EPCOT Figment, well, to be replaced by Figment

[WaluigiTime]

Use Corey Burton & Joe Rhode to cover what Billy Barty & Chuck McCann didn't say (like they did with Donald for Mickey's Philharmagic).

I would also accept Ron Schneider doing a new recording.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

parts of scenes (maybe one or two entire scenes) organically replaced. For example, Dreamfinder taking a digital snapshot of guests thru film camera prop would definitely not have survived as that has lost 100% of its novelty.

Agree on practically everything except for the replacing scenes bit. I mean, hasn’t both Splash Mountain & Tiana’s Bayou Adventure kept that function? Though, perhaps to freshen things up a bit for this scene, they could instead replace the static photo screen with alternating Figment animations with him interacting with the guests in real-time in fun ways, looking like we’re in a film with him. (Maybe done in a Meander/Paperman style animation?) The Dreamfinder animatronic there is supposed to be him as a film director basically, directing both Figment and us guests, much like how he guides both us and Figment throughout the ride. This would also help the transition from the ride to the ImageWorks & Magic Eye Theatre feel more organic I feel like. Considering the Dreamfinder’s School of Drama activity, aswell as the rest of everything we’re able to explore our own creative abilities that we, alongside Figment, learned about & saw demonstrated/showcased (in a whimsical manner, mind you) in the ride.

 

[jah4955]

I mean, hasn’t both Splash Mountain & Tiana’s Bayou Adventure kept that function? Maybe they could instead replace it with alternating Figment animations with him interacting with the guests in fun ways. (Maybe done in a Meander/Paperman style animation?) The Dreamfinder animatronic there was supposed to be a film director basically, directing both Figment and us guests, much like how he guides both us and Figment throughout the ride. This would also help the transition from that experience to the ImageWorks feel more organic I feel like. Considering the Dreamfinder’s School of Drama activity, aswell as the rest of everything we’re able to explore our own creative abilities we, alongside Figment, learned about & saw demonstrated (in a whimsical manner, mind you) in the ride.

and we're not getting paid ...having it "fixed" would be better imo

PS: I forgot many attractions now do on-ride photos, and yes, Imagination 1.0 did it first & almost 10 years before Splash. But the concept never appealed to me which is why I blocked out of memory it existing in so many attractions today...nevermind anywhere else besides Imagination 1.0

 

[Brer Panther]

I’d say just restore the ride back to what it was, original audio w Chuck McCann as Dreamfinder and Billy Barty as Figment.

Or they could just do that, yeah.

Perhaps if he were given the direction & reign to actually attempt to sound like Billy Barty and the sweet, curious character full of warmth & childish delight from 83-98 rather than the mischevious “interference” showcased in the 02-current ride , he could do it justice for those projects I mentioned?

I think he certainly could. Honestly, if it were Corey Burton, and he still had the more mischevious personality he has in the 2002-present ride (which I personally don't mind - it's not like he's whacking Eric Idle on the head with a mallet or shoving TNT down his pants), it'd probably still feel a bit jarring. Heck, if it were Billy Barty with the "With Figment" script maybe it'd still feel jarring.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

Or they could just do that, yeah.

I think he certainly could. Honestly, if it were Corey Burton, and he still had the more mischevious personality he has in the 2002-present ride (which I personally don't mind - it's not like he's whacking Eric Idle on the head with a mallet or shoving TNT down his pants), it'd probably still feel a bit jarring. Heck, if it were Billy Barty with the "With Figment" script maybe it'd still feel jarring.

