Horizions

This topic has 10 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 7 months ago by connie96.

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September 20, 2018 at 12:54 pm #89317

cdolan1990
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Hi guys,

Looking for all you EPCOT aficionados / historians

I regularly take a look at various Disney history videos. I’ve just watched one based around Horizions. The video gave its closing date at January 1999. I made my first ever visit to WDW in May 1998, we made a point of literally doing everything in every park over the period of three weeks (spending 17 of out 20 days days in the WDW, one days at Busch Gardens and one at Kennedy Space Centre). The odd thing is, both myself and my parents have no recollection of riding Horizions and are sure it was not accessible at the time of our visit. Assuming it was a just a mistake by the video maker, i checked it out online and it seems multiple sources give its closure date in Jan 1999.

Is it possible we managed to miss an entire pavilion or was it only open seasonally or similar by that point in time?

September 20, 2018 at 1:07 pm #89319

Jloosh78
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How did you miss it?!!!! Just kidding. I am not 100% possitive but strongly believe it was closed long before that. Similar to the WOL pavillion. I do not recall Horizons being open at any time that AK was around which would give it atleast a closing time prior to 96. But what do I know. Curious now to know the answer.

September 20, 2018 at 1:40 pm #89325

RememberMagic
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Hi cdolan 1990,
It is highly likely that Horizons was relegated to “seasonal” schedules beyond its December 1995 reopening, much like the Stitch’s Great Escape! in Tomorrowland… So it is conceiveable that in May of 1998 when you visited the crowd level did not warrant operation of additional attractions. I was a cast member from 1990 to 1992 and recall only having ever had the opportunity to visit Horizons a handful of times ,and I spent just about every spare moment (when i was not working or going to school) in the parks. Here is the most concise history of Horizons that I have found:http://www.horizons1.com/history.htm
Hopefully this helps.

September 20, 2018 at 3:07 pm #89352

connie96
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@cdolan1990 I traveled to WDW for the first time in September of 96. I do not have a specific memory of the Horizons pavilion either so I wonder if it was in a seasonal closed status at the time. I could have done it and just not remember but, I’m not sure.

@jloosh78, I don’t think AK opened until 98 maybe?? I know it opened on Earth Day whatever year it was and it was not yet opened when we were there in September 96. They were working on it and advertising it on the hotel tv loops but it wasn’t ready yet. When we did finally return in 2002, we actually stayed at AKL which had pretty much just opened and we enjoyed AK for the first time on that trip.

September 20, 2018 at 3:13 pm #89359

connie96
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horizons_(Epcot) …Horizons closed Dec 94, reopened Dec 95, closed permanently Jan 99.

September 20, 2018 at 3:52 pm #89372

cdolan1990
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Thanks guys, its got me really confused haha!

@Jloosh78 I know it closed and later opnend temoprarly while & where closed but I’m sure it wasn’t open but i was only 8 at the time so maybe i’m not the best judge haha.

September 20, 2018 at 3:52 pm #89373

cdolan1990
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@RemeberMagic Oh i’m Jealous! I wish i’d taken the oppertunity to work at WDW 9 years ago when i’d applied haha. It would have been an expereince for sure! I too can only assumit it was seasonal, its driving me mad now. I did keep the maps the first time i went, i was real tempted after work to head down to my parents (a hour or so drive away) too see what it said on the maps haha. That one says 1999 too, i’m begginning to think i’m going crazy haha! I rememer Test track was not open, & was. I thought i rmeember it being busy so i’d assume even seasonal May would be included?

September 20, 2018 at 4:02 pm #89375

cdolan1990
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Hi @connie96 your “96” name makes a lot of sense now

I’m glad you’re of a similar opinion By the sounds of it, you’d know about it if you rode it haah. You’re right about AK, it opened 22nd April 1998, we arrived around 2 weeks after that, there was still buzz around the place. WOW AKL is quite the resort, i did price if up for my honeymoon next year but it blows the budget haha! That must have been great! Thanks for the link Wiki was one of the first places i checked, i’m beginning to think its all a conspiracy!

September 20, 2018 at 5:32 pm #89385

connie96
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@cdolan1990, yes, the 96 in my user name is the year my husband and I married and then honeymooned at WDW – a first visit for both of us. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into with all the Disney-ness.

September 21, 2018 at 4:02 am #89401

cdolan1990
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@connie96 Thats brilliant, I bet now you’re glad you made the trip I was looking at a trip to WDW for our Honeymoon but after the wedding i’m just not convinced we’ll be able to afford it. Unfortunately all in its around about £5000 ($6000) for me to spend about 19 days in Florida (thats including getting calling in a favour to get free villa accommodation haha)

September 21, 2018 at 9:23 am #89427

connie96
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@cdolan1990, I’ll grant you, honeymoons were a lot less expensive 22 years ago! Actually, WDW was downright affordable back then compared to now. All tickets were parkhopper and non-expiring and included the waterparks, etc. They used to run really great specials too – actual discounts instead of adding the free dining. And, with no free dining, you could walk up to almost all of the restaurants and get a table in minutes. I miss those days. LOL!

I hope y’all are able to pull it off! A WDW honeymoon was a really fun way to start our marriage and I wish the two of you all the very best as y’all begin your married life, as well.
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