EPCOT Figment, well, to be replaced by Figment

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

In all honesty, despite it being lousy work, I’m curious as to who animated Figment for the 02-current ride too and what other stuff they worked on. Would be curious to know the amount of time they had and conditions too they had working on it. I’d have to imagine there was quite a time crunch on it because admittedly, the animation for the ‘99-01 overhead queue videos (which, honestly, I’m also curious about regarding animation & possible storyboards) looked better than what we saw in the ‘02 ones. Both right when it opened and shortly after during some refinements here and there as I evidenced in an earlier post. Again, don’t really blame the animator(s?) on that if they were severely crunched. And if Threshold Infact was the studio that worked on it, it only would’ve made more sense as I know conditions there weren’t the best and at that point, they probably wouldn’t have been in the best condition business wise, with everything that happened on FoodFight! Would be fascinating to see development storyboards of scenes too if any still exist anywhere.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

One thing I gotta say though, regarding the new Christmas/Holiday merch, it’s got some beautiful character design work. It definitely captures who Figment is wonderfully. The artists did a really fabulous job on this stuff Slightly stylized but perfectly on-model & true to the original character. In just the way you’d wanna see on this kind of merch. Looks like something that’d pop right out of a Christmas card. Also a cute touch seeing Mickey & Friends included with him from time to time. I like that, reminds me of some of the merch of yore where you’d see them altogether! :

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

“WOW WOW WOW!”, a “major need” for my collection indeed! Something I also love is this is the same quality of the older plush toys they used to offer, material, likeness, and quality-wise, which makes me ‘very’ hopeful for the future in regards to merch! Give whoever was in charge of the design of this guy, a promotion/raise! They did a great job! :

Also, regarding new regular plush released after this, I’d say this style plush fur and overall material quality, would be nice to see on the same style they did with the Shoulder plush & 40th plush designs they released a little while back. Think, the top half designed like the shoulder plush, the bottom half the 40th plush, with the fur quality of the new Christmas/Holiday sweater design :

 

[jah4955]

If not my imagination, you definitely got my memory going strong @FigmentsBrightIdeas

So often when we have an extremely happy occasion (ie: wedding), there's often a "crash" after everything's over.

After the, nowadays-considered-lengthy, happy experience of Imagination, there was never a crash that it ended, in-part, because you were immediately directed to Imageworks.

Perfect timing/placement as we were most-excited to "flex those imaginative muscles"

Just one of many specific examples where EPCOT Center ("1.0") was most-spcifically-inspirational.

Now for the "imagination" part: I think they not only need to bring back 1.0 but create an all-new (for 2025) Imageworks on the 2nd Floor...put the DVC Lounge somewhere else! Not that broken-down garbage taking up the 1st floor (it was broken the last time I was there)

 

[Dragonman]

If not my imagination, you definitely got my memory going strong @FigmentsBrightIdeas

So often when we have an extremely happy occasion (ie: wedding), there's often a "crash" after everything's over.

After the, nowadays-considered-lengthy, happy experience of Imagination, there was never a crash that it ended, in-part, because you were immediately directed to Imageworks.

Perfect timing/placement as we were most-excited to "flex those imaginative muscles"

Just one of many specific examples where EPCOT Center ("1.0") was most-spcifically-inspirational.

Now for the "imagination" part: I think they not only need to bring back 1.0 but create an all-new (for 2025) Imageworks on the 2nd Floor...put the DVC Lounge somewhere else! Not that broken-down garbage taking up the 1st floor (it was broken the last time I was there)

They did keep some portions of the original Imageworks elements for the archives so there’s that (Rainbow Corridor sign, paintbrush figures, pin tables, Lumia, etc). Most recently the pin tables were on display at an event a couple years ago.

 

[FigmentFan82]

Love all the new holiday merch! Figment is looking great!!

Please WDW brings back a great Imagination attraction!!

