That was very well written. Circa 1994 Eisner did have a complete overhaul of Horizons priced up. He decreed with no sponsor the WDC wouldn't pay for it by itself.One of the best recommendations I've ever read with regards to looking back on where EPCOT could've addressed a number of its issues was that Disney should have long ago taken over the cost of upkeeping Spaceship Earth, Imagination, and Horizons (obviously, when it was still around), eschewing outside corporate sponsorships. I realize I don't know the financial particulars, and perhaps such a plan wouldn't have made enough financial sense to pursue, but those attractions always had the most potential to be the timeless ones, especially if Horizons could've had its aesthetics updated every so often, and maintaining those pavilions would've kept more guests happy with the park even if change or neglect hit other pavilions, in the same way that a Magic Kingdom fan could be upset at certain developments in that park but still take solace in knowing the Mansion, Pirates, Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, etc. would still be there.
I suppose there's still a chance to do that with SSE and Imagination, but I guess it's not likely in the offing.
The pavilion limped along with minimal maintainence to cover for park capacity issues (imagine that) and then HP came along and the rest is history.
Spaceship Earth they had no choice with - the parks icon, centerpiece, and something they couldn't hide unlike the Wonders pavilion.
Imagination, and in particular the current Imageworks, shows what minimal investment is like today.
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