Posts Tagged ‘Horizons’

It’s not unusual to hear complaints from loyal Disney fans who continue to pine for long-lost attractions and entertainments.  While we expect to see new and ever more spectacular offerings, we don’t want to lose any of our sentimental favorites.   There was so much fuss about the Wonders of Life, for instance.  Now, I have to say that no one was more distressed than I to hear news of this closing so I understand the dismay.  However, it was open seasonally for a very long period after the announced closure.  I went every time I visited Walt Disney World, and I would stay there for several hours because I always felt it might be the last time I would set foot in the building.  I’d watch the show, play the games, sit and have lunch…I was pretty much alone.  Only a handful of people came through, and this was often at Christmas time when the parks were jammed.

Disney doesn’t shut down a ride to antagonize millions of people who throng to the attraction.  Most often, it closes because it because it isn’t pulling its weight – no one is visiting.  Horizons closed because it wasn’t getting the traffic, the same with, yes kids, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

Other attractions closed for different reasons.  With the opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Discovery Island became redundant.  The company chose to build new water parks rather than address the issues of fresh water and an aging infrastructure at River Country.  We know that 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was both slow-loading and not handicapped-accessible, as well as being incredibly expensive to maintain.  The Skyway to Tomorrowland was shut down for many of the same reasons.  The Plaza Swan Boats suffered from ongoing engine problems; the Tapestry of Dreams Parade was adversely affected by winds across the World Showcase Lagoon. If You Had Wings lost its sponsorship.

Because Disney is in the business of making people happy, it’s easy to forget that, first and foremost, they are in the business of making money.  It’s not reasonable to expect any company to continue to foster an element that is no longer financially feasible due to its being out of date thematically, mechanically, or historically; too expensive to update or maintain; or simply not pulling sufficient numbers through the doors.

Yes, I miss the time when today’s bright red double-decker “Character Bus” was a fun and relaxing form of public transportation around the World Showcase; and I loved the World of Motion.  It’s sad to know that the wonderful Streetmosphere cast at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been reduced.  But, I’m not sorry that ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter has passed into memory, and I wish Stitch’s Great Escape! would follow.  Don’t hear much clamoring for a return of Tarzan Rocks!, either.

On the bright side, after 45 years, the Carousel of Progress is still turning.  The PeopleMover is still moving people, and It’s a Small World is still big.  If you have a special affection for a ride or show, don’t pass it by.  Make a point to experience your favorites each time you visit – show your support with your feet!

Mission: SPACE, one of the most highly-anticipated attractions to open at Walt Disney World, represents the culmination of 40 years of actual man-hours, as well as technologies specifically invented for this ride.  Designed to allow passengers to experience space flight in a realistic way, Mission: SPACE was built in cooperation with former astronauts and NASA personnel.

The “back story” is very much front and center as guests, or “trainees” at the International Space Training Center, are assigned a role and join a crew of four to complete a training mission that will help prepare them for the first manned flight to Mars.

The stunning Planetary Plaza at the entrance includes some of the most imaginative and beautiful detail to be found in any park.  The glowing replica of Mars with its dramatic red color stands close to the enormous 16-foot-diameter sphere of Jupiter.  Earth is encircled by a ship in flight and the model of our moon features plaques on its surface that commemorate each lunar mission.

The queue area is dominated by an enormous gravity wheel, and showcases fascinating displays and a review of the “history” of space flight.  The gravity wheel sports one of three tributes to Horizons, the attraction that formerly occupied the site.

After an informational video, astronauts-in-training board the flight simulators for a spectacular journey that includes lift-off, a slingshot maneuver around the moon, hypersleep, and Mars landing, along with some special challenges to test the crew.

There are two different ride experiences to choose from:  the original, very intense “orange” version which simulates weightlessness and g-forces by means of a centrifuge; and the alternate “green” version which retains the motion simulation but forgoes the physically-challenging centrifuge effects.  There are multiple alerts and warnings throughout the attraction which detail the health conditions that may be adversely affected by the ride.

The post-show area is not to be missed, with interactive games and activities, a themed play area for kids, and an opportunity to send a “Postcard from Space.”

Employees of Hewlett-Packard, the current sponsor, have access to the Red Planet Room where they can relax and enjoy complimentary beverages, play games, watch television, and use an internet-connected shared laptop.

Mission: SPACE

EPCOT, Future World

Approximately 6 minutes

Guests must transfer from ECV to wheelchair and then to ride vehicle

FastPass available

Video captioning and translation devices available

Park admission required