Cast Member Review: Why Test Track 3.0 Is a Win for EPCOT Fans

Written by Joshua Posted July 7th, 2025

This spoiler-lite Test Track review comes courtesy of Evan Patel, an Animal Kingdom Cast Member. When not guiding guests through Kilimanjaro Safaris, he’s capturing stunning shots of Disney parks and beyond.

Welcome to the brand new world of Test Track 3.0! I had the opportunity to ride Test Track twice during Cast Member previews. I was impressed with the update.

Test Track has undergone numerous changes over the years. Showing its age, the second iteration closed last summer so Imagineering could update the ride. The previous version focused heavily on the future of automobiles. It worked for a while, but it started to show its age toward the end of its decade-plus run.

Even so, I was caught off guard when Disney announced the refurbishment. That was not on my radar for future Disney projects. But I was excited when Disney revealed that the attraction was inspired by World of Motion, one of EPCOT’s opening day attractions.

Test Track interior concept art. Copyright Disney. — Test Track 3.0 concept art. Copyright Disney.

Throughout the refresh process, we relied on one very intriguing piece of concept art. In it, we see a car driving around a highway curve as the sun sets in the background. It was a complete switch from the dark vibe of 2.0, so when the time came to ride, I was optimistic. I was hopeful because it felt like something truly “EPCOT” was coming back to the park. The last time I felt that was when Moana’s Journey of Water opened. That attraction combines edutainment and IP really well.

Test Track’s updated queue

Test Track's entrance — Courtesy of Evan Patel

Test Track’s new canopy looks amazing, especially compared to the steel facade that it replaced. It’s much more open and complements the building well. Entering the queue was a nice surprise. While the space looks visually similar to its predecessor, it’s much more open and inviting. Futuristic cars are still featured but highlight different futuristic attributes.

Test Track's queue includes futuristic cards and a peek into the ride itself — Courtesy of Evan Patel

Test Track's ride vehicles are visible from the queue — Courtesy of Evan Patel

One of the coolest additions to the room is a glass window that lets you see the ride vehicles heading up to the seat belt check. That’s a throwback to the original ride. The kinetic motion adds so much to the room and shows just how close you are to the action. The high-speed section of the track is also visible from the back of the room.

Test Track's queue reminds riders to "leave no trace" — Courtesy of Evan Patel

The next room is my personal favorite because it includes a wall highlighting sustainability! It features the things that we need to know to preserve the environment. I won’t get into climate change and the state of the world, but I’m incredibly proud that Disney uses its massive platform to discuss the things that are important to me.

Three displays focus on recycling, naturally occurring materials and minerals, and clean energy. There is also an electric car powertrain and information on how EVs can help reduce harmful emissions. Once again, it’s amazing to see this featured in a new Disney attraction in 2025.

Sadly, I didn’t snap any pictures of the load station. It’s essentially the same as Test Track 2.0, although it looks and feels newer thanks to better lighting. In fact, the previous ride’s moody blue lighting has been replaced throughout with much brighter, more natural lighting.

A Test Track ride vehicle heads to the seat belt check — A Test Track car heads to the seatbelt check. The ride’s queue is visible through the window on the right. Courtesy of Evan Patel.

Physical sets, trees, and lighting

The attraction itself celebrates the present and future of automobiles. Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) is featured in the beginning, highlighting how the tech can help cars talk to the world around them.

The most noticeable change is how much more open the ride is. By adding more lighting and removing walls, Test Track 3.0 feels much bigger. Physical sets are another massive upgrade. From a city corner to a house, the physical sets are a huge win.

We went through a weird phase where we thought projections and screens were the future of theme parks. Now it seems like we might be striking a balance between sets and screens. I’m happy about it since physical pieces do a better job of transporting us to a different place.

The updated responsive test area is also a huge upgrade. The dark, curving road is now surrounded by a Pacific Northwest forest. The scene is just truly amazing as it captures what the thrill of driving is all about: hitting a back road and enjoying the wind and scenery. Disney Imagineers stuck to their high level of authenticity by carefully choosing the right species of trees.

Test Track’s indoor finale features a small physical set and screen scene, which looks into the future of our world of motion. The high-speed section is the same as in previous versions.

Test Track’s reimagining feels familiar yet brand new. More importantly, it feels like EPCOT. Gone are the cheap dark scenes, replaced by physical sets, bright and inviting scenes, and edutainment. The education and conservation focus are my favorite parts of the attraction. As an environmental junky, I might be biased, but right now we need reminders of the environment more than ever. I’m excited for millions of guests to experience this attraction. It’s a major upgrade and a win for EPCOT fans.

Test Track 3.0 officially reopens on July 22, 2025. Fortunately, you won’t need a Virtual Queue to enjoy it.