 

[Homemade Imagineering]

Now for the "imagination" part: I think they not only need to bring back 1.0 but create an all-new (for 2025) Imageworks on the 2nd Floor...put the DVC Lounge somewhere else! Not that broken-down garbage taking up the 1st floor (it was broken the last time I was there

If “Sparknotes JII” is still their current plan atm, that makes me especially curious what they’ll do with all that extra space downstairs. I’m not sure whether they’d be open to the idea of a brand new Imageworks in a post covid era, especially after Play was cancelled. My current theory is they’ll gut & reroute most of the queue/What If Labs to replace it all with a revitalized queue space and a couple preshow theaters for a Flight to Imagination sequence

 

[jah4955]

If “Sparknotes JII” is still their current plan atm, that makes me especially curious what they’ll do with all that extra space downstairs. I’m not sure whether they’d be open to the idea of a brand new Imageworks in a post covid era, especially after Play was cancelled. My current theory is they’ll gut & reroute most of the queue/What If Labs to replace it all with a revitalized queue space and a couple preshow theaters for a Flight to Imagination sequence

wait, what? I never knew they were considering a "Sparknotes" or any revamp for that matter (but I admit I haven't read the first 300 pages of this thread lol)

 

[EagleScout610]

wait, what? I never knew they were considering a "Sparknotes" or any revamp for that matter (but I admit I haven't read the first 300 pages of this thread lol)

I'm fairly certain someone big had mentioned it. I'll do some digging.

 

[Brer Panther]

If they just reuse the ride track of With Figment, does that mean they still do nothing with the upstairs ImageWorks space?

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

If “Sparknotes JII” is still their current plan atm, that makes me especially curious what they’ll do with all that extra space downstairs. I’m not sure whether they’d be open to the idea of a brand new Imageworks in a post covid era, especially after Play was cancelled. My current theory is they’ll gut & reroute most of the queue/What If Labs to replace it all with a revitalized queue space and a couple preshow theaters for a Flight to Imagination sequence

Seems weird to me they would do that when the turntable space still exists. And without that scene and the film finale, there’s no proper opening and satisfying conclusion (not to mention that neat idea of a new on-ride photo part at the end utilized), making the rest of the ride not flow well. The other problem is if the opening scene is simply a film, that means it can be bypassed/skipped, which isn’t good, as then the ride won’t make sense to guests as they’ll have no idea who the two characters are or what role they represent, or how the realms of imagination we journey through even got formed. Also, it’s different sitting down for a film instead of your ride vehicles actually traveling ‘with’ that scene and seeing an impressive animatronic set infront of you with things in the background happening via projection aswell. Making that a bypassable film is a very similar problem to the current version not introducing who and what Figment is and the creative process correctly and how Figment and everything else that follows is supposed to be a representation of the results of said creative process, thus guests are confused by what they just experienced

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

If they just reuse the ride track of With Figment, does that mean they still do nothing with the upstairs ImageWorks space?

The current track uses the very last part of the Opening scene, the Dreamport, Realm of Art, Literature, Performing Arts, Realm of Science, and you exit off now where Figment looking through the crystal ball w the fortune teller Dreamfinder was. The downstairs ImageWorks takes the space of where the original Film Finale/unload/load areas were.
Last part of opening scene = current opening projection
Dreamport = Sound Lab
Realm of Art = Sight Lab
Realm of Literature = Smell Lab & Figment’s Detour from Touch & Taste Labs
Performing Arts/Theatre = Upside Down House
Realm of Science = Blast Finale
Dreamfinder Tells Figment His Future = Current Unload

The current ride just travels (& stops) through each scene much quicker. Also, the way the cars turned to the right during the original Opening scene, is now currently utilized through most of the ride til the detour & upside down house. When in the original it mostly was straight and thus you saw the entire show rooms for the most part. That and the vehicles were constantly running ala Spaceship Earth.

