Horizons closed because....

[SMCM]

The reason that was given to me when I started working at Epcot was that Horizons was supposed to represent what life would be like in the 21st century. Since we are now in the 21st century, they felt the ride wasn't needed anymore or wasn't as relevant or something to that effect. Whether or not that just a line the company wanted to use or the actual reason they closed the ride, I have no idea.

 

[donaldduck1967]

Horizons was the worst ride ever. It was just as bad as that lame boat ride in mexico
(in my opinion)

 

[BSikor]

SMCM is right. That was always a statement that I heard when working at EPCOT. The other side of the story that I was told by a friend of mine, who worked on Horizons when it was closed, was that GE pulled out because they were spending too much money at disney. They spend a large amount of money with Illuminations each night, and at the time they also sponsored COP in the kingdom, and Horizons had the lowest attendance and was also a cash hog. GE pulled out of the attraction and Disney could not afford to keep it running sponsorless. They closed it. It had nothing to do with the NBC ABC thing. They were just sponsoring too much at the time.

 

[Lovecraft]

I enjoyed Horizons, but the first time I rode it I felt it was terribly outdated.

It talked about "in the future things will be done..." for things that already were here today. And some things that just plain were not going to happen as predicted.

If the ride had not been closed it would have had to go through a conceptual overhaul to actually be what it intended to be -- that is a glimpse of life in the near future -- just over the Horizon so to speak.

I miss the ride, but for purely nostalgic purposes. I do hope that the mission to space ride in the space pavillion will be a learning ride.

I hate to think of Epcot moving away from these things that help make it stand apart from other theme parks which tend to cater to thrill ride seekers.

Thrill rides have their place, I like them.. but not at Epcot. I would much prefer more educational and informative "dark rides" like Horizons, and Spaceship Earth.. and Living with the Land.

If I want more roller coasters, I can go to Universal (which did not impress me) or to Six Flags etc.

Sorry to rant, but the "carnivalization" of WDW is really beginning to rile me... I think Walt is turning over in his grave (or in his cryogenic chamber or urn or wherever his body may be)

 

[durhay]

They closed it due to pressure from the Pro-Seaweed movement.
The Pro-Kelp movement isn't as strong anymore.