"Journey Into Imagination Starring Figment" to close 1/2/14 for year-long renovation?

[mcd2745]

Isn't a year a little long for that?

Yes. Yes it is.

 

[skier_pete]

Isn't a year a little long for that?

A year is probably long enough to re-do a ride if they leave the track layout the same.

For history I looked up the "Superstar Limo" conversion to "Monster's Inc." in DLR/DCA. It looks like that started in March 2005, and opened in December 2005, so that was 9 months. More closer to home is the recent Test Track re-do, which was changed very much, took about 6 months. Also the Space Mountain re-do was about 9 months, though again no track changes.

More than likely if anything they would be leaving the track the same, but if the "about a year" rumor is true, they could easily do a pretty extensive ride overhaul.

 

[diamondpixienc]

I've heard several rumors of a phineas and ferb themed area or even phineas and ferb getting put into figment. I don't want figment touched its classic i think it needs to stay close to the same. Captain EO I can see going I'm fine with that. But when figment comes into the question and rumors are flying about what's going to happen to figment I'm not happy with that.

Ditto...;0)

 

[princesserinrose]

Wouldn't be too bad IMO... The only reason we ever visited figment was during downpours... And it would make room for something considerably better (isn't hard to beat a squealing purple dragon, really)

 

[lugnut33]

I've rode Figment a bunch of times and will not be disappointed if it goes away.

 

[JetsetJAK]

R.A. Pedersen who does the Epcyclopedia site did an interview about the Imagination pavilion and its possible refurb. It's an interesting read!

"Is EPCOT's Imagination Pavilion Leaving? EPCOT Expert R.A. Pedersen Reveals A Ton of Info In New Interview"

 

[doconeill]

R.A. Pedersen who does the Epcyclopedia site did an interview about the Imagination pavilion and its possible refurb. It's an interesting read!

"Is EPCOT's Imagination Pavilion Leaving? EPCOT Expert R.A. Pedersen Reveals A Ton of Info In New Interview"

Interesting...but one thing stood out to me...the bit about the Phineas & Ferb concept art.

I don't recall Imagination ever being considered as a starting point for the Agent P adventure. It took over what was already there from the Kim Possible Adventure - nothing at all changed other than the theme.

But when they were planning the Kim Possible Adventure, the Imagination pavilion WAS involved. In fact, the testing started there.

I wonder if he has his history confused. It is POSSIBLE they may have thought of making it a new starting point, but I never heard of it.

 

[PTSMickey]

Dreamfinder and Figment were a big happy part of Epcot for me. The new Imagination ride is, IMHO, a poor step-child of the original. As for Pherbius and Finn? Who are they anyway and why would WDW want them for an entire ride sequence? My grandchildren (ages 6,8, and 9) watched it for a while, but it got old for them quickly and they moved on to other things.

 

[doconeill]

Dreamfinder and Figment were a big happy part of Epcot for me. The new Imagination ride is, IMHO, a poor step-child of the original. As for Pherbius and Finn? Who are they anyway and why would WDW want them for an entire ride sequence? My grandchildren (ages 6,8, and 9) watched it for a while, but it got old for them quickly and they moved on to other things.

"Mom, Phineas and Ferb are making a ride sequence!"

It seems that you DO know who they are at least...

As for why, your grandchildren may have grown bored of them, but many others haven't...it's been one of the most popular Disney cartoons in recent history, such that it hasn't fallen to the typical Disney "show can't last too long" axe. And Disney has long been trying to make Epcot appeal more to younger kids.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Rebuilding Imagination is great....but if they want to make the whole of Epcot appeal more to families with younger kids, they should open World Showcase at the same time as the rest of the park. With characters and some shows. That way families with young children can tour it during the morning hours, maybe even do their Agent P and Kidcot stuff in the mornings before the kids start melting down in the Florida heat in the afternoon.