 

[jah4955]

Seems weird to me they would do that when the turntable space still exists. And without that scene and the film finale, there’s no proper opening and satisfying conclusion (not to mention that neat idea of a new on-ride photo part at the end utilized), making the rest of the ride not flow well. The other problem is if the opening scene is simply a film, that means it can be bypassed/skipped, which isn’t good, as then the ride won’t make sense to guests as they’ll have no idea who the two characters are or what role they represent, or how the realms of imagination we journey through even got formed. Also, it’s different sitting down for a film instead of your ride vehicles actually traveling ‘with’ that scene and seeing an impressive animatronic set infront of you with things in the background happening via projection aswell. Making that a bypassable film is a very similar problem to the current version not introducing who and what Figment is and the creative process correctly and how Figment and everything else that follows is supposed to be a representation of the results of said creative process, thus guests are confused by what they just experienced

Agreed. I was brought up with "doing it right, or not doing it at all"

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

Agreed. I was brought up with "doing it right, or not doing it at all"

Absolutely. And that rule especially should apply to Disney. That’s how it used to be, cause they knew that attraction would last awhile upon opening. Which is partly why the 02-current version is ‘that’ much of an embarrassment. Went and totally downgraded an originally fantastic/memorable experience under dubious/ridiculous reasons that could’ve easily been alleviated. Absolutley baffling this nonsensical Honey I Shrunk-ified version has lasted as long as it has. Cause ya know, ear & eye exams, skunk farts on a slot machine to test our smell, and a house upside down (apparently showcasing what imagination “actually is”, and a decent scene that only lasts ‘15 seconds’ out of 6 or so minutes of everything else (and can’t forget that memorable Channing as the Moon scene to finish everything off), just screams classic & a great rep of creativity. Absolutley deserving of the park’s mascot. Lol Are those now 23 years of (deserved) complaints & constant clamoring to restore it back to what it was from both the original’s creators, fans, and even celebrities associated w Disney telling you that? And again, not even getting into exactly just ‘how’ & ‘why’ this all happened.. LOL Just.. Aii yaii yaii

 

[jah4955]

Absolutely. And that rule especially should apply to Disney. That’s how it used to be, cause they knew that attraction would last awhile upon opening. Which is partly why the 02-current version is ‘that’ much of an embarrassment. Went and totally downgraded an originally fantastic/memorable experience under dubious/ridiculous reasons that could’ve easily been alleviated. Absolutley baffling this nonsensical Honey I Shrunk-ified version has lasted as long as it has. Cause ya know, ear & eye exams, skunk farts on a slot machine, and a house upside down just screams classic & a great rep of creativity. Are those complaints & constant clamoring to restore it back from both the original’s creators, fans, and even celebrities associated w Disney telling you that? LOL Just.. Aii yaii yaii

certainly not justifying it, but imo they panicked in 2002. And things are rarely done right in a panic.

The ideal way to have made up for this, in 1999, would be something like,

"Sorry, folks, we goofed

[NB: I'm pretty sure Marty Sklar awarded "The Goof" to the cluster-trainwreck of "Your"].

"We're going to restore it just as it was...and with some technological "surprises" to account for the advancing technologies on the eve of the 21st century. We don't know how long this will take, but trust we're working as fast as we can and will be open as soon as possible.

"Please accept this commemorative circa 1983 Figment plush with our compliments, and apologies, for this embarrassing goof against the reality that guest satisfaction is our biggest aim."

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

certainly not justifying it, but they panicked imo. And things are rarely done right in a panic. The ideal way to have made up for this, 26 years ago, was something like,

"Sorry, folks, we goofed

[NB: I'm pretty sure Marty Sklar awarded "The Goof" to the cluster-trainwreck of "Your"].

"We're going to restore it just as it was...and with some technological "surprises" to account for the advancing technologies on the eve of the 21st century. We don't know how long this will take, but trust we're working as fast as we can and will be open as soon as possible.

