Dreamfinder to return???

[Sarangel]

Screamscape.com posted the following:

(3/21/06) I’m not sure how much credit to put behind this rumor, but our source seems to think that Dreamfinder may return to the Imagination ride in a scene or two as part of a minor upgrade to Imagination for Epcot’s 25th anniversary. Anyone know more?

So that's at least one person who thinks this will happen...

Sarangel

 

[TChris]

I think that would be a great addition to tthe ride. Our family was at WDW last summer and were dissapointed in the imagination ride. Figment was good but Dream Finder was missing.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

That would be great! I liked the ride better before.

 

[MJMcBride]

I hear there is no chance for this.

 

[wdwfreak]

So how many times is this attraction going to receive some kind of "minor upgrade" or complete overhaul?? By my count, it's been 3 since 1998. In an effort to update the ride, it seems that Disney has been tinkering with it for going on 8 years now ... and nothing they can do with it seems to please the general public or anyone on these boards. I don't have any official numbers, but everytime we've been on it, we're the only ones, so I imagine it's not super popular. I say either restore the original version or put in something new.

 

[Another Voice]

So how many times is this attraction going to receive some kind of "minor upgrade" or complete overhaul??

The real driving force behind this is Kodak. They are spending "in the tens of millions of dollars" every year to re-sponsor the pavilion - and they're not exactly in the best of financial shape these days. So "imgine" their displeasure when the "upgraded" attraction they just spent all that money on turned out to be a complete dud.

Originally, the deal was a huge moneymaker for Kodak. At the time EPCOT Center opened, roughly 6% of all non-professional photographs were taken inside a Disney theme park. The most photographed object on Earth was the Magic Kingdom's Castle. In exchange for sponsoring the pavilion, Kodak was the only brand of film sold at Disney.

But just like everything else at Epcot, the future caught up with everyone. With the surge in digital photography, Disney isn't selling as much film today. There have been some attempts at finding other revenue sources (like those hateful photographers at the enterances of the parks these days), but it's not enough to make up for it.

So the only value Kodak receives is the advertising the pavilion offers. But if no one goes on the ride...no one sees the ad.

 

[dbm20th]

I hear there is no chance for this.

I thought that too, but this 25th update is gaining steam. Could be a very small addition.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I thought that too, but this 25th update is gaining steam. Could be a very small addition.

Thats what is says...

Dreamfinder may return to the Imagination ride in a scene or two as part of a minor upgrade

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Screamscape.com posted the following: So that's at least one person who thinks this will happen...
Sarangel

I hope Ron still fits in the costume!

 

[TChris]

Why did they remove Dreamfinder in the first place? Journey to the Imagination used to be a very busy place. When we were there last July it was one of the few rides that there was no wait. TChris

 

[wdwfreak]

Why did they remove Dreamfinder in the first place? Journey to the Imagination used to be a very busy place. When we were there last July it was one of the few rides that there was no wait. TChris

The last time I was on the original Journey was in August of 1995 and the line was extremely long. Yes, it was August and, yes, it was mid-afternoon. However, we've been on the new incarnation(s) of the ride at least half a dozen times in the last 4-5 years (we have 3 kids) and have always walked on to the ride, most times as the only riders.

 

[ThurlFan]

Having never seent the original, I'd love to see it return. The current incarnation is wretched. And I'm an Eric Idle fan.

It's got a lot going for it...catchy tune, marketable plush character. Now if only it weren't so deadly DULL on the inside!

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

Having never seent the original, I'd love to see it return. The current incarnation is wretched. And I'm an Eric Idle fan.

It's got a lot going for it...catchy tune, marketable plush character. Now if only it weren't so deadly DULL on the inside!

This is true. I still remember the orginal from when I was 8 years old and Figment was instantly my favourite Disney character. I was very disappointed in later years when Dreamfinder was taken out. It really isnt as popular anymore... Plus Id rather see Dreamfinder with Figment in the park... Than a big huge walk-around Figment who is kept inside a room and doesnt even sign autograph books!!!! very disappointing. he wasnt entertaining at all.

 

[McJunkins]

Now if only they would open up the second level again at the end of the ride. I miss the imagination things like the multi-colored light tunnel. Currently its just a big shop to (you guessed it) sell junk and make money, when it should be about continuing your journey through imagination.

 

[manning]

The best part of the original ride was the opening act. Also the preview, making memories song.

 

[YoHo]

Makin Memories and Kitchen Kaberet (veggie fruit fruit) are my two favorite original Epcot songs and the fact that they're both gone has had no small part in my hatred of Eisner.

As far as Imagination goes, AV can perhaps back me up or shoot me down, but Figment is the first if not only character to be totally park generated that took off and it sold a lot of plush. The little guy from Alien encounter was kinda popular, I guess, but nothing like Figment.

I'm not sure what Disney was thinking on that one. It contradicts their sell more plush sales department.

 

[dbm20th]

The problem with Version 2 was not that Dreamfinder wasn't there. It was that it was "bad". Keep the song and the Purple whateverthatis and you won't disappoint folks. Version 3 is better, though they still wouldn't acually put the song's chorus back.

I'd like to see the Dreamfinder make a return, a curtain call if you will. He was kind of creepy looking and I like that!

 

[mitros]

The problem with Version 2 was not that Dreamfinder wasn't there. It was that it was "bad". Keep the song and the Purple whateverthatis and you won't disappoint folks. Version 3 is better, though they still wouldn't acually put the song's chorus back.

I'd like to see the Dreamfinder make a return, a curtain call if you will. He was kind of creepy looking and I like that!

I guess the last 20 seconds of the ride have what could pass as the chorus. Just take the Monty Python guy {Eric Idle?} out of the mix, and it's kind of like the original chorus......

 

[Tampa]

Bump..

Ahh.. remember the massive "needle" tables that prompted you to zone out on your hand for about ten minutes? Or your chance to be in your own imagination adventure with it being televised to passing guests? I tell ya, sometimes I used to ride just to get a wiff of the perfume smell in there!

The final act of the original displayed Figment, standing by himself on a huge movie reel, with screens completely surrounding the room, each showing figment on a different adventure! Now, his final act has been cloned by imposters, and you don't know which one is the real Figment!

Dreamfinder was the twisted dude who had one sole priority in the WDW orginization, and that was introducing us to Figment. With his apparent termination, his imagination left with him, and now all we see is a product.

 

[Tink's Tormentor]

Seems like this rumor has some merit behind it... Although nothing has been confirmed by Disney, a few people who "CLAIM" to be in the know has said a refurb of Imagination is planned.. and part of that refurb will include adding Dreamfinder back in the attraction as well as fixing the upstairs portion of the pavilion.. But, they stress NOTHING HAS BEEN GREENLIT YET... An announcement of the rehab should be announced at the opening of nemo.. providing this rehab does infact get the nod...