Credit: DisneySomething’s stirring at Walt Disney World Resort—and it has a lot of Test Track fans paying attention. An urgent advisory has been issued, and while the details aren’t exactly earth-shattering, the fact that Disney is making noise about one of its most popular attractions is enough to get people talking. When Disney raises a flag like this, it’s usually for good reason.
Test Track isn’t some under-the-radar ride tucked away in the corner of a park. It’s a guest favorite and a headliner that has people rope-dropping and running—well, walking fast—to be among the first in line. This warning isn’t about a closure or a major breakdown, but it’s a clear heads-up to anyone planning to make the most of their day at the parks.
Parks Full of Crowd Magnets
Crowd magnets are nothing new at Disney World. Guests know the big names by heart: TRON Lightcycle / Run, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Avatar Flight of Passage, and Slinky Dog Dash. These attractions pull massive crowds from the moment the park opens to the moment it closes.
Test Track has always been part of that upper-tier group. When guests plan their day at EPCOT, it’s one of the first rides they build their Lightning Lane strategy around. It’s thrilling, fast, loud, and unlike anything else in the park. And that makes any new development—especially a warning—all the more important to pay attention to.
What Makes Test Track Stand Out
Test Track isn’t your standard dark ride or gentle coaster. It’s a high-speed automotive thrill that gives guests the feeling of being inside a concept car being put through its paces. Before you even hit the outdoor track, you’re taken through a design lab where you can build your own virtual vehicle. Then, you board your six-passenger ride vehicle and zip through acceleration, handling, braking, and environmental tests.
The real payoff comes at the end when the car rockets out of the indoor testing area and hits speeds up to 65 mph on the outdoor track. The wind rush, the turns, and that open-air speed make it one of the most exhilarating rides in Disney World. For thrill seekers, it’s a must-do. For families, it’s often a big “wow” moment.
A Summer Refurbishment and Reopening
Test Track recently got some extra attention this year. After a period of downtime for refurbishment, the attraction reopened in July to much fanfare. Disney didn’t change the core experience, but the downtime was enough to build up demand. Any time a major ride goes offline and then comes back, it tends to attract even bigger crowds than usual.
And that’s precisely what happened here. As soon as Test Track reopened, standby lines started to balloon. Guests who had been waiting months to get back on the track flocked to EPCOT, creating some seriously packed queue areas.
Long Wait Times That Rival the Big Dogs
Since reopening, Test Track has consistently seen massive wait times. It’s not uncommon to see the standby line stretch well past 120 minutes during peak hours. That’s right—two hours or more just to hop into a ride vehicle and hit that speed loop.
What’s more impressive is that it’s been outpacing some of the other heavy hitters in wait time rankings. Even Cosmic Rewind—one of EPCOT’s newest and most hyped attractions—has been trailing behind on some days. And just recently, the wait time hit 45 minutes on what would generally be considered a “slower” day at the parks. That’s how popular this ride remains.
When a line of that length forms early and sticks around most of the day, Disney takes notice. It’s one of the reasons they push out advisories to guests: to help them manage expectations, plan better, and avoid unnecessary frustration.
What This Means for Guests
For guests heading to EPCOT, this isn’t a doom-and-gloom situation—but it’s something to be aware of. If you’re planning to ride Test Track, you need a strategy. Those long wait times can eat a big chunk out of your day, and with so many other great attractions around the park, every minute matters.
This is why Disney’s advisory isn’t so much a warning of danger as it is a big blinking sign saying, “Plan ahead.” It’s about making sure guests understand what they’re walking into so they don’t end up standing in line for hours when they could be enjoying more of the park.
Rope Drop Remains Your Best Bet
For thrill rides like Test Track, rope drop—getting to the park right when it opens—can make or break your day. Early risers often see drastically shorter wait times, especially in those first 30 to 45 minutes after gates open. Guests who prioritize Test Track at rope drop can sometimes get on and off the ride in under 30 minutes, which is a massive win compared to the midday surge.
Of course, this does require a little commitment. Getting to EPCOT early, knowing where to go, and making a beeline for the ride can save you hours later on. Lightning Lane is another option, but that can be costly depending on demand, so many families rely on thoughtful park planning instead.
Navigating EPCOT Like a Pro
This is where experienced Disney guests have an advantage. They know the park flow, they know how crowds move, and they understand that Test Track is a “front-load” kind of attraction. In other words, it’s better to get it out of the way early in the day.
While others head to Guardians of the Galaxy or Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, slipping into Test Track early can be a solid way to avoid the massive midday crush. By the time those wait times spike past two hours, you’ll already be moving on to your next attraction—or grabbing a well-earned snack from World Showcase.
Beat the Test Track Rush
Disney’s warning about Test Track isn’t meant to scare anyone off. If anything, it’s a sign of just how popular and essential the attraction remains. It’s one of EPCOT’s defining experiences, and guests clearly aren’t tired of it.
But popularity comes with lines, and lines require strategy. Whether you choose to rope drop, grab a Lightning Lane, or wait it out, knowing what you’re walking into can make the difference between a stressful day and a smooth one.
If Test Track is on your must-do list—and for many, it is—plan smart, act early, and be ready. This ride isn’t slowing down any time soon.