Our CENTURY 22 attraction consists of two parts, a theater presentation followed by a ride through full-scale representations of a futuristic vision. As guests leave the queue, they enter Horizons Theater, named after the original Epcot attraction. The theater is circular, with two halves, each with 120 seats. For the guests, the theater presentation is in two parts, with the theater rotating midway from the side facing a stage to one with an IMAX movie screen.
After guests enter the theater, they insert a card into a device in front of their seat where a screen comes to life. They then respond to a series of questions, including what is most important to them as they contemplate the future.
CENTURY 22 – Future Choice Survey
Tell us a little about yourself:
Gender:
Male Female
Age:
Under 18 19 – 30 30 – 50 Over 50
Current living status:
City Suburbs Rural
Thinking about YOUR future, what’s most important for you and your family?
A. Living in a safe, functioning community
B. Maintaining my health
C. Plenty of time for leisure and travel __________ IF “A” is selected:
Guests would be shown several pictures and asked which of these visions for the future most appeals to them.
Depending on the responses to these questions, there would be one more set of pictures for guests to refine their choice of what most appeals to them – this time using interior home environment imagery.
IF “B” is selected: Guests would be shown several pictures and asked which of these visions they had in mind when selecting the maintaining health choice.
Depending on the responses to these questions, there would be one more set of pictures for guests to refine their choice of refine their interest in their health.
IF “C” is selected:
Guests would first be asked to refine which of leisure or travel most appealed to them.
Those selecting “leisure” would be asked to further refine their choice by selecting from:
A. Sporting activities, B. Cultural activities, C. Individual pursuits such as reading, crossword puzzles, etc., D. Group pursuits such as games, socializing, etc.
Those selecting “travel” would be asked to further refine their choice by selecting from:
A. Cruising, B. Visiting parks, C. Partaking of the urban lifestyle, D. Relaxing beach setting
Guests will take the card with them, and later insert the data card into a slot in their ride vehicles. This will trigger a short video at the end of the ride personalizing their future vision. Unlike Spaceship Earth, they will see their choices displayed along with others in a multi-media presentation reflecting the diversity of our views about what we dream for in the future.
After completing the survey, a curtain will rise in front of guests revealing a stage with an audioanimatronic of Walt Disney. He stands in front of the original plans for the "Florida Project" and next to him is a model of his vision for Progress City. It looks very much like the picture at the top of this page. Mr. Disney offers a short presentation based on his 1966 vision for an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Although his vision was never fully realized, Epcot continues to inspire visitors about the future, and our pavilion is, in part, a salute to his role.
Here is the script for that presentation:
“Here in Florida, we have something special we never enjoyed at Disneyland... the blessing of size. There's enough land here to hold all the ideas and plans we can possibly imagine. To the youngsters of today, I say believe in the future, the world is getting better; there still is plenty of opportunity.
“By far the most important part of our Florida Project…in fact, the heart of everything we’ll be doing in Disney World…will be our Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow! We call it EPCOT.”
“It’s like the city of tomorrow ought to be. EPCOT will be an experimental prototype community of tomorrow that will take its cue from the new ideas and new technologies that are now emerging from the creative centers of American industry. It will be a community of tomorrow that will never be completed, but will always be introducing and testing and demonstrating new materials and systems. And EPCOT will always be a showcase to the world for the ingenuity and imagination of American free enterprise.”
“I don’t believe there’s a challenge anywhere in the world that’s more important to people everywhere than finding solutions to the problems of our cities. But where do we begin… how do we start answering this great challenge? Well, we’re convinced we must start answering the public need... building a special kind of new community that will always be in a state of becoming. It will never cease to be a living blueprint of the future.”
HORIZONS THEATER ROTATES TO REVEAL AN IMAX SCREEN. GUESTS SEE A THREE MINUTE FILM SHOWCASING CURRENT ADVANCEMENTS IN COMMUNITY PLANNING, DESIGN, MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY THAT HAVE THE POWER TO TRANSFORM THE FUTURE.
Narrator's voice: "You've shared a few of your aspirations for what the future might look like and heard Walt Disney's vision for his Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Whatever the future brings, we know that it will take what we've learned in the past and build on the achievements of the present. Our curiosity propels us to seek new and innovative ways of doing things, making our lives easier, healthier, and more productive. For example, DNA was first discovered in the 1860s, but its structure wasn't identified until 1953. Since then the work of the human genome project is producing practical information to help medical science."
"For example, scientists are experimenting with repairing human genes, a technique that could cure many medical problems. New surgical techniques with robotics are transforming surgery."
"While researchers are developing new ways to help people move their limbs, non-invasive testing techniques, and engineered replacements for human blood vessels. The advances made each day are encouraging for the longevity of human life."
"Along with advancements that may help prolong our lives, we see a future where the quality of our lives is equally important. Imagine human looking robots to help around the house. Greater emphasis on community design of parks and recreation facilities. And exploration of new and creative environments where we can live and work. It may sound far-fetched, but research is bringing these ideas to life today."
"With the world's population expected to be close to 10 billion by 2050, researchers are intensifying their search for ways to ensure sustainability, especially when it comes to energy. Rooftop solar tiles may be common place, cars and other transportation will run on hydrogen. We've even seen the prospect of cars driving themselves in a way that will minimize accidents."
"When we see what science and research is producing today, it's easy to envision a fantastic future."
"We invite you to join us on the next portion of Century 22 journey to see first hand what the future may hold for all of us."
GUESTS WILL LEAVE THE HORIZONS THEATER AND BOARD THEIR RIDE VEHICLES FOR A GLIMPSE AHEAD IN TIME>