - You'll be glad you did. Oh, we're ready.
Bill - OK, great. Well, Sherry says we're ready. So, we'll see you on there on the Test Track.
Sherry - Good luck. Have a good ride.


Reviews

"TEST TRACK IS THE BEST!!!!! This is my favorite ride whenever I go to Disney World. Although there is always a long line, it's worth it. I usually have to use my fastpass when we first get to the park and ride about an hour after lunch. but believe me it is a GREAT ride, I recommend it to everyone to try." Nicole

"I thought Test Track was a great ride! it had so many special effects--and of course the last part of the ride when you start to go 60 mph outside was the best. U definately need to use a fast pass for this ride. I got there right when the park opened and there was already a 45 min wait. There are two lines. The other line is single riders and that goes 10 times faster. but the only problem is, is that whoever you are with you might be split up. i definately recommend this ride for al l ages. I think every person of any age will enjoy this ride." Laura

"I have a tip. if you see a long line go to the "single rider" you won't be with your party but you can get in faster than anyone else. Me and a friend did that and we rode it 4 times in 30 min." Caleb Higgins

"Test Track is one of Disney's newest and fastest attractions. The story is that you're going to take a car on its first test run. You have to go through all different tests for the car such as the hill climb test, the suspension test, the brake tests, the steering test, a crash test, and the most fun the speed tests. From the outside you can see the cars speeding around the building that looks like a giant tuna fish can.

In the queuing area there are a lot of different min-test going on. It is very loud in annoying the queuing area. After the queuing area you go and view a short pre-show. They just introduce you to what exactly you'll be doing and they make the test up there. After the queuing area, you proceed into another short line before boarding you cars. The cars seat 6 people, 3 in front and 3 in back. After boarding you car, you start with the hill climb test. Once up the hill you go through the suspension test, which is just riding over bumps in the road. Then you'll come up upon the braking tests. You first brake without any anti-lock brakes. You spin out all over the place it's really fun. Then with the anti-lock brakes on, you come to a controlled stop. Next are the steeting and handeling tests. You speed around sharp turns, avoiding barriers along the way. After that, you line up for the crash test. I won't give this part away; you'll have to ride it yourself! After the crash test, you head outside for the speed tests. This is the best part of the ride. You speed out the back and around the building hitting speeds of 65 mph! With that, you're done all your tests for that car and of course you exit into the gift shop.

I think this attraction to be one of the best in Epcot. The only downside to it is that it breaks down a lot, and it takes an hour to get it running again. Other then that, the whole ride is great. Some people seem to find it boring, that it's anything but boring. It keeps getting exciting with every test, and the best part the speed test is the absolute best. You may say that 65 mph is a car isn't that fast, but when you ride it you'll see. 65 mph is fast!!! This ride should be done first thing when you get into the parks, and the same with EE days. Don't miss this attraction!!!"
by Kevin

"Test Track is great. since it is basically the only thrill ride in Epcot it is always packed. my friends and i always go in the singles line because the stand bye line is close to 2 hours whenever we went. one tip if you want pose for the picture it is right before you almost hit the wall, before the outside speed test, not during the speed test. not many kids were on this ride. Mostly adults and older kids. the fun thing is riding with the drunks that just finished the world showcase "drinkin' 'round the world," definitely some funny moments. Also check your picture you'll see a hidden Mickey on the floor behind your car." Kevin, ma.

"Now, you have to understand that I am a huge Nascar fan, so anything that has to do with cars and going fast is great for me. You can fit 6 people in a car with you. It takes you through the different stages of testing a new vehicle. My brother(who is 20)insisted on sitting in the "driver's seat". And, yes, he pretended he was holding onto a steering wheel! I have the photo to prove it. When you get to the part where it looks like your are going to be used as a crash test dummy, hold on! Going 60 mph around that "track" was breathtaking!" Julie Shippee


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