The meaning of 'attraction'

Dark ride attractions have a long history and a wide existence. From the county fair haunted house to Pirates of the Caribbean, they somehow fascinate us at almost any age.

One dark ride in particular had a truly profound impact on its audience. Even now, almost 15 years after its retirement, there is no shortage of tribute websites and other online media dedicated to preserving the experience that was Horizons.

Readers can easily find plenty of material on the history and operation of Horizons. I wouldn't even attempt to do it justice in a few paragraphs of a blog article. Aside from that, sadly, I was never able to experience the attraction for myself. My first visit to Epcot was in 2005 and Mission: SPACE had already occupied that footprint for about five years by then.

However, I do want to point out one example of just how meaningful this attraction was and is to some of those who did experience it first-hand.

At Horizons Resurrected, designer Chris Wallace has shouldered the massive undertaking of recreating the attraction in interactive 3D. Though still in-progress, the latest simulation is worth the time and effort of downloading the free Unity browser plug-in and exploring what Chris has modeled so far (complete with in-ride audio!).

Knowing from personal experience just how much time must be invested in a 3D modeling and rendering project such as this, there is no way it would even be attempted unless there was a tremendous love for the subject matter.

This is the kind of creativity and drive a well-themed attraction can inspire in anyone who truly appreciates how it tells its story. To some it is "just a ride." But to others, it's the better part of a childhood, an anchor to which countless memories are tied, or better yet an experience that reaches into your soul and moves you to create something else on your own.

Think about that the next time you're at a theme park, or museum, or art gallery. Take a moment and really look at everything around you and try to understand your own unique experience of it.

You may be surprised at the level of meaning it has for you.

-DLA