GM Test Track sponsorship still up in the air

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Executives for GM and Disney have continued to negotiate a possible contract extension to keep the beleaguered Detroit auto giant as sponsor of Epcot's Test Track. But so far nothing has been announced. A person familiar with the contract, who said he had been briefed on the talks, said GM and Disney were poised to sign a six-month contract extension just days before the carmaker's June 1 bankruptcy filing. The deal would have allowed GM to forgo paying Disney a sponsorship fee but would have required it to continue paying for the post-ride showroom.

Read more from The Orlando Sentinel.

Related parks

They should just turn Test Track into a high-speed segway ride.

Last edited by Jeff Bachiochi,

Millennium Flyers: Who says America can't make a good car?

DaveStroem's avatar

We rode this a few times in March. I just don't get the ride. It was not thrilling in any way. While it was mildly fun, I would never ever wait more then 5 minutes for it. Thank goodness for fastpasses.

Epcot needs a big coaster and more for the the younger set.

Maybe Ford wants a crack to sponsor it. Maybe re-theam the cars to Mustangs (of all years).

Heck, why not Goodyear, Bridgestone, or Tire Rack?


Coaster Junkie from NH
I drive in & out of Boston, so I ride coasters to relax!

Jeff's avatar

Who ever claimed or said that Test Track is supposed to be thrilling? I always thought it was supposed to simulate... wait for it... a test track.

And Epcot doesn't need anything, especially if it means more kids would be there. I love that park. It's good for grown-ups.


Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

john peck's avatar

!!!! tHey Need a giGa!!!!!11111

Disneyland has done a lot of stuff with Honda lately, (ASMO, the Insight giveaway going on now) it would be neat to see them take it over.

But I feel GM should really stick with it (Ford maybe too). They need this exposure, whenever you exit the ride, you go right into a showroom.

Last edited by john peck,
DaveStroem's avatar

Yes, Jeff it is great for grown ups. The problem is many grown-ups that go to WDW have kids with them. While I am not saying to turn it into another MK, I feel as do many others that it could be made a bit more family friendly.

The Mole's avatar

Jeff Bachiochi said:
They should just turn Test Track into a high-speed sageway ride.

What the hell is a sageway? Does it deal with herbs? If you're going to make a bad joke at least know they're spelled SEGWAYS! :-P

I think GM will continue to sponsor but Honda or Toyota could step in and replace the logos. I've always thought Test Track was tons of fun and thrilling, it's a high speed dark ride. Plus how the heck would you theme a giant coaster in Epcot? I know some talk about a Mt Fuji coaster in Japan was spread around for a few years, but that's been shelved...

Last edited by The Mole,

There's no way on Earth that GM would be paying $$$ to Disney to "sponsor" the ride and let Honda/Toyota put up their logos, images, etc.


Original BlueStreak64

rollergator's avatar

My nieces were BIG fans of the "Kidcot" play areas, where they got to make masks in the different countries. Meanwhile, some of the adults could use FPs to get M:S, Soarin', Test Track, etc. In fact, if my brother had allowed his kids to do some more adventurous rides, I thought Epcot's Soarin' and Test Track would be good "step-up rides". Innoventions was also a big hit with the kids, and they loved the Imagination Station, Nemo, etc.

I think Disney has made good progress in "reimaging" EPCOT to a more all-ages kind of place. The only real downer...the Mexican pavilion's ride being converted to SUCH a kid-friendly theme that it lost its...heritage.

Last edited by rollergator,

You still have Zoidberg.... You ALL have Zoidberg! (V) (;,,;) (V)

Jeff's avatar

If families want something more family-ish, they have three other parks and two water parks to go to.


Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

The should check with these guys.

http://www.sportcraftcars.com/carrera_track_acc.htm

All Test Track really is a giant slot car track.

Carrera might work.


Great Lakes Brewery Patron...

-Mark

Lord Gonchar's avatar

I have a family. (kids 7 and 11) and we just spent a week at Disney a few months ago.

Guess which park we spent the most time in?

(hint: it's Epcot)


ridemcoaster's avatar

The Mole said:

I've always thought Test Track was tons of fun and thrilling, it's a high speed dark ride.

Not sure I would call Test Track a high speed dark ride. As the high speed portion occurs outside. Unless of course you are on the attraction after sunset, but still debate the "dark ride" nomenclature.

Last edited by ridemcoaster,
The Mole's avatar

ridemcoaster said:

The Mole said:

I've always thought Test Track was tons of fun and thrilling, it's a high speed dark ride.

Not sure I would call Test Track a high speed dark ride. As the high speed portion occurs outside. Unless of course you are on the attraction after sunset, but still debate the "dark ride" nomenclature.

Alice in Wonderland at DL is considered a dark ride but has parts that take place outside.

ridemcoaster's avatar

By whose definition?

A dark ride is defined as a ride thats fully enclosed and artificially lit (or not at all). Toy Story.. Buzz Light Year.. Disaster Transport..

Even Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_ride

doesnt acknowledge Alice or Test track.. (Granted wiki isnt sole source for all information, but still contains valid definitions).

Since the high speed portion of Test Track is the notable part to most people, I just dont think it falls in the dark ride category.


I would have to agree with the folks that EPCOT needs something more. For me it doesn't have the Expedition Everest, Tower of Terror, or Space Mountain the other parks have with their flagship attraction. While I do understand the concept of EPCOT this is just my opinion that it needs something more.

Jeff's avatar

Is that why it's the second-most visited park? Because it needs something more?


Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

Given Test Tracks popularity with visitors, GM would be foolish not to sign some sort of agreement. But then again, stranger things have happened in the past.

I take my family to Disney every year and my 7 and 12 year old boys both love EPCOT. I find Test Track to be more fun than thrill, but it is a great attraction at any rate. GM should never give up their sponsership. My Disney trips are the only time I ever look at what GM has to offer.


-Brian

You must be logged in to post

POP Forums - ©2024, POP World Media, LLC
Loading...