We Rode the NEW Test Track at EPCOT and We're Giving You a FULL LOOK

The new Test Track 3.0 is just a few weeks away from officially reopening to the public on July 22nd!

However, multiple groups of people get to preview the ride before it opens. Cast Members, Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, Golden Oak residents, and Club 33 Members all get a chance to ride it first, which is how we were just able to ride the new version of the attraction for the first time. We’ve got to admit, though — we have thoughts!

This new version of Test Track is sponsored by General Motors (the parent company of Chevrolet), but the new ride pushes innovation forward. It celebrates “today’s innovation while highlighting the past, present, and future.”

The new queue features multiple exhibits and rooms to celebrate vehicles and the people behind the vehicles.

Throughout the queue, you’ll see different vehicle prototypes…

…and additional information about cars of the future.

You’ll also see displays about how different materials can be used for cars in the future.

What you won’t find, however, is the former design-your-own-car experience that was featured in the last version of the ride, Test Track 2.0.

While the queue is set up for Single Riders and Lightning Lane, we’re still waiting on official information about those options from Disney.

The new version of the ride also features new show scenes celebrating technological advances, and the rides take you to the scenic outdoors to celebrate the technology that made it possible.

One of the new scenes was inspired by driving through an alpine landscape, and you might even notice it smells like you’re in the mountains, too.

“It’s Fun to Be Free,” the original theme song of the World of Motion attraction that inspired this retheme, was played as an instrumental after the narrator says the words “It’s Fun to Be Free,” but the original lyrics are not performed.

The different sets depicting homes and home life reminded us of old school (1990s) Innoventions and EPCOT big time. There is a new intentional ride smell in EPCOT to join the likes of Spaceship Earth and Soarin — a very pleasant pine smell that did not smell like a cleaning solution but more like a pine candle — we loved it.

Once you’re on the ride, you’ll see a dome projection room, but the projections are very effective. The imagery in this scene might be inspired by Horizons — or at least, it reminded us of Horizons.

So, what did we think about the actual ride? We think this is a great upgrade to both the technology and narrative used in the ride.

To us, there’s no question this is an upgrade from the last (2.0) version of the ride, but fans of the original crash test dummy theme will likely not think this is superior since that IP was the reason for the creation of this ride system in the first place. But we loved it and are thrilled it will be open once again soon!

Remember, though, that everyone’s preferences are different, so while one person may love the new ride, others may not be a fan, and that’s okay! We look forward to hearing other people’s opinions on the ride, including other members of our team, so stay tuned to AllEars!