Epcot is about to say hello again for the test track, but it’s time to say goodbye to the charm of the child-friendly animal kingdom, Walt Disney World announced Monday.
The test track will resume on July 22nd, Disney says. The ride, which debuted in 1999, has been renovated since June 2023. This will be the third version of the attraction. In late 2012 a second iteration was caught up in Epcot. The distinctive element of ride quality is the indoor and outdoor truck, where it accelerates especially when you’re out in the open.
Before the test track, the space was used in World of Motion, the charm of the original futuristic world that was closed in Epcot in 1996.
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The 2025 version of the ride, called Test Truck 3.0, has new scenes, including scenes in which the car analyzes how it uses cameras and sensors to observe its surroundings.
“Before you zoom off your moving, fast races, you can get a glimpse into the future of mobility and the city of tomorrow,” reads Disney World’s official website. The height requirement for the test track is 40 inches.
Test track’s return will be a night parade at Magic Kingdom two days after his debut in Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away.
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Meanwhile, the final day at Bonnedard, a playground that was part of Animal Kingdom’s Dinoland USA, is September 1st, which is also a Labor Day holiday. The fossil-themed spot is designed to look like a dinosaur excavation and includes slides, rope bridges, caves and other energy burning activities.
The area will now be part of the future tropical America, 11 acres of land under construction at the theme park. Other features include “Encanto” themed rides, carousels, a new playground, and ultimately a renovated dinosaur ride that is “Indiana Jones” themed. The dinosaur ride will close in 2026, Disney says, and the Tropical America is expected to be completed in 2027.
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Original issue: June 16th, 2025, 5:05pm EDT