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Epcot’s GM Test Track Final Night: Full Coverage Including the Last Ride Plus a Look at the Original Construction and Opening – Photos and Video

Hi everyone!

Epcot’s GM Test Track (below, left) closed yesterday for a lengthy re-design, it will eventually be the Chevrolet Design Center – there is no definite date to re-open, but it seems it will be at least October before it’s finished. We stopped for a moment at the Cool Wash (below, right) before going for a ride.

 

A car speeds around Test Track (below, left). The lines for the ride weren’t bad when we were there (below, right), especially in the evening. According to the new Epcot guidemap “We’re gearing up for an exciting re-imagined Test Track! When complete, you can design your own custom concept vehicle, then buckle into your “SimCar” and put your design through it’s paces on the exhilarating hills and switchbacks of the Test Track circuit.”

 

The clock struck 9pm (below, left) and the last guests were ushered in (below, right). We had been told to stand to the side in the “final ride line” but eventually were told we should get inside before the door closed. As always, we knew a lot of the guests who were there for the last rides of the night!

 

The door closes for the last time to GM Test Track as we know it now (below, left). We didn’t have a lot of time in the queue, it was only a 15 minute or so wait once we got inside. A crash test dummy (below, right) sits in front of a wrecked car.

 

I pose in front of a diagram on the wall (below, left), before we enter the pre-show area (below, right). The mood was festive as everyone was excited to be part of the final group to receive the “safety briefing“.

 

When the Chevrolet Design Center opens, we don’t expect to hear the words “suprise tests” anymore (below, left). We thought the movie held up really well for being about 14 years old. I always get a bit concerned by her choice for our surprise test. I hope Bill McKim returns in some form to the new attraction. (below, right).

 

Just a few cars remained to be ridden when we got into the queue. Guests seemed to enjoy their last spin on GM Test Track (below, left). Here is a view from our car (below, right). It was a great send off to the attraction and we ended up talking to some of the other die hards fans for quite some time after the park closed.

 

Video #1 – Epcot GM Test Track Final Ride 4/15/12 POV Front Row HD + Full Briefing, Doors Closing, Final Night – This was the final ride of the original GM Test Track at Epcot on 4/15/12. Watch as the clock turns to 9pm and the doors close for the last time before entering the Briefing Room for the complete spiel and then a perfect POV front center ride through in full HD!

I wanted to share a handful of photos of when GM Test Track was being built. GM’s World of Motion closed in 1996, after being open for over 13 years – about the same length as Test Track has stood. In the first photo, it’s somewhere in between World of Motion and the Test Track attraction as you can still see where the World of Motion omnimover was located going out then back into the building (below, left). At the time, they expected Test Track to open in spring of 1997 (below, right). Ultimately, it missed that goal by about a year and a half.

 

Here is a picture of construction in front of the attraction (below, left). Notice the Horizons building in the background. There was a huge banner across Test Track which showed what the attraction should look like when finished (below, right).

 

During construction GM cars were on display in front of the attraction, including a mock-up of a Test Track ride vehicle (below, left and right).

 

A detailed model of the attraction was available for guests to look at, at 1/2″ scale (below, left and right).

 

Once GM Test Track opened for sneak peeks, there were signs posted letting guests know that the attraction might make frequent (unplanned) stops (below, left). I took a media walk-through/hard hat tour, and this rendering of queue elements was on display in the VIP lounge.

 

During the tour, I took this photo looking down from the lounge (below, left) and from above the up ramp inside the attraction. (below, right). It was very exciting at the time as nothing like this had been done before. I am hopefull the next version will be just as thrilling and hopefull pay some fitting tributes to the past residents of the location.

 

Video #2 – Epcot GM Test Track Refurbished Ride Vehicles, Multiple Views, Walt Disney World – Some of the GM Test Track Vehicles have been refurbished, including new paint and body design changes.

For many more great photos, please check out MouseSteps latest update HERE!

Celebrate Spring – Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2011:

Jeff Lange Experiences: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 2011

Celebrate spring at one of Disney’s most anticipated events of the year: The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2011.

Experience these unique panoramic displays throughout Epcot’s Future World and all around World Showcase!

Running Time: 64 Min

For more information

or to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Experiences: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 2010, Jeff Lange Experiences: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 09, Jeff Lange Experiences: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival 2008

Latest Release – The Very Best of Disney’s Nighttime Fireworks Spectaculars!

Jeff Lange Presents: Walt Disney World Nighttime Fireworks Spectaculars

Jeff Lange takes you to Walt Disney World to experience the very best of Disney’s Nighttime Fireworks Spectaculars!

Featuring: Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky, Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams – 40th Anniversary Special Edition, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, Let There Be Peace on Earth Finale, Fantasy in the Sky New Years Eve Fireworks and BONUS: The Magic, The Memories, and You! (Romance Segment).

Running Time: 66 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Remember Christmas: Holiday Treat 2011 DVD – Available Now:

Jeff Lange’s Holiday Treat 2011 (Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2011)

Seasons Greetings from Jeff Lange! Celebrate the holidays with this new DVD featuring the 2011 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World.

