I am WeirdTigger's Hubby, and yes, I VIVIDLY remember the original Journey Into Imagination. Without a doubt, the new one just is NOT as good.
For one thing, the original voice of Figment was Billy Barty. He projected such wonderful PERSONALITY throughout the ride, whereas the new Figment almost seems more like he's there for comic relief at times.
Also, the Dream Finder. What can you say? In some ways, he truly was the personification of Walt Disney's beliefs. "One little spark of inspiration is at the heart of all creation; Right at the start of everything that's new, one little spark lights up for you!" If there was anything at ANY of the parks that better explains the magic of the MAN and HIS DREAM than that, I never saw it, & I've been going to WDW since the Soft Openning of the Magic Kingdom in September, 1971.
Perhaps that's what's been missing, at times, both at Disney (the Company, as well as WDW & DL) and even in the rest of the "Real World". People are LOSING their imagination and expecting to have their imagination GIVEN to them. Using someone else's imagination just does NOT compare to developing your own, unfortunately.
Ah, well, (climbing off my soap box, putting back on my rose colored Disney glasses). Still, WDW is the closest to Eutopia we've got so far; so keep imagining and dreaming. Who knows? Your kids may just be the ones to apply their imagination to make WDW AND the World in general all that much better!
Enjoy the Magic & Keep DREAMING!
