Chapter Four: The Update In truth, the initial design for the test vehicles were to emulate those of the Indiana Jones troop vehicles at Disneyland. But a number of problems stemming from bus bar failures urged a regrouping and a subsequent redesign. The current chassis and vehicle more resemble an actual GM product, and may thusly hammer the new pavilions point home even further. Of course, "state-of-the-art" can also stand for "wait-on-the-art", especially when trying to break in a new type of thrillmachine. Our visit was an exhilerating one and we expected that the ride should open anytime. Visits to Epcot allowed for regular viewing of the testing vehicles streaking by overhead, but in time--that soon stopped. Rumors of more problems were companion to several more months of delays. It was now past the summer of 1998, Animal Kingdom had opened on schedule and Test Track was still stalled with problems. Some people predicted that it simply would never open. Others crossed their fingers and hoped for a chance at experiencing what had now become Disney's most eagerly anticipated adventure. A new and tantalizingly in-depth preview video appeared at the site after the huge mural was taken down along with the blue walls that had been up since 1996. Now, nearly three years later--Cast Member previews have turned up "A+" reviews and testing was rumored to start with public bodies on December 19th, 1998. We aimed to be there for this momentus occasion and were not dissapointed.
When the Spring 1997 opening date came and went, a multitude of disappointed guests hit Epcot Guest Relations in waves. The highly touted opening, scheduled to coincide with the 25th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, failed to materialize amidst reports of vehicle re-designs and computer cock-ups.
Rumours began to circulate about a late summer opening--then delays pushed back plans to the first week in November. Finally, goaded by the press and pressured by dismal guest relations, Disney issued forth an official statement regarding the status of Test Track and its anticipated debut. Tourist handguides and publications began stating "Test Track-Coming Soon", instead of projecting for an opening date. Among the problems cited were wheels that flew off of their axles upon rapid acceleration, major computer shut-downs and derailments that left a few cars askew on the radius curve, but nontheless on-track. The sophisticated bus bar system maintains high levels of stress during the speed sections of the ride and is state-of-the-art in its design.
In the fall of 1997--it was suggested that Test Track would be open for the early spring of '98, providing an unintentional double-whammy with the opening of Disney's fourth gated theme park, Animal Kingdom. The exterior elements are all in place; a large covered pavilion and lighted sign gives entry to numbered doorways that lead to the interior queue. The glistening steel of the radius curve circles overhead with a mirror hung over the entranceway to give view of the passing cars. They approach with the whine of a jet engine, increasing in pitch until the fixtures beneath the track begin to shudder. Then, with blue lights aglow and spinning, a white and yellow blur zips past in the mirror and tears off around the curve. The first glimpse is a dramatic one. 
Passing under the track and into the queue, the first room of discovery features dozens of living, breathing automotive tests that create such a din that small children waiting to be passed off will no doubt be un-amused. Displays featuring electromagentic chambers, air-bag testing, impact-resistance and more species of crash-test dummy than you knew existed are some of the distractions that lead the way to pre-show areas that can hold 48 people apiece. Inside, impressive pictures of various international proving grounds (all containing a spectacularly huge circular track) set the stage for a brief four minute video that explains just how frightened you'll most likely be as you step outside and into the loading area.
Vehicles enter the station in pairs and can hold four cars at a time. During an anticipated 30-40 second load time, cast members will load guests into their test vehicles and then send them under the main dispatch tower towards a turnabout that bears a curious resemblance to the initial helix ascended by the Omnimovers on World of Motion. After being seperated by some 12 seconds, the cars then make their way up the grade. We were amazed at how little some of the internal structuring of the old WOM building had changed. Just up the stairs and to the left, the control tower with its surveillance cameras could be seen. More cameras are planned as the final elements of the attraction piece together. With a silent test vehicle climbing the concrete next to us--we journeyed on past the offline spur, where the technicians work on the cars, and up three flights of stairs to the ABS testing area.
With the circular structure of the building plainly obvious from this cavernous observation point, the main track could be viewed at this level. Cones laid out in various arrangements garnish trails of skid marks and traffic signal trees. In the distance, a test vehicle began to climb up the grade, turning and disappearing behind a structure before emerging on the top of a surface-testing slope. Our guide said, "this part's really bumpy"-and indeed, the car seemed to be taking a fair amount of shock as it winded down towards the first brake test.
The car seemed to hang there for the longest time before moving forward in the first test without ABS brakes. Zipping past us, it picked up a surprising amount of speed before slowing and fishtailing to a halt. It then looped around in a tight curve and prepared to undergo the second test with brakes. Flying past at close proximity, the yellow car hummed by and came to a brisk stop and then rolled around into the extreme temperature chambers. The effect wasn't cycling, so we weren't able to see the lights activate in order to create 140 degree temperatures and then a dip into near-freezing temperatures. At this point, the car took a left turn and then appeared at the top of the structure, winding its way around twisting, curving mountain roads.
At this point, the car reaches speeds of up to 35 m.p.h. before dipping into a tunnel for a fearful encounter with a huge semi-truck. After hearing the hydraulics activate for the diesel, we headed down into the building once again--this time heading towards a door with much noise emanating from behind it. On the other side was the vehicle unload and post-show entrance, in much the same place as it was during its reign as the Transcenter. After leaving the scene of the truck and encountering the hair-raising crash-barrier test, the cars zip outside into the light of day and into a series of proving ground manuevers that look positively graceful from the ground. Then, it's into "Victory Lane", the long straightaway that ends in a dynamic 50-degree banked curve that leads back into the building where a staging area accepts two blocks of four-cars each.
After passing through thermal imaging, a nifty little gizmo that shows just how flustered you are after the rush, you're free to explore the post-show area which includes the Driver's Technology Laboratories, a driving simulator with a sense of humor; simulated car assembly and production areas and a multi-media showroom with rotating cars, parting curtains and a gift shop.