Latest news with #TestTrack
New York Post
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Disney World plans to open a massive new theme park, its first since 1998 — here's what it'll entail
Mouse ears, meet expansion plans. Walt Disney World may be conjuring up a whole new kingdom — its first all-new park since Animal Kingdom opened way back in 1998. According to a new long-term blueprint from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District — dubbed Comprehensive Plan 2045 — the Mouse House has supposedly carved out space for a 'major theme park' and two smaller ones, likely water parks, to roll out over the coming decades. Advertisement The report earmarks 400 to 500 acres for the possible mega-park, which could stand shoulder to shoulder with Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom in terms of size and spectacle. Meanwhile, the mini-parks could each splash onto the scene across 147 acres — perfect for water slides, lazy rivers and screaming toddlers in swim diapers. 3 According to a newly released master plan dubbed 'Comprehensive Plan 2045,' Disney's plotting room for one mega park and two splashy sidekicks — likely water parks — over the next few decades. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Also flagged in the plan? Supposed land reserved for more hotels, commercial spaces, entertainment zones, and Disney's famously secret underground tunnels — used by cast members to zip around like pixie-dusted pros. Disney hasn't confirmed the project just yet, but fans are already dreaming up which characters might headline the House of Mouse's next big adventure. The Post reached out for a comment. Disney World's getting another rare upgrade — and we're not talking rides. Advertisement A luxe new steakhouse, Bourbon Steak by celeb chef Michael Mina, is carving out space at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort. 3 Also on the map? New hotels, glitzy shops, entertainment hubs — and those hush-hush underground tunnels where cast members scoot around like pixie-dusted pros. Central Florida Tourism Oversight District The bougie beef palace promises prime cuts and fresh-from-the-sea fare, all served with a bold, globetrotting twist. Translation? Mickey's going full filet mignon. After a bumpy ride of closures and cancellations that left parkgoers fuming earlier this year, Disney just dropped more news that's revving up excitement. Advertisement In other Disney news, The Post previously reported that Epcot's fan-favorite Test Track is making its grand return on July 22, after hitting the brakes last summer for a major tune-up. Dubbed Test Track 3.0, the high-octane overhaul will come with a brand-new score, a souped-up storyline, and futuristic bells and whistles to thrill even the most jaded Mouseketeer. 3 After a rocky run of shutdowns that had fans fuming earlier this year, Disney just fired up fresh news that's got everyone buzzing again. AP Call it a pit stop well worth the wait. However, (to the disappointment of the resort's fans), a few Disney staples like Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat are cruising into the sunset this year — all to make room for a revved-up new land: Piston Peak National Park, a high-octane homage to Pixar's 'Cars' franchise. Longtime fans are also still mourning the loss of Mickey's Toontown — the zany, mouse-sized village bulldozed in 2011 for Fantasyland's glow-up. But ultimately, Disney's not just sprinkling pixie dust in 2025 — they're going full throttle on the magic with a new park, steakhouse and a returning beloved ride.
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Closed Disney attraction to reopen after year-long overhaul with advanced cameras, sensors & new soundtrack
A FAN-favourite attraction is roaring back to Disney World – and theme park bosses promise it will be better than ever. After a long-anticipated wait, Test Track by General Motors will reopen in Walt Disney World's EPCOT theme park in Bay Park, Florida, on July 22 this year. 1 Updates to the popular attraction, which has been closed for more than a year, include a new musical score and scenes that use advanced cameras and sensors to 'see' the world through the eyes of a vehicle. The ride has always been known for celebrating new and future automotive technology. To ensure the authenticity of one scene, Disney engineers used more than 29,000 points of light. Disney bosses say it's also a reminder of the importance of road trips. The attraction, which originally opened in 1998, closed on June 17 last year for refurbishment. Test Track soft-opened to the public, as Test Track 1.0, on December 19, 1998. I went on my first Disney cruise with classy champagne bars, watercoasters and West End-style shows This came after a long delay due to problems revealed during testing and to changes in design. It officially opened on March 17, 1999, replacing the World of Motion ride, which closed three years earlier in 1996 Finishing touches are in place to get the attraction road ready. Special previews will be announced in the coming weeks for selected guests. These will include Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, Golden Oak residents and Club 33 Members. Guests will have the opportunity to 'test' the attraction before its official opening date next month.
