Secret Room Inside Test Track Attraction at Epcot

My birthday happened to fall at the same time two of our best friends, Kevin and Carrie, were on vacation at Walt Disney World.  When they found out that it was my birthday, they made a few phone calls and pulled a couple strings and gave me one of the coolest “surprise” birthday gifts ever…they got me and Sid in to the Secret GM Conference Room and Training Center located inside of the Test Track attraction inside Epcot!

It was amazing to be somewhere that few people have been…and here is the story…

We arrived at Epcot on a mild Friday afternoon and after a quick ride on Spaceship Earth, we met up with our friends Kevin and Kerry at Test Track.  All I knew was that they had a really cool surprise birthday gift and we had to meet them around 3:30.  Even as we walked up to the VERY understated entrance door, I had no clue what my friends were up to.

As you can see it is very “hidden” and I have walked by it dozens on times, and really not noticed it.  Once inside, we walked to another door with a call box and video camera.  After a quick check in for our party of 4, we were inside…and then I understood what was happening, I was being taken up to the GM Conference and Training Room inside of Test Track…I was jacked up excited!

The room is a little more plain than I had anticipated, but it was the view of Epcot and the attraction that stole the show!

Another view of the other hallway…

After we checked in, we meandered over to the attraction overview room.  It was really amazing to see all the ride vehicles go by…and you also get a greater appreciation for the scope of the ride!

After we got our fill of watching the ride vehicles go by, it was time to check out the view of Epcot…and the view is amazing!

These images are from the seating area for the guest, it’s just outside the Conference/Training Room. But the real view is this one…

Click to Enlarge

After sitting and enjoying the awesome view of Epcot and a couple free sodas, we decided that it was time for one of the best treats of all…walking directly on to Test Track.  It’s a perk for all Guests of the GM Conference/Training Room.

We walked down another side hallway and headed into another elevator.

I think that they made the directions pretty clear, Lounge or Ride made is simple and easy to understand!  The elevator ride down to the ride let us out into a more Test Track themed hallway.

Once we were in the hallway, we came to our final door before entering the attraction lead zone…it was bittersweet becasue we knew that our special time at Test Track was coming to a close.

Walking through the door, we found ourselves on the exit side of the ride vehicles.  We got to walk up the stairs and go back over the load area and walk straight into a waiting vehicle.  And not having to wait an hour to ride Test Track was a real treat and one of the best birthday gifts ever!

From now on I will always have a very special memory of Test Track that not many other people have, and I am very grateful to our friends Kevin and Carrie and also to Parkhopper Sid.  It was a great day and amazing adventure!