Bring back Figment!!!!!

[syko]

The chance to meet Figment is no more. :sad1:
Lets hope the ride is not the next to go.!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cheshire Figment]

Bring back Dreamfinder and the right-sized Figment. Let Figzilla lie in peace.

[Tinkangel]

WHAT?!!!!!!!!:faint: I love Figment! Loved the first version of the ride better. I enjoyed having my pic taken with him, but have to agree...need a smaller version.

[dolphingirl47]

I think the ride is safe as is Figment as part of the ride. This refers to the Figment meet and greet that was in a small building roughly opposite to the exit to the ride. It was a bit hidden and I only spotted it on my last visit to Epcot in November when I decided to do the ride one last time before having to go over to the DVC Sales Center to sign our contract. I promised myself that this would be the first stop on our next Disney vacation only to find out at the beginning of the year that this has been closed. I would have so loved a photo with Figment.

dolphingirl47

[MrsJackSparrow]

That ride already WENT, a long time ago! :sad2:

[Golf4food]

That ride already WENT, a long time ago! :sad2:

Amen. Like the difference between a hall of fame band a very bad cover group... :sad2:

[dolphingirl47]

I have experienced all three incarnations and am a die hard fan of the original. The second version was just a waste of space and I only did this once. The current version is OK as it has Figment and I do not think Disney would dare to remove Figment again, but I agree it does not even come close to the original.

dolphingirl47

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Bring back Dreamfinder and the right-sized Figment. Let Figzilla lie in peace.

:lmao: I'm here at work reading posts in between phone calls and when I read "Figzilla" I nearly laughed out loud in the person's ear! That is great! :rotfl2: All I can picture now is Figzilla walking through the streets of NYC! LOL!!!

[PoohsFan1]

I think the ride is safe as is Figment as part of the ride. This refers to the Figment meet and greet that was in a small building roughly opposite to the exit to the ride. It was a bit hidden and I only spotted it on my last visit to Epcot in November when I decided to do the ride one last time before having to go over to the DVC Sales Center to sign our contract. I promised myself that this would be the first stop on our next Disney vacation only to find out at the beginning of the year that this has been closed. I would have so loved a photo with Figment.

dolphingirl47

We almost missed this ourselves last June. We just got off the ride and my DH spotted the meet and greet and told me to hurry up and get the autograph books because Figment is my youngest DD's favorite characters (besides Minnie and Aeriel). When we went in, it was deserted. There were no other guests wanting to get pics and autographs of Figment, so we took this advantage and got to spend some quality time with the big "Figzilla" :rotfl: . At first my DDs were a little skeptical because they don't like the large characters, but Figment did an awesome job having them warm up to him, so much that my DDs gave him a kiss on the nose when we were leaving, it was priceless.

[minny94]

I cant believe that they took Figment away. Ive only seen him two times because I never really noticed that he had a place to sign autographs because its hidden by Honey I Shrunk the Audience. I wish that theyd bring him back. My moms friend told her that they took him away before and people kept writing to Eisener everyday till they brought him back. I think thats what Im going to do . BRING FIGMENT BACK!!!

:sad: :sad: :sad:
:figment: :figment: :figment: :figment:

[daber]

Bring back Dreamfinder and the right-sized Figment. Let Figzilla lie in peace.

While I agree Cheshire Figment, the problem is most people in the park today don't know Dreamfinder!

And as for Figzilla, I was told that the problem was finding a CM who could wear it.

[mitros]

I have experienced all three incarnations and am a die hard fan of the original. The second version was just a waste of space and I only did this once. The current version is OK as it has Figment and I do not think Disney would dare to remove Figment again, but I agree it does not even come close to the original.

dolphingirl47

Exactly! :thumbsup2

[Cheshire Figment]

Following is the script of a question asked of Michael Eisner at the 2005 Disney Shareholder's Meeting

My name is Michael Tuchman, from Orlando Florida, home of Figment. I have been a shareholder for over 15 years.

Michael:

Ten years ago at the shareholders’ meeting I asked you about the exclusive Epcot character Figment and, why, in spite of his popularity, little was done to promote him and his co-star character Dreamfinder. Your response then was that you were looking for a good vehicle for him.

