One Year Later, Disney World Officially Changes Lightning Lane Access at Historic Park

The countdown is over. Test Track presented by General Motors has officially opened today, July 22, 2025, in its reimagined glory. Located in World Discovery, this redesign is more than a ride refresh as it leans into celebrating the EPCOT theme park’s past. But remember, the ride’s opening has come with another big operational change.

At its core, the attraction honors the legacy of World of Motion, the original experience that once occupied this space. The new version blends nostalgia and forward-thinking design, capturing the sense of progress and excitement that has always been central to the park’s mission. With high-speed thrills and a modern aesthetic, this reimagined journey is sure to delight longtime fans and first-time riders alike.

Guests eager to be among the first to experience the new Test Track didn’t have to wait until opening day. Annual Passholders were given early access with special preview dates on July 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, and 19—though notably, July 17 was not included. Passholders could try to join a virtual queue via the My Disney Experience app, with windows at 7:00 a.m. (with a park reservation) and 1:00 p.m. (without one).

Interest was intense. For July 13, the 7:00 a.m. virtual queue reached capacity in just three seconds, proving just how much anticipation had built up among EPCOT fans.

Yet by July 18, a shift occurred. Guests began noticing that the virtual queue was no longer the only way in. Instead, cast members began granting access simply by verifying Annual Passholder credentials at the attraction entrance. The change did allow more Passholders a chance to ride before the previews wrapped on July 19.

Then, on July 20, two days before its official opening, cast members began welcoming all guests to the ride through the standby lane. The soft opening continued on July 21.

Operational Change Hits EPCOT Theme Park

Now that the reimagined Test Track has opened to the public, it has become part of EPCOT’s top-tier Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections, replacing Soarin’ Around the World in that category. Guests may access the attraction via standby or by purchasing a Lightning Lane Multi Pass and selecting one top-tier attraction (now including Test Track) along with two from the lower tier.

Disney launched the tier system just under a year ago on July 24, when the Disney Genie+ system was retooled into the Lightning Lane Multi Pass. At the time, Test Track was not included due to its closure on June 17, but its opening has ushered in another change.

The current list of available Lightning Lane attractions at EPCOT is:

• Choose up to one experience from this group: Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Test Track.
• Choose your other 2 experiences—or all 3—from this group: Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Living with the Land, Mission: SPACE, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Soarin’ Around the World, Spaceship Earth, and Turtle Talk with Crush.

Meanwhile, across Walt Disney World Resort, the winds of change continue. After two days of previews, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away Parade debuted on July 20 in Magic Kingdom Park. The new entertainment plays nightly at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Whether you’re nostalgic for the classic EPCOT of years past or ready for a thrilling new adventure, this latest version of Test Track is poised to deliver both heart and horsepower.

Are you riding the new Test Track ride at EPCOT on its official opening day? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!