This was a hard one. Partly because I don't have much to say about it, Test Track is a pretty straight-forward attraction, but this is supposed to be a blog. Instead, I'll talk more about the other reasons ranking Test Track was hard, and what that means for the rest of this list.
First, how do I handle refurbishments? Where does a face-lift of an old attraction end and a brand new attraction begin? I decided the answer to that is: my own subjective opinion on a case-by-case basis. In this example, we are talking about the original Test Track, and I believe -- despite being in the same building with the same name -- the 2012 version changed enough to be its own attraction. In a way, that makes this our first extinct attraction on the list.
For a few reasons, the original is going to rank ahead of the refurb, here, but in case it needs to be said, I do actually enjoy the original and appreciate the aesthetic and interactive overhaul of Test Track. It's wholly possible to appreciate what something was and what it did while still welcoming a fresh change; especially if the core ride concept remains.
The original Test Track gets the nod largely for its humor. Treating the rider as a crash test dummy, then putting them through a dark ride of twists, turns, and jump scares, complete with a self-aware tongue-in-cheek mentality was a nice touch. It was bare and industrial, but in the park where that fits.
The real payoff of that was the climactic moment of the attraction. Hilariously foreshadowed in the preshow, racing towards a wall in a crash test, just for it to whip out of the way at the last moment to let out in to an open-air speed test wrapping around the building -- a thrilling nod to the original World of Motion -- was just the perfect piece of theme park amusement to crescendo the experience. It's also a modern twist on a classic dark ride element, and that's always appreciated.
Speaking of appreciated, a big reason Test Track makes this list is from its legacy on the industry. This list will mostly be about my own enjoyment, but as much as I can avoid the myopic, we're also going to be looking at what attractions represented in their time, and what their foundations helped create going forward.
In the case of Test Track it's painstakingly-difficult design, which took years of delays to get right, was worth it for how it's been used elsewhere; those attractions just won't be on this list. Because this is Walt Disney World alone. In Tokyo, Journey to the Center of the Earth is hailed by anyone who's gotten to see it as potentially the absolute greatest theme park attraction ever built, and sits at the top of my wish list of things I've never gotten to do. Meanwhile, California Adventure's crown jewel Radiator Springs Racers takes the lessons of Test Track to a completely new level, complete with dark ride jump scares followed by an outdoor high speed run. As much as it's here for zooming through Future World at night, Test Track also sits here for a very important legacy, even if that legacy resides on other properties.
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