Well you have to consider.. how does a literal Figment of Imagination make sense being a “mischevious interference” to what’s supposed to be a Journey Into Imagination? It sure doesn’t to me. What made him so endearing was the fact he was so curious & childlike in learning/exploring what he could do with creativity. I still don’t get how an interruption of a hearing test with a a phone call about “losing & finding your train of thought”, a sing along on an eye chart about how “there’s more to sight than meets the eye”, farting on us as a skunk to explain how smell helps you tell that isn’t a rose, and an upside down house “, all relating to the 5 senses apparently, have to do with inspiring creativity or coming up with new ideas? It’s mainly themed around sensory stimulation, but creativity? I disagree that that’s what it’s about/themed around currently. It made a lot more sense to have the realm of science be simply one of the sectors as it was in the original alongside the realms of Art, Literature, Theatre, and Film, showcasing what the ideas formed at the beginning of the ride, end up doing throughout the rest of the journey through the realms best suited to creativity . And again, Figment was a literal figment of imagination demonstrated by the process Dreamfinder talks (and sings) about, made up from “little sparks of inspiration”, ideas “two tiny wings, eyes big and yellow, horns of a steer but a lovable fellow, from head to tail he’s royal purple pigment, and there voila you’ve got a Figment” adding a dash of childish delight to finish it off (those lyrics aren’t even in the 02-current ride), who represented our own childlike sense of wonder & curiosity through creativity (the joy of creation) that we could relate to, Not a random “discovery” (within a sensory experiment focused institute no less, not the culmination of ideas formed from the imagination) that just so happens to be named Figment that wrecks havoc apparently until the last 30 seconds or so.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

Heck, if it were Billy Barty with the "With Figment" script maybe it'd still feel jarring.

Exactly. It doesn’t fit the character or the concept of who Figment was designed to be/represent in the original ride. Btw, def reccomend reading the article from Bob Gibbons as it explains pretty clearly what the whole original concept was in the beginning. : https://notredameclassof1969blog.blogspot.com/2023/09/on-journey-into-imagination-with-tony.html?m=1

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

It also doesn’t help that the current host also doesn’t care at all for Figment throughout the “journey” (if you could even call it that). In the original, Dreamfinder genuinely embraced and guided his creation, a friend to a jolly, magical magician that collects ideas around the universe to create new & wonderful things to share with the rest of the world, to inspire (in the end) ‘you’ to use your imagination in ways to make the world & our lives better. He didn’t treat (again, now a “discovery”, not a creation) him as a nuisance, an experiment, or something that had to be “captured and controlled” but as a catalyst or a compliment to what imagination could do. When let free to roam, was able to unlock all his greatest possibilities & potential. (And no, him being that in only the last 30 seconds of the current one, barely.. instead of through the full journey like he was originally doesn’t cut it IMO)

 

[HMF]

the making of the 02-current Journey Into Imagination With Figment redo. Heck, maybe even the 99-01 Journey Into YOUR Imagination too, on that note. Lol! Tom Fitzgerald (supposedly) created that one. Cover both of em. A seemingly very convoluted & bizarre backstory behind the worst revamps of a ride in theme park history, that honestly should be properly documented & set straight by this point.
View attachment 890235

I am not exactly sure what Tom Fitzgerald's role on JIYI was. The Show Producer was Orrin Shivley who was also Producer on the original Test Track, Interestingly.

 

[HMF]

Seems like the younger team didn't actually understand the product...
Which I think is what continues... They just don't understand the product and what made it special and amazing...which is why I worry about the next iteration, and any eventual reimagining of Spaceship Earth.

To be fair the older executives don't understand the product either and everyone who did understand the product have all been "retiring" from Tony to Joe Rohde.

 

[Brer Panther]

Well you have to consider.. how does a literal Figment of Imagination make sense being an “interference” to what’s supposed to be a Journey Into Imagination? It honestly doesn’t. What made him so endearing was the fact he was so curious & childlike in learning what he could do with creativity. I still don’t get how an interruption on a phone, a sing along on an eye chart, farting on us as a skunk, and an upside down house “, all relating to the 5 senses apparently, have to do with inspiring creativity or coming up with ideas? It’s sensory stimulation sure, but creativity? I disagree that that’s what it’s about currently. It made a lot more sense to have the realm of science be simply one of the sectors as it was in the original alongside the realms of Art, Literature, Theatre, and Film, showcasing what the ideas formed at the beginning of the ride, end up doing throughout the rest of the journey through the realms best suited to creativity . And again, Figment was a literal figment of imagination demonstrated by the process Dreamfinder talks (and sings) about, made up from “little sparks of inspiration”, ideas “two tiny wings, eyes big and yellow, horns of a steer but a lovable yellow, from head to tail he’s royal purple pigment, and there voila you’ve got a Figment” adding a dash of childish delight to finish it off (those lyrics aren’t even in the 02-current ride), who represented our own childlike sense of wonder & curiosity that we could relate to, Not a random “discovery” (within a sensory experiment focused institute no less, not the culmination of ideas formed from the imagination) that just so happens to be named Figment that wrecks havoc apparently until the last 30 seconds or so.

Yeah, the whole premise is a bit strange. How exactly do the five human senses help "capture the imagination"? How does one "capture and control the imagination" at all?

The ride really works best if you see it as a reaction to the second version, with Figment calling out Eric Idle on his bullcrap.

 

[HMF]

Seems like the younger team didn't actually understand the product...
Which I think is what continues... They just don't understand the product and what made it special and amazing...which is why I worry about the next iteration, and any eventual reimagining of Spaceship Earth.

The only sense of hope I do get is that the generation who were kids when EPCOT Center opened are probably getting close to the reigns of power at the company. Assuming they have fond memories of the original EPCOT or are Disney fans to begin with, It might be a good thing. I am sure there probably are some in WDI right now but thanks to management they have been reduced to slapping the original logo on every available surface and of course into the concrete of the central core along with it's in ground lighting which stops working after the lightest Florida rainstorm.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

yes, that and those like a number of us here that may be younger than that, that didn’t grow up with classic EPCOT Center but love it from the history & recorded footage we’ve read about & seen and what’s still there, who want to see some of that restored back to its original inspirational glory.

 

[HMF]

yes, that and those like a number of us here that may be younger than that, that didn’t grow up with classic EPCOT Center but love it from the history & recorded footage we’ve read about & seen and what’s still there, who want to see some of that restored back to its original inspirational glory.

Indeed, When I first went in 1999, JIYI was brand new and even then I didn't know what it had replaced so it didn't matter to me at the time but enough of the parks original concept was still there so I understood it. I know technically the "decline" started in 1994 but it was really after the Millennium Celebration that it became apparent that management didn't care about the original message and spirit of the park anymore. BTW, My article on that history and decline has an additional home on medium now.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

It also doesn’t help that the current host also doesn’t care at all for Figment throughout the “journey” (if you could even call it that). In the original, Dreamfinder genuinely embraced and guided his creation, a friend to a jolly, magical magician that collects ideas around the universe to create new & wonderful things to share with the rest of the world, to inspire (in the end) ‘you’ to use your imagination in ways to make the world & our lives better. He didn’t treat (again, now a “discovery”, not a creation) him as a nuisance, an experiment, or something that had to be “captured and controlled” but as a catalyst or a compliment to what imagination could do. When let free to roam, was able to unlock all his greatest possibilities & potential. (And no, him being that in only the last 30 seconds of the current one, barely.. instead of through the full journey like he was originally doesn’t cut it IMO)

Nigel did create a "Figment" in the 99 queue before they just had Figment violate a lightbulb..

Which makes me wonder why we don't see a preshow video queue for the 02 version..I wonder if by then they went over budget which is probably why.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

It also doesn’t help that the current host also doesn’t care at all for Figment throughout the “journey” (if you could even call it that). In the original, Dreamfinder genuinely embraced and guided his creation, a friend to a jolly, magical magician that collects ideas around the universe to create new & wonderful things to share with the rest of the world, to inspire (in the end) ‘you’ to use your imagination in ways to make the world & our lives better. He didn’t treat (again, now a “discovery”, not a creation) him as a nuisance, an experiment, or something that had to be “captured and controlled” but as a catalyst or a compliment to what imagination could do. When let free to roam, was able to unlock all his greatest possibilities & potential. (And no, him being that in only the last 30 seconds of the current one, barely.. instead of through the full journey like he was originally doesn’t cut it IMO)

Nigel did create a "Figment" in the 99 queue before they just had Figment violate a lightbulb..

Which makes me wonder why we don't see a preshow video queue for the 02 version..I wonder if by then they went over budget which is probably why.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

Nigel did create a "Figment" in the 99 queue before they just had Figment violate a lightbulb..

Which makes me wonder why we don't see a preshow video queue for the 02 version..I wonder if by then they went over budget which is probably why.

