Walt Disney World has introduced the deadline for Take a look at Observe at EPCOT, which is able to go down for a prolonged refurbishment to reimagine the joys trip into its third model. This publish shares all the particulars, idea artwork, and all the things we all know concerning the plan–plus commentary about its adjustments, the closure’s summer season timing, and extra.
Take a look at Observe 3.0 was introduced, considerably out of the blue, throughout Vacation spot D23 final fall. Not a lot was stated concerning the challenge. Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro supplied a sneak peek on the above idea artwork and teased what was to come back as a fast a part of a presentation that spanned a number of upcoming initiatives.
Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty was additionally on stage, and indicated that Imagineers together with groups from company alliance associate Chevrolet are reaching again into historical past for inspiration from the unique World of Movement, and are bringing that spirit of optimism to the following iteration of Take a look at Observe. That was actually about it, although.
A bit over six months later, we now have a deadline for the present incarnation of the attraction (Take a look at Observe 2.0) together with a brand new piece of idea artwork. Take a look at Observe introduced by Chevrolet at EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort will shut quickly starting June 17, 2024.
Walt Disney World didn’t present every other specifics, however indicated that extra particulars will probably be shared quickly. Right here’s a have a look at the brand new idea artwork:
Take a look at Observe closing on June 17, 2024 is an fascinating transfer, however one which’s been rumored (roughly) for a few months now. Usually, the summer season vacationer season is when points of interest open fairly than shut.
Tiana’s Bayou Journey doesn’t but have an official opening date, however we strongly suspect it’ll debut within the second half of June 2024. That reimagined trip at Magic Kingdom is the large draw for this yr, with the advertising marketing campaign for the attraction beginning to kick into excessive gear. It’ll most likely open inside per week or two of Take a look at Observe’s closure. You may very nicely have the ability to make a journey that coincides with each!
Along with this, EPCOT is debuting CommuniCore Corridor and Plaza, in addition to the brand new Encanto present on June 10, 2024. (And, we predict, an EPCOT Summer season Competition!) That is particularly important because it alerts the completion of development; when the partitions which were up for years absolutely come down. EPCOT will lastly be wall-free…for one (1) week!
Given all the above, I used to be apprehensive concerning the rumors that Take a look at Observe would shut in June. I nonetheless suspected they had been flawed, and that Walt Disney World would push off the challenge till mid-August 2024. That the will to have a traditional summer season season–the primary at EPCOT since 2019–would outweigh the will to get a headstart on the reimagining. That Imagineering would as a substitute speed up the overhaul as soon as summer season ended, kicking issues into overdrive a la Tiana’s Bayou Journey in the course of the downtime.
Nonetheless, I can perceive why they’ve opted to shut Take a look at Observe on June 17, 2024. For one factor, the summer season isn’t practically as busy because it was once. Though that is the vacationer season and it’s often when new issues debut and points of interest don’t shut for refurbishment except completely mandatory, it’s not as verboten because it as soon as was.
Furthermore, Walt Disney World has nothing main within the pipeline for 2025. It ought to go with out saying, however there is not going to be a direct reply to Epic Universe (new publish on that matter coming tomorrow–keep tuned), within the type of new rides, lands, or a legendary fifth gate. However there will definitely be oblique ones–trip reimaginings, new leisure, particular occasions, and extra. I might think about Take a look at Observe 3.0 will probably be one of many anchors to that oblique reply.
My guess is that Imagineering began with a desired end date for Take a look at Observe 3.0 in Summer season 2025 and labored backwards from there to find out when the present incarnation of the attraction wanted to shut. And since that is being funded largely with Chevy Bucks, additionally they needed to work inside the parameters of the price range for the overhaul, and likewise construct in a little bit of a buffer to verify the reimagined trip is prepared on time.
To that time, I might hazard a guess that the goal opening date for Take a look at Observe 3.0 is not any later than Memorial Day 2025. That doesn’t imply it’ll open then–it may happen a lot earlier and even later. In any case, completely no timeline has been given. Even as soon as one is, there’s all the time the potential for work being accomplished forward of schedule or delays occurring. However my educated guess is that we’re a late spring or early summer season opening. Spring Break 2025 being absolutely the earliest and July 4th being the most recent.
For reference, Take a look at Observe closed in mid-April and reopened in early December 2012 when it was final reimagined. Though that was solely a decade in the past, it looks like an eternity in the past. As a consequence of labor and all the things else shortages, development initiatives are likely to take longer now. (Though crews will quickly be freed up from TBA, to not point out Epic Universe.) At the least 9 months sounds about proper for the minimal timeline right here. I feel 10-12 months is much more affordable, even with out figuring out extra about its scale or scope.
I might additionally hazard a guess that no different EPCOT points of interest will go down for reimaginings till Take a look at Observe 3.0 debuts. In an ideal world, Take a look at Observe would shut and the Play Pavilion would open shortly after that. Possibly not as initially envisioned, however as one thing to assist take up crowds on this aspect of the park. Even when it’s simply short-term and fundamental stuff in there.
There’s not any precise likelihood of that taking place. The Play Pavilion hasn’t simply been paused, it’s been stopped. That constructing will finally be used for one thing once more–Walt Disney World did spend some huge cash on refurbishing and lengthening its helpful life–however that doesn’t appear seemingly anytime quickly.
