GM and the Mouse - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

stovt001 · 05-22-2008, 12:54 AM

So I got married last Saturday (I've briefly mentioned being engaged here and there...) and left for a week-long honeymoon, missing out on the Milford report, interior spyshots, Indy confirmation... anyway, seeing as how I work for a certain large entertainment conglomerate with a mouse for a mascot, we decided to save money by using my Cast Member (employee, in Disneyspeak) discount for a very affordable Walt Disney World trip.

It was a friggen GM-palooza!

First day - Disney's Hollywood Studios park. Straight from Disney's Studios Paris park comes the "Lights, Motors, Action" car stunt show, using Opel compact hatches (the name escapes me at the moment). OK they're European modified to RWD from FWD, and use motorcycle engines, but it was still really cool. But even better, later that day on the backlot tour, our guide points out the practice track for the stunt drivers, and they all use late model GTOs for practice!

Fast forward to day 4 -Epcot. GM sponsors "Test Track", a high speed ride demonstrating the development process of new cars. The queue area holds a Pontiac Solstice with test equipment rig, a few small block V8s, and various other car development demonstrations. Next comes a video briefing room, with overhead photographs of GM's various real world test facilities, including Milford. After the briefing (using video of mid 90s GM vehicles) you get to your ride vehicles. Each one has stickers for one of GM's brands. Both times I got Cadillac. After a series of simulated tests (hill climb, rough pavement, ABS and non-ABS panic stops and turns, hot, cold, and corrosion tests, handling runs, and a final surprise, you enter a high-speed outdoor loop. In the center of the loop is a parking lot filled with GM vehicles, including and 08 Vette and CTS. After getting off, you enter a GM showroom with a Buick Lacrosse, Chevy Malibu, Saab 9-3 vert, Pontiac G5, Saturn Aura, Hummer H3, and GMC Acadia. To top it all off, they had a computer to sign up for updates and a poster for the Camaro.

Pics are coming as soon as I resize them.

*TAG UR IT* · 05-22-2008, 02:59 AM

Congratulations!

Man, does that sound cool! And in a short while, they are going to have to add the Camaro to their lineup!

I can't wait to get back to Disneyworld. Last time was was there was 23 years ago. Our family is planning a trip in about 3 years. About 10 of us will be going. Talk about good times. Disney is truly the happiest place on earth.

*Mindz* · 05-22-2008, 03:59 AM

Sounds like you had a blast. Grats on the ball and chai.....errr...ring.

I have seen the show you're talking about and I agree, it's pretty frickin amazing. GM Test Track is very interesting as well. I just wish the acceleration went faster than 80. =P

My g/f and I will be going to disneyland probably late summer/fall, maybe for the x-mas haunted mansion. We're looking forward to that almost as much as I'm looking forward to my birthday present from GM (revealing the Camaro) since it's in September. =)

stovt001 · 05-22-2008, 09:01 PM

Disneyland Resort (DCA) will be getting a Cars land in the next few years using the Test Track ride system, or a variant of it. Maybe it will be sponsored by GM too...

05-22-2008, 12:54 AM	#1
stovt001 Drives: 2006 Cobalt, 2004 Taurus wagon Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,810	GM and the Mouse So I got married last Saturday (I've briefly mentioned being engaged here and there...) and left for a week-long honeymoon, missing out on the Milford report, interior spyshots, Indy confirmation... anyway, seeing as how I work for a certain large entertainment conglomerate with a mouse for a mascot, we decided to save money by using my Cast Member (employee, in Disneyspeak) discount for a very affordable Walt Disney World trip. It was a friggen GM-palooza! First day - Disney's Hollywood Studios park. Straight from Disney's Studios Paris park comes the "Lights, Motors, Action" car stunt show, using Opel compact hatches (the name escapes me at the moment). OK they're European modified to RWD from FWD, and use motorcycle engines, but it was still really cool. But even better, later that day on the backlot tour, our guide points out the practice track for the stunt drivers, and they all use late model GTOs for practice! Fast forward to day 4 -Epcot. GM sponsors "Test Track", a high speed ride demonstrating the development process of new cars. The queue area holds a Pontiac Solstice with test equipment rig, a few small block V8s, and various other car development demonstrations. Next comes a video briefing room, with overhead photographs of GM's various real world test facilities, including Milford. After the briefing (using video of mid 90s GM vehicles) you get to your ride vehicles. Each one has stickers for one of GM's brands. Both times I got Cadillac. After a series of simulated tests (hill climb, rough pavement, ABS and non-ABS panic stops and turns, hot, cold, and corrosion tests, handling runs, and a final surprise, you enter a high-speed outdoor loop. In the center of the loop is a parking lot filled with GM vehicles, including and 08 Vette and CTS. After getting off, you enter a GM showroom with a Buick Lacrosse, Chevy Malibu, Saab 9-3 vert, Pontiac G5, Saturn Aura, Hummer H3, and GMC Acadia. To top it all off, they had a computer to sign up for updates and a poster for the Camaro. Pics are coming as soon as I resize them.

05-22-2008, 03:59 AM	#3
Mindz E.B.A.H. Drives: you wild... Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: In the happy padded room wearing a jacket that makes me hug myself... Posts: 18,420	Sounds like you had a blast. Grats on the ball and chai.....errr...ring. I have seen the show you're talking about and I agree, it's pretty frickin amazing. GM Test Track is very interesting as well. I just wish the acceleration went faster than 80. =P My g/f and I will be going to disneyland probably late summer/fall, maybe for the x-mas haunted mansion. We're looking forward to that almost as much as I'm looking forward to my birthday present from GM (revealing the Camaro) since it's in September. =) __________________ Blue Rush, 2010 SS [Car of the Week 3/22/2010] Traded in on...ZLZBUBB, 2013 ZL1

05-22-2008, 02:59 AM	#2
TAG UR IT www.Camaro5store.com Drives: 2014 ZL1 #705 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SA, Texas Posts: 26,544 View My Garage	Congratulations! Man, does that sound cool! And in a short while, they are going to have to add the Camaro to their lineup! I can't wait to get back to Disneyworld. Last time was was there was 23 years ago. Our family is planning a trip in about 3 years. About 10 of us will be going. Talk about good times. Disney is truly the happiest place on earth.

05-22-2008, 09:01 PM	#4
stovt001 Drives: 2006 Cobalt, 2004 Taurus wagon Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,810	Disneyland Resort (DCA) will be getting a Cars land in the next few years using the Test Track ride system, or a variant of it. Maybe it will be sponsored by GM too...