News Big changes coming to EPCOT's Future World?

[RSoxNo1]

Figment doesn't mean much without Dreamfinder, in my opinion. He was the child-like creature Dreamfinder was educating and through which, the audience was educated too.

Currently Figment is obnoxiously playing the role of 'teacher'. I have little empathy for him. Bring on Bing Bong.

Figment needs Dreamfinder to give him the "dash of childish delight". Without it, he's nothing more than a hyperactive annoying dragon.

 

[RSoxNo1]

The only way Inside Out could work would be at the Wonders Of Life Pavilion (If they ever reopen the Pavilion)

I don't necessarily believe that each pavilion needs to maintain it's overarching theme as long as clear direction for the park is established.

 

[FigmentJedi]

Figment needs Dreamfinder to give him the "dash of childish delight". Without it, he's nothing more than a hyperactive annoying dragon.

We've been through this: The current version is based entirely around the idea that Figment hated the 2000 revamp as much as everybody else did and now we get to see him punish Eric Idle for seven minutes.

It's as dated a meta-joke plot as Under New Management was.

 

[NoChesterHester]

I don't necessarily believe that each pavilion needs to maintain it's overarching theme as long as clear direction for the park is established.

Unfortunately no sign of that.

 

[JenniferS]

Figment doesn't mean much without Dreamfinder, in my opinion. He was the child-like creature Dreamfinder was educating and through which, the audience was educated too.

Currently Figment is obnoxiously playing the role of 'teacher'. I have little empathy for him. Bring on Bing Bong.

My son (turning 21 today!) is still obsessed with Figment; yet has no idea who Dreamfinder is.

He has many Figment collectibles - figurines, pins, Vinylmation, antenna balls, keychains, and apparel.

I just showed him a pic of Dreamfinder, and he guessed that it was an early version of the Burger King.

Figment can stand alone.

 

[FigmentJedi]

My son (turning 21 today!) is still obsessed with Figment; yet has no idea who Dreamfinder is.

He has many Figment collectibles - figurines, pins, Vinylmation, antenna balls, keychains, and apparel.

I just showed him a pic of Dreamfinder, and he guessed that it was an early version of the Burger King.

Figment can stand alone.

How have you not educated him about the original ride or those comics?

 

[JenniferS]

How have you not educated him about the original ride or those comics?

I never experienced the original ride either. Imagination has always stunk for us. Doesn't mean we don't ride it though.

 

[FigmentJedi]

I never experienced the original ride either. Imagination has always stunk for us. Doesn't mean we don't ride it though.

 

[brb1006]

My son (turning 21 today!) is still obsessed with Figment; yet has no idea who Dreamfinder is.

He has many Figment collectibles - figurines, pins, Vinylmation, antenna balls, keychains, and apparel.

I just showed him a pic of Dreamfinder, and he guessed that it was an early version of the Burger King.

Figment can stand alone.

Introduce him to Dreamfinder by showing Martin's Journey Into Imagination video or buy him the Figment comics. In order for him to know more about Dreamfinder. Figment solo hosting the attraction just isn't the same without Dreamfinder his creation.

 

[brb1006]

How have you not educated him about the original ride or those comics?

This picture is more relevant than ever.

 

[brb1006]

I never experienced the original ride either. Imagination has always stunk for us. Doesn't mean we don't ride it though.

Are you telling me that you and your son are more fond of the current Imagination ride and Figment than how Figment used to act before he went all Looney Tunes on the guests?

 

[brb1006]

And stay tuned for the updated version coming this September.

 

[JenniferS]

Are you telling me that you and your son are more fond of the current Imagination ride and Figment than how Figment used to act before he went all Looney Tunes on the guests?

We ONLY know the current version. Our first family trip was in '03. The Figment we know has always been an annoying git.

Although Hubby and I visited Epcot in '91 and '92 before we had kids, I have no recollection of riding it.

We don't care for the ride that much. My son likes Figment ... maybe because the Figment he knows is naughty and annoying. That type of character appeals to him. What can I tell ya, he's part of the Bart Simpson generation.