Travel Weekly
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Travel Weekly
Test Track, fresh off a tune-up, is set to reopen at Epcot
Test Track presented by General Motors, a thrill ride at the Walt Disney World Resort's Epcot, will reopen July 22 with a new musical score and new scenes "that highlight technology making our cars smarter and our lives more fun," Disney said in a post on the Disney Parks Blog. The attraction temporarily closed last summer for a retheme. Disney offered a sneak peek at one of the new scenes. In it, guests will drive through an area with more than 29,000 points of light that illustrate, through cameras and sensors, how vehicles "see" the world. Information about previews for the attraction before its official opening is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
New York Post
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- New York Post
Beloved Disney World ride reopening announced — and fans are overjoyed: ‘This is what I needed to hear'
Disney fans, start your engines! A recent wave of closures, changes and cancellations at Disney World has drawn plenty of ire from longtime visitors, but the amusement park's latest announcement has given Disney devotees something to be excited about. On Monday, June 16, Walt Disney World revealed that Test Track, a fan-favorite Epcot ride, is slated to reopen later this summer on July 22. Advertisement The ride was originally closed down in June 2024, much to the disappointment of park-going adrenaline junkies. According to Walt Disney World News Today, the ride is expected to return as Test Track 3.0, and will boast several new features — a fresh musical score, revamped story, and new insights on futuristic technology, among others. Advertisement General Motors, which sponsored the original Test Track 1.0, has also been confirmed to return as the ride's backer for the revamp, ousting Chevrolet, which was responsible for Test Track 2.0. Aside from its intriguing futuristic aesthetic that attracts car buffs and Epcot enthusiasts alike, Test Track is best known for its speed — it's the fastest attraction among all Disney Park rides, clocking in at a dizzying 65 miles per hour. Overwhelmingly, fans responded to the announcement with excitement. 'Yay! I can't wait,' one fan gushed, while another said: 'I'm ready to speed.' Advertisement 'This just made my son's day,' shared an enthusiastic fan, while another chimed in, 'This is what I needed to hear.' 3 Test Track 3.0 cars also boast an entirely new, futuristic look that mimics the sleek appearance of many contemporary vehicles. Getty Images Given that Test Track has been through several notable renovations — with some better received than others — several commenters were suspicious of the reopening news. 'Hopefully it's better than the previous iteration,' said one skeptical park-goer. Advertisement Refurbishments at Disney parks can take anywhere from a few days to a few months, and breakdowns are generally pretty rare, thanks to the meticulous inspection and repair process the park maintains. 3 Reviews from fans suggest that wait times at Test Track are typically upwards of 22 minutes, so planning ahead is advised for potential park-goers. Getty Images 'We have a meter-based program,' Fredrick Cox Jr., the director of manufacturing at Walt Disney World's Central Shops, told Fox Business. 'Every coaster that we have does X number of laps around the track. 'We do a tear-down,' Cox continued. 'We tear it apart, and we inspect everything, everything on the ride. Bolts, bearings, bushings, panels, you name it.' Typically, closures are scheduled ahead of time — the Test Track shutdown is proof of that — but the occasional malfunction does occur, much to the rage of Disney-goers. Cox says fixes usually take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or two to complete. 3 Test Track is among Epcot's most popular rides, so fans are eager for the fast-paced attraction to return. Getty Images As a result of other closures, some Disney fans began to fret that Test Track would be among the shuttered rides. After all, beloved attractions like Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat were recently announced to be closing down to make way for Piston Peak National Park, a new area dedicated to Pixar's 'Cars' franchise. Advertisement Nostalgic park-goers have also commiserated over the long-felt loss — the area closed back in 2011 to make room for Fantasyland — of Mickey's Toontown, the whimsical, life-size village that mimicked some of the most famous Mickey Mouse-themed attractions. Luckily for Test Track fans, the ride will be back later this summer, but dedicated Disney fans should keep an eye out for any other potential closures — and spend time on your favorite attractions before they're gone, as one fan advised in the comments of the park's Instagram announcement.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Disney World Takes a Step Back to Take Three Steps Forward
