If you’ve visited EPCOT before, you’ll know that one of the park’s most popular thrill ride is Test Track. While this attraction has been open for quite a while now, it still attracts huge crowds each and every day and for good reason. One of the biggest questions we get asked is how fast does Test Track go?
To help you plan your upcoming vacation, we’re going to share our complete guide to test track today. We’ll answer many of your most commonly asked questions about this ride, so you can decide if it’s worth adding to your upcoming vacation plans.
Who wants to go for a fast ride in a convertible with the Florida sun on their faces? This Disney theme park blogger right here, please!
How Fast Does Test Track Go?
The fastest Test Track will go is 65 mph at it’s highest speed. This makes it the fastest ride in all of Disney World.
Test Track is a very varied attraction, which has slower moments and those where you go at high speeds. The beginning of the ride takes your test vehicle through a series of vehicle tests, like a brake test and running over rough terrain. These are shakier and will throw you around a bit. This part stops and starts a little more than the later part of the ride, but it’s still very thrilling.
The fastest part of the ride is the final test at the end of the ride which is the speed test. Most people enjoy this part of the ride the most, as you’ll get to spend some time outdoors at a high speed, feeling the wind in your face as you go around the track.
You’ll then see the actual speed of just how fast the car can go with the digital speed limit sign that you pass. You’ll certainly feel like you are riding at maximum speed on the fastest attraction in Epcot!
Is Test Track Like A Roller Coaster?
One of the reasons that Test Track has remained so popular year after year is that it is one of the most unique rides in Walt Disney World. If you are wondering whether the ride is like a roller coaster, it’s quite different to this type of attraction.
You are sitting in a low-lying, open car, which will take you around a test course before heading out for the fastest part of the attraction. You’ll be seat belted into the Test Track vehicles as you would on a roller coaster, but the car is independent to other vehicles on the route.
The motion is more like a traditional car than a roller coaster, so it’s a good ride for anyone who doesn’t enjoy some of the more daring attractions in the parks.
How Many People Sit In A Test Track Car?
Each Test Track car can sit up to six people at a time. If you are traveling in a two or a four, you’ll find that a solo rider is usually added to the vehicle to fill up the car. Test Track is popular from first thing in the morning until last thing at night, so most of the time, each of the cars goes around full.
One thing to keep in mind when planning your time is that Test Track offers a single rider line. Even if you aren’t traveling alone, we recommend considering this option if you don’t want to wait for a long time. The wait time will be posted for this line as well, so you can figure out if it’s worth separating the rest of your party for.
If you are just traveling as a two, quite often you end up in the same car. The single-rider line is a rare feature in the parks today, but it’s well worth using when it’s on offer.
Read Also: Which rides have a Single rider lines at Disney World
Why Does Test Track Always Break Down?
An issue you may notice when you are traveling to theme parks is that some of the rides break down occasionally. In fact, Test Track doesn’t have the best record in this area, and it’s not uncommon for it to be down at some point on almost every day.
The track system for this attraction is much more complex than many of the other rides in the parks, which causes a greater number of technical issues. It’s also very sensitive to anyone leaving the vehicle or putting their arms outside the car, which can cause the ride to stop and break down.
If you do find yourself on Test Track when it stops, try to relax and just wait out the issue. Most times, the ride starts again within a few minutes, so you’ll be on your way and able to enjoy the rest of the attraction.
It can cause delays to the line when the ride breaks down, so if you find your wait time goes up, this may be why. Try to decide whether it’s worth staying in the line or returning later on and try your luck again then.
The Best Times to Ride Test Track
The best times to ride Test Track to avoid long lines are either first thing in the morning or last thing at night. In the morning, you’ll find that the crowds are lower, but they quickly build up within an hour of the park opening.
The afternoons, especially in the spring and summer months can come with inclement weather which can also shut the ride down for a time.
We love the night-time riding experience, which feels even faster than during the daytime. You’ll enjoy seeing the park all lit up for the night from above, which adds another thrill to this ride.
Keep in mind that Test Track is one of the park’s attractions for the Genie+ service, so this is another way to ride with a Lightning Lane.
The passes for this attraction go quite quickly, as it’s one of the most popular Epcot rides. You’ll need to prioritize this ride on this service if you want to ride this way, so think about what else you want to do in the day in advance as well.
Read Also: Tips and Tricks On How To Rope Drop EPCOT In Disney World
Is Test Track EPCOT plus size friendly?
All of the rides inside of EPCOT are plus size friendly, and Test Track is no exception. You will find a large seatbelt that must be secured in order to ride.
There are seat dividers, similar to Soarin’. If you are still nervous, there is a test seat right outside next to the single riders entrance. If you have mobility issues know you will be required to step into the car, but there are handles to help you along the way.
My tip from my husband who rode at multiple weights ranging from 375 – 525 lbs (46″ waist to 62″ along with a 3XL-5XL shirt size) is opt for the front row. Politely ask a cast member if you can ride in the front row, as there is additional leg room which will help when getting in and out of the ride vehicle.
When you are getting into the ride vehicle, pull the seatbelt prior to sitting down. Wrap it around your torso and buckle it in. As you sit down the seatbelt will retract avoiding any awkward touching with a neighbor you might not know.
Don’t be afraid to ask someone, or offer help to someone else. The seatbelt for rides can be somewhat awkward to find and get latched in. So get it buckled, and hang on to your yellow strap, there’s going to be a seatbelt check ahead!
How Long is the Full Ride on Test Track?
The main part of the queue (including Lightning Lane) is indoors. The main part of the ride consists of the the design process where you use a touch screen to design your own car. This takes about 5-8 minutes. The actual ride is about 4 minutes long.
Fun Facts about Test Track
Here are some fun facts about Test Track that you may have not heard about before.
- Fastest ride in Disney World – This ride reaches top speeds of 65 mph. Originally, the Disney Imagineers wanted it to go 95 mph.
- Longest ride in Disney World – The complete track of the ride is 5,246 feet long, which is almost one mile long!
- Hurricane Proof – Since the main portion of the ride is the huge outside track that goes around the building, it was built to withstand hurricane force winds of up to 200 mph!
- It was not the first attraction in this space – The original building that now houses Test Track was the World of Motion. It used to be called the Transportation Pavilion and was sponsored by General Motors.
- Test Track 1.0 – The first version of Test Track opened in 1999. The storyline was that you were going through a repair center and doing the same tests as crash dummies were doing.
- Test Track 2.0 – Version 2.0 opened in 2012 with the design studio and futuristic sets. It also paid homage to the old World of Motion with signage and easter eggs throughout the ride.
- New Ride in the Works – At D23 in September 2023, it was announced that there will be a new Test Track 3.0. They said: “Imagineers along with teams from Chevrolet are reaching back into history for inspiration – from the original World of Motion – and bringing that spirit of optimism to the next iteration of the Test Track attraction!”
Final Thoughts
Test Track is a can’t-miss attraction for anyone visiting EPCOT this year. You’ll find that it appeals to kids, teens, and adults alike, who love the high-speed thrills this attraction offers. Do not miss out on this ride as it will be closing for redesign on June 17, 2024.
We recommend considering both Genie+ or the single rider line if you are looking to spend less time waiting in line, as this ride often has very high wait times. No matter how you wait for the attraction though, you won’t regret taking your time out to ride the fastest attraction in Disney parks.
Do you enjoy riding on Test Track? How about building your own concept car design in the design studio? Are you excited for the new Test Track 3.0?
Read Also: What is the EPCOT Ball? Guide to Inside the EPCOT Ball
