Test Track at Epcot (A Resorts Gal Ride Guide)
Test Track, presented by Chevrolet, is a thrill ride attraction located at Epcot in Walt Disney World. The original version of this attraction, World of Motion, opened in the late 90s and was sponsored by General Motors. Below, we’ll discuss experiencing Test Track during your vacation. We’ll review the height requirements, best times to ride, and other specifics you’ll want to know ahead of time.
Update: Test Track temporarily closed in 2024 to undergo refurbishment. Here is the announcement from Disney:
Our Disney Imagineers are gearing up to bring the next iteration of Test Track to life and are reaching back into our history for inspiration, including the original World of Motion attraction from the early days of EPCOT. Today, we’re sharing a first look at a brand-new rendering of the attraction. To prepare for this new version, Test Track, presented by Chevrolet, will close temporarily beginning June 17, 2024.
Test Track’s last major refurbishment was in 2012. When it reopened, the ride had a new pre-show where guests could design their own virtual concept car. It was recently announced that this attraction will undergo a new redesign within the next few years. (At the time of this update, we do not know an exact date.)
| Test Track | Epcot Attraction |
|---|---|
Location: | World Discovery |
Height Requirement: | 40 inches |
Lightning Lane: | Closed For Refurbishment |
Ride Type: | Indoor and Outdoor Track Ride |
Ride Vehicle: | Six (Two Rows, Three Per Row) |
Rider Switch: | Yes |
Early Theme Park Entry: | Yes |
Extended Evening Hours: | Yes |
Our Traffic Signal: | Red Light (Check those wait times!) |
Scare Factor: | Medium |
Must-Do List: | High |
Perfect For: | Tweens, Teens, and Adults |
Special Mention: | This attraction has a single-rider line and an on-ride photo opportunity! |
Additional Info: Guests in wheelchairs or ECVS must transfer to the ride vehicles. Details for those with mobility issues (e.g. wheelchairs or ECVs) are available on Disney.com. Video captioning is available for this attraction. Service animals are not permitted.
Make sure to check our one-stop Lightning Lane Guide to plan your attractions.
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Test Track is located on the outer rim of World Discovery near the Mexico Pavilion side of the World Showcase. Formerly, this area was known as Future World. From the park’s main entrance, you’ll take a left at the Creations gift shop and continue through the breezeway. Mission: SPACE will be directly ahead of you, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is to the left, and Test Track is to the back right, almost at an angle.
Test Track is one of Epcot’s primary rope-drop attractions. Many guests head straight to this attraction at the park’s opening. Meanwhile, a few go directly to Frozen Ever After, some to Soarin’, and others to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. When we visit Epcot early, Test Track is typically our number one option. Test Track offers three line options:
- Lightning Lane
- Standby Queue
- Single Rider
Guests who enter the standby will walk through the entire queue and experience designing a car as part of the ride’s preshow. Guests who use a Lightning Lane will walk through a short version of the queue before creating their own virtual concept car in the Design Studio. Guests who enter the single-rider line will completely skip the regular queue and the car design process.
Guests who wait via standby will see several concept cars and other themed designs throughout the queue. However, this attraction often holds exceptionally long lines. So, in most cases, we recommend purchasing a Lightning Lane or riding via the single-ride line if you elect to rope drop another attraction.
We have ridden this attraction via the single-rider line at rope drop. When the park first opens, it takes guests riding via standby a few minutes to get through the queue and preshow area. Often that creates an opportunity for those waiting in the single-rider line to directly board the ride with little to no wait. In some instances, we have gotten to ride together. However, it’s important to note that when you enter single-rider, you’re giving up the opportunity to ride with your family. Cast members warn that you will be separated once you reach the loading area.
Remember when riding alone: Any child under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult 14 years or older. So, if you plan to try the single-rider queue, make sure everyone meets the minimum age requirement to ride alone.
All other riders will design a custom virtual car in the Chevrolet Design Center. Afterward, you will join the loading dock to board the attraction, where you’ll experience a simulated excursion with rigorous testing procedures to see how your vehicle holds up. After completing these tests, you’ll head outside on the Sim Track for a high-speed drive around the exterior of the attraction. Be prepared. This is one of the fastest Disney theme park attractions ever built, topping at 64.9 miles per hour!
Each 6-passenger vehicle has three seats across the front and three on the back. So, if you are a party of four, you would typically put two of you in the front seat and two in the back. Then, a cast member will assign a single rider to each row to fill the empty seats. Once you sit down, you’ll need to secure the restraints. End seats have a standard seatbelt with a shoulder strap, while middle seats only have a lap belt.
Now, you’re ready to see how your car performs in common road situations. As you enter the testing facility, you’ll encounter obstacles like rough terrain and inclement weather. At one point, your car will swerve to prevent hitting an oncoming vehicle. This also serves as a test of the car’s anti-lock braking system.
After passing these challenges, you’re now ready for the high-speed test. At what appears to be the end of the track, two double doors open so you can do a real test run outside. This is where you’ll reach a speed of up to 64 miles per hour in mere seconds.
When the doors open and you begin to speed up, look to the right side of the track. This is the location for the on-ride photo. If you can remember it, this photo option is easy to pose for. Just look slightly to your right and smile.
At the end of the ride, a large screen shows how everyone’s car tested overall. So don’t be too disappointed if your car doesn’t do well. You can always design another one the next time around. As you approach the exit, you’ll walk through a showroom featuring the latest Chevrolet vehicles. Guests can preview the cars and talk to a sales rep if they have any questions.
The best time to ride Test Track is usually first thing in the morning. Alternatively, you can usually ride it later in the evening via the single-rider line to experience lower waits. However, if Test Track experiences downtime during the day, lines will almost always be long until the park closes. Additionally, this attraction tends to have a decent wait time during the extended evening hours at Epcot.
The Resorts Gal Spin on Test Track
We give Test Track the red light. If the line extends well outside the queue, we would return later or sacrifice riding as a group and join the single-rider line. Hopefully, after the next refurbishment, it will get the green light. But I have a feeling it will still have exceptionally long lines!
As a boy mom, I’ve ridden Test Track way more times than the average person. Do I love it? Not really. But I have no issues riding it with anyone in my party who wants to experience it. However, I will try to talk you into riding via the single-rider line if it looks reasonable. I don’t like to wait in the standby queue because the line is so long at times! Then, when you finally get close, you have to go through the design process. I don’t care anything about designing a car and feel like it’s a waste of time. But many do enjoy it, including my son. So if your children are into this sort of thing, do it for them. I doubt you’ll regret it. I never have!
Resorts Gal Traffic Signals
Green Light
We give an attraction the green light if we consider it a must-do, regardless of the posted wait. We also give the green light for attractions we deem suitable to experience anytime. For example, some attractions have high capacities. Therefore, the lines continuously move and you shouldn’t have a long wait unless the attraction experiences downtime.
Red Light
We recommend checking the posted wait times for red light attractions. Then, make a quick judgment call on whether to wait, skip it, or return later. We also red light some attractions that we feel might not be suitable based on our experience.
For more Epcot planning, check out these popular articles.
- Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
- Mission: SPACE
- Spaceship Earth
- Soarin’ Around the World
While we cover a good deal of information on the site, Resorts Gal specializes in providing detailed information about the Walt Disney World Resorts. Browse our Disney World Hotel Reviews to begin planning your next Disney vacation. Some of the resorts near Epcot include:
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
- Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort
In the Comments
Do you have any questions or thoughts about Test Track? Do you enjoy this attraction? Leave us a comment below and let us know.
