Horizons — Former Ride · History & Timeline

Former Ride · the memorial record

⚰ Permanently closed · Jan 9, 1999operated 16 years · 1983–1999

Replaced by Mission: SPACE →

This ride is gone, but its history stays documented — the full lifetime log is below.

Ride history

the lifetime record

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2003

◆ Latest milestone

ChangedOct 9, 2003#

Mission: SPACE celebrated its grand opening on the former Horizons site after soft-opening earlier in 2003.

The Mission: Space article states the attraction "was built on the former site of Horizons," that it "opened to the public in a 'soft opening' mode in June 2003" and "celebrated its grand opening on October 9." The Horizons article elsewhere gives a conflicting August 15, 2003 date; we follow the successor's own article.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
2000

Changed2000#

The Horizons show building was emptied and demolished during 2000, clearing the site entirely.

Wikipedia states the building was demolished in July 2000. horizons1.com logs the Omnimover vehicles removed 13 March 2000, "23rd July 2000 - The building is now rubble," and "10th September 2000 - Ground clear."

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
1999

RefurbishmentJan 9, 1999#

Horizons closed permanently after its final day of operation.

Both sources agree on the date. horizons1.com: "9th January 1999 - The last day Horizons was open to guests." Wikipedia's timeline reads "January 9, 1999: Horizons closes permanently." Disney gave no public reason and popular accounts of the cause conflict, so we record no cause.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
1995

Back OnlineDec 1995#

Horizons reopened, still unsponsored, ahead of neighboring Future World attractions closing for refurbishment.

Wikipedia gives December 24, 1995, and attributes the reopening to Universe of Energy and World of Motion going down for refurbishment; horizons1.com corroborates "December 1995 - Horizons is re-opened 'by default' because both the neighbouring attractions ... were to close in January for updates and renovations." The exact day rests on a single source, so the date is published to the month.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
1994

ChangedDec 1994#

Horizons went dark in December 1994 with no public explanation from Disney, beginning a closure that lasted about a year.

Not the permanent closure; the ride reopened a year later. Wikipedia says "The attraction would close on Christmas Day, 1994, with no reasoning given"; horizons1.com corroborates only "Late 1994 - Horizons is closed to guests," so the exact day rests on a single source and the date is published to the month.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
1993

ChangedSep 30, 1993#

General Electric's sponsorship contract for Horizons expired and the attraction continued without a corporate sponsor.

Wikipedia dates the announcement that GE would not renew to June 24, 1993 and the expiration to September 30. horizons1.com logs "30th September 1993 - General Electric's contract to sponsor the attraction expired. Within a couple of months, signs and dialogue mentioning GE are removed."

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
1983

NewOct 1, 1983#

Horizons opened at EPCOT Center as part of the park's Phase II expansion, sponsored by General Electric.

Wikipedia: "The attraction officially opened on October 1, 1983, as part of Phase II of EPCOT Center." horizons1.com logs "1st October 1983 - Opening day." That is one year to the day after EPCOT Center's own October 1, 1982 opening.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes

Questions & answers

When did Horizons open?

Per the documented record, Horizons at EPCOT opened on Oct 1, 1983.

When did Horizons last close for refurbishment?

The most recent closure/refurbishment documented for Horizons is dated Jan 9, 1999: Horizons closed permanently after its final day of operation.

What changed recently on Horizons?

The latest documented change (documented Oct 9, 2003): Mission: SPACE celebrated its grand opening on the former Horizons site after soft-opening earlier in 2003.

How many changes are on record for Horizons?

7 documented changes, dating back to 1983 — the fan-kept ride changelog nobody else keeps.

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