Epcot (General Discussion)

[Alicia]

I know this is a really random question but something I've found confusing, especially given how beloved an attraction it is and that it was before my time (true of the other most beloved Epcot attraction, OG Journey)...I had been under the impression that after 1994, Horizons only opened seasonally. But according to the wiki, it seems like it was open continuously from '96-'98? So which was the case?

I believe it reopened during the change from World of Motion to Test Track, which was from 1996 to 1998. I remember riding it as much as I could visiting during this period.

 

[belloq87]

Horizons was certainly open during my trip in 1997, as that was the one and only time I can remember riding it.

 

[AvoidTIMtation]

Horizons is the one ride i wish i was able to ride before it closed

 

[belloq87]

Horizons is the one ride i wish i was able to ride before it closed

I feel very lucky that I have clear firsthand memories of it. There's a reason it occupies such a special status for many fans. It was the park's magnum opus attraction that rather brilliantly pulled together basically everything the park was about.

 

[gator]

It's great they finally got this working but am I the only one who thinks the fiberoptic tiles that sparkled when you left the park was much more magical than this.

You're not the only one!

 

[saint.piss]

 

[saint.piss]

 

[HandsomePete]

If you aren’t already in line outside the festival center, you’re too late.

/s (probably)

 

[GA-MBIT]

I think it's pretty cool that the prism walls of Communicore Hall transition really well into the Imagination Pavilion triangle roof in the Skyline above it. For that project, it's a rare win.

 

[GAcoaster]

I think it's pretty cool that the prism walls of Communicore Hall transition really well into the Imagination Pavilion triangle roof in the Skyline above it. For that project, it's a rare win.

It's also a prefect illustration of what's wrong with Imagineering-- focus on the little details (visuals, "story"), miss the big picture (purpose, practicality). Build a space that looks like an afterthought and is pretty much the same as the underutilized/empty building it replaced, but it looks cool with lights and design that harkens back to the original idea and aesthetic of EPCOT Center.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

It's also a prefect illustration of what's wrong with Imagineering-- focus on the little details (visuals, "story"), miss the big picture (purpose, practicality). Build a space that looks like an afterthought and is pretty much the same as the underutilized/empty building it replaced, but it looks cool with lights and design that harkens back to the original idea and aesthetic of EPCOT Center.

Hoping these new projects brings back classic Imagineering standards. I can't blame Imagineering entirely though, a lot of the messy choices at Epcot are from a result of budget cuts and being being forced to create a "bland" empty event space in the park.

 

[GAcoaster]

Hoping these new projects brings back classic Imagineering standards. I can't blame Imagineering entirely though, a lot of the messy choices at Epcot are from a result of budget cuts and being being forced to create a "bland" empty event space in the park.

Without a doubt-- but there's been this same issue long before this and at least for the past 30 years now. It's a corporate issue, not necessarily an Imagineering issue.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

It's also a prefect illustration of what's wrong with Imagineering-- focus on the little details (visuals, "story"), miss the big picture (purpose, practicality). Build a space that looks like an afterthought and is pretty much the same as the underutilized/empty building it replaced, but it looks cool with lights and design that harkens back to the original idea and aesthetic of EPCOT Center.

My guess is WDI does plan all these things out, but then marketing gets a hold of the project bible to hype it up, and then it hits the budget cut blades to take out the purpose and practicality out of it. Not blaming the creative teams, more the process itself.

 

[GAcoaster]

My guess is WDI does plan all these things out, but then marketing gets a hold of the project bible to hype it up, and then it hits the budget cut blades to take out the purpose and practicality out of it. Not blaming the creative teams, more the process itself.

Agreed-- it's the corporate process that's in need of fixing. Don't over promise and under deliver. Don't release information or renderings until things are really set. Have a fully fleshed out plan and stick to it.

 

[SkiBum]

This process seems backwards to me. I would think that you would be assigned the budget and then you design and build to the budget. Then Marketing could come in later in the project and release renderings or information. My perspective has long been that they have a budget, blow through the budget or design beyond the budget, and then run into trouble as it becomes apparent. Plus, Disney has had a great deal of trouble managing budgets and spend.

 

[HandsomePete]

This process seems backwards to me. I would think that you would be assigned the budget and then you design and build to the budget. Then Marketing could come in later in the project and release renderings or information. My perspective has long been that they have a budget, blow through the budget or design beyond the budget, and then run into trouble as it becomes apparent. Plus, Disney has had a great deal of trouble managing budgets and spend.

WDI is not just assigned budgets, but they actually *manage* the budgeting process. But then they repeatedly and by wide margins miss said budgets that they themselves were partners in setting.

They also are responsible for the renderings/concept art that gets something approved or is shared by Marketing, then typically struggle to deliver on that because whoops, didn’t realize (for example) putting a tree and a boat on top of Splash Mountain was a complete no go.

The biggest problem is that despite this being like a two decades long issue, there’s still an irrational amount of optimism in the planning phase. There’s also a fair bit of turnover because working on the high-profile stuff gets people promoted out and up often. Third, price tags on projects get inflated because there are boring functions within WDI like real estate master planning that shouldn’t technically be allocated to sites via WDI projects.

 

[saint.piss]

I guess you can say it came SOARIN down.... hahaha

 

[docholiday]

I want an element of the educational back. We’ll see how well they balance it with TT3. Hoping for a similar thing with the other pavilions. I know WoL is going to rot but at least fix Imagination and The Seas. The Land is the only one that works for me full stop.

 

[saint.piss]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/geo-82-lounge/

 

[UniversalRBLX]

A bold choice to make it 21+, but I think it's a fine addition to the park.

I do think there is a space for these sorts of experiences at the parks, so long as they are added in a respectable manner, it's ok to me.

I do hope we get stuff like this at UOR soon. USF is begging for a bar themed like the Tribute Stores.