Test Track: 3 years late?

According to this web site (http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/epfw-testtrack.htm) Test Track at Epcot opened three years late. Does this mean that the entire ride had been built, but failed to operate for three years, or it took longer to build than orignally thought? What kind of problems did Disney have that kept this ride from opening on time?

It was a difficult ride to iron out all tech. kinks, apparently. But, at least it didn't suffer the same fate as the Rocket Rods at Disneyland! (Which weren't thrilling)

I don't know the whole story, but I know at least part of the problem was in the tires. They were having trouble finding tires that would last long enough under the hardships and strains the ride produces. I think in the end they ended up having someone make tires specifically for the ride.

Initially regular tires were used for the ride. They didn't last. Now the tires are layered, like an onion. The layers kind of peel off rather than the tire just shredding.

What was Rocket Rods?

A ride at Disneyland's Tommorowland. A very short-lived ride. It was on the peoplemover track, launched to 30 mph and just took a high speed trip through the peoplemover's route.

Unfortunately, each car seated roughly 5 people, the ride broke down constantly, didn't work well with the track and supports designed for the peoplemover and had no theming or special effects throughout the course.

In other words, it to Disneyland what Windjammer was to Knott's- A big failure!

Shortest lived attraction in Disney History. I waited about 45 minutes to ride it and it wasn't worth it!

I was there for the preview and I heard from a guy working there (so I don't know how credible this is) that when they were initially testing, the heads of the dummies that they used to test the ride flew off. Again, I don't know how credible that is.

That same bogus rumor has surfaced for about every thill ride every built...

Besides....water dummies have no heads!!

I've seen some water dummies with heads. ;)

Even if this was the case, they'd replace the dummies, not close the ride down for 3 years. Common sense, people!

So was Test Track built and tested for three years, or intitial construction took three years longer than planned?

Yeah, as if those plastic water dummies neck strength is that of a real human. BTW, did you hear that a girl got scalped on drop zone??? ;)

*sarcasm* *** Edited 5/14/2005 2:16:08 AM UTC by CoasterCameron***

Test Track was scheduled to open in 1997. Unfortunately, delays caused by Imagineering trying to save money and using the 15 years old World of Motion (ride that occupied that building till 1996) electrical system for Test Track, tire problems and such caused it to be delayed till 1999. Then, due to frequent breakdowns and the sheer amount of people that wanted to ride it, it was open till 2 hours after park closing!

Another problem was for maintenance. They simply had no room to maintain and store unused cars, so they had to take them outside the building! in 2001-2002, they build M1, a new maintenance building behind Test Track (when you go outside the building on that dip, look on the right, you'll see it) with pits, place to store parts, cars and a welding shop.

When there's an e-stop and the cars stop on the high speed run, the tires are ripped to shreds! Cast Members has to sweep the tire remains off the track and maintenance put the ride in manual to get it to the car shop, so they can change the tires. Don't worry, you won't go flying off the track when that happens! There's 18 other coaster wheels that keeps the car on the pavement. Under the pavement is coaster track.

Any other questions? LOL

That's crazy! They need to come up with new tires then. An E-stop should not have that effect on a ride.