Five years ago at the shareholders’ meeting in Chicago, you were asked again about Figment who had then been ‘discontinued’ as a Disney character. At that time you announced that “Figment has gone to Figment Heaven”.

Now, five years later, it’s time once again to review the state of Disney’s Figment character.

Thanks to popular demand there has been a resurrection: Figment is not only back at Epcot in the Journey Into Imagination ride; there also is another Epcot attraction featuring Figment that just opened, a meet and greet photo location named “Figment’s Place”.

Unfortunately for the newer attraction, Disney Entertainment has come up with a walk-around Figment which towers over guests at 6 feet 9 inches tall, all because they wanted a “huggable” Figment character. The result was a big freaky Figment, blown up entirely out of proportion, much like the one that you ordered shelved back in the 1980s. On the Internet, it has been nicknamed “Figzilla”!

It’s not that people don’t like “huggable” characters; in fact, I’d personally love a “huggable” Jessica Rabbit. (Anyway...)

As for Figment and Dreamfinder, they always belonged together; they were created to play off of each other. Figment was always intended to be tiny, an extension of Dreamfinder, not a stand alone, overblown, ‘Barney dinosaur wannabe’.

A face character Dreamfinder, relating with and performing for guests with a cute baby-like Figment puppet, evolved into a magical relationship, and created a significant following. In their role as ambassadors of Epcot, these two characters became an important part of the theme park experience; cultivating repeat visits for many guests. There are even press accounts of people who credit those two characters with saving and improving the quality of their loved one’s lives.

Recently both characters came out on an expensive, collectible pin. People lined up for hours, and the pin sold out on the spot! It’s painfully obvious that the fans miss the Dreamfinder. Figment misses the Dreamfinder. The Dreamfinder misses Figment and the Epcot guests. All involved would benefit greatly by their return. Since your affection for Figment is on the record, and because we know that you authorized the return of Figment from “Figment Heaven” to Epcot, we turn to you once again for your help.

Thank you for returning our friend Figment, and even though you may have other things on your mind right now; please, as one Michael to another...

It’s time to bring Dreamfinder back home.

How about it?
And his reponse (transcript)
Well… This is an excellent, excellent question, one of the best questions of the year.
This is proof positive of the lack of real power of a CEO in American corporations. It also is proof positive that I’m not the micromanager that I’m depicted to be.
Because I agree with you; but I’m the only one who agrees with you.
I have not been able to elicit the passion you expressed in our animation department, in our live-action department, and in Mr. Iger to my left.
However, we’ll keep trying; we’ll keep suggesting.
And maybe I’ll take you to the next meeting that I go to on Figment down in Florida.

[aurora23]

I miss figment...the "original" figment. Please bring him back!

[addicted2dizney]

I miss figment...the "original" figment. Please bring him back!

Here is a youtube with clips of the original ride. Each time I go on this I remember what "used" to be in that particular part of the ride! Oh how I miss it! I remember reading somewhere that most of the original set was sold off so there was no way to bring it back. :sad2:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI2VcQRMOM0

[King Triton]

We need Figment with DreamFinder back together. They should have left the first Imagination ride alone. Why mess with perfection? :confused3

I sure do miss that song, don't you? :guilty:

The first ride was perfect, the second version was horrible (it was sooo bad), the third version was better than the second but no where near as good as the first ride. They should have left the original ride alone. What were they thinking??

[owensamo]

We need Figment with DreamFinder back together. They should have left the first Imagination ride alone. Why mess with perfection? :confused3

I sure do miss that song, don't you? :guilty:

The first ride was perfect, the second version was horrible (it was sooo bad), the third version was better than the second but no where near as good as the first ride. They should have left the original ride alone. What were they thinking??

From what I've read, they were thinking that in the sponsorship contract with Kodak, there was a provision that they would update the ride in 10 years, and Kodak was pushing them to do it. I think both Disney and Kodak learned their lesson! :lmao: Don't change something that isn't broken, just because it's scheduled to be changed!

