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daguru Pilot
Joined: Feb 21, 2006 Posts: 4196 Location: Sanford, Fl
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:57 am Post subject: GM Looks to be out of Test Track |
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This one comes from the Orlando Sentinel: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-biztesttrack04030409mar04,0,4184081.story
Since GM is having serious financial issues, it looks like they will not be renewing their sponsorship agreement and the resolution could be known as soon as this month!
If you read the Sentinel's article, they talk about Disney turning the attraction into a Cars theme, but I wonder about this. I know Disney has had a lot of plans for Pixar Place over at DHS, which have included a smaller version of Carsland that is being built at DCA. I know they are doing a Mater themed racing attraction based on TT technology, but would it work as a single in Epcot's Future World?
There has been a long standing rumor that Disney may also be talking with Toyota to take over sponsorship (also discussed in the article) and I've recently seen a few things about Honda expanding their current DLC sponsorship to include TT.
What would you guys like to see happen.... well, I mean other than tearing the whole thing down and rebuilding Horizons Jaho! _________________ Up or Down North, South, East, or West An Adventurer's Life is Best! |
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meyer4 Airport Utility Worker
Joined: Jun 04, 2008 Posts: 236 Location: Pensacola, FL
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 5:53 am Post subject: |
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I'm all for a Horizons return! |
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C33 Airplane Inspector
Joined: Dec 03, 2005 Posts: 160
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:45 am Post subject: |
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Test Track is too big and too popular for Disney to close it, even if it did lose sponsorship. It's happened before after all, with other Epcot pavillions. Besides, given the current economic climate which has frozen a lot of WDW's development plans, it would make a lot more sense to simply keep operating the attraction than try and build a new one with a new sponsor.
They would, I suppose, have to remove the GM references though. |
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Figmentathm UAB's 1st Boston Marathon Finisher
Joined: Nov 09, 2005 Posts: 1995
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:15 am Post subject: |
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C33 wrote: | Test Track is too big and too popular for Disney to close it, even if it did lose sponsorship. It's happened before after all, with other Epcot pavillions. Besides, given the current economic climate which has frozen a lot of WDW's development plans, it would make a lot more sense to simply keep operating the attraction than try and build a new one with a new sponsor.
They would, I suppose, have to remove the GM references though. |
Maybe a merger of some old attractions. "Dreamfinder presents Body Wars Test Track Horizons" _________________ [ |
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jahosifatz Business Class Ticket Holder
Joined: Sep 28, 2006 Posts: 2110
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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I'm sure we could shoe horn Horizons in there. Just give me a chance! |
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daguru Pilot
Joined: Feb 21, 2006 Posts: 4196 Location: Sanford, Fl
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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J, alright you have inspired me! Grab your shovel and meet me behind Test Track... let's get this thing started! _________________ Up or Down North, South, East, or West An Adventurer's Life is Best! |
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eatmon74 Airline Jet Fuel Attendant
Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 1754 Location: Los Osos, CA
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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I think all you have to do is look to the other side of Future World to see what will happen to Test Track . It will be renamed Car's Test Track and friends. They will add a few cheesy cardboard cutouts and poof brand new attraction to promote. _________________ Jason
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FilmBuff90 Airport Engineer
Joined: Feb 25, 2009 Posts: 85
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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No, no, I like daguru's idea. Though I'm on the opposite coast, I can surely send some stealth construction equipment. How does an invisible streamroller strike you? |
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zeppelindude Passenger Service Agent
Joined: Apr 20, 2008 Posts: 1454 Location: Long Beach, CA
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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To me, Epcot needs to stay as Disney-Character Free as possible. The fact that Epcot doesn't have a Fab 5 character popping out on each corner like the other parks do keep the overall goal of Epcot as an educational journey alive. I'm not going to learn too much from Tow Mater telling me I need to "Hang on, cuz yer gounna go fast!". I would muhc rather see a Car Co. Like Toyota or Honda to pick the sponsership up and keep it the same it is. |
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Figmentathm UAB's 1st Boston Marathon Finisher
Joined: Nov 09, 2005 Posts: 1995
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:51 am Post subject: |
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I agree. No character tie in needed. My 4 year old grandson is into all of the Disney characters and likes test track. I don't thinkl he would get anymore thrill if Mater was there. _________________ [ |
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jahosifatz Business Class Ticket Holder
Joined: Sep 28, 2006 Posts: 2110
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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I'll be seriously bummed if they throw another character into an Epcot attraction. |
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RavenStGermaine Curbside Attendant
Joined: May 22, 2007 Posts: 415 Location: Atlanta, GA
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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I'm betting they'll find another car manufacturer to step up as sponsor. I'm not sure how you could have a character incorporated into the ride without drastically changing it. Unless, hmmm.... Mr. Toad's Required Driver's Ed Course! _________________ Beth's Blog |
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el_duderino Parking Lot Attendant
Joined: Jul 16, 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Louisville, Kentucky
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Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:30 am Post subject: |
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I hope they don't turn it into a Cars-themed ride. Surely Toyota or Honda wouldn't have a problem picking up the sponsorship. My nephew is obsessed with Cars, and I don't know if I can stomach seeing Test Track taken over by it.
_________________ El Duderino |
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FilmBuff90 Airport Engineer
Joined: Feb 25, 2009 Posts: 85
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Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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Cars and Mr. Toad do not belong at EPCOT, considering the futuristic vibe of it. |
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eatmon74 Airline Jet Fuel Attendant
Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 1754 Location: Los Osos, CA
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Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:40 pm Post subject: |
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FilmBuff90 wrote: | Cars and Mr. Toad do not belong at EPCOT, considering the futuristic vibe of it. | I agree but how do you explain Nemo taking up residence at the Living Seas and that silly looking purple "thing" that has cursed future world since1982. The people loved it so much that when Mickey finnally gave him the axe everyone cried out in horror. So why I agree with the idea of no characters in Epcoy Center the masses seem to like it. Oh and for you members that have been around for a while Pal Mickey helped me write the part about the Dragon who must not be named. _________________ Jason
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