The fact that the Wonders of Life pavilion sits dark and empty is an absolute travesty. Almost equal in shame, is the fact that Epcot lost its signature attraction: Horizons. So what can be done to right these great wrongs? I have a simple solution: New Horizons.
The original Horizons provided a great glimpse into our future by looking at the future from a historical prospective. Things have changed so much in our world since the 1980s that its time to explore the future once again. Technology has also advanced enough to make a ride of this scale feasible.
When I think of a ride system for this new attraction, the Universal attraction Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey comes to mind. New Horizons could also utilize the same Kuka Robotic Arm technology. This would allow for a much more unique ride system rather than a normal dark ride. It would also make any Imax or Omnimax scenes much more immersive.
As far as the ride itself goes, I picture a ride very similar to the original. It could be sponsored by a company like Siemens or IBM and look at how technology has shaped our lives and vision of the future. I think this is a perfect opportunity for another epic audio-animatronic attraction.
This is just an idea at this point, but what do you guys think? Would you ride New Horizons?
I never road "Old Horizons" (didn't get to Epcot till 2004 for the first time) but I'd certainly ride a "New Horizons" attraction. Of course, I'd ride just about any other attraction, also.
ReplyDeleteI thought I read online somewhere that the Kuka arm technology was something Disney lost out on, and could not use. Then again, there is a ride of some sort in Epcot that uses is, isn't there? Yet, I thought I read that they were limited in what they could use it for or how they could use it. No?
I'll have to read up on that and post and update. Thanks for the lead Scott. And you're right about it being in Epcot. It is in use at the Sum of All Thrills in Innoventions. However, is it used as more of a simulator rather than ride vehicle. Think of it as an updated version of the Disney Quest Space Mountain attraction. It doesn't even have to be the specific Kuka arm anyway. I just was thinking of a more intense way to create a dark ride.
ReplyDeleteWhile I know a lot of people would like to see and thought of a Horizons 2.0, I think this is the first that would employ a Kuka arm. I like that idea, really, I can already see many ways in which you can do it, based on the environment you have created.
ReplyDeleteAnd at the moment, there is in use 6 Kuka arms at WDW: the 4 at Sum of All thrills, the angler fish scene in the Living Seas with Nemo and Friends, and a last one that I've unfortunately forgotten. (Digging in my brain, the only other one I remember was the arm in the Boid and Robot show, but that wasn't kuka, so who knows)
Thanks for checking out my blog. I forgot about the one used at the Living Seas.
ReplyDeleteyou're welcome; I always check in, just wanted to compliment the idea here :)
ReplyDeleteWell thank you very much. This blog cannot grow without the input and support of readers like you.
ReplyDeleteYup, like the idea. Don't hold your breathe, though. At this point, I think they are going to use the pavilion for a futuristic domed in landfill :-)
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