The mood was one of anticipation, as swarms of cast members continued to set up for the evening’s festivities. As the sun began to set, the remaining VIPs for the launch were led from the main gate, towards Millennium Central, through columns of World Showcase cast members, waving flags and welcoming guests in their native tongues. Trays of champagne were available as an aperitif. Luckily, our early arrival into the party meant that we got a prime spot next to the ABC camera crews, right in front of the staging area. Gradually, the arena began to fill with guests, their media hosts and a vast array of WDW management. Once the sun had set and the sky was dark, the lights were dimmed and the ceremony was underway.

The ceremony opened with a brief history of man’s desire to travel beyond the stars from the earliest astronomers and astrologists to the creation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1958, (ironically on October 1, the same date as both Walt Disney World and EPCOT Center). Video images were projected onto two giant inflatable spheres that were tethered to the roof of the Mission:Space building. As the monologue, narrated so movingly by Walter Cronkite, was brought up to the present day with the inauguration of the attraction, a flurry of fireworks was set off behind the building and an astronaut was seen to fly across the night sky with the aid of a jetpack. As the lights were raised on the stage, Walt Disney Company CEO and Chairman, Michael D. Eisner walked to the podium, closely flanked by his equivalent number at HP, the ride’s presenter, Carly Fiorina.

Michael’s speech was largely a glowing commendation for the vast team of imagineers that had invested years of their working lives into the creation of this simulation to Mars. Rich in ironic hindsight, he also signalled to Roy E. Disney, vice chairman of the board until earlier this month, emphasising Walt’s love for space travel and the boundless imagination of those that seek to discover more about our universe.

Immediately following Michael, Carly began by stating how proud HP were to be the computing power behind not only Disney, but also NASA itself, and that they were equally enthusiastic to be associated with such a ground-breaking attraction. Ms Fiorina also pointed out that Stanford University classmates, Bill Hewlett & Dave Packard founded HP in a Palo Alto garage in 1939. Their first product was an audio oscillator, an electronic test instrument used by sound engineers. Ironically, one of their first customers was Walt Disney, who purchased the oscillators to develop and test an innovative sound system for the movie, Fantasia.