Journey into your imagination?

[NeverlandClub23]

Does anyone remember on the original ride when you got off into the "imagination" section and they had the section where you could be videotaped into a show? My two male cousins and my brother did this (it was free but it cost money if you wanted to buy the video I think). It was hilarious because they're in front of a "green screen" (I think it was actually blue) and being told how to react to something and they're all reacting differently and in different directions. It was hilarious!

Also, maybe I'm the only one, but did anyone used to watch "Vault Disney" (I think that's what it was called) on the Disney channel where they used to play Disney cartoons? At the beginning, before they start the cartoon, it looks like Mickey is on a ride (his hands are on the handrail) and he goes through the different rooms and doors before arriving at the cartoon? That ALWAYS reminded me of the original Journey into the Imagination! Ok, maybe it's just me.

 

[Robo]

Well, I guess I am one of the only ones who likes the ride...I think it's kind of cute and the song is catchy....

Well, yes... but that's the point we are making.

The song is FROM the original ride. (it was "dropped" along with Figment in the "first update" for a couple of years... BAD MOVE!)

The great little song (written by the Sherman Brothers of Mary Poppins, Small World, etc fame) was used in many versions and in differents WAYS in the first version of the ride.

In that forst show Figment was "formally introduced" by his "creator" Dreamfinder, and then Figment performed in many interesting ways back then.

Bottom line: If you like THIS show... you shoulda seen its DADDY!

 

[Robo]

Since we all liked the old one...why did they change it in the first place? I still have my Figment doll....and I loved that ride....so sad the new one isn't as good. I couldn't wait to take dd4 on it...and she wasn't too impressed!

We all HOPE that Disney learned a lesson from this.

(After all, they DID "re-do the re-do" into the one we see today.)

But you never know.

If I was Kodak, I'd want them to "put it back the way it was at first".

But, for all I know, Kodak was who REQUESTED the "update" in the first place.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

No it isn't the same. I don't like the new version at all, but my DD's 4 and 6 love it. I wish they could have experienced the original version of it. I am very nostalgic, i like the original rides, parades, etc. I still have my original figment stuffed animal. It s much different from the new version. I was also dissappointed to see they changed the preview show before "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. I loved the "Making Memories" song!

 

[Robo]

I was also dissappointed to see they changed the preview show before "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. I loved the "Making Memories" song!

Man, it hasn't been "Making Memories" for a LONG time.

I think that was the version they used when "Captain EO" was the 3D show in the theater!

The version of the pre-show for HISTA that I liked was the one previous to the (rather artificial and smarmy) pre-show they have now.

It was a beautiful version of "True Colors" (made famous first by Cindy Lauper, but she did not perform it at THIS show.)

Here is a LINK to download that beautiful "True Colors" from the pre-show.

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=E80F600221D0C625

 

[disneymama73]

I loved the "Making Memories" song!

ME TOO!!!!

 

[disneymama73]

Man, it hasn't been "Making Memories" for a LONG time.

I think that was the version they used when "Captain EO" was the 3D show in the theater!

The version of the pre-show for HISTA that I liked was the one previous to the (rather artificial and smarmy) pre-show they have now.

It was a beautiful version of "True Colors" (made famous first by Cindy Lauper, but she did not perform it at THIS show.)

Here is a LINK to download that beautiful "True Colors" from the pre-show.

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=E80F600221D0C625

Ohhhh, that one was nice, too. But I still loved "Making Memories" best.

 

[disneymama73]

Ok, now I can't get it out of my head.

Making memories.
Making memories.
Taking pictures is...
Making memories.

Taking little pieces of time...
Making 'em yours...
And making 'em mine.

Well, I think that's how it went. It's been a long time.

And LOOK what I found! It's on a DVD!

Sing Along Songs - Disneyland Fun (1989)

 

[Robo]

Ok, now I can't get it out of my head.

Making memories.
Making memories.
Taking pictures is...
Making memories.

Taking little pieces of time...
Making 'em yours...
And making 'em mine.

Sherman Brothers, again.

They WERE "Disney Music" for years!

Can anyone sing, "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, Shining at the end of every day..."?

 

[disneymama73]

Sherman Brothers, again.

But of course!!!

 

[SadieDog]

I would have to agree with everyone. It is definitely not the same. I also loved the original and am quite disappointed in the new one.

Exactly. Very sad.

 

[Jockaroo]

I loved the original ride and am grateful I got to ride it one time--along with Horizons. When I went to Epcot on my honeymoon, I was so excited to take hubby on the Imagination ride, but it was closed for rehab. It should have been posted "closed for distruction." On our next trip the ride was opened and I told hubby how wonderful it was--then we rode it. I was nearly in tears by the end of the ride. I asked CMs what happened and was told the rehab completely changed the ride in order to be a companion piece with HISTA. I was told nobody liked the ride. When the next rehab (current version) came along we rode it and it was nice to see Figment, but basically, the ride was very similar to the horrible 2nd version, but rescripted to add Figment and a few props from the original ride. Again, I talked to CMs and was told that the bad rehab completely changed the track/ride system and it could not be put back into place without major, major work--my translation is mega $. The newest version, Imagination 3.0 is basically an overlay of Imagination 2.0.