Amanda

[tomerin]

one of greatest memories of all of my WDW trips was recently when i stumbled onto figments place. i was sitting there alone while waiting for my family to get ot of HISTK. while i was there i wandered over to where figment was and i was told by a cm that if i was interested in taking pics with figment that he was in the back. so i waited until they finished and told me wife that we should go in here for a bit. when she saw figment/ figzilla there she just was so happy, figment is her second fav after Eyore, to see him. she had a smile from ear to ear while taking pics and the cm playing figment was just great. while we were leaving he came outside a bit and did a little shuffle dance that soon had a crowd gathering and enjoying his little show.

figment is a part of Epcot that we look foward to seeing. even though we are aware that the current JITYI pales in comparison to the original, it is a must do for us anyway. though i would love to have the oroginal return though. i saw the video and it was an awesome show.


hey BOB!!!!! lets get going here with figment!!!

[King Triton]

I sure do miss the old Epcot with the original Imagination ride with figment and dreamfinder, Horizons and World of Motion. Epcot has lost a lot of it's charm and magic. Those Disney suits didn't know what they were doing. very sad. :sad2: :sad2: :sad2:

[mitros]

I sure do miss the old Epcot with the original Imagination ride with figment and dreamfinder, Horizons and World of Motion. Epcot has lost a lot of it's charm and magic. Those Disney suits didn't know what they were doing. very sad. :sad2: :sad2: :sad2:

You said a mouthful!:thumbsup2

[amblackmon]

The first ride was perfect, the second version was horrible (it was sooo bad), the third version was better than the second but no where near as good as the first ride. They should have left the original ride alone. What were they thinking??

I soooo agree with you! I loved the first figment ride - it was my absolute favorite at EPCOT. I remember buying a mug for my dad that was shaped as a figment head. I wish they would bring those back! I want my figment!! LOL!!!:hyper:

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

This refers to the Figment meet and greet that was in a small building roughly opposite to the exit to the ride.

OH NOOOOOOO! I see my bragging rights disappearing!!! I have the same floor thats in the Figment Meet n Greet. Check it out!

Figment at Disney World... (look at the floor)
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h293/chileheadplumber/DISNEY%20KITCHEN/P9300167.jpg

MY floor in my kitchen...

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h293/chileheadplumber/DISNEY%20KITCHEN/771887cc.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h293/chileheadplumber/DISNEY%20KITCHEN/71c830a8.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h293/chileheadplumber/DISNEY%20KITCHEN/P5250088.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h293/chileheadplumber/DISNEY%20KITCHEN/cd20f5cc.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h293/chileheadplumber/DISNEY%20KITCHEN/P5280025.jpg

But seriously... the room IS all about that beautiful Amtico Grape Glitter floor. Amtico dropped Grape Glitter about a year ago. (We were planning to do a bath in a fiber-optic sci-fi theme, and wanted more Grape Glitter flooring.) Then about 3 months later they (Amtico) decided to renounce their decision, so Grape Glitter lives on!!!!!:cool1:
If Disney called during that time, they might not would have been able to get the same flooring, and trust me... no other flooring can touch it. Its THAT beautiful when its new. That being said, I noticed on our last trip that the flooring in the Meet-n-Greet was in very poor condition. it was dull and shineless, and the rainbow effect was really in need of refurbishment. The average person wouldn't have noticed it, but we have 2 year old flooring, and obviously ours gets a LOT less traffic.
Just my 2 cents about the flooring. I spend almost 20 days a year in Epcot and I didn't know about the Meet - in - greet room till 2 trips back. I was like... MY FLOOR!!!! My Disney floor is ACTUALLY IN DISNEY!!!!!! My wife was like ... Cool! Now calm down!!!! Because when we bought this flooring (FOR our Disney themed kitchen) we bought it to match the purple countertops, we had no idea it was the same flooring in Epcot. :hyper

Edited by tech support. Oversized photos removed and changed to links. Per posting guidelines, photos are not to exceed 600 pixels in width.

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

By the way, a few of those pics are old. We've taken down the ugly black thing on the ceiling and replaced it with big words and such, and we added lots of touches to the Pooh door like a bell with a RNIG ALSO sign, and "Mr Saunders" across the top. Its still a work in progress. I know...:offtopic:

[addicted2dizney]

Wow! That is amazing! I would love to see more pictures of the updates! :)

[chicagoshannon]

I really miss the old ride. That and Horizon's were my favorites. I need to go to my parents house and dig up our old photo's and videos!

[addicted2dizney]

I really miss the old ride. That and Horizon's were my favorites. I need to go to my parents house and dig up our old photo's and videos!

