Mission Space / Horizons | Current vs. Classic | DIS Unplugged Minisode

In this minisode, Craig, Steve and Ryno discuss Mission Space and Horizons before deciding whether or not they prefer the current or classic attraction!

Subscribe to the DIS Unplugged YouTube Channel!

Become a Patron of the DIS Unplugged and receive exclusive content, early access to certain vlogs, and much more!

[Ryotsu]

I'm old so I remember it well. Everyone in your omnimover voted for either the space, desert or sea ending. All it did was show you a projection of a computer generated render of your little journey. Little panels would come up at the sides so you couldn't see the other ride vehicles. This was at the very end after the animatronics, and it was just a short little movie type of experience. I often mixed scenes from this ride up with parts of Spaceship Earth and World of Motion, because they were so similar and cohesively integrated with the old future world concept.

[annasamanthahazel]

I think what happened at the end was there were 3 screens and when you selected your ending, walls would come up on either side of your omnimover and then it would angle to the appropriate viewing screen. The walls would block the view of the other screens and vehicles but if you really tried you could actually peek through the tiny gap and see how it was done. The ending movies were made using dioramas and gave the impression of racing through the landscape. I loved it and was so confused when it closed! We didn't have the access to information that we have now and it seemed to just disappear without any fanfare.

[SRC]

I helped build Mission Space - I rode it first year it was installed and it was good - later we tuned it down to 2.3 G vs. 2.6 G and it made it more tolerable for folks then they added the non-Planetary movement on some of the capsules. The only ride in WDW with motion sickness bags - that has to tell you something.

[robertweigel]

I have heard that a major reason Horizons was demolished was due to severe issues with the integrity of the attraction building.

[andrewleblanc]

Another great video... love the concept!

As for the confusion about the screens and the ending of horizons: There were two giant Omni screens during the middle of the ride (that had the shuttle launch, the crystals etc.). At the end of the ride your cab voted on how you "return from the future" (by land, sea or space) and the screen that opened in front of your cab showed the video based on the majority. Remember also the cars moved sideways along the track so it was just a rotating wall that moved along with your car.

[aan]

I'm loving this new series!! Would love an episode on Snow White vs. seven dwarves mine train

[kewellborn]

I'm old enough to remember ALL the original audio-animatronic pavilions at Epcot, and Horizons was always my favorite. Speaking of it being kinda a sequel to Carousel of Progress, I remember Horizons even included a 20's version of "It's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" in one of the scenes. Every once in awhile I'll watch a YouTube video of the ride just to get my fix.

[bugsaysmeep]

Much like Ryno, I'm all about attractions with animatronics. I'm sad I never got to experience this. My husband and I were talking about things we would bring back to Disneyland and all of them were very animatronic heavy attractions. *sigh*

[carolynyestrumsky]

The path was not broken up.  Blinders came up so you were only focused on your screen.  We first visited in 1979 and I remember this well when EPCOT first opened.

[christianjames]

you should do the figment versions throughout the years

[kaglave]

Horizons definitely wins. Hit the nail on the head about describing Horizons (and similar rides) as Walt's vision of the future as opposed to what we have nowadays. Sure, making an attraction based on the future takes long term work and obviously frequent updates, but at least we are stimulating thought as well as entertaining. If anyone has seen the movie Idiocracy, that's where it feels like we're headed, w all the stuff these 'Imagineers' think up now. Imho..

[GetYourOwnSammich]

I miss Horizons. It's been five years since my last trip to WDW. I remember the last time I was there being completely underwhelmed and kind of saddened by the state of EPCOT. We got to visit fairly frequently when I was younger and I had very fond memories of a lot of the old attractions. The Wonders of Life pavilion, Innovations when it used to be full of actually innovative things (still remember when EPCOT was showing touch screens looong before they became even close to a "thing"), the original Journey into Imagination, and even Food Rocks. Hell, I even recall those stationary bikes you could peddle on and the screen in front of you would play footage of the Disney park you picked. The faster you peddled, the faster the video played. I remember being wowed, entertained, captivated, and learning something in the process. It was proof positive that learning could be made fun. Fast forward to my last trip and EPCOT just seemed like a shell. I'm all about progress and updates, but most of what is there now seemed like a step backward and a step away from what EPCOT was meant to be. Don't even get me started on the loss of Maelstrom for a Frozen ride! (My sister and I, to this day, will randomly say to one another, "Yeeeeooouuu are not the first to come dis way, nor vill you be da last" ) To me that park just feels different now. I don't know if I should chalk it up to nostalgia or what. I'm planning on a trip next year to take my son for his first visit to Disney, and don't get me wrong, I'm tremendously excited. There is still a lot in EPCOT I can't wait to show him, but..for me, it just doesn't seem quite hold the same place in my heart it once did.

Thanks for the video. I'm a recent subscriber and you guys are a lot of fun to watch.

[GiggleGoddess]

I first learned about Horizons from the soundtrack on Subsonic Radio and DTunes radio (no longer around). And I LOVED IT! I wasn't old enough or on that side of the country at the time it was around but I would have loved to experience it. You can find it on D-Cot radio and listen anytime you want. I'm so thankful of the people who can run those Disney theme park audio websites... I can relive the memories anytime.

[paulcallender]

The giant wheel in the Mission Space queue was an actual set used in Mission To Mars. #TheMoreYouKnow

[kimmikruszewski]

I loved Horizons!!! That & World of Motion were my favs.

[AlexandriaPurgatori]

I have loved Mission: Space since it opened. Something about it really gets me.

[KEJosephFavorites]

I'm sure you've got a long list of attractions to cover, but I always find it really amusing to compare resort rooms of the past vs. what they look like today. So funny!

[kimberlysmith]

I LOVE mission space. May be my favorite ride of all!

[mischiefmanaged]

Not tried Mission Space Orange but I loved Horizons. It wowed me as a kid.

[mickeysmyspiritanimal]

I vote for HORIZONS! Steve explained it well - the connection between carousel of progress ending and Horizons picking it up from there!! 😎 I wish we still had it too, Craig! 😢 I rode it too as a child... 👍👍👍 oh memories! Ryno, your amazement and wonder is why they should bring it back!! All of you are AWESOME!! 😎🤗