Latest news with #TestTrack3.0
New York Post
4 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.
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.