You can acutally go on youtube and pull up videos of those old rides! It really brings back memories! :)

[mecllap]

OMG --not again! We love Figment, and were even okay with the giant version -- the character did a good job interacting. I am dismayed to read that Figgy has disappeared again. We had gotten used to not having Dreamfinder -- but will never get used to not having Figment. Major bummer:( :sad: :sad:

[gymnastgirlflips]

Awe I love Figment :( I would never want him to leave! I love making it to Epcot in the morning and just hearing Figment's song One Little Spark brightens up my day. I do agree he is too big though now a days lol.

[kesharn81]

nice work..

thanks...

:cloud9: :sick:

[King Triton]

The first Imagination ride with figment and dreamfinder was perfect. That was the best. :thumbsup2 Then they changed it. It was horrible. Why Disney did that I have no idea. :confused3 Then Disney changed it again due to all of the complaints (duh!). :rolleyes2 This current ride is better than the second one but no where near as cool as the first Imagination ride.

If only we had the original Horizons, World of Motion and the first Imagination ride with figment. I sure do miss those days. :sad:

[addicted2dizney]

The first Imagination ride with figment and dreamfinder was perfect. That was the best. :thumbsup2 Then they changed it. It was horrible. Why Disney did that I have no idea. :confused3 Then Disney changed it again due to all of the complaints (duh!). :rolleyes2 This current ride is better than the second one but no where near as cool as the first Imagination ride.

If only we had the original Horizons, World of Motion and the first Imagination ride with figment. I sure do miss those days. :sad:



Amen. I miss them too! :sad1:

[Macca1111]

And his reponse (transcript)
Well… This is an excellent, excellent question, one of the best questions of the year.
This is proof positive of the lack of real power of a CEO in American corporations. It also is proof positive that I’m not the micromanager that I’m depicted to be.
Because I agree with you; but I’m the only one who agrees with you.
I have not been able to elicit the passion you expressed in our animation department, in our live-action department, and in Mr. Iger to my left.
However, we’ll keep trying; we’ll keep suggesting.
And maybe I’ll take you to the next meeting that I go to on Figment down in Florida.
Wow, that's some cojones to bald-face lie like that.
OH NOOOOOOO! I see my bragging rights disappearing!!! I have the same floor thats in the Figment Meet n Greet. Check it out!

I can't believe that's your kitchen! How cool.

[mecllap]

We love Figment -- so much that we took him on vacation to Grand Cayman. Hope it cheered him up some, from being neglected yet again at Epcot (I hope he's back seasonally when we go in June). Here's my DD's photo record (part of it) of his vacation (partly inspired by SSRMonkey, who does very cute trip reports on the DVC board).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2052978

[Figment_Fan]

I'm sorry to hear that the Figment, or Figzilla, is not around. I liked him big or small. At least the big one could sign autographs. Even in the original show, he changed sizes. Miss that, still need to hear the spark of imagination song every once in a while to lift my spirits.

Maybe with the next generation of roaming robots/animatronics, they could create the next Figment.

Who knows, he is imagination, which can lead to all kinds of results.

[edk35]

The first Imagination ride with figment and dreamfinder was perfect. That was the best. :thumbsup2 Then they changed it. It was horrible. Why Disney did that I have no idea. :confused3 Then Disney changed it again due to all of the complaints (duh!). :rolleyes2 This current ride is better than the second one but no where near as cool as the first Imagination ride.

If only we had the original Horizons, World of Motion and the first Imagination ride with figment. I sure do miss those days. :sad:


:thumbsup2 I agree too. We loved the original. I talked to a CM a few years ago...and he worked at the register by the door. He was an older gentleman and had been working at EC a long time. He told us that all of the figment stuff was in storage. They never got rid of it. So maybe that was true and maybe one day....they can bring it back in some capacity....with some updates too. We still ride Imagination every trip...depsite it being what it is.

[amblackmon]

:thumbsup2 I agree too. We loved the original. I talked to a CM a few years ago...and he worked at the register by the door. He was an older gentleman and had been working at EC a long time. He told us that all of the figment stuff was in storage. They never got rid of it. So maybe that was true and maybe one day....they can bring it back in some capacity....with some updates too. We still ride Imagination every trip...depsite it being what it is.