Features yearly favorites such as: “Cinderella’s Holiday Wish (Castle Lighting)“, “Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade“, The Magic, The Memories and You! (Holiday Segment),Holiday Wishes Fireworks – Celebrate the Spirit of the Season“, “Celebrate the Season Show“, Very Merry Party Scenes, and much more!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Halloween at Walt Disney World (Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2011) – Available Now:

Jeff Lange’s Trick or Treat 8 (Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2011)

Jeff Lange presents this all-new DVD from the 2011 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World!

Featuring: Br’er Rabbit’s Laughin’ Place Candy Patch, The Headless Horseman, Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, Happy HalloWishes Fireworks, Villains Dance Mix and Mingle, Not So Scary Party Scenes, Haunted Mansion at Midnight and more!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information

or to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Trick or Treat vol 1 – 8 (Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties 2003-2011) – Click HERE

Halloween Time at Disneyland (Mickey’s Halloween Party)

Jeff Lange’s Disneyland Trick or Treat (Mickey’s Halloween Party 2010)

Jeff Lange presents this all-new DVD from the 2010 Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland!

Featuring: Spooky Halloween Party Scenes, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Mickey’s Costume Party Cavalcade, Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy, Halloween Screams – A Villainous Surprise in the Skies Fireworks, Haunted Mansion Holiday and more!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information

or to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Halloween Titles (Including Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties 2003-2011) – Click HERE

All New Summer Releases – Disneyland Summertime 2011 and Magic Kingdom Summertime 2011

Jeff Lange’s Disneyland Summertime 2011

Join Jeff Lange as he brings the magic of Disneyland into your home with “Jeff Lange’s Disneyland Summertime 2011″!

Featuring the following 2011 summertime favorites: Entrance Scenes, Mickey’s Soundsational Parade, The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Pirates of the Caribbean with Blackbeard, The Magic, The Memories and You! plus BONUS: “Magical” A Fireworks Spectacular!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available

Jeff Lange’s Magic Kingdom Summertime 2011

Celebrate the summer of 2011 in style, as Jeff Lange brings you the newest offerings from Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Featuring the following 2011 summertime favorites: Entrance Scenes, Haunted Mansion Interactive Queue, Haunted Mansion Ride, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Magic, The Memories, and You! plus BONUS: Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky Fireworks Spectacular !

Running Time: 66 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange’s Magic Kingdom Summertime 2010 (Featuring SpectroMagic, Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Show, Main Street Electrical Parade and more!)

Recent Releases – Frontierland Classics, Adventureland Classics and Liberty Square Classics:

Jeff Lange Remembers: Frontierland Classics

Take a trip back in time to experience classic Walt Disney World “Frontierland” attractions. This fifth volume in the series features the following: Splash Mountain (1992), Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade (2006), Country Bear Jamboree (1992), Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (1997), Tom Sawyer Island (2006) and more!

Running Time: 65 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Remembers: Fantasyland Classics

Also available

Jeff Lange Remembers: Adventureland Classics

Take a trip back in time to experience classic Walt Disney World “Adventureland” attractions. This fourth volume in the series features the following: Adventureland Tour (1992-1997), Jungle Cruise (1993), Enchanted Tiki Birds Tropical Serenade (1992), Pirates of the Caribbean (original version including Barker Bird 1992), Pirates of the Caribbean (1997) and more!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available

Jeff Lange Remembers: Liberty Square Classics

Take a trip back in time to experience classic Walt Disney World “Liberty Square” attractions. This third volume in the series features the following: The Hall of Presidents (Original Version – 1993), Mike Fink Keel Boats (opening day attraction – 1992), Haunted Mansion (original version – 1992), Haunted Mansion Bonus Ride (my final recording of the original version with some special surprises – 2006)!

Running Time: 66 min

For more information or

to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Remembers: Tomorrowland Classics

Epcot Center Historical DVDs – Available Now:

For fans of classic Epcot Center, I present my Epcot Center Historical Collection!

Click on any cover for more information

Walt Disney World Vintage Footage:

Jeff Lange DVD Presents: Bob Welbaum’s Walt Disney World 1986 DVD

 

Jeff Lange turns back the clock to 1986, where you will experience Walt Disney World through the eyes of Disneyana documentarian Bob Welbaum. This incredible vintage footage includes select narration from Mr. Welbaum, who shot this video before recording was commonplace.

Walt Disney World 1986 contains clips from the following: Walt Disney World Resorts, Original Disney Shopping Village, Epcot Center, Discovery Island, Magic Kingdom, Seven Seas Lagoon and much more!

Running Time: 65 Min

For more information

or to purchase this item, please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Remembers: Fantasyland Classics and Jeff Lange Remembers: Tomorrowland Classics

Disneyland Vintage Footage (5 Volumes Available):

Jeff Lange Remembers Disneyland Classics Vol 5

Jeff Lange takes you on a trip back in time to experience classic Disneyland attractions. This fifth volume in the series features the following:

Aladdin’s Royal Caravan (1993), Disneyland Railroad(1992) including the burning settlers cabin, Big Thunder Ranch and more, Beauty and the Beast Show (1993),Pinocchio’s Daring Journey (1993), Alice in Wonderland (1993) andFantasy in the Sky Fireworks (1993)!

Running Time: 66 Min

For more information or to purchase this item,

please click HERE.

Also available: Jeff Lange Remembers: Disneyland Classics Volume 1 – 4.

Click here to browse the JeffLangeDVD store.

As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.