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Horizons Concepts and
Construction Page
Concepts | OmniSphere Theater & Finale | Construction Pictures
Ride Track Layout | Pre-Opening Publicity | Horizons Dedication
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Model of Horizons Pavilion Exterior ©Disney
The main theme for Horizons
was first established by Reginald Jones (who was then the CEO of General
Electric) and Jack Welch (his successor). Early ideas for the ride
focused on a retrospective on Thomas Edison and GE's origins. That
was quickly switched to a more forward-thinking approach. In its earliest
incarnation, Horizons was to be called Century
3 or Century III. That was a few years after
the U.S. Bicentennial and people were looking forward to the United
States of America entering its third century of existence. But, the
design team realized that EPCOT is not just for Americans, it is for
people around the world. So, someone came up with Futureprobe.
"Not bad. But we always thought it had a rather uncomfortable
medical connotation" said Ned Landon, GE representative on the
Horizons Imagineering creative team. "We thought Horizons
was just right. There always is a horizon out there. If you
try hard enough, you can get to where it is - and when you do, you
find there's still another horizon to challenge you, and another beyond
that. If Horizons had a subtitle, I'd vote for 'An
Achievable Future.' To me, that phrase means a lot about what we're
trying to do and say. We're not predicting a better world based on
wild guesswork or imaginary science fiction. Instead we're saying
that today's technology - scientific understanding - is so advanced
that it gives the human race magnificent options to shape a better
tomorrow. To achieve a future with greater promise for everybody."
Movies of Yesteryear Model - Actual version is not
exactly like this ©Disney
He continues by explaining that the family is still going to be important
in the future. "The 'stars' of our show are all members of a
single family, living and working in highly diverse places but still
keeping together. We're also trying to show that the future can be
friendly, that it's not something to fear. And we're trying to at
least suggest that the future won't be all mapped out by someone else.
We think there will be options, choices, even more opportunities than
ever before to do one's own thing."
This drawing shows the concept for the transition
from Space into the space colony. ©Disney
With concepts and models in hand, Imagineers went to the experts
to make sure they were feasible. They worked with Princeton physicist
Gerard O'Neill for the space colony. George McGinnis, Horizons Show
Designer, says "And we talked to NASA and Cal Tech's Jet Propulsion
Lab about growing crystals for semi-conductors in space. For the desert
portion, we worked with Carl Hodges, director of the Environmental
Research Lab at the University of Arizona. Following his suggestions,
we used genetic engineering principles to design new plants and create
voice-activated robot harvesters and helium lifters to load and deliver
crops to market." Site work began on August 5, 1981 with actual
construction beginning in January of 1982.
Set-up of Easy Living Scene at WED for Approval ©Disney
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OmniSphere Theater
OmniSphere Construction ©Disney
This picture shows the construction of one of the two screens in
the OmniSphere theater. Originally slated to be the finale to Horizons
with three Omni screens, it was altered to be the centerpiece with
only two. The challenge was figuring out how to film the images of
science and technology in the world's largest film format. The equipment
to photograph molecular structures and underwater scenes as well as
using computer animation and landsat photos in the large format had
to be invented. Filmmaker, Eddie Garrick, who has produced several
National Geographic TV specials, helped design the new technology.
The stunning visual effects are complemented by a state-of-the-art
sound system "which uses digital recordings and transmits infrared
light to the ride vehicles, where it is received and converted back
into sound. Low frequency sonic transducers attached to the vehicles
near the base of each rider's spine give the full-bodied 'feel' of
a concert-hall performance."
Choose Your Tomorrow Finale
When the OmniSphere feature was moved to be the centerpiece of the
attraction, a new finale had to be created. The difficulty was that
it had to fit in the space left in the pavilion and it had to be just
as exciting as the OmniSphere. Horizons Show Designer, George McGinnis,
suggested a 50 foot traveling picture that, utilizing the ride vehicle's
on-board computer, would allow guests to choose how they returned
to the FuturePort. Engineer Marty Kindel began working out the complicated
logistics that would enable each car to see a different environment.
Seven stationary GE Talaria video projectors, tilting the ride vehicles
ten degrees, and using low-frequency transducers combine to create
the feeling of accelerating through space, the desert, or under sea.
Desert Sequence Model ©Disney
Filming the sequences was another complex issue. David Jones, who
worked on special effects in Star Wars, spent two years designing,
constructing, and filming models for the three sequences. The desert
film was the longest continuous sequence ever filmed with miniatures.