I loved the original and would be happy to see it return. I didn't know the Sherman brothers wrote the song, but that would explain why it is so wonderful.

Note: I don't know how accurate the cast member info I received was, so don't take it as pure fact. Oh, and I was told Kodak owns rights to Figment, not Disney. Again, don't know if it is true.

 

[Disneydenise]

I have the original ride from when Dreamfinder was there and we have the entire ride sequence because we loved it so much. My husband video taped all of the old rides and we gave him alot of grief for it. I am so happy that we have all of them. Does anyone remeber how they would take you picture during the ride. I have alot of those goody photos too. Me taking a picture of us in the picture. I would love to see them redo the redo. I want Dreamfinder back too.

 

[tink1978]

I like this ride, however, it most definitely is not as good as the ride from the 80's.

 

[minnie61650]

I miss the original Figment also. At least this one has Figment in it a lot more than the first redo. When Kodak sponsored the original Figment Disney signed a contract that the ride would be redone before the year 2000. For those of you never got to experience the original Figment or if you would like to relive it this is a great website.

http://figmentsimagination.com/

Here is an except from that website that explains why the Original Figment ride was Changed:

"It has been confirmed by a Disney source that the original Journey Into Imagination was closed due to a contract agreement between Kodak and Disney. The contract stated that JII was to be changed by the year 2000. The original JII, due to large amounts of projectors, sets, lighting and animatronics, was VERY expensive to maintain each year. JII was the most advanced attraction of its kind in the US when it opened in 1983. Even when it closed, the technology involved with producing the show was ahead of other theme park attractions. Many Imagineers were not at all happy about making the changes because they had fear that the new attraction would fail. Armed with a budget far less than they had to build the original JII, the replacement opened and the fans were not happy. WDI realized that mistakes were made but at this point, there is no physical way to return the attraction to its original state because of the way the building has been altered and the money that would be needed to do it is not there. The current budget to redo JIYI is still not enough to restore the magic we all miss. But we will be able to see Figment again! "




This excerpt is from this site:

http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id37.htm

The chances of Figment making a full return looked bleak. Disney sold part of the ride props on eBay and used one of Dreamfinder's flying machines as a prop in the Mouse Gear store. Then the ride closed in the winter of 2002 for renovation and reopened in June of 2002 as Journey Into Imagination with Figment. While Eric Idle and the Imagination Institute are still featured, Figment has been added to every scene and a new version of One Little Spark is sung. Dreamfinder is still MIA but one of the lab office doors is now labeled as belonging to "Dean Finder".
__________________

 

[Jennick]

Sherman Brothers, again.

They WERE "Disney Music" for years!

Can anyone sing, "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, Shining at the end of every day..."?

Absolutley..love that song!! When I bought the Happiest Celebration cd last week when we were at DTD I was thrilled to see that was one of the songs on it!!!

 

[minnie61650]

But, for all I know, Kodak was who REQUESTED the "update" in the first place.

You are correct.
.

The original Journey Into Imagination was closed due to a contract agreement between Kodak and Disney. The contract stated that JII was to be changed by the year 2000. The original JII, due to large amounts of projectors, sets, lighting and animatronics, was VERY expensive to maintain each year. JII was the most advanced attraction of its kind in the US when it opened in 1983.

 

[poohguys]

The ride is awful now! I wish they could/would put it back to the original. It was such a great ride. I still walk around singing the original song. The Sherman brothers wrote all of the best Disney songs.

 

[PrincessBrideJo]

I am so excited to see that I am not the only "figment geek" in the world! I think I do remember the newest version now that someone mentioned the skunk! I think I must have repressed that memory since I was so sad about the transformation.

I have an original figment doll, somewhere, from when I went in the 5th grade! Then my wonderful hubby when we were dating bought me a 20inch original figment off ebay and I LOVE it. I have a small magnetic doll of the newest figment and he is naked...no shirt! How rude! Oh, and my MIL brought me back a figment dressed up in something this past year....I think a ballarina maybe?

I am glad that they brought him back to life. The world wouldn't be the same without him. Although when people ask me who my favorite Disney Character is, they have no idea who I am talking about!!!

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

Man, it hasn't been "Making Memories" for a LONG time.

I think that was the version they used when "Captain EO" was the 3D show in the theater!

The version of the pre-show for HISTA that I liked was the one previous to the (rather artificial and smarmy) pre-show they have now.

It was a beautiful version of "True Colors" (made famous first by Cindy Lauper, but she did not perform it at THIS show.)

Here is a LINK to download that beautiful "True Colors" from the pre-show.

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php? action=download&ufid=E80F600221D0C625

You are right, "Making Memories" was the song before Captain EO. You can probably tell that there had been alot of years in between my visits. I do remember the true colors song too,that was also a good one. In my hallway upstairs I have a whoel collage of pictures of my children and i stenciled some of the words to "Making Memories" going around my hallway. When I look at my pics in the hallway, i smile at my pics, but it is a constant reminder of WDW.