Test Track: A Tribute to EPCOT’s First Thrill Ride and Its World of Motion Roots

“New Test Track puts guests in the designer’s seat this fall.” It’s a straightforward headline—one we’ve come to expect from Disney. Another classic attraction is getting a facelift, which isn’t unusual. But the word “re-imagined” carries a different weight—especially for those who remember the Journey Into Imagination overhaul. This is my Epcot Original Test Track tribute.

That infamous re-imagining removed Figment and Dreamfinder, sparking a pre-internet fan rebellion so strong that Disney eventually reintroduced Figment into yet another version of the ride. Even so, Journey Into Your Imagination with Figment remains a shadow of the original attraction.

So, when I saw the Test Track headline, I had two conflicting thoughts at once. Is that even possible?

The Evolution of Test Track: From Concept to Reality

First Thought… At the D23 Expo in 2011, I spent about 20 minutes speaking with a Walt Disney Imagineer who was working on Cars Land at Disney California Adventure. He was directly involved in developing Radiator Springs Racers and explained the ride system and vehicle design.

It became clear that Radiator Springs Racers was the Test Track Disney originally envisioned back in 1996. When Test Track was in development, technology simply hadn’t caught up with Imagineering’s ambitions. If you know the history, you’ll remember that Test Track’s opening was delayed by 19 months due to persistent technical issues.

Building EPCOT’s First High-Speed Thrill Ride

It was a classic case of technology struggling to keep up with Imagineering’s vision. Test Track was the first Disney attraction where each ride vehicle functioned as a stand-alone system, requiring real-time communication with a central control system. Unlike an Omnimover, which moves all ride vehicles together, Test Track’s cars traveled along a “bus bar” that supplied power but little else. Acceleration, braking, and all safety mechanisms were entirely controlled by onboard computers in each vehicle.

Pushing technological boundaries has always been a hallmark of Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI)—a philosophy Walt himself championed. Someone has to take the first leap, and with Test Track, Disney did just that. The lessons learned from Test Track’s cutting-edge ride system have influenced many attractions since its debut. No doubt, the new Test Track would benefit from the advancements tested in California with Radiator Springs Racers—but that’s a topic for another blog.

The Transformation of World of Motion

Second Thought… World of Motion Nostalgia

As much as I admired Test Track’s technology, I couldn’t help but think back to my early EPCOT visits and its original transportation-focused attraction—World of Motion. As a kid, I loved the first traffic jam scene, filled with humor and so much to take in.

At the time, I didn’t realize it, but I was drawn to the Ward Kimball charm that defined World of Motion’s storytelling. Even years later, I would go out of my way at Mickey’s Toontown Fair to visit the chickens from that original scene, relocated to Wise Acres Farm inside Goofy’s Barnstormer (before it became Storybook Circus).

If you ever spot those chickens—let me know!

I still remember the headlines when Test Track was announced—EPCOT was finally getting the thrill ride it desperately needed. There was a preview center featuring a detailed video showcasing the attraction’s development and what was happening behind the construction walls.

One of the biggest design challenges was figuring out how to fit as much track as possible inside the existing World of Motion building. The solution? Extend the high-speed portion outdoors. A Cast Member parking lot was repurposed, allowing the track to wrap behind the Mexico Pavilion and around the old World of Motion structure.

Inside, everything from World of Motion was completely removed, except for the circular building itself, which was originally designed to resemble a wheel—a perfect fit for its transportation theme. All 30 scenes from World of Motion were replaced with Test Track’s modern, industrial aesthetic.

A Personal Connection: Test Track Through the Years

Test Track quickly became a staple of our family trips—usually paired with a Soarin’ FastPass (though not always in that order!). Naturally, I wanted to dedicate an episode of SamsDisneyDiary to the attraction. The plan was simple: record the queue, capture the pre-show, take some pictures, ride the attraction, and upload the video.

Easy, right? Not exactly.

After filming my introduction and gathering footage, I sat down to edit—only to find myself sifting through countless photos I had taken over the years. That’s when I stumbled upon something unexpected: old World of Motion memorabilia.

At that moment, I realized—I couldn’t talk about Test Track without acknowledging its predecessor. It wasn’t just a new ride; it was a piece of EPCOT history built on the foundation of a classic attraction. 

The Legacy of Crash Test Dummies

What was supposed to be a quick video project quickly spiraled into a month-long deep dive. As I looked through years of family photos, I realized just how much Test Track had been part of our Disney trips.

I found pictures of my family at various ages throughout the queue and post-show areas. One detail stood out—near the pre-show doors, there was a wall displaying crash test dummy size comparisons (labels like “Large Man,” “Small Woman,” etc.). Without even realizing it, I had taken photos of my daughter in front of the “Small Girl” size marker for years. It was a subtle but sentimental connection to the ride’s theme.

Speaking of crash test dummies—they’re gone!

I expected at least a nod to them in the reimagined version, but the entire physical crash test theme was removed. The new Test Track (presented by Chevrolet) shifted focus to modern vehicle design and digital testing.

Will Bill McKim Return?

While Test Track’s track layout remained the same, the ride’s tests were completely reworked. At the time, Disney hadn’t confirmed what the new tests would be.

And that left me wondering—would Bill McKim still guide us through the environmental tests?

“Put up 2, 5, and 7… Yeah, 7!”

If I had to place a bet, I’d say Disney would include at least one nod to World of Motion, a reference to Bill McKim, and maybe even a piece of a crash test dummy somewhere in the new Test Track.

Who knows—maybe Bill McKim would return to host the new pre-show? Now that would be a pleasant surprise!

A Labor of Love for Test Track Fans

Creating this SamsDisneyDiary episode was truly a labor of love. If I were searching for the history of EPCOT’s Test Track, this is the video I’d want to see.

Are you curious about Test Track 2.0? Check it out here!