GM Looks to be out of Test Track

daguru · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:57 am Post subject: GM Looks to be out of Test Track

This one comes from the Orlando Sentinel: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-biztesttrack04030409mar04,0,4184081.story

Since GM is having serious financial issues, it looks like they will not be renewing their sponsorship agreement and the resolution could be known as soon as this month!

If you read the Sentinel's article, they talk about Disney turning the attraction into a Cars theme, but I wonder about this. I know Disney has had a lot of plans for Pixar Place over at DHS, which have included a smaller version of Carsland that is being built at DCA. I know they are doing a Mater themed racing attraction based on TT technology, but would it work as a single in Epcot's Future World?

There has been a long standing rumor that Disney may also be talking with Toyota to take over sponsorship (also discussed in the article) and I've recently seen a few things about Honda expanding their current DLC sponsorship to include TT.

What would you guys like to see happen.... well, I mean other than tearing the whole thing down and rebuilding Horizons Jaho! Smile

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meyer4 · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 5:53 am Post subject:

I'm all for a Horizons return! Bouncing Jack

C33 · Airplane Inspector Joined: Dec 03, 2005 Posts: 160

Test Track is too big and too popular for Disney to close it, even if it did lose sponsorship. It's happened before after all, with other Epcot pavillions. Besides, given the current economic climate which has frozen a lot of WDW's development plans, it would make a lot more sense to simply keep operating the attraction than try and build a new one with a new sponsor.

They would, I suppose, have to remove the GM references though.

Figmentathm · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:15 am Post subject:

jahosifatz · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:54 pm Post subject:

I'm sure we could shoe horn Horizons in there. Just give me a chance!

daguru · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:39 pm Post subject:

J, alright you have inspired me! Grab your shovel and meet me behind Test Track... let's get this thing started!
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eatmon74 · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 7:31 pm Post subject:

I think all you have to do is look to the other side of Future World to see what will happen to Test Track . It will be renamed Car's Test Track and friends. They will add a few cheesy cardboard cutouts and poof brand new attraction to promote.
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FilmBuff90 · Airport Engineer Joined: Feb 25, 2009 Posts: 85

No, no, I like daguru's idea. Though I'm on the opposite coast, I can surely send some stealth construction equipment. How does an invisible streamroller strike you? Razz

zeppelindude · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 7:41 pm Post subject:

To me, Epcot needs to stay as Disney-Character Free as possible. The fact that Epcot doesn't have a Fab 5 character popping out on each corner like the other parks do keep the overall goal of Epcot as an educational journey alive. I'm not going to learn too much from Tow Mater telling me I need to "Hang on, cuz yer gounna go fast!". I would muhc rather see a Car Co. Like Toyota or Honda to pick the sponsership up and keep it the same it is.

Figmentathm · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:51 am Post subject:

I agree. No character tie in needed. My 4 year old grandson is into all of the Disney characters and likes test track. I don't thinkl he would get anymore thrill if Mater was there.
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jahosifatz · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:14 pm Post subject:

I'll be seriously bummed if they throw another character into an Epcot attraction.

RavenStGermaine · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:30 pm Post subject:

I'm betting they'll find another car manufacturer to step up as sponsor. I'm not sure how you could have a character incorporated into the ride without drastically changing it. Unless, hmmm.... Mr. Toad's Required Driver's Ed Course!
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el_duderino · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:30 am Post subject:

I hope they don't turn it into a Cars-themed ride. Surely Toyota or Honda wouldn't have a problem picking up the sponsorship. My nephew is obsessed with Cars, and I don't know if I can stomach seeing Test Track taken over by it.
Motorcycle

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FilmBuff90 · Airport Engineer Joined: Feb 25, 2009 Posts: 85

Cars and Mr. Toad do not belong at EPCOT, considering the futuristic vibe of it.

eatmon74 · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:40 pm Post subject: