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

[doconeill]

It's not even a particularly strong rumor - the whole thing seems to be based on "a Cast Member told me" (while others have countered that they have friend who work at JII who have heard nothing of the sort).

Here's the thing, JII is in desperate need of a refurb, but Disney is stuck paying long term for the sponsorship agreement they made with Kodak. Kodak is in bankruptcy, and the Dreamfinder and Figment IP is shared between Kodak and Disney. That IP is one of the few assets Kodak has that still generates a revenue stream (my understanding is that they have very few digital photography patents). So the bankruptcy court isn't going to allow Kodak to sell its share of that IP (unless it's at a serious premium). The bankruptcy court also isn't going to allow Kodak to invest more money into JII.

So Disney is stuck. About the only thing they could try and do is file an adversary action in the bankruptcy to try and force Kodak out at JII. But the bankruptcy court is not going to be particularly sympathetic to something that interrupts the flow of cash to pay off Kodak's creditors, so we're back where we started.

This is the first I heard of this. Kodak left as a sponsor a while ago. Disney would not pay Kodak for the sponsorship - it would be the other way around. The only possibility is if the agreement specified that Kodak got a portion of the merchandise revenue EVEN AFTER they dropped sponsorship, which is doubtful...such agreements generally cannot compel one company to continue paying the other in that manner, especially if it is not a profitable revenue source.

IF Kodak receives revenue in this manner, it should be a matter of record with the bankruptcy court. I do know how easy it would be to find (some searches turn up nothing other than speculation that Kodak is part owners, and others saying that's a myth). And even if that was the case, Disney certainly would be able to buy it out if they wanted to.

 

[Reddog1134]

It's being reported HERE too.

I like Phineas and Ferb but I'm not sure I'd want them to replace Figment. They've been working over crossovers with Marvel and Star Wars in the cartoon so maybe they will do a "crossover ride".

"Phineas and Ferb meet Dreamfinder and Figment"

 

[AJRitz]

This is the first I heard of this. Kodak left as a sponsor a while ago. Disney would not pay Kodak for the sponsorship - it would be the other way around. The only possibility is if the agreement specified that Kodak got a portion of the merchandise revenue EVEN AFTER they dropped sponsorship, which is doubtful...such agreements generally cannot compel one company to continue paying the other in that manner, especially if it is not a profitable revenue source.

IF Kodak receives revenue in this manner, it should be a matter of record with the bankruptcy court. I do know how easy it would be to find (some searches turn up nothing other than speculation that Kodak is part owners, and others saying that's a myth). And even if that was the case, Disney certainly would be able to buy it out if they wanted to.

You misunderstand. I believe it has been fairly well confirmed that Kodak owns part of the rights to the Figment and Dreamfinder characters. Even though Kodak is no longer the attraction sponsors, they still have an ownership interest in that intellectual property. One thing I should have considered but did not is that Disney might be able to just close the attraction as a way of crushing the value of Kodak's share in that IP, and make it cheaper/easier to buy it out.

It's being reported HERE too.

I like Phineas and Ferb but I'm not sure I'd want them to replace Figment. They've been working over crossovers with Marvel and Star Wars in the cartoon so maybe they will do a "crossover ride".

"Phineas and Ferb meet Dreamfinder and Figment"

That site doesn't even pretend to cite a source. I don't think they're relying on any new information - just reporting the same rumor that has cropped up elsewhere.

Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE to see the Imagination Pavilion get a complete re-do. And I think Phineas & Ferb would be a great vehicle to do it. Figment is cool, and it would be nice if he could be incorporated into a new attraction in some way. But I'd be fine with Imagination moving on from Figment as well.

 

[doconeill]

You misunderstand. I believe it has been fairly well confirmed that Kodak owns part of the rights to the Figment and Dreamfinder characters.

I welcome any information in this regard. I can't find it.

 

[ParrotBill]

This is the first I heard of this. Kodak left as a sponsor a while ago. Disney would not pay Kodak for the sponsorship - it would be the other way around. The only possibility is if the agreement specified that Kodak got a portion of the merchandise revenue EVEN AFTER they dropped sponsorship, which is doubtful...such agreements generally cannot compel one company to continue paying the other in that manner, especially if it is not a profitable revenue source.

IF Kodak receives revenue in this manner, it should be a matter of record with the bankruptcy court. I do know how easy it would be to find (some searches turn up nothing other than speculation that Kodak is part owners, and others saying that's a myth). And even if that was the case, Disney certainly would be able to buy it out if they wanted to.

You are correct on all counts. Kodak's relationship with Disney is over regarding Imagination and there is no money changing hands, and it happened before chapter 11 so nothing further on this.
(I am a Kodak authoritative source on this.)

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Thanks for starting this thread. I am very worried about Figment, after the death of Mr. Toad which I am still go on about! Hoping they go back to something with Dreamfinder and don't get rid of the adorable purple guy! I did read a response on-line earlier today where a person who worked in the Imagination Pavilion store (so they indicated) seemed to know nothing about the rumor that CM's were notified. We aren't going again until February and already miss him, if it is true...

Please oh please oh PLEASE bring back Dreamfinder! Captain EO can go the way of the doodoo for all I care, but please fix up Imagination and bring back Dreamfinder. Not too big on the Phinneas adn Ferb concept, either. I tend to not buy it since they already have such a large presence in World Showcase right now. I can't see them getting a pavilion in Future World, as well.

In any case, please do change Imagination back to what it once was. It's nothing personal with Professor Channing, but he is no Dreamfinder. I so desperately hope it will go back to what it once was. And, for the love of all that is made of cheese, please don't let it sit empty! Wonders of Life and The Odyssey still irritate me when I see those buildings just sitting there.

 

[DCTooTall]

How about a mashup of two concepts; Imagination and Sorcerer Mickey magic? It would give them some place to stick that BAH.

OH GOD!! QUIET!! Don't give them any ideas!!


(I'm suddenly picturing the BAH sitting on top of the bigger pyramid)

I welcome any information in this regard. I can't find it.

I'm personally finding it really hard to believe Kodak would have any ownership of the Dreamfinder/Figment IP. With the characters developmental legacy being able to be traced to the shelved Discovery Bay project at DLR with Professor Marvel, combined with the fact that based off anecdotal stories and urban legends the biggest input Kodak had into the characters themselves was "Don't make the Dragon Fuji Film Green", I find it hard to believe they'd have a strong enough claim that they were involved enough in the character creation to have IP rights.

I'd find it even harder to believe that Disney would give them IP rights for the character in the original sponsorship deal. [license, sure. IP rights, not likely]

 

[OKW Lover]

OH GOD!! QUIET!! Don't give them any ideas!!


(I'm suddenly picturing the BAH sitting on top of the bigger pyramid)

How about in place of the pyramid?

 

[Reddog1134]

You misunderstand. I believe it has been fairly well confirmed that Kodak owns part of the rights to the Figment and Dreamfinder characters.

I thought the same thing about the Orange Bird and the Florida Citrus Commission. I was very pleased to be wrong.

That site doesn't even pretend to cite a source.

I just want to give a for using the correct form of site/cite twice in the same sentence.

 

[DCTooTall]

How about in place of the pyramid?

BLASPHEMER!!


(as you can tell from my avatar/tattoo, this Pavilion has a special meaning for me...)

 

[DizCaptain]

I'd just like the ride updated with a downgrade to the older version with both Dreamfinder and Figment. Of course, they should update all the tech and scenes to keep it fresh.

Phineas and Ferb would be perfect as a replacement 3D show for EO, I'd actually really like that.

It'd also be nice if they'd do something new with the post ride area as well as the upstairs area. It's wasted space upstairs, and that space is too cool to waste.

 

[pigletto]

I'd just like the ride updated with a downgrade to the older version with both Dreamfinder and Figment. Of course, they should update all the tech and scenes to keep it fresh.

Phineas and Ferb would be perfect as a replacement 3D show for EO, I'd actually really like that.

It'd also be nice if they'd do something new with the post ride area as well as the upstairs area. It's wasted space upstairs, and that space is too cool to waste.

Couldn't agree more. Put P&F in the movie, revert to the former glory of Dreamfinder and Figment and open up the upstairs again!!!
It seems like such a logical conclusion to me, but hey.. I'm biased. My hands down favorite childhood Disney memory is from the Imagination Pavilion.
I am on the edge of my seat for more news about this one. Bring back the rainbow tunnel!!

 

[shanlovesdisney]

Actually, the upstairs area is currently used to hold college classes for some of the college program students. I would doubt that they would reopen upstairs for the public, but who knows?

 

[rteetz]

I'd just like the ride updated with a downgrade to the older version with both Dreamfinder and Figment. Of course, they should update all the tech and scenes to keep it fresh.

Phineas and Ferb would be perfect as a replacement 3D show for EO, I'd actually really like that.

It'd also be nice if they'd do something new with the post ride area as well as the upstairs area. It's wasted space upstairs, and that space is too cool to waste.

I really like this but will this happen probably not. I can definitely see phineas and ferb movie coming. I also would love to see the old figment and dream finder ride. I doubt they will open the upstairs back up but who knows.

 

[pigletto]

Actually, the upstairs area is currently used to hold college classes for some of the college program students. I would doubt that they would reopen upstairs for the public, but who knows?

I'm sure that wouldn't be any sort if factor into whether they used it or not. It's being used for that because it's not being used for anything else. Why wouldn't they open it back up? If they are going to do a large scale refurb there's no reason not to open it back up.

 

[Texas Barbie]

Closing Captain EO? Say it isn't so!

 

[shanlovesdisney]

I'm sure that wouldn't be any sort if factor into whether they used it or not. It's being used for that because it's not being used for anything else. Why wouldn't they open it back up? If they are going to do a large scale refurb there's no reason not to open it back up.

I don't know, but I was just posting the information that I knew about the area. Disney could do anything with it at this point. No one knows.

 

[anthony2k7]

Following on from what I posted a couple of days ago about this might just be a cost saving thing, screamscape have also posted that their inside sources say the plan is to close it - and thats it, no other plans other than to just close it currently.

http://www.screamscape.com/html/wdw_-_epcot.htm#General

 

[Reddog1134]

Following on from what I posted a couple of days ago about this might just be a cost saving thing, screamscape have also posted that their inside sources say the plan is to close it - and thats it, no other plans other than to just close it currently.

http://www.screamscape.com/html/wdw_-_epcot.htm#General

I think most people would agree, closing it with no current plan would be a huge mistake. They already closed the Wonders of Life pavilion (except for hosting special events) and most of Future World is already the butt of many jokes. Removing more attractions (even if they are not E-tickets) would just anger and disappoint the fan base.

 

[pigletto]

I think most people would agree, closing it with no current plan would be a huge mistake. They already closed the Wonders of Life pavilion (except for hosting special events) and most of Future World is already the butt of many jokes. Removing more attractions (even if they are not E-tickets) would just anger and disappoint the fan base.

So there is no reported plan as of now, but I doubt that means there isn't one in the works. I agree it would be a HUGE mistake to take even more away from Future World. It needs more, not less.