Journey into Imagination - any updates?

[lilredfoxie]

Has anyone heard any updates on the Journey to Imagination ride rehab? I read about a month or two ago that it was supposed to be closing to redo the ride again, possibly adding dreamfinder, but I havent really heard much about it. Has it been cancelled or is it still coming soon?

 

[Imaginationeer]

The plans are already drawn up, but the budget is way too small. Imagineers on the project have been fighting for better funding before closing the existing attraction. With christmas coming, dont expect a closure till January.

 

[Lee]

With christmas coming, dont expect a closure till January.

This January? Not likely.
I hear MUCH longer than that.

 

[joel_maxwell]

This January? Not likely.
I hear MUCH longer than that.

thats too bad... it is embarrasing. (compared to what it used to be i guess)

 

[Gravydeen]

I am not sure what it used to be, but my 4 and 6 year old loved it three years ago. It is designed to be a kids ride. I think way too many adults on this site love to critique Disney through the eyes of an adult. While that's fine for some things at Disney, some things adults will just have a hard time understanding. Maybe I am just off on my understanding of the complaints. I may be way off base here, but that's my opinion.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Theyre giving it a gritty old Wild West feel, in keeping with the flogging a dead horse theme

 

[ClemsonTigger]

I am not sure what it used to be, but my 4 and 6 year old loved it three years ago. It is designed to be a kids ride. I think way too many adults on this site love to critique Disney through the eyes of an adult. While that's fine for some things at Disney, some things adults will just have a hard time understanding. Maybe I am just off on my understanding of the complaints. I may be way off base here, but that's my opinion.

While I agree with what you are saying, both about the kids perspective and the way some approach things here at times...there is a third component...what this ride was. Many here criticize the dumbing down or cheapening of the ride from it's original version, and it's against that version that others (and potentially future) versions will be judged.

 

[joel_maxwell]

I am not sure what it used to be, but my 4 and 6 year old loved it three years ago. It is designed to be a kids ride. I think way too many adults on this site love to critique Disney through the eyes of an adult. While that's fine for some things at Disney, some things adults will just have a hard time understanding. Maybe I am just off on my understanding of the complaints. I may be way off base here, but that's my opinion.

most likely, if you could remember the original, you would see how unstimulating and shallow this version is. plus, it is much shorter. it doesnt make a difference if im looking through a kids eyes or an adult, both would see the same result (just on a different level)

 

[Master Yoda]

I am not sure what it used to be, but my 4 and 6 year old loved it three years ago. It is designed to be a kids ride. I think way too many adults on this site love to critique Disney through the eyes of an adult. While that's fine for some things at Disney, some things adults will just have a hard time understanding. Maybe I am just off on my understanding of the complaints. I may be way off base here, but that's my opinion.

Not way off base at all. If you had never ridden the original I can see how JII in it's current form would not be that bad of an attraction. Had you been on the original you would more than likely see how many of us view it as a shadow of its former self.

To put it in perspective just imagine if you went on ToT next year and all the theming of the queue and the ride were gone and all it did was take you to the top and drop you. That is essentially what happened when JII was redone. The ride remained but the soul was removed.

 

[Bravesfn1]

Not way off base at all. If you had never ridden the original I can see how JII in it's current form would not be that bad of an attraction. Had you been on the original you would more than likely see how many of us view it as a shadow of its current self.

To put it in perspective just imagine if you went on ToT next year and all the theming of the queue and the ride were gone and all it did was take you to the top and drop you. That is essentially what happened when JII was redone. The ride remained but the soul was removed.

Excellent Post! I totally agree with you. I tend to critique things from an adult prespective because I have no kids. I will enjoy/critique WDW on my terms and not anybody else's. I pay the 200 some bucks for a park hopper pass for me, and I think WDW offer activities for every age demographic. I really hope they end up changing/upgrading JII that stays true to the spirit of the original attraction.

 

[Gravydeen]

OK, so let's assume you are right, if one can be right or wrong in this argument. Why did Disney make the change?

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

OK, so let's assume you are right, if one can be right or wrong in this argument. Why did Disney make the change?

To quell the revolt of the peasants complaining about lack of attractions. IMHO it is the epitome of the worst of the Eisner later years, cheap cheap cheap with no real thought, heart or soul.

Im not a fan, but plenty are so if you are going to do it, do it properly.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

My understanding is that the original ride mechanics were problematic, and couldn't be fully corrected. The version that replaced it was so bad, that they then redesigned it for it's current iteration. (abbreviated summary)

 

[wannab@dis]

OK, so let's assume you are right, if one can be right or wrong in this argument. Why did Disney make the change?

You'll get a two-fold answer depending on the poster...
1. The attraction was ready for something to be done because it was needing an update. It really didn't pull in the guests and was walk-on most of the time.
2. A contractual agreement with the sponsor specified the attraction had to be redone at a specific time.

The truth probably lies in both answers. Because of the contract, they had to do something, but it was time anyway because it was a tired attraction and needed work.

As to the rehabs... I actually like the last version better than the first two. It does seem more kid friendly. I know there are a lot of others that feel the same way, but it's a minority view. But, those that liked the original are hard pressed to admit that something had to be done. :lol:

 

[Grim Grinner]

Like many of the early Epcot Center attractions, the original Imagination was a truly magical experience. My family rode it 12 times in a row one night before closing- just to soak in all the details.

