The Making of Horizons (MousePlanet)

[Since1976]

I know that some newer WDW fans think that Horizons has been talked about <i> ad nauseum</i>, but this article may help shed some light on what this attraction was and why it is beloved.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/mark/mg040414gm.htm

I happen to think that Horizons and Spaceship Earth were/are the heart of Epcot. The former was sorely missing when I last visited.

 

[Bagheera]

But wait! There's more!

Parts 2 and 3 run this Wednesday and Friday, and Part 4 is slated for May 12.

(For those real Horizons geeks, the floor plans for both floors will be published with part 3.)

 

[Sean23]

Thanks for the link, Horizons was my favorite ride.

 

[Chape19714]

cool article, can't wait for the other articles to come out.:wave:

 

[MartyMouse]

Originally posted by Since1976
I happen to think that Horizons and Spaceship Earth were/are the heart of Epcot.

Yes!
I couldn’t agree more. When looking at the ORIGINAL concept for the EPCOT Center park (not Walt’s grand dream but what Disney set out to do when the park opened) it was designed to “showcase prototype concepts and technologies that may someday serve people everywhere this is the essence of EPCOT Center a collective endeavor by people fore people in the hope for a better world.” (quoted from the original opening announcement).

EPCOT was designed to be a cultural statement to invite people to think beyond where they are now and to make that leap into a broader understanding wile still entertaining them. I often jump to the defense of Michael Eisner (because of all the un-fare bashing he gets on these boards) but I do think he and his people have dropped the ball with EPCOT Center.

From Spaceship Earth you become witness to mans journey form cave man to global communicator then it’s off to Comunicor where you can see the latest development in technologies. Now you are left with a choice you can go to the Land or Universe of Energy to see technologies at work, head to the World of Motion or Journey in to Imagination for escapism or you can take the next step and get a glimpse into the future at Horizons (and later the Living Seas). In that, Horizons and the Living Seas are the essence of the idealism of EPCOT showing you what YOU can do to make the future a positive one that we all would love to live in “If you can dream it them you can do it”.

And then you have World Showcase where EPCOT Center tries to show us that we are all one people on one world and that we need to respect each other if we are to live in the bright future of Horizons.

 

[HennieBogan1966]

MartyMouse

Although I would disagree with you on the unfair bashing or Mr. Eisner, I would wholeheartedly agree with you on your other points. I for one would like to see progress made inside SE, The Land, The Living Seas, with regard to new technologies being brought to the forefront. Communication technology is moving/changing so quickly these days, that I think it is important for Disney to continue to keep up with the technology. Otherwise, guests look at the exhibits and just laugh, commenting, "this is so 5 years ago", and the like. And Epcot then becomes an afterthought as it relates to the future, which you stated was the crux behind the project from the beginning.

Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow.

Let's hope we see some progess soon.