ok. ok. I just talked to Chief and he made a great point about this blog. We're NOT trying to be the best Horizons blog or tribute site ever. Wikipedia beats our asses on info! These pics are nothing new and the info isn't either for that matter. Really! TONS more research went into other sites and much more was gathered in the way of cool video, information, and pics. Do we get it now?
I need to do a better job of illustrating that this blog is about the adventures of two dorks who couldn't stand to see Horizons close. Now that I look back it was pretty amazing and some of the stunts pretty stupid:) These dorks, Chief and I, just wanted to document as much as we could for ourselves before it all went away.
For the time and place, we were the boys. Nothing to lose, no regard for our own safety, passes to all of the theme parks, etc. We worked boring desk jobs, rented shitty apartments near all the parks, rode rides and roller coasters, and thought nothing of the future......until! Horizons.
Look, dear reader, We left our ride vehicles, crawled through filth, and spent 8 hours at a time inside Horizons while it was OPERATIONAL. Every pic we have here was taken while the show was being enjoyed by people visiting EPCOT CENTER. Every one. We weren't employees or anything. Just two dorks looking for adventure and trying to preserve something special to us.
Thank God we were sort of young and had the time and balls to do this. We want you to get a feeling for what we did:)
Yikes! I agree, extremely foolhearty. There are literally hundreds of things that could have killed you... large moving equipment, high voltages, rotting sets, and sudden drop-offs.
ReplyDeleteNote to anyone who might get the bright idea to try to imitate our host's stunt: attractions today are even *more* dangerous than they used to be. There are also comprehensive intrusion detection systems. Don't do it.
Also, Hoot: don't sell your blog short. While what you did was kinda stupid, but you captured some stuff that you can't find anywhere else. Try searching for images of the sets on google or flickr. You'll find only a few shots. The best documentation we have are home movies, and those are generally low quality.
ReplyDeleteEven just the few images you've shared so far are unique: you've got some awesome stuff!
Indeed. You were crazy, but we are glad you were!
ReplyDeletewhat you did was so cool! I wish I had the guts to do what you did but I have always had a fear of being of being banned from disney for something stupid
ReplyDeleteyeah it was crazy, but it was Exciting! i just wanted to expand a little on what Hoot is saying (i know more details and explanation will come out as the blog goes on), it wasnt like on the first day we just jumped off and ran thru the ride without a care in the world. it took many trips and many trials and little tests to see just how far we could take it. and eventually over time, as we learned more and got more brave it led to us doing just as Hoot says, jumping off and walking/crawling to base camp, and literally staying in the ride for hours at a time, seeing what cool behind the scenes areas we could check out and get photos of.
ReplyDeleteand i want to say as well, this was from a pure fan state of mind, we werent there to vandalize or try to ruin the other guests experience, we simply wanted to experience ALL of Horizons in a way few fans ever got to. Horizons was so unique in so many ways, no other Disney attraction has ever made me feel like Horizons did.
Glad you two had the balls and wherewithall to do this, and now the generosity to share the fruits of your recklessness with the rest us who didn't. Well done!!!
ReplyDeleteI've had occasional dreams of wandering around inside Horizons and even working within that monumental attraction, but you guys actually out-foxed the Horizons intrusion detection systems and managed to come out with some damn unique coverage and information on Horizons. I myself worked to get the best possible video and audio of the Horizons ride experience that you'll see anywhere with the best recording equipment I could get my hands on in those days. Longe Live Horizons, and with the info that nuts like us have compiled just on Horizons, perhaps one day we'll get together as a board of directors and produce a new version of Horizons in some physical form or another.
ReplyDeleteBravo! (or should I say Brava?) That someone, anyone did this is a great thing for all of us! Looking forward to every inch.
ReplyDeleteYour personal risk & insanity = our profit! Good times for everyone! Hey, if you hadn't done it, would we have these pictures? I don't think so...
ReplyDeleteYou guys are my heroes!!
ReplyDeleteThis wouldn't happen today anyway--they don't build attractions that inspire that level of dedication. If you cant put a gift shop at the end of it-- it doesn't get built.
Just found this blog last night. Dadgum. Two more guys to add to my 'hero' list. Awesome. Horizons was, without doubt, my favorite ride experience at EPCOT, if not in the whole of WDW/DL. NOTHING will ever compare. Thanks for sharing the fruits of foolhardiness!
ReplyDeleteKudos for the adventurers!
ReplyDelete