A new EPCOT ride has locked out many of the Disney World fanbase on this specific day. Do you need to change your vacation plans? Let’s find out.
New EPCOT Ride Leads To Sold Out Tickets
“It was gone before I even refreshed.” That’s the gut-punch many Disney Annual Passholders felt Monday morning as they scrambled for a chance to preview one of EPCOT’s most anticipated ride revamps in years—only to find out the opportunity was already gone.
How did this happen, and more importantly, what does it say about Disney’s changing relationship with its most loyal guests?
The Preview That Vanished in an Instant
It was supposed to be a celebratory moment: the return of Test Track, newly reimagined after more than a year behind construction walls. Disney had just announced a series of Annual Passholder preview dates set for July 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, and 19 ahead of the ride’s public reopening on July 22.
But within hours of the announcement, EPCOT Park Pass reservations for the very first preview day—Saturday, July 13—completely vanished.
As of now, the Walt Disney World Park Pass calendar shows no availability for EPCOT on that date, leaving many Passholders stunned and frustrated. The only chance of getting in now? Hope someone cancels their reservation—or try a riskier method.
Why It’s a Bigger Deal Than One Missed Ride
Test Track isn’t just any ride. First opening in 1999 and revamped in 2012, it’s one of EPCOT’s flagship attractions—and this latest overhaul promises a fresh narrative approach while keeping the thrill fans love.
But this isn’t just about a ride. It’s about trust and access. Passholders pay hundreds—sometimes thousands—of dollars annually with the expectation of exclusive perks. Being locked out of a preview designed for them cuts deeper than just missing a ride: it reinforces long-standing concerns about Disney’s prioritization of general guests over its most dedicated community.
The speed at which July 13 sold out highlights a growing problem: demand is up, but access hasn’t scaled with it.
Is There Still a Way In?
Technically? Yes. But you’ll need to get strategic.
While having a Park Pass for EPCOT on July 13 is currently impossible (unless availability reopens due to cancelations), the virtual queue system offers one last lifeline.
Here’s how it works:
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At 7 a.m., only guests with a Park Pass for EPCOT can join the virtual queue.
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But at 1 p.m., any Annual Passholder can try—as long as they’ve tapped into another Walt Disney World theme park earlier that day.
That means if you start your day at Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom, you can park hop and potentially snag a spot in the Test Track virtual queue.
It’s not guaranteed—but it’s something.
Disney’s Bigger Rollout Plan
Annual Passholder previews aren’t the only sneak peeks happening. Disney Vacation Club Members also received special preview access, and Cast Member previews are already underway this week.
With the ride officially opening to the public on July 22, Disney is using the coming weeks to slowly ease in internal staff and select guest groups—a method they’ve employed with past attraction launches like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and TRON Lightcycle / Run.
A High-Speed Glimpse Into the Future
While Disney hasn’t fully detailed the storyline changes for Test Track 3.0, they’ve teased a shift away from sleek vehicle design and more toward the spirit of innovation and optimism—an attempt to bring the attraction more in line with EPCOT’s evolving “World Discovery” theme.
The ride is expected to keep its high-speed finale but offer a more immersive experience built on story and technology rather than just flashy screens and customization.
Final Thought: Magic at a Cost as New EPCOT Ride Continues With Passholder Previews
The Test Track preview sell-out is a small moment with a loud message: Disney magic doesn’t always come easy, even for those who invest the most in it.
For Passholders, it’s a reminder to act fast, stay informed, and sometimes—like a Test Track car—think fast and drive smarter.
If you’re hoping to ride on preview day, now’s the time to get creative. The race has already started.
Source: WDWMagic
