Ever wonder what type of testing automobiles partake in prior to being released on the road? Well Test Track answers many of those questions in a highly entertaining and thrilling manner. Replacing the old, dull Worlds of Motion pavilion, Test Track truly is a unique experience. While approaching the attraction one can’t help but hear the vehicles roaring by, only adding to the anticipation of the great ride that’s ahead.
First I just have to address Test Track’s constantly long lines due to the ride’s popularity and the far too numerous breakdowns. Well the ride’s popularity certainly is inevitable due to the ride’s status as one of the few thrill rides at EPCOT combined with the fact that it’s also popular among almost all age groups. Very often waits around 60-90 minutes should be expected unless you arrive at Test Track immediately when the park opens (within first 30 minutes). Unfortunately, the fastpasses often are depleted by mid-afternoon. If you don’t mind splitting up your group, I highly suggest utilizing the single-rider line since it will save you a load of time and at worst you’ll get on in 30 minutes. The other issue with the ride’s line is the breakdowns that hamper the attraction. Whenever a breakdown occurs, the ride shuts down and requires a minimum of an hour to restart. One other note, the ride automatically shuts down even in the lightest of rain or at the threat of thunder or lightning.
Really the experience begins with the very cool and highly themed queue, packed with various scenes and displays showcasing various improvements in vehicle testing. Personally I find them very interesting and the queue really seems like a museum in my opinion. Eventually there comes a pretty mediocre pre-show that gives a broad outline of what features will follow on the ride such as a hill test, brake test, road test, ect. Afterwards there comes the very organized loading platform and soon enough you board the comfortable six-person cars. Personally I like the front row much more because of the enhanced view it provides with no sacrifice to the quality of the ride.
First comes a speedy hill climb followed by a bumpy suspension test. While bumpy, I personally enjoy the suspension test since it’s not overly jerky (cough: Dinosaur cough). Afterwards comes by far the worst part of the entire attraction, the horrid brake test. Well here the car’s brakes are tested and instead of stopping, the cars viscously and abruptly swerve to the side at the last second giving all riders a pretty rough jolt. Even worse, this test is repeated for a second time immediately after, with results far too similar to the first brake test. After that the ride certainly picks up with the chamber tests, and by far my favorite is the cold chamber simply because of the refreshing relief it provides after experiencing the standard Florida heat. Immediately after comes the very fun hairpin test and the first “fast” segment of the ride. Not only does some decent speed build up, but it provides some great laterals navigating the tight, hairpin turns.
Then comes the highlight of the entire attraction by far, the barrier test. Very suddenly the car accelerates towards a looming wall, only to have the wall disappear at the last possible second, resulting in a high-speed joyride. Here the ride’s true power is revealed and I just love the sensation of speed it provides, especially on the final straightaway and building-hugging, banked turn around the building where the ride obtains its peak speed of 65 MPH! Just the rush this segment provides is incredible and to me it’s comparable to a roller coaster! I just can’t even imagine how incredible Test Track would have been if the victory lap was taken at the proposed 95 MPH (the cars are actually capable of 150 MPH!) before the ride was revised to make it more family-friendly and comfortable.
Test Track far and away is EPCOT’s best attraction and definitely one of the best attractions on the entire resort thanks to its perfect combination of dark-ride elements and high-speed thrills that one could only dream of performing in a car. But why just a nine? This is simply because of two flaws with the attraction- it’s constantly long line (aided by far too numerous breakdowns) and the horrid ABS segment I detailed in the review. Definitely utilize the single-rider line or get fastpasses early, otherwise a very long wait should be expected. Still, Test Track is certainly an attraction that can be enjoyed by all because of the thrills and enjoyment it provides.
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