 

[skier_pete]

R.A. Pedersen who does the Epcyclopedia site did an interview about the Imagination pavilion and its possible refurb. It's an interesting read!

"Is EPCOT's Imagination Pavilion Leaving? EPCOT Expert R.A. Pedersen Reveals A Ton of Info In New Interview"

Intersting article in that it sort of debunks the Phineas and Ferb rumor. However, it really only indicates that the pavillion is going to close and not what's going to take it's place.

I've been saying for awhile that Disney should be going to Apple to sponsor this pavillion. They are already in league with eachother on a bunch of stuff and Apple certainly has the cash handy.

 

[Madamx]

Well, I just finished watching a video on YouTube from the 2013 D23 and not only did they have Dreamfinder and Figment present at the Legends award ceremony but they also played a compilation video from the original Journey into Imagination attraction.

Sounds very promising!

 

[skier_pete]

Well, I just finished watching a video on YouTube from the 2013 D23 and not only did they have Dreamfinder and Figment present at the Legends award ceremony but they also played a compilation video from the original Journey into Imagination attraction.

Sounds very promising!

After Iger made THIS comment, I'm pretty convinced that Figment is safe:

During The Disney Legends Awards program on Saturday at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif., Bob Iger addressed recent rumors that Figment could be disappearing from Epcot.

“I don’t think Figment is going anywhere, anytime soon. I promise,” Iger said before he announced 2013 Disney Legend Tony Baxter as “the man known by fans for creating Figment and Dreamfinder.”

Iger said the company “learned the hard way” that people love Figment and Dreamfinder.

That should put to rest any concerns about Figment going away. There's no way the CEO says that, and six months later the ride closes and rips him out. Honestly I'm almost convinced from D23 that the rumor they're gonna bring back the old ride is true. (Almost - I still think it'll be a new ride

Several different links about it, but here's the one I quoted from:
http://thesocialmouse.com/2013/08/1...ent-is-going-anywhere-anytime-soon-i-promise/

 

[DisneyFan15]

Hey folks, I didn't see a thread here discussing this so figured I'd start one (sorry if there's already one that I missed).

Saw a post on The Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia Facebook page about the Imagination pavilion at Epcot closing on January 2nd, 2014. It says "The Captain EO show will not reopen, while the ride and retail location are rumored to remain closed for one year for renovations".

Anybody else hear anything about this, or have any idea what Disney might be planning?

I heard they may bring back the original ride!

 

[Lifeangel1]

A cm told us it was going to be rehabbed and figment was here to stay. I hope they bring back a version of the original with dream finder.

 

[cleverclovers]

Oh, PLEASE bring back the original! My daughter and I used to ride this over and over. Remember the orange/citrus smell as you first entered the building? Remember the camera taking you pic as you neared the end? Ever try to count how many Figments were in the ride?

 

[disneylove69]

An imagineer said that for now it will be the institution but Figment stays.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Intersting article in that it sort of debunks the Phineas and Ferb rumor. However, it really only indicates that the pavillion is going to close and not what's going to take it's place.

I've been saying for awhile that Disney should be going to Apple to sponsor this pavillion. They are already in league with eachother on a bunch of stuff and Apple certainly has the cash handy.

I like it from all angles.

I like the year schedule...let's get something done with urgency, no more 3 years roller coasters, dark rides, 5 year princess meet and greets, and 10 year alien encounters, Damn it! be "disney" again...come on!!

And apple and imagination would be a huge bump for both companies for what amounts to the change hidden below the cushions of their corporate sofas...

Apple is rolling in it...but their PR is starting to take major hits...like disney too, lesser competitors are starting to cut in and has the public "rooting for them".
Just this week they got slammed again for basically rolling out old, overpriced junk and trying to sugar coat it (the Onion's article after this weeks roll out was classic.."apple unveils babbling middle aged man with no new ideas")...
Apple...could use a high profile investment in WDW.

and as pointed out...since the pixar buyout these two spoon together at night anyway.