"IMAGINATION IN MOTION": TEST TRACK ON TRACK FOR SPRING 1997 OPENING 

FOR RELEASE: February 7, 1997    
CONTACT:   Walt Disney World                                                               
             News & Media Information                                                        
             P.O. Box 10,000                                                                 
             Lake Buena Vista, FL  32830                                                     
             Phone: 407-397-NEWS (6397)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.--When in opens in spring 1997, Test Track--a partnership of General Motors engineering and Disney imagineering--invites Walt Disney World guests to buckle up and brace themselves for the longest and fastest ride ever in Vacation Kingdom history.

This exhilarating, nearly mile-long Epcot attraction (replacing the former World of Motion) will allow parkgoers a rare sneak peak inside the long-exclusive world of automobile testing.

The new attraction takes the theme "Imagination in Motion." Riders in test vehicles will get a firsthand look at how GM cars and trucks are tested before being brought to market.

"Test Track will throw a dizzying array of maneuvers at our guests," said Al Weiss, president of Walt Disney World Resort. "They will climb hills, experience hairpin turns, jounce down bumpy roadways and zip along straight-aways at speeds pushing 65 m.p.h."

Test Track will be the next best thing to a proving grounds experience, said Phil Guarascio, vice president and general manager of marketing and advertising, GM North American Operations.

"Walt Disney Imagineers have done a masterful job of emulating the rigors of vehicle testing that all our brands go through," he said. "They've created an experience that is going to captivate and thrill Epcot guests."

Test Track climbs, spirals and snakes through the 150,000 square-foot pavilion, including areas simulating arctic cold and desert heat. About half of the track loops outside the pavilion where maximum speeds are obtained.

Test Track On Track For Spring 1997 Opening

Guests enter the pavilion and are surrounded by an informative and entertaining supershow that describes--in display models and videos--the incredible amount of component and safety testing GM engineers perform on individual systems, prior to any commitment to production.

Exhibits explain testing on everything from engines to door latches to structure and suspension.

Then it's on to the ride itself for an exciting, firsthand look at the rigors test vehicles go through at GM proving grounds worldwide. Guests will experience road handling, impact testing, suspension testing on variable road surfaces, and more. Onboard video computers monitor the action as test vehicles are put through the paces.

Post-show, Test Track takes guests on a multimedia assembly plant adventure, showcases the latest GM models and demonstrates what cars of the future will do. A boutique features high-end automotive collectibles and merchandise.

"Test Track is part of an exciting new partnership between GM and Disney," Guarascio said. "With Test Track, we'd say GM engineering and Disney imagineering are a perfect fit."

Test Track is slated for a grand opening in spring 1997.

GM Home Page|