Horizons was a dark ride that was used to be at Epcot in Disneyworld from 1983 to 1999. The attraction took visitors to see the visions of the future.
The original concept of the ride was to tell the history of Thomas Edison and his inventions and history of General Electric. It was suggested by former CEO of General Electric, Reginald Jones. Including his sucessor Jack Walsh. General Electric became the sponsor of the pavilion. It was later changed to focus on the future of the world and how house living is in the 21st century . It was going to be called Century 3, as America just went through its 3rd century. It had to be changed again as imagineers thought it would be confusing for international guests. General Electric and Disney finally chose "Horizons" as its name. Horizons would be be part of phase 2 of Epcot and opened a year later after the park's opening.
One of the signs that greets you as you enter the attraction reads, "If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It." Following that, you come across another sign identifying FuturePort and the places you're going to be visiting. It resembles other Disney omnimover experiences, such as Haunted Mansion, as you get into your car. You pass past an animatronic of Jules Verne as soon as the ride begins. An 1880s steampunk version of Paris is shown in the opening scene.
Later on, you witness "Easy Living," a 1920s picture of the future. One robot is trimming a man's hair, and another is attempting to cook but keeps breaking down. A vocalist performing "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" was visible on TV. Subsequently, a futuristic vision from the 1950s is shown, complete with vintage rock 'n' roll playing in the backdrop. There are large wrap-around projection screens on display that highlight science, technology, and visions.
A family residing in an apartment in a futuristic metropolis is passed by you.After then, a property in a desert is owned by another family. Predicting face time, the daughter is chatting with her lover on a television screen. Her partner fixes his small submarine in an underground metropolis. A teacher was observed teaching her students about a seal. A restaurant submerged in the water is then displayed.
A community of people residing in space is then shown. While his mother is attempting to get him, one of the children is boasting about how he can fly.A birthday party is happening with other relatives using face time. The final scene is where you can choose your ending. You can choose space, desert, or undersea. As the ride ends, the exit queue is a rainbow tunnel with the ride's sponsor General Electric's logo.
While an official reason by Disney hasn't been said since its closure. Main theories were a sink hole behind the ride, it was outdated, Mission: Space planned to be built, and the need for thrill rides at Epcot.