Test Track

Overview

Test Track is EPCOT’s car-themed thrill ride in World Discovery. You ride in a six-seat vehicle through indoor test scenes, then go outside for a fast, banking speed run around the building. The ride lasts about four minutes, most of it indoors, and the outdoor finale is the part everyone remembers.

Is it worth it?

Yes, for most groups. Just don’t overpay to get on. Test Track is one of EPCOT’s best rides for teens, adults and kids who like speed. You get real thrills without inversions or big drops, so it suits riders who find Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind too much.

Best for: speed fans, families with kids who meet the 40-inch requirement, and anyone after a big thrill with no flips.

Skip or think twice if: you have neck, back or heart problems, you get motion sick easily, or someone in your group hates sudden acceleration and braking.

The standout: the jump from the dim indoor section to the open outdoor track. That moment is the whole ride.

The catch: standby lines often run long, and this is a ride that tends to go down and then reopen through the day. Adults and teens willing to split up can often skip the long line by using single rider. That way you don’t spend a Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection here and can save it for something like Frozen Ever After or Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

Insider tips

• Ask for the front row. The car goes the same speed in every row, but the front has nothing blocking your view when you head outside. You see the track open up ahead and the banked turns come at you. Of the front seats, the center has the best overall view, and an outside edge seat feels more open and a bit more dramatic.
• Ask nicely and be flexible. At loading, say “Could we wait for the front row if possible?” You may wait a cycle or two. Requests are never guaranteed, so if the line is backed up or you have a dining time coming, take whatever row you’re given.
• Riding twice? Try the front on round two. The back row isn’t bad. Some riders enjoy the feeling of being pulled along. But it loses the clear view of the finale.
• Watch for the on-ride photo. Test Track has one, so stay facing forward during the outdoor run instead of turning to your seatmate.
• Use single rider if your group can split up. Test Track is one of only five single rider lines at Walt Disney World. If you’re fine riding with strangers, it’s usually the biggest time-saver here, and it beats paying for a seat request with a Multi Pass slot.
• Use Rider Switch for little kids. One adult rides while the other waits with a child who’s too small or doesn’t want to go, then they swap without getting back in line.
• Know the Lightning Lane setup. Test Track is on Lightning Lane Multi Pass, not Single Pass. It’s a sensible Multi Pass pick for families who can’t use single rider. Adult groups usually get more out of using single rider here and spending the selection elsewhere.
• Pick your time. Lines here tend to be longer mid-day. Either rope-drop it as one of your first EPCOT rides, or come back in the last hour or two before close, when waits often ease up. It’s also a good stop on a hot afternoon, since most of the queue and ride are indoors.
• Have a backup plan for downtime. If it goes down, don’t wait at the entrance. Head to another ride and come back. SupaPark can alert you when it’s running again or when the wait drops (supapark.com).
• Plus-size riders: the vehicles have used car-style seatbelts, and legroom tends to be tighter than belt length. Front-row seats have historically had more legroom. Ask a Cast Member at the entrance if you’re unsure.

Who can ride

• Height requirement: 40 inches (102 cm). Check heights before you get in line, because Cast Members measure at the entrance.
• Intensity: about a 4 out of 5 for thrills. Expect quick acceleration, hard braking, tight banked turns and a fast outdoor straightaway. There are no inversions. Most of the ride is indoors and partly dark, then it ends in the open air.
• Motion sickness: the stop-start movement and banking can bother sensitive riders. It’s usually milder than spinning rides or simulators, but if speed and sudden braking get to you, ride once early in the day on an empty stomach.
• Health warnings: guests with high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, or other conditions that could get worse should skip it. Expectant mothers should not ride.
• Young kids: most kids who meet the height requirement love it, since speed is fun rather than scary for many of them. The dim indoor section and loud, sudden moments can startle timid kids. If you’re not sure, have one adult ride first with Rider Switch and report back.