A computer was used to get a precise camera path and a special gantry
system was constructed to keep the camera from casting a shadow over
the model. "All that for 31 seconds," sighs Jones. "But
what seconds!"
Behind the Scenes GE Technology
GE technology was used throughout the construction of the pavilion.
GE's Talaria� light-valve TV projectors are utilized for the finale
movie sequence. The ride vehicles are made of Lexan� polycarbonate
and are powered by GE motors and drive systems. GE control devices
are located throughout the building. There's GE lighting inside and
out of the pavilion. GE's Gemlink� video transmitter system, GE mobile
radio applications and new uses for GE silicones are also used.
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Construction Pictures
Pavilion Steel Frame Construction
These pictures show the construction of the pavilion in 1983. Notice
a painting of the pavilion and concept art on the wall in front
of the construction site.
This picture shows the pavilion from the World of Motion side.
This black and white shot shows the building near completion (at
least on the outside). Special thanks to Todd Becker for these pictures.
Floating City Construction ©Disney
Construction of Solosub 1 near completion ©Disney
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Horizons Ride Track Layout
Would you ever have guessed that when you are getting on and off
the ride vehicles you are actually directly underneath the OmniSphere
theater? You are. The following two pictures show how the scenes and
ride track are arranged inside the pavilion. The first picture shows
the First Level. Beginning with the "Movies of Yesteryear"
segment, the ride vehicles begin ascending up and eventually, by the
time they reach the end of the 50s scene, they are on the Second Level
(the second picture). The vehicles begin descending at the Desert
Farm scene and arrive back to the First Level at the Undersea Restaurant.
Leaving the Undersea Industry scene, the vehicles ascend into Space
(the Second Level). By the end of the Brava Centauri sequence, the
vehicles are back on the First Level. Click below to view each drawing
of the ride layout:
First Level | Second
Level
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Pre-Opening Publicity - 1980
The following is from a 6 page booklet entitled "Walt
Disney World EPCOT Center." It provides brief summaries
of the attractions at the new park. Century 3 is
grouped with the other pavilions that were expected to be open on
the first day and not separated with the "Future" Seas and
Life and Health pavilions. Here is the complete text for the Century
3 pavilion.
Century 3
The Century 3 Pavilion, presented by General Electric, will celebrate
the envisioned technological achievements of America's third century
... the years of the 21st Century leading to the U.S. Tricentennial
in 2076 ... and what these advances will mean to each of our lives.
In the pavilion's "FuturePort," a transport center of
a futuristic community, guests will board unique vehicles for an
aerial "Journey to Century 3." On their "flight,"
passengers will encounter exciting story-telling effects, highlighted
by three-dimensional scenes and nine-story high film projections.
The trip will begin with a salute to past dreams about future communities
and lifestyles drawn from vintage science-fiction films and world's
fairs. Vehicles will then transport guests "through" spectacular
90-foot high projected images of micro and macro worlds - frontiers
of tomorrow whose secrets will affect our futures in Century 3.
Next, "time travelers" will pay an overview visit to three-dimensional
community settings and possible lifestyle habitats of tomorrow.
As a finale, guests will contribute their own dreams and hopes for
the future via audience polling devices within the ride vehicles.
Visitors to the pavilion will see the ever-expanding opportunities
and choices for tomorrow's world ... and the important role their
decisions will play in making those visions come true in Century
3.
� 1980 Walt Disney Productions
1982
Two years later, with construction nearing completion (for the park,
not Horizons), Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom Club put
out a publication with the same name, "Walt Disney World
EPCOT Center," but in color and over 50 pages long. It
is filled with concept art for the new attractions coming to Walt
Disney World. The end of the Future World section features a few pages
devoted to Future World Phase II.
"Opening 1983. In Future World Phase II,
visitors will see a bright view of what's on our Horizons in a show
depicting family life-styles in the 21st century.
Before entering the future, guests see today's world as it's never
been seen before. The incredible OmniSphere presents microworlds
and macroworlds of crystal formation and chains of DNA as well as
a fiery space shuttle blast-off and extra-terrestrial locales on
a colossal projection surface towering more than eight stories.
On tomorrow's horizons we'll find a 21st century habitat floating
beneath the sea. Here, school children equip themselves with recirculation
gills to prepare for a "field trip" to an undersea kelp
farm. In a desert community, voice-controlled robots are seen harvesting
genetically engineered crops. Guests will also visit space colonists
who live within the interior of a rotating sphere, simulating the
pull of gravity. To bring members of the family "together"
from ocean, urban, desert and space habitats, colonists use their
holographic televiewer, one of tomorrow's many innovations for a
better life-style.
