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Need Imagination Pavillion answers!

Uddy

Uddy

Active Member
Original Poster
Ive always wondered but never knew. Why would Disney close the upstairs of the Imagination Pavillion. It was one on my favorite memories as a kid. It seems like a reopening would be a inexpensive addition to the park that everyone would enjoy. Anyone know the truth behind the closing and any rumors of it reopening?
 
Rob562

Rob562

Well-Known Member
The three main schools of thinking (which, like most things, probably each are part of the full reason) are that 1) foot traffic had dropped considerably, and 2) the upstairs wasn't handicap-friendly in a fire/emergency.

-Rob
 
THEMEPARKPIONEER

THEMEPARKPIONEER

Well-Known Member
Rob is right, what I don't get is why the new Image Works is full of air and doesnt hold as much as the old one use to. They can even almost pull off the the whole origional show on the new track because with the stop and go system some of the scenes don't need much track space and preparation time. Some of the scenes in my opinion would be just as good if shortened.
 
The MaD Hatter

The MaD Hatter

Well-Known Member
Everyone (myself included) keeps wishing that TDO would restore this pavilion to its former glory, including a new Figment/Dream Finder ride, restored Imageworks, and better 3D movie. I don't see any of that happening any time soon. Actually, I'm beginning to fear that Disney will ultimately bulldoze the entire area to build something completely different (ala Horizons>Mission: Space & WoM>Test Track). That would truly be sad but cannot be unexpected at this point given how mismanaged Epcot has been for the last 15+ years.
 
ddbowdoin

ddbowdoin

Well-Known Member
The MaD Hatter said:
Everyone (myself included) keeps wishing that TDO would restore this pavilion to its former glory, including a new Figment/Dream Finder ride, restored Imageworks, and better 3D movie. I don't see any of that happening any time soon. Actually, I'm beginning to fear that Disney will ultimately bulldoze the entire area to build something completely different (ala Horizons>Mission: Space & WoM>Test Track). That would truly be sad but cannot be unexpected at this point given how mismanaged Epcot has been for the last 15+ years.
Click to expand...

OH MAN... I fear you might be right, as much as I never want to see that happen. I guess we have to examine and blame society; I mean Disney polls people on their opinions and how the hell could people want to see this gone for some mysterious attraction. Just from the perspective of the architecture... I mean it oooooooozes that beautiful retro 80's classic epcot style. Damn this
 
THEMEPARKPIONEER

THEMEPARKPIONEER

Well-Known Member
They should make Journey into Imagination into a flume ride like Splash Mountain with Dreamfinder and Figment. That would draw a crowd and that could be Epcots way to work in another thrill ride. That building is a box structure unlike Horizons where the building built around the ride so it could be possible.
 
Figments Friend

Figments Friend

Well-Known Member
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I would say that at the time is was closed, a lot of the technology used in the games and visual activities had become somewhat dated. Disney at the time did not have the interest, or perhaps did not want to invest the money, to do a proper update to keep it fresh and furthering it again into a cutting edge, interactive display.
Today we have some amazing technology that could be used up there, but the question that comes up is would anyone bother climbing stairs these days to view it? I would wager Guest Average would not be interested. Disney would have to do something truly amazing up there to warrent a return of major foot traffic. Times have changed...and The Imageworks did not.

Couple that with the safety issue, handicapped access issue, and general downgrade in quality at the entire pavillion slowly over the years....and it is no surprise The Imageworks as is was fondly remembered was closed and never reopened.

Alas, there is damn little *imagination* at work currantly at the contemporary *Imagination Pavillion* and it breaks my heart to type these words.

Someday perhaps, it shall once again come forth at this Pavillion.
May that day some swiftly.
 
flynnibus

flynnibus

Premium Member
the space isn't any less handicap accessible than every modern building in the country. It had a wide staircase and an elevator as well as the escalator.

Disney shortened the ride and gave up ride space to build the new kodak area. I think overall it was just they didn't want the old lobby and didn't 'need' the upstairs space based on their ambitions.
 
Rob562

Rob562

Well-Known Member
flynnibus said:
the space isn't any less handicap accessible than every modern building in the country. It had a wide staircase and an elevator as well as the escalator.
Click to expand...

True, but within WDW it was relatively unique int he parks in that it was somewhere you could normally get to in a wheelchair, but could not get out of if there were a fire and needed elevators. It also had limited access into it from the outside for the fire department. If the fire were in the pyramid area at the top of the elevator and stairs, there really wasn't anywhere else to go (perhaps even for ambulatory Guests).

-Rob
 
flynnibus

flynnibus

Premium Member
It was built to code, which includes exits and fire service access. Requiring two points of egress is an old law. I don't believe it's possible that there was no other emergency exit besides the lobby atrium.

It just didn't fit their needs is my assumption
 

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