Horizons closed because....

[goofyfordisney]

After so many rumors that I have heard for the reason of HORIZONS closing, what do YOU believe was the real reason for DISNEY closing HORIZONS?

 

[jcmayid]

I don't think it was any of these, I just think they wanted something new, rfesh and different there.

 

[Terp02]

I think that it was because it was very outdated, and since it was very outdated, there was a lack of sponsorship, and then lost it's backing, and had to be replaced.

 

[bearboysnc]

GE didn't merge with NBC. GE has owned NBC for years. The tension started when Disney bought ABC.

I don't know about the mysterious foundation problems. Sounds like B.S. to me.

I think the overhead track, and the low ridership attibuted to the demise. It was a huge maintenence headache similar WoM and JII. Too many parts, animatronic figures, and sets to keep up. It just wasn't cost effective to keep it open.

 

[figmentmom]

I think Horizons was closed because it just wasn't drawing the crowds any more (although I tried, I really did!) I suspect that Disney monitors traffic at all of the attractions very carefully; attractions that just aren't drawing a crowd any more are not "pulling their weight" in terms of attracting new paying visitors. Ironically enough, I also believe that it's the less-crowded attractions that become favorites, and bring back repeat visitors year after year (like me!)

 

[agdbeanie]

Horizons was closed b/c the building and ride system were built poorly and it was becoming unsage...at least that's what I thought. But, I bought a book a few years ago called "Since the World Began" which was published in 1996. I read it when I bought it, but hadn't really read it thoroughly since. I took it out the other day b/c I think it's cool to read about rides that were in existence then and now aren't and to look at the construction pictures from the parks (especially MK). In the section of the book talking about Horizons at Epcot it says that this ride has been closed occasionally and that a new ride was planned to replace it that has something to do with space. Again let me state that this book was published in 1996 and that means that they've probably been planning Mission: Space or it's concept for almost 10 years! This makes me wonder if the bad building/ride system rumors are really true.

 

[tenchu]

I never rode horizons , but it is disneys perogative to rip out a good ride every so often.

 

[TomDisney]

I don't think the GE/NBC vs Disney/ABC thing was a factor. After all GE still sponsors the Illuminations show each night in Epcot.

 

[bearboysnc]

quote "I don't think the GE/NBC vs Disney/ABC thing was a factor. After all GE still sponsors the Illuminations show each night in Epcot."

And the Electrical Parade at DCA

 

[MajinBuu]

Personally, I think the building design was a big factor. The one thing that I think was responsible for it were the two IMAX (I forget if they were called something else) rooms. Here you have two hugh movie theater screens and not a whole lot of support beams... unless they were all on the perimiter of the rooms and could hold up a room like that with ease then I could be wrong. Oh well... I'm a little dissapointed cause I (WE? I don't remember when they closed it for good.) never got a chance to ride it in the new millenium!!

 

[wdwfanatic17]

they did it as a personal revenge on me

 

[Sean23]

I think it was closed because of no sponser and not enough people were riding it, it was my favorite ride at Epcot. I would ride it at least once a week and it was always a walk on ride with no lines.

 

[wanabeimagineer]

Originally posted by agdbeanie
Again let me state that this book was published in 1996 and that means that they've probably been planning Mission: Space or it's concept for almost 10 years! This makes me wonder if the bad building/ride system rumors are really true.

I have this book and yes it does say that, which is interesting, but what I find more interesting (as i have stated in a previous thread) is that in a book I have published in 1971, it has a little blurb at the end about the upcoming E.P.C.O.T. and it lists the planned pavillions and one is a pavillion on space, so this concept may be older than we think.

 

[Rider]

Originally posted by wdwfanatic17
they did it as a personal revenge on me

Me too... they close all my favorite rides.

 

[DMC-12]

Originally posted by agdbeanie
Horizons was closed b/c the building and ride system were built poorly and it was becoming unsage...at least that's what I thought. But, I bought a book a few years ago called "Since the World Began" which was published in 1996. I read it when I bought it, but hadn't really read it thoroughly since. I took it out the other day b/c I think it's cool to read about rides that were in existence then and now aren't and to look at the construction pictures from the parks (especially MK). In the section of the book talking about Horizons at Epcot it says that this ride has been closed occasionally and that a new ride was planned to replace it that has something to do with space. Again let me state that this book was published in 1996 and that means that they've probably been planning Mission: Space or it's concept for almost 10 years! This makes me wonder if the bad building/ride system rumors are really true.

Thanks for mentioning this book.. I just bought a copy on eBay. Looking forward to reading it!

 

[agdbeanie]

Originally posted by DMC-12


Thanks for mentioning this book.. I just bought a copy on eBay. Looking forward to reading it!

Congrats!! I love that book:sohappy:

 

[Lance]

The one that struck me the most, was the building was old and they built it on a huge mud-hole? So the foundation was gonna give out, and the building was slowly sinking........I think it was just B.S.

I guess it was the low-attendance, but I went on it in December of 98, 2 weeks before the "Closing" and I had to wait a good 45 minutes. The line was out the door! And the ride did stop a good 3 or 4 times while I was on it.

So I think Horizons had a lot of strikes against it.

 

[WDWsmith2001]

I think its a combination of all those things, and the desire to add another "E" ticket draw to EPCOT. It makes sence if you factor in all the problems the ride aledgedly was having behind the scenes. A collapsing building is bad show.

And yes I know my spelling is bad.

 

[CDavid]

I've heard the foundation and/or building structure problems several times, but is there any evidence to support these rumors? In a way, I'd actually like to believe Horizons (for these reasons) had to be removed - that is a bit easier to take than to believe I could otherwise still be riding the greatest attraction even seen in WDW (my opinion, of course).

Those rumors have never exactly added up to me, so if there is any supporting evidence I'd love to hear. I'd also question how bad the ridership numbers really were, as Horizons had such a huge hourly capacity. My "guess" has run something along the lines of: Horizons wasn't that old, but the subject material requires regular updates. That costs money (along with high operating costs) Disney wasn't prepared to spend, especially on an attraction with - at best - less than blockbuster attendance. Mission Space could have went over by The Living Seas, but then there would still be a "closed" pavilion and Disney without a clue what to do with it (note 20,000 Leagues).

 

[bearboysnc]

Another Omnimover bites the dust.