Before leaving the 21st century, we'll be able to choose our own
tomorrow by simply pressing one of the buttons aboard the ride vehicle.
Our probe into the future will culminate in a simulated ride through
one of the environments we've just viewed."
� 1982 Walt Disney Productions
The following is information from the General Electric Answer Center
computer database. When a GE consumer called with a question about
Horizons, this is what the operator would tell them. It was not written
in complete sentences because it was not meant as a script, but as
a guideline for the phone operator to answer questions about the pavilion.
AS OF OCTOBER, 1993, GE NO LONGER SPONSORS THE HORIZONS EXHIBIT
PURPOSE OF THE PAVILION.................
IN OCTOBER OF 1983 GE OPENED IT'S NEW "HORIZONS" PAVILION
AT EPCOT CENTER NEAR ORLANDO, FLORIDA. THE PURPOSE OF THE PAVILION
THAT ENTERTAINS AS WELL AS EDUCATES IS BEST DEFINED IN A RECENT
ISSUE OF "HORIZONS" MAGAZINE.....................
"HORIZONS IS MEANT TO ENTERTAIN, INSPIRE, AND EVEN TRY TO
EDUCATE-PAINLESSLY-SOME EIGHT TO NINE MILLION GUESTS A YEAR BY PROVIDING
THEM AN EXCITING "RIDE THROUGH THE FUTURE." WE HOPE THAT
OUR GUESTS WILL BE EXTREMELY IMPRESSED BY THE HORIZONS EXPERIENCE.....................HORIZONS
IS NOT A SHOWROOM OR TRADE SHOW. THAT'S NOT THE IDEA.............THE
HORIZONS "EXPERIENCE" IS MEANT TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT
THE FUTURE AND TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT A COMPANY CALLED GENERAL ELECTRIC,
WHICH IS TRYING TO MAKE THESE GOOD THINGS COME TO LIFE"
CHOOSING A NAME FOR THE PAVILION...........
"HORIZONS" WAS CHOSEN FROM A LONG LIST OF NAMES THAT
INCLUDED TITLES LIKE "CENTURY 3" AND "FUTUREPROBE".
"WE THOUGHT "HORIZONS" WAS JUST RIGHT {NAME}. THERE
ALWAYS IS A HORIZON OUT THERE. IF YOU TRY HARD ENOUGH, YOU CAN GET
TO WHERE IT IS-AND WHEN YOU DO, YOU FIND THERE'S STILL ANOTHER HORIZON
TO CHALLENGE YOU, AND ANOTHER BEYOND THAT."
HORIZONS-THE PAVILION THAT "TIES EPCOT CENTER ALL TOGETHER".............
IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT "HORIZONS" IS THE PAVILION THAT
"TIES EPCOT CENTER ALL TOGETHER". WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
".............WE REALLY DO "PULL IT ALL TOGETHER",
AND A NUMBER OF OBSERVERS HAVE COMMENTED THAT THEY THINK "HORIZONS"
IS THE PAVILION THAT MOST COMPLETELY REPRESENTS WHAT WALT DISNEY
HIMSELF MANY YEARS AGO ENVISIONED FOR EPCOT CENTER WHEN IT WAS HIS
"LAST AND GREATEST DREAM."
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Dedication & Grand Opening
Horizons Grand Opening Celebration ©Disney
On October 1, 1983, the media and special guests gathered for the
dedication of Horizons. Walt Disney Productions'
CEO Ron Miller, Dr. Schmitt from General Electric, Florida Lt. Gov.
Mixson, and Walt Disney World Ambassador Cynthia Pleasant attended
the ceremony.
Crowd and Festivities at Dedication Ceremony ©Disney
Horizons Grand Opening Celebration ©Disney
The ceremony featured trumpets playing the EPCOT theme, dancers in
white suits, homing pigeons as well as blue and silver balloons released
into the sky, and speeches. Since it was also Walt Disney World's
12th anniversary, Cast Members wore their 12th Anniversary buttons
that featured the Horizons logo.
Dancers at the Grand Opening Celebration ©Disney
WDW 12th Anniversary Cast Member button
GE advertisement for Horizons' opening. ©Disney/GE
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Horizons Script
Page 1 | Script
Page 2 | Script Page 3 | Script
Page 4
Horizons Exit Mural | Concepts/Construction
Page | Horizons Fact Sheet
"New Horizons" Lyrics
| "There's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow"
Lyrics
Return to: Horizons Introduction
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� EPCOT Discovery Center
Created July 20, 1996 / Last modified
November 19, 2001
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