New Figment Ride coming soon?

[AdventurersClub]

I heard a rumor it was going to be changed for the 25th Anniversary of EPCOT. Any truth in the rumor?

 

[MJMcBride]

That rumor has been floating around for a little while and seems to be gaining some steam I think. Frankly, they haven't reaaly hit the right note with that ride since Dreamfinder left and I wouldn't be surprised if he comes back.

 

[dbm20th]

It has been floating forever. But alot more recently. Here is Jim Hill's article on the subject. Take it however you like.

I also think, and the collectors can tell you more than I, that there is now a sculpture being released with Dreamfinder and Figment. Not reading anything into that, but it certainly peaks the interest

 

[raidermatt]

I don't know if the Imagination redo will happen, but if anyone in Emeryville (or anywhere else) thought that the PotC refurbs/changes would have the same impact that a brand new E-ticket would have, they have absolutely no idea what they are doing.

The fact that Hill reported that reasoning with a straight face makes me wonder.

 

[dbm20th]

Even if Pirates has receieved a significant spike in attendance, comparing that to Imagination is silly. Pirates added Johnny Depp; Imagination wants to add some creepy looking character who's been gone for years and means nothing to the younger generation. Somehow, I don't think the press would be as big.

 

[minnie61650]

Even if Pirates has receieved a significant spike in attendance, comparing that to Imagination is silly. Pirates added Johnny Depp; Imagination wants to add some creepy looking character who's been gone for years and means nothing to the younger generation. Somehow, I don't think the press would be as big.

Hey. Please, that remark is kinda harsh.
I loved the original ride and I really hope it will redone and will be a lot closer to the original this time. I also hope they will bring the song back in its original form.

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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".


I am still Dreaming that Disney will find a way to restore the "old" version of the ride!

 

[Razor Roman]

I understand that there are some fans who think that new rides are the most important thing in keeping the parks up to date, and some fans dont want to see their favorites changed, but, honestly, the parks can't keep adding new without removing the old forever, and somethings needn't be thrown away just because they are old. While you might not be able to build a year of hype out of a re-do, it is a great way to make a ride fresh again.

 

[Kerlynne]

After reading the article, I am a proud dweed! lol However I think if they redo the ride, to how it was when I was little and first feel in love with Figment that they could sell more merchandise with children once again. I noticed as I was getting older (the ride had changed) that they were selling less and less T-shirts, etc., well of course they will sell less, when there isn't the adorable factor. I think with having Figment in each room and the song going it grabs kids more. And therefore kids wanting to bring their own figment doll home. Here's hoping to it coming back to the original!

 

[MJMcBride]

Hey. Please, that remark is kinda harsh.
I loved the original ride and I really hope it will redone and will be a lot closer to the original this time. I also hope they will bring the song back in its original form.

You may like and miss Dreamfinder and so may a few other hardcore Disney fans. But he's right. Adding Dreamfinder doesn't have anywhere near the same mass appeal the Pirates refurb did.

 

[tiedye82]

i personally think they should like Figment as is. I haven't been on it since it reopened so I do not know what changes have been made. I think it's one of those rides that appeals to everyone age regardless (well except my 17 yr old brother, he's terrified of him) so changes may take that away.

 

[patsal]

Figment is still a big deal to my DS 15, he remembers the old one, so purchasing Figment merchandise has some appeal to him, but DD who was only 18 mos. on her first trip doesn't remember the old ride well enough and Figment has little appeal to her. When DS talks about the "old ride" she says she wished she had seenthat becasue it sounds so much better. The activities were much better as well. I'm one who believes change is good, I like change--but this change was poor at best. Withthe Anniversary so close and Epcot in less than stellar shape, I'd be surprised if they even focus on the Anniversary--I still go to Epcot, but we do less and less there every year.

 

[jar]

The new one is awful. Compared to the ride I loved as a kid, my young son's two impressions of it were disgust at the skunk smell and fear when the gun or cannon went off near the end. I don't know why they need either one for a ride that is supposed to be the most kid-friendly ride in Epcot.

 

[minnie61650]

The new one is awful. Compared to the ride I loved as a kid, my young son's two impressions of it were disgust at the skunk smell and fear when the gun or cannon went off near the end. I don't know why they need either one for a ride that is supposed to be the most kid-friendly ride in Epcot.

ITA

The original ride was a favorite of my youngest 2 who are now are 25 and 22.

I wish they would recapture some of the "magic" that made Figment such an endearing character back in the 80's and 90's.

The ride does not need to be returned to the original with all the cameras, etc., but I think they lost the "spirit" of Figment and I would love it if they recapture some of it.

We took our grandson who was 3 years old last year and he did not care for the ride like his Aunt Cathy (my 22 year old) was hoping he would.

Are you listening Imagineers?

 

[barreloflaughs]

Much as I love the lil' guy, I think that Figment's time has passed. I don't think he is 'sexy' enough for today's kids. They just don't get that '80s thing. Time to dress him in a tree suit and give him a dirt nap.

Of course, he'll be memorialized forever in the hearts and minds of the young at heart (and in the plush shops of Epcot)...or...maybe I'm wrong. Maybe a Figment thrill ride is in order. Maybe it's time for Mission: Figment.

i dunno...i'm just thinking out loud here..................barrel

 

[hidmickey:myantidrug]

Wow, I guess I'm in the minority. I actually like the new version better. I do remember it better than the old one so that, I'm sure, has some influence but I definitely like the new song better.

barreloflaughs...Mission: Figment could be cool...a whole other part of Imagination pavillion!!!! Figment goes out to some place looking for Dreamfinder...yup, I can see it now ::gazes wide eyed into corner::

 

[figmentdrmfinder]

I would love to see them revamp this attraction again..
Nothing will be able to replace the original but basically anything would be an improvement
I have been a Figment fan since the very begining...
Bring back Dream Finder!

 

[Dash's mom]

I agree - bring back Figment, bigger and better!

I have a question about the fountains outside of Journey Into Imagination. We were last there in Sept. 05. I was dissappointed to see that the fountains were shut down. I wanted my kids to see the jumping water. Have they refurbished this area with something new or are the fountains with the jumping water still there?

 

[daber]

I also think, and the collectors can tell you more than I, that there is now a sculpture being released with Dreamfinder and Figment. Not reading anything into that, but it certainly peaks the interest

I wouldn't read anything into this. Last year they also had a Figment breakfast with a WDCC Figment piece and LE pin, just like this year. The only difference this year is that Dreamfinder is also on the pin and the WDCC piece. This year pin event has Figment on two pins and a framed pin set. Disney knows there are rabid Figment collectors out there (myself included) and are tapping the market. The year before the WDCC piece they had an LE Figment Harmony Kingdom box. The year before that, the Pin Event was almost all Figment stuff. So this is just another successful marketing ploy that comes around every September and drains my wallet.