As was the case with Horizons and Living Seas, JIYI inspired me long after I flew back home. I tried to create, to think of new things. There was a simple beauty to that ride that is hard to quantify in mere text. I never cared for the 2nd floor- but Dreamfinder and Figment pulled me into their world.

I had hyped the ride to my wife, and when we arrived for our honeymoon (April, 2000) the Figment-less ride was like a slap in the face. It had none of the magic- none.

Once version 3 opened, I liked it a bit better, but it ends before you even get into it. That opening sequence with the original's Zepplin confused and astounded me as a kid. The new one is just going through the motions. It was probably the best that could be done with the budget and the Imagineers hearts were in the right place- but I really miss the old ride.

I'd love to see it come back- and plussed with all the latest effects that I'm sure each person capable of design wishes they could fund and unleash upon the world.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

You'll get a two-fold answer depending on the poster...
1. The attraction was ready for something to be done because it was needing an update. It really didn't pull in the guests and was walk-on most of the time.
2. A contractual agreement with the sponsor specified the attraction had to be redone at a specific time.

The truth probably lies in both answers. Because of the contract, they had to do something, but it was time anyway because it was a tired attraction and needed work.

As to the rehabs... I actually like the last version better than the first two. It does seem more kid friendly. I know there are a lot of others that feel the same way, but it's a minority view. But, those that liked the original are hard pressed to admit that something had to be done. :lol:

There is quite a bit of truth to that. I don't know that people refuse to see something had to be done; I think it is more that other attractions could have used an update more. I still think HISTA is more outdated than the original JII.

To go a bit farther, however, this was a huge concern from the time the attraction went into "redesign". From what I have gathered talking to some, the Imagineers assigned to the project had some hugely innovative ideas that would have made JII a wonderful attraction (although not perhaps as "kid friendly" as some would like). However, a budget slash like you wouldn't believe left them with incredibly tight purse strings. That led to the "disappointment" that was JIYI. Then, with the outcry, a tiny budget was tacked on to try and force Figment back in. It was a failed design, and I think many in management would admit to that if pressed on it. Value Engineering has/did not prove a successful venture for TWDC.

On a related note, as a huge fan of the original attraction, I do not dislike the premise of the new attraction. I actually think it could have been on par with, although different than, its predecessor. However, the budget simply wasn't there. The biggest flaw in the attraction: the pure lack of content. The original had almost no blank space in the entire attraction. The new incarnations are far from that detailed. That is the largest flaw IMHO. I honestly would have loved to have seen what they could have done if they had done a HM/IASW/etc. plussing-type renovation with new effects and some new scenes to refresh the attraction.

 

[Little Mermaid]

I agree with those who have said that the current version is all right but simply lacks substance. The original JII was creative and colorful and imaginative with images that have stuck with me since my childhood--the white oragami creatures, Figment backstage in front of his vanity, Dreamfinder playing scary music on the organ. It was a must-see attraction for me during every visit to Epcot. JIYI and JIYIWF lack the heart, humor, and imagination of the original. They were/are something that I visit when I have time to kill. I love Figment, but putting him back into the ride was like putting a band-aid over a gaping wound. It makes it better, but it'll never be as good as it once was.

I will say that the current version is by far better than version 2.0. I rode that one only once and was crying by the time I got off.

 

[joel_maxwell]

There is quite a bit of truth to that. I don't know that people refuse to see something had to be done; I think it is more that other attractions could have used an update more. I still think HISTA is more outdated than the original JII.

To go a bit farther, however, this was a huge concern from the time the attraction went into "redesign". From what I have gathered talking to some, the Imagineers assigned to the project had some hugely innovative ideas that would have made JII a wonderful attraction (although not perhaps as "kid friendly" as some would like). However, a budget slash like you wouldn't believe left them with incredibly tight purse strings. That led to the "disappointment" that was JIYI. Then, with the outcry, a tiny budget was tacked on to try and force Figment back in. It was a failed design, and I think many in management would admit to that if pressed on it. Value Engineering has/did not prove a successful venture for TWDC.

On a related note, as a huge fan of the original attraction, I do not dislike the premise of the new attraction. I actually think it could have been on par with, although different than, its predecessor. However, the budget simply wasn't there. The biggest flaw in the attraction: the pure lack of content. The original had almost no blank space in the entire attraction. The new incarnations are far from that detailed. That is the largest flaw IMHO. I honestly would have loved to have seen what they could have done if they had done a HM/IASW/etc. plussing-type renovation with new effects and some new scenes to refresh the attraction.

i think this is what got me. man.... there seemed to be extra long periods of track that had black walls etc etc

 

[WDWFigment]

It's been a while since this thread saw any action, so I will ask: are there any new developments? If there were, I'm sure there'd be eight new threads, but I ask anyway. I know a few people on the board are privy to some information about the JHM rumored refurbishment, so maybe they could throw us a morsel...

Oh, and please don't make this thread about the quality of JHM. I'm sure we all have our opinions about his integrity, and endless debate about it isn't going to change anything...

 

[jedimaster1227]

I hope you don't take this as rude when I say this because I am in no way meaning to be rude, but you have resurrected a few threads during your time here on the fourm and I think you need to slow down on doing so. I can personally say that the project is still in the works, but no more news has come yet other than what has been said countless times before. Basically follow the rule of "if you don't see anything about it, don't dig into it by bringing back an old thread..."