All it takes is a little faith, trust and pixie dust...pixiedust:

[edk35]

All it takes is a little faith, trust and pixie dust...pixiedust:

I know!!! Hey I am from Dothan Alabama!!!

[mitros]

:thumbsup2 I agree too. We loved the original. I talked to a CM a few years ago...and he worked at the register by the door. He was an older gentleman and had been working at EC a long time. He told us that all of the figment stuff was in storage. They never got rid of it. So maybe that was true and maybe one day....they can bring it back in some capacity....with some updates too. We still ride Imagination every trip...depsite it being what it is.

What sort of Figment stuff was he refering to? They still have Figment stuff for sale there, stuffed animals, balls, figures, etc.

[edk35]

What sort of Figment stuff was he refering to? They still have Figment stuff for sale there, stuffed animals, balls, figures, etc.


Oh the old figment ride...... all of it and the 2nd one....are stored. They never got rid of them. He said that people are always hoping they bring back the first one...the original.

[mitros]

Oh the old figment ride...... all of it and the 2nd one....are stored. They never got rid of them. He said that people are always hoping they bring back the first one...the original.

He actually told you that they had all of the components for the original Figment ride in storage? I thought they canibalized the whole thing and used parts for other things. Wondering if anyone can confirm this one way or another?:confused3

[edk35]

He actually told you that they had all of the components for the original Figment ride in storage? I thought they canibalized the whole thing and used parts for other things. Wondering if anyone can confirm this one way or another?:confused3

This was a few years ago that he told my family and I that. He said that the original and the 2nd one were in storage and I am pretty sure everything was stored. I mean...take what a CM says with a grain of salt I guess..but that is what he told us. :confused3

[Cheshire Figment]

I do know for certain they did not take out the turntable or any of the track. They covered over the turntable and built above that. Similarly, they covered over the track not used.

I Have seen the original plans, as well as the current layout.

[amblackmon]

I know!!! Hey I am from Dothan Alabama!!!


Hello! I live in Huntsville, Alabama! You are much closer to Disney than I am!:sad:

[edk35]

Hello! I live in Huntsville, Alabama! You are much closer to Disney than I am!:sad:

Well I am from Dothan but I live in MD...so I am NOT CLOSE. :sad1:

[shoes99]

Here's our picture...Its old but its fun to look at.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/Shoes99/figment.jpg

[addicted2dizney]

From what I remember learning years ago they dismantled the ride and sold off parts of the set the rest were used elsewhere for other things. The track itself is still the same track that is used. I still get so sad when you get to the room where the track sort of does the "S" shape and dips down. that was the room that was sort of like a lucite clear and white flower room with rainbow lights. It was so beautiful. I always think of it when we get to that part of the track.

[mitros]

From what I remember learning years ago they dismantled the ride and sold off parts of the set the rest were used elsewhere for other things. The track itself is still the same track that is used. I still get so sad when you get to the room where the track sort of does the "S" shape and dips down. that was the room that was sort of like a lucite clear and white flower room with rainbow lights. It was so beautiful. I always think of it when we get to that part of the track.

Oh man, the BEST room on the ride. And that music was so "ethereal" :thumbsup2

[Carrie and Ben]

I am very sad to hear that figment might be gone, i am planning to go to WDW for my honeymoon in September.

Figment has many many special memories for me. my grandfather was one of the imagineniers for epcot and figment, he would be very disappointed to hear that. Even though he died when i was very young, i never got to meet him, but i hear lots and lots of epcot and figment stories.......:sad1: :sad2: :sad2:

[Friend of Figment]

I do not think Disney will get rid of Figment. At this point they learned from their mistake and realize the remodel of Journey into Imagintation was a multi million dollar blunder. The Figment character is well known and adored by millions and Disney would not get rid of a cash cow. However due to the economy and Disney's budget cuts, I am sure the 6ft Figment has been put into storage to save money. Hopefully when the economy picks up and tourism rebounds, Figment (and other extras) will be back again. I too wish they would bring back the origional version, but only time will tell!

[dezzydiz]

Figment was in the courtyard outside the exit last february when we went and my kids loved him, just like I did in the eighties. We still love this ride, too. I'll be sad if he's nowhere to be seen in March. I echo " Bring back Dreamfinder.