Disney shares soared 24% last year, fueled by encouraging theme park news and performance. Several attractions will shutter this year and early next year. It's a necessary move to keep visitors engaged. Disney outperformed Comcast on the theme park front in their latest quarters, but it can't afford to rest on its laurels. 10 stocks we like better than Walt Disney › It was the end of an era at Walt Disney's (NYSE: DIS) Florida resort over the weekend. Muppet*Vision 3D, an attraction that entertained visitors to Disney's Hollywood Studios for more than 34 years, closed after its final guest performance on Saturday night. It's the latest long-running experience to get shuttered at Disney World. Earlier this year, guests saw its Test Track adrenaline booster ride close down. Animal Kingdom also surrendered some of its capacity in 2025, nixing a few original experiences including the TriceraTop Spin flat ride and the It's Tough To Be a Bug 3D show inside the park's signature Tree of Life focal point. The closures will continue, with the Magic Kingdom gated attraction in Florida getting in on the clearance sale. Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat, along with the Rivers of America that both experiences cross, will run dry after July 6. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland will pause the following month, for less than infinity, to see if it can go beyond with its intergalactic target blasting ride. The endings don't end there. Two of Disney World's most thrilling rides, Dinosaur and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, will close early next year. There's never a good time to take down a handful of high-volume attractions, but Disney knows what it's doing. It's shuttering a lot of experiences to use the space as a fresh easel for its next generation of experiences. You probably don't want to bet against the House of Mouse. Disney's leisure business has some surprising momentum right now. The media stock giant came through with a blowout fiscal second-quarter report last month, and Disney's theme parks business was the biggest reason for the stock's 24% surge in May. Its domestic parks and experiences business delivered a 9% increase in revenue through the first three months of this calendar year. Disney's operating profit came through with a 13% gain. The company's announcement of plans for a new licensed theme park in Abu Dhabi also turned heads. This is a sharp contrast to how its largest rival Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) fared in the same three months. It experienced a 5% top-line slide for its theme park operations with a sharp 32% drop in the segment's adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). Unlike Disney's high-flying shares, Comcast stock rose a mere 1% in May. That's a stunning contrast, and one to monitor now that Comcast opened its Epic Universe theme park a few miles away from Disney World. There will be a lot of closures this year through early 2026, but this should be a case of addition through subtraction. Disney knows it will upset some fans with retiring some long-running attractions, but it's betting on making things better. In late 2023, it boosted its goal of investing $30 billion on its theme parks and cruise ships business over the next decade to a cool $60 billion. Almost everything closing now will be replaced by experiences that should be even more popular. In the case of Test Track and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, the two rides will return with enhancements. Test Track's redo promises nods to the original attraction it took over. Buzz Lightyear's makeover is about looking ahead, updating the moving laser shooting gallery with detachable blasters, targets that are more responsive after being hit, and different-colored lasers so you don't get lost in a sea of red dots as before. The other attractions will open as new experiences. You won't have to wait long for the updated Test Track and a Zootopia-themed takeover for It's Tough To Be a Bug. They will both make their debut later this year. The refreshed Buzz Lightyear dark ride will reopen next year, while the Muppets will take over for Aerosmith as hosts of the soon-to-be former Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. Tropical Americas will replace DinoLand at Animal Kingdom in 2027 with an Indiana Jones attraction, Disney's first Encanto-themed ride, and a one-of-a-kind carousel. The timeline gets fuzzier after that. The closure of Muppet*Vision 3D over the weekend will clear the way for an area themed to Pixar's Monsters franchise, including a suspended roller coaster. The resurfacing of Frontierland's throwback attractions will be replaced by a Cars-themed land, and eventually the long-overdue area dedicated to Disney's signature villains. In short, Disney has stocked the pond with years of attendance-boosting attractions. When it doubled the segment's budget to $60 billion, the entertainment behemoth mentioned that 70% of that should go to increasing capacity. The balance will go to infrastructure and tech improvements. This is a lot of money, averaging $6 million a year. You have to go back to pre-pandemic times for the last time Disney posted an annual profit larger than $6 million. However, Disney knows you have to keep raising the bar and rejuvenating guest experiences to keep folks coming back. Before you buy stock in Walt Disney, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Walt Disney wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $669,517!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $868,615!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 792% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 173% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2025 Rick Munarriz has positions in Comcast and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Walt Disney. The Motley Fool recommends Comcast. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Disney World Takes a Step Back to Take Three Steps Forward was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