"Please accept this commemorative circa 1983 Figment plush with our compliments, and apologies, for this embarrassing goof against the reality that guest satisfaction is our biggest aim."

“Panicked” and ‘that’ is what they come up with? Nah, I’d love to find out the real story behind this thing cause that’s not adding up. Who in their right mind thinks a whimsical realm of art changed to a glass table being shattered by a brick, is “improved” by an ‘eye exam’ “focus group” room that has a white board showcasing how Small Figment Brains see No connection to how sight stimulates imagination, (when in reality ‘imagination’ (the creative process) is what we should be focused on) it’s like they doubled down just to mock the guests’ complaints. Can’t think of any other reason they’d do such a thing. Granted, we’d have to ask some folks behind it for true confirmation, but I swear dude.. what the hell.


But still, absolutely they should fix this

 

[jah4955]

“Panicked” and ‘that’ is what you come up with? Nah, I’d love to find out the real story behind this thing cause that’s not adding up. Who on earth thinks a whimsical realm of art changed to a glass table being shattered by a brick, is improved by an ‘eye exam’ “focus group” room that has a white board showcasing how Small Figment Brains see No connection to how sight stimulates imagination, (when in reality ‘imagination’ (the creative process) is what we should be focused on) it’s like they doubled down just to mock the guests’ complaints. I swear dude.. what the hell.

But still, absolutely they should fix this

1983: "Chef's kiss is an understatement"

1999: was very intentional...which makes the result all the more outrageous

2002: sheer panic to stem the outrage: lipstick on a pig

 

[jah4955]

who & what was behind them, and the queue rope, signage, the new awning, and monorail spiel change factors

Your comments on the flagrant sabotaging of the queue lines after Honey's opening reminded me of a pre-1994 experience:

(it was neither summer nor Christmas: The queue for JII ride extended outdoors almost to the Land Pavilion...was already about a decade old then....Well into the 90's the 3 longest queues were always SSE, JII, & Maelstrom

 

[Brer Panther]

Seems weird to me they would do that when the turntable space still exists.

Because they're cheap.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

“Panicked” and ‘that’ is what they come up with? Nah, I’d love to find out the real story behind this thing cause that’s not adding up. Who in their right mind thinks a whimsical realm of art changed to a glass table being shattered by a brick, is “improved” by an ‘eye exam’ “focus group” room that has a white board showcasing how Small Figment Brains see No connection to how sight stimulates imagination, (when in reality ‘imagination’ (the creative process) is what we should be focused on) it’s like they doubled down just to mock the guests’ complaints. Can’t think of any other reason they’d do such a thing. Granted, we’d have to ask some folks behind it for true confirmation, but I swear dude.. what the hell.
View attachment 894877

But still, absolutely they should fix this

And if Jim Hill’s recent story is true that, David Mumford initially meant to have Dreamfinder in this.. and he didn’t end up being brought back into it, for whatever reason that might be. Even more inexcusable. Why on earth wouldn’t they bring Dreamfinder back is my question. They put him in a throwaway cameo. In 3 ways. Dean Finder on a door (why not just put his name there? lol), the snoring behind the closed Dream Lab door, next to the closed Laugh Lab door, was (apparently) recorded by none other than Chuck McCann (the OG voice of Dreamfinder, I think Offhand Disney shared that fact if I’m not mistaken..), and of course there’s the shilouette of him on his Dreamcatching machine seen (ala the OG opening scene) on the Figment gliding on a music sheet of “One Little Spark” in the 15 second “Blast” finale. So yeah.. very odd. Would love to know why ultimately it was decided to double down on Dr. Nigel Channing rather than utilize Chuck McCann as Dreamfinder again. (Fun fact about the OG ImageWorks btw: apparently he not only did he voice Dreamfinder in the ride, but they brought him back for one of the Dreamfinder’s School of Drama films for the early 90s update to ImageWorks. Specifically the Fantasy adventure.)