After a 13-month closure, Test Track rolled back into action at EPCOT with fresh features and a futuristic new look. Fans rushed to try the new version—but instead of high-speed thrills, many found breakdowns and blocked entrances.
It didn’t take long for disappointment to set in. Within hours of reopening, the ride hit its first major snag. And sadly, that was just the beginning.
Disney’s Refurbishment Frenzy
Disney World has been refreshing attractions all year to breathe new life into its most beloved rides. Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid returned brighter than ever, with enhanced lighting, updated projections, and smoother animatronic movement that helped restore its original magic.
Over in Frontierland, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad shut down back in January for an extensive refurbishment focused on track updates, special effects, and structural improvements—it’s not expected to return until sometime in 2026.
Meanwhile, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is next up. It will close on August 4 to receive all-new ride vehicles, enhanced targeting systems, and upgraded animatronics for its 2026 relaunch.
The goal? Keep the classics alive and appealing for new generations. But despite all the effort and investment, EPCOT’s newest reopening is already showing signs of serious trouble—and fans are taking notice.
A Closer Look at Test Track’s New Setup
When Test Track returned on July 22, it was version 3.0. The changes were impressive on paper: six new exhibits in the queue, upgraded ride vehicles, advanced lighting tech, and an updated soundtrack to match the sleek redesign.
Disney also replaced the virtual queue system with Lightning Lane access to simplify the process. Fans appreciated the nostalgic nods to World of Motion while still getting a futuristic experience.
But as it turns out, great theming can’t keep a ride running.
Opening Day Letdown
Things looked promising at first. Wait times skyrocketed—up to 150 minutes within the first half hour—as eager guests rushed to experience the newly reimagined Test Track. But by the afternoon, everything came to a screeching halt. The ride broke down and closed for several hours, leaving Cast Members scrambling and guests disappointed.
Over the next few days, the pattern repeated: short outages, long shutdowns, and a queue that opened… then closed again minutes later. Some guests waited in the blazing sun, only to be turned away or stuck in limbo with no updates. The frustration kept building.
Is More Downtime Coming?
So far, Disney hasn’t addressed the reliability issues. And that silence isn’t exactly reassuring.
The upgrades may look nice, but Test Track still isn’t consistent. Guests never know whether they’ll speed through the circuit—or get stuck outside watching the Lightning Lane fill up while the ride’s down.
If Test Track doesn’t stabilize soon, fans may wonder whether it should’ve stayed closed just a little longer.