You know.. it’s funny.. so, if you remember, there are Infact still videos that play overhead in the queue space. But it’s just Figment basically bouncing on top of and around the light bulb while giggling instead of Dr. Channing appearing with Figment. It seems they instead decided to save that for the new (well 02) opening of the ride to replace the scanner they had in ‘99. Granted.. at the same time, a bit of a blessing in disguise they didn’t make him a Figment of Dr. Channing’s again, as by doing that, that also needlessly retcons the whole concept of Figment being a Figment of Dreamfinder’s imagination. And admittedly, the shilouette of Dreamfinder on his dreamcatching machine appears in the current Blast finale on the sheet of music seen of One Little Spark. So yeah.. it’s just.. an inconsistent/incoherent mess. Simply put, the Honey I Shrunk IP tied Imagination Institute retheme hosted by Dr. Channing never should’ve happened in ‘99, let alone been doubled down on in ‘02 just with Figment slapped onto it and the budget misused in other baffling fashions that make no sense. It should’ve stayed the original ‘83-98 version hosted by Dreamfinder & Figment with the enhancements it could’ve & should’ve received, Tony Baxter and other team members on the original still at WDI at the time involved period. Heck, it should’ve been restored in ‘02 after all the complaints the first redo got in ‘99. Would’ve taken longer to get fixed sure, needing the right funds to do so, but so be it. That would’ve been far more worth it than.. this stupid mess of a “fix” they didn’t even feel good enough to have a grand opening ceremony for, that we got. (Yeah, all new Office Depot equipment scattered around show rooms, a forklift on a ledge carrying crates, even a water dispenser you’d see in an office break room. Lol. Figment farting in our face on a newly built, giant slot machine that sprays skunk smell on you, and now the toilet on the ceiling’s been repainted neon colors! WOW! What genius “creativity” put on display.) and if you think for one minute “Nah, they can’t be serious.. They’re joking” No, really, honest to God, ride it for yourself, that’s precisely what they did to “fix” it, all while using the “Hey, Figment’s Back!” excuse to pat themselves on the back. The fact this lousy (and quite frankly ludicrious) “fix” has lasted as long as it has is an insane anomoly in & itself. How anyone could ride that and say after, it was good enough to keep as-is, all these years later, with a totally straight face, despite practically ‘everyone’ involved with creating the original (Tony Baxter def being one of them), including folks with actual good intentions in involving themselves with the 02 Figment redo (Larry Nikolai being one of em), saying it’s a huge downgrade in comparison to the original and never should’ve been replaced (keep in mind, the original ride was the second most popular attraction in the park behind Spaceship Earth for years) with their genuine longtime consistently good track record otherwise, is beyond me. That should already be a hint if the continued complaints from guests isn’t already a sign. This quote from Tony sums it up.:

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

Which makes me wonder why we don't see a preshow video queue for the 02 version..I wonder if by then they went over budget which is probably why.

Well weirdly enough, it seems they had enough budget for the finale featuring Dr. Channing and the CG Figment before the Blast from the Friends of Figment scene happens, same goes for Dr. Channing as the moon face in the very last scene before unload

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Well weirdly enough, it seems they had enough budget for the finale featuring Dr. Channing and the CG Figment before the Blast from the Friends of Figment scene happens, same goes for Dr. Channing as the moon face in the very last scene before unload

When everyone reacts to the finale of JII

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

From what I seen the 99 clips Channing isn't a moon in that version It's just him and Figment..Not sure why they decided to take a Monty python makeup route.. It's not like we needed to be freaked out enough..

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

From what I seen the 99 clips Channing isn't a moon in that version It's just him and Figment..Not sure why they decided to take a Monty python makeup route.. It's not like we needed to be freaked out enough..

Well, I think that was supposed to be a call/throwback to the similar moon face seen in Horizons, as is the “Commute to the Institute” light-up Figment footprints seen as we make our way to the current blast finale. That I believe is a callback to the World of Motion opening scene, with the projected caveman footprints. But ultimately, I agree with you. Still a decision that ultimately didn’t fix the ride’s problems it’s had since ‘99.