Accordingly, EPCOT can’t actually afford to shut every other points of interest–specifically, Spaceship Earth or Journey into Creativeness–whereas Take a look at Observe is down. Whereas it’s doable that they anticipate CommuniCore Corridor to choose up some slack, that’s not a bona fide attraction, so it’s not the identical.
One factor we’ve noticed time and time once more is that when Take a look at Observe is down, the opposite rides within the former Future World have longer waits. That is true even of Journey into Creativeness, which works from being underutilized capability (e.g. is commonly a walk-on) to having a measurable wait time with out Take a look at Observe.
EPCOT has been busier for the reason that overhaul began wrapping up final December, and we’d anticipate that pattern to proceed with the debut of CommuniCore Corridor and no matter else occurs this summer season and past. Mainly, it’s onerous to think about one other trip taking place for a protracted closure concurrently Take a look at Observe. However that was most likely all the time going to be the case.
On the plus aspect, knocking out this trip reimagining sooner additionally implies that Spaceship Earth and/or Journey into Creativeness could be on the clock sooner. It’s most likely wishful considering, however I’d like to have reveals for one or each on the D23 Expo, and this does line issues up for an August announcement adopted by Summer season 2025 closure(s).
My subsequent thought is that the idea artwork seems like an enormous improve as in comparison with the present exterior of Take a look at Observe. Ditching the everlasting cover that appears short-term (and industrial) is a big win. Whereas that serves a sensible objective (shade and canopy from the rain), it’s additionally a little bit of an eyesore. We’ve all simply kind of collectively gotten used to it as followers because it’s been there for therefore lengthy.
That’s why I’m sharing the above idea artwork of the unique World of Movement, and the way glossy and futuristic that regarded. Or fairly, seems. To be completely trustworthy, I feel World of Movement was the blandest of the OG Future World pavilions–however the competitors was additionally staunch, and the structure on all of them was or is gorgeous. World of Movement was easier and extra elegant in consequence–positively higher than how Take a look at Observe seems.
The factor is, Take a look at Observe nonetheless largely seems like World of Movement. Positive, there’s the monitor across the exterior and the cylinder’s cutaway to the darkish trip is gone, however the glossy wheel-shape of the pavilion is essentially intact. Ditto the Common Motors lounge above the doorway. Creating a brand new everlasting entrance awning that’s smaller and decrease than the present cover is a superb transfer. It seems incredible, and can enable the elegant structure of World of Movement to shine via. I actually love this transfer. This reimagining is already off to a incredible begin, and it hasn’t even begun!
Oh, and it’s most likely a bizarre “me factor” however I’m additionally joyful to see the present marquee go. It seems like a mushroom.
In the end, I’m actually excited for the Take a look at Observe overhaul and all the things (which admittedly isn’t a lot!) that we find out about it so far. Whereas this wouldn’t have been on prime 10 or 20 lists by way of my priorities for Walt Disney World if requested previous to the announcement at Vacation spot D23, I truly suppose it makes a ton of sense. And, once more, it’s largely funded by Common Motors. It isn’t like they’re going to pay for a trackless reboot of Journey into Creativeness with Figment and Dreamfinder. (But when they’d, I’d promise to purchase a Chevy!)
I’m not going to reinvent the wheel, so to talk, with additional commentary right here. For that, see our earlier publish concerning the Take a look at Observe 3.0 Journey Reimagining. I really like that this appears to be ditching the TRON-inspired aesthetic, and as a substitute will harken again to World of Movement. I hope that’s performed earnestly and sincerely, not simply as little Easter Eggs or fan service.
I’ve actually come to understand Walt Disney World points of interest with persona, and suppose that’s one factor absent from the present model of Take a look at Observe. It simply feels too chilly and sterile, and there’s nothing memorable about it. Whilst somebody who thought the unique Take a look at Observe was overdue for an replace, I appreciated its persona and we nonetheless quote a number of the quirky pre-show traces. I don’t suppose the present model has something that followers will probably be quoting 10 years from now.
Suffice to say, I’m actually wanting ahead to Take a look at Observe 3.0 and hope it pulls from the very best features of all its predecessors. It appears like Disney and Chevrolet are positioned to study from previous successes and failures, making enhancements in Take a look at Observe 3.0 on these bases. I simply hope Imagineers have sufficient time, artistic freedom and Chevy Bucks to finish a high-quality trip reimagining. Clearly it’s a really totally different attraction, however seeing the unbelievable and fast turn-around on Tiana’s Bayou Journey could be very promising!
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Your Ideas
What do you consider the Take a look at Observe reimagining announcement? Stunned that the present Take a look at Observe is closing on June 17, 2024? Comfortable that Imagineering is being given an additional couple of months (versus an late summer season/early fall low season closure) or disillusioned it’ll be down throughout your journey? Excited for Take a look at Observe 3.0, or will you miss the present model? Suppose it’s time for a substitute to TRON Observe now that TRON Lightcycle Run exists in Magic Kingdom? Which model of this trip is your favourite? Hopeful that World of Movement evokes greater than only a sense of optimism within the new trip? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even if you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!