A Question About "Journey into Imagination with Figment"

[disney1023]

Ever since I read the book "One Little Spark", I thought of a question that bugs me. If Imagineers consider One Little Spark their them song, Figment the mascot of EPCOT, not to mention the millions they make of of his merchandise AND the fact that Disney sees a huge cult following for Dreamfinder, why do they do NOTHING to fix "Journey into Imagination with Figment," and keep the ride in disrepair? I've noticed many problems with the ride itself, like audio missing, dead plants, broken screens, broken fountains, and, heck, even the tiles are popping out of the floor in Imagworks, so why don't they fix it?

Just a question I have and i thought this would be a good place to post it.

 

[Klayfish]

I can't say I noticed all the disrepair you mention last time I was on the ride (July 2016). It's not a very popular ride, and hasn't been for many years (was it ever?). Yeah, Figment is their mascot, but the ride isn't all that exciting. I enjoy it, but it's nowhere near the top of the list. I have no idea why they haven't redone it, but I'd guess it has to do with allocating resources to other projects. I get the feeling Figment is pretty far down the list of "to do" at Epcot.

 

[Robo]

It's not a very popular ride, and hasn't been for many years (was it ever?).

In the CURRENT incarnation, it has never been popular.
(And, in fact, it has picked up ridership in past few years due to the unfortunate way they have implemented FP+.)

But ORIGINALLY (the first version of Journey Into Imagination) it was hugely popular.
One of the (if not THE) most popular attractions at EPCOT Center.

 

[Robo]

Figment is the ONE!

 

[Robo]

Figment is the ONE!

 

[Klayfish]

In the CURRENT incarnation, it has never been popular.
(And, in fact, it has picked up ridership in past few years due to the unfortunate way they have implemented FP+.)

But ORIGINALLY (the first version of Journey Into Imagination) it was hugely popular.
One of the (if not THE) most popular attractions at EPCOT Center.

Don't disagree with that at all. I took a long break between WDW trips...from roughly 1987 until 2003. I really don't remember the 1980's version of it all that well. But since I've started coming back, it has never been a very popular ride. Darn shame too. It's "cute" as it is, and I like riding it. But it could easily be oh so much more. Hopefully someday...

 

[clawmachine]

just rode it last week and did not notice anything in disrepair...

 

[Bullseye]

I thought it was scheduled to be be replaced? No?

 

[Robo]

I thought it was scheduled to be be replaced? No?

That was another rumor from a year or two ago.
It still might be, but no timing "announced."

 

[disney1023]

just rode it last week and did not notice anything in disrepair...

I'm not saying that ALL of these claims still there, I'm talking about the last few months that some of these claims have happened. Others have yet to be fixed.

 

[disney1023]

All of that was based on the EPCOT Center of the 1980's & 1990's.

MUCH has changed.

No, the book said it was still true, the book is still new-ish.

 

[Robo]

Figment is the ONE!

 

[disney1023]

If so, then I'd not put much faith in the editing of that book.

That WAS the idea.
That ship has sailed long ago.

While he USED to be, Figment has not been used as an Epcot "mascot" for a long, long time.

I don't mean to be rude, but look at the festivals, he's every where (especially festival of the arts)!!! event the buses used to play "One Little Spark" when you arrived! Figment is already set for another mascot run for Flower and garden!

 

[Robo]

I don't mean to be rude, but look at the festivals, he's every where (especially festival of the arts)!!! event the buses used to play "One Little Spark" when you arrived! Figment is already set for another mascot run for Flower and garden!

OK.
Figment is the ONE!

 

[Elsaalltheway]

I love figment. I really enjoy the ride. I don't know what it was to what it is now, but its the same thing I remember.

 

[Donald - my hero]

Hey @Robo any chance you like Figment

 

[Robo]

Hey @Robo any chance you like Figment

Figment is the ONE!

 

[kuzco-like]

Let me chime in by explaining what has me so disappointed in the current state of things, using JiI as a specific example. What Disney seems to do right now is work with successful IPs and jam them into the parks. Apparently nobody is inspired by the unknown. Just think about the fun, creative challenges the Imagineers faced when they were originally creating the parks. Creating an attraction based on Imagination should be something that inspires greatness from the Imagineers. Talk about "blue sky thinking". There literally are no limitations. But, of course, nothing happens unless the people in charge request it. So, JiI just sits there, full of possibilities and promise, succeeding only in disappointment (for many, but not all). I'm really puzzled, though, because as people upthread have pointed out...JiI has a fanbase, plus two sellable characters with big followings (perhaps not huge, such as a certain confused fish, some creepy cars, and a couple of royal sisters). People cosplay as DreamFinder! So I don't understand why Disney hasn't revisited JiI and revived it.

 

[OKW Lover]

so why don't they fix it?

Just a question I have and i thought this would be a good place to post it.

Good question. I'm guessing its a money issue. The attraction serves its purpose right now - at least there's something going on in that building - and money is being spent in huge amounts elsewhere in the parks. Maybe once all the new lands are done (a couple more years yet) Disney will try to fix Future World.

 

[loves to dive]

I'm with Robo - Figment is the ONE. I do miss the old ride with Dreamfinder, it made more sense but I'll take me some Figment any way I can get him.