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Written by Louis Mongello
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- Horizons, which opened in 1983, was not one of the original Epcot
opening day attractions. It first closed in 1994, even though its original
corporate sponsorship from General Electric was discontinued in a year earlier.
The ride reopened in December of 1995, as there were very few attractions open
on the west side of Epcot at that time (Universe of Energy and World of Motion
were closed for renovations).
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Horizons closed for good on January 9, 1999. Considering that the pavilion's
message was concepts and possibilities for the 21st Century, it may have been a
good thing. Why? Well, last I checked, I don't recall any families living under
the sea, or in outer space - two of the many possibilities the attraction
highlighted for the near future.
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The Horizons building was demolished entirely in 1999, and has been replaced by
Mission: Space, which opened in a completely new structure in October, 2003.
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The theme song to the Horizons attraction was called "New Horizons"
and was written by George Wilkins.
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If we can dream it, then we can do it,
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yes we can, (yes we can.)
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If we can dream it, then we can do it,
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yes we can, (yes we can.)
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Have you ever looked beyond today, into the future?
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Picture you're in a world, we've yet to see.
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The wonder of finding new ways,
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that lead to the promise of brighter days.
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Have you ever dreamed the dreams of the children?
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Just imagine the magic, their minds can see. (if we can dream it). Horizons,
all shining and new, (shining and new). Horizons, where dreams do come true
(they do come true).
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And it will be, a future filled with care.
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For you and me, a world we all can share.
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For today holds the challenge to make this world a better place to be.
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New Horizons, for you and for me.
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Conceived as a "sequel" to the Magic Kingdom 's Carousel of Progress,
Horizons gave guests the opportunity to see visions of the future from the past
and present. The ride's motto was also the name of its theme song, written by
George Wilkins and sung by Gloria Kaye, "If we can dream it, we can do
it."
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This distinctive building that housed the Horizons attraction, often likened to
a large alien spaceship that landed on the west side of Epcot, covered three
acres of land. Located between the Universe of Energy and the World of Motion,
the pavilion that expressed unfaltering optimism about our future closed 16
years after it opened.
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Mission: SPACE, which opened in October, 2003, launches guests into a simulated
space adventure - from liftoff to weightlessness in outer space. The
attraction, the most technologically advanced ever created by Disney, is
located between Test Track and Wonders of Life, in the location of the former
Horizons show building.
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Horizons, like all attractions, went through several concept revisions before
the attraction premiered in October, 1983. It was originally called Century 3
(or Century III) and then Futureprobe during the planning stages. The ride's
main themes were developed by the two former CEOs of General Electric, Reginald
Jones, and Jack Welch his successor. Finally, the concept team chose the name
"Horizons," believing that there was always something new on the
horizon, and after you reach it, there's another horizon to challenge you.
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General Electric's sponsorship of Horizons ended on September 30, 1993, but the
attraction continued to operate without a sponsor for a number of years before
it closed permanently in 1999.
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Horizons reopened in December of 1995 because the Universe of Energy and World
of Motion were about to be renovated and closed. With those two attractions
closed, only the Wonders of Life pavilion would have been open on the west side
of Epcot. As expected, when Test Track opened in 1999, Horizons closed forever
on January 9, 1999.
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After GE's sponsorship ran out in 1993, Disney continued to operate the
Horizons attraction until 1994. It was closed and then reopened in 1995 due to
renovations to many of the attractions on the west side of Epcot. It closed for
good on January 9, 1999 and was completely razed by October, 2000.
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The "Best Time of Your Life" song was originally used in the Carousel
of Progress at the 1964-5 New York World's Fair and then at Disneyland. When
the attraction was moved to Walt Disney World in 1975, the theme song was
replaced with "The Best Time of Your Life."
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When Horizons opened in 1983, the song was no longer playing at the Carousel of
Progress, so it was used in Horizons as a nostalgic reminder of the original
Carousel of Progress. When the Carousel of Progress was renovated in 1993, the
original song was brought back as its theme song. This it was being used at two
attractions at the same time.
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The lyrics and music were by the famous
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brothers, Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman.
Tags: Epcot Future World Horizons (Closed)
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