 

[brb1006]

We ONLY know the current version. Our first family trip was in '03. The Figment we know has always been an annoying git.

Although Hubby and I visited Epcot in '91 and '92 before we had kids, I have no recollection of riding it.

We don't care for the ride that much. My son likes Figment ... maybe because the Figment he knows is naughty and annoying. That type of character appeals to him. What can I tell ya, he's part of the Bart Simpson generation.

I wish you were familiar with the Billy Barty Figment of the original attraction. Unlike the current Figment, the original personality for Figment was much more charming and likeable (Before they turned him into a comedic and annoying character). There's a reason why the original Journey Into Imagination attraction was so memorable and why Figment was the mascot for Epcot Center. Same goes for the original Image Works while the new one is so boring.

@Tahu can you help me by giving better explanation for how old Figment (Billy Barty) trumps the current incarnation of Figment and his original appeal?

 

[ThemeParkJunkee]

Discussion of the future of the Imagination Pavilion intrigue me. I did experience the original, did not have to suffer through the Eisner re-do, and have seen it recently. There is nothing about "imaginative" about Bing Bong...he is a child's creation. Our imagination doesn't die when we are 13. The imagination I had as an adult in the old Epcot is still alive and well at age 60. The internet has somewhat ruined the promise of Epcot but they don't have to destroy completely the Edutainment aspects of the park .... do they?

 

[FigmentJedi]

@Tahu can you help me by giving better explanation for how old Figment (Billy Barty) trumps the current incarnation of Figment and his original appeal?

Figment in the original is more endearing then the current one, being an enthusiastic child eager to learn and create. He stumbles into trouble, rather then making it himself. There's also a loving child/parent dynamic between him and Dreamfinder. He's an ideal viewpoint character for the audience to latch onto as we go through the attraction and its "Gather, Store, Recombine" story of the creative process.

Current Figment's primarily a mischief maker as the whole thing is focused on Figment's fight against the establishment that is the Imagination Institute and the very strict "In the Box" attitudes of Eric Idle. We get caught up in his pranks, so that ends up making him grating to people and we don't really get a sense of who he is because the writers assume we know the original attraction because again, the ride is written like a fanfic about Figment attacking Eric Idle for ruining his ride.

The best version of Figment is probably actually the comic book one. Hits this nice sweet spot between the two characterizations. He's got that childlike enthusiasm about everything, but he's kinda snarky and there's a certain wisdom he possesses that helps drive the young Dreamfinder forward. They've become more like equal partners in their adventures rather then the parent/child thing (It's emphasized that Figment is Dreamfinder's childhood imaginary friend brought to life) and it opens up so much more story possibilities for both characters as a result.

 

[aladdin2007]

This picture is more relevant than ever.

okay that is so sad lol, what a way to start my morning haha.

 

[brb1006]

Figment in the original is more endearing then the current one, being an enthusiastic child eager to learn and create. He stumbles into trouble, rather then making it himself. There's also a loving child/parent dynamic between him and Dreamfinder. He's an ideal viewpoint character for the audience to latch onto as we go through the attraction and its "Gather, Store, Recombine" story of the creative process.

Current Figment's primarily a mischief maker as the whole thing is focused on Figment's fight against the establishment that is the Imagination Institute and the very strict "In the Box" attitudes of Eric Idle. We get caught up in his pranks, so that ends up making him grating to people and we don't really get a sense of who he is because the writers assume we know the original attraction because again, the ride is written like a fanfic about Figment attacking Eric Idle for ruining his ride.

The best version of Figment is probably actually the comic book one. Hits this nice sweet spot between the two characterizations. He's got that childlike enthusiasm about everything, but he's kinda snarky and there's a certain wisdom he possesses that helps drive the young Dreamfinder forward. They've become more like equal partners in their adventures rather then the parent/child thing (It's emphasized that Figment is Dreamfinder's childhood imaginary friend brought to life) and it opens up so much more story possibilities for both characters as a result.

The sad thing about Figment's way of teaching Imaginaiton in the new version feels like I'm in the middle of a preschool episode near the levels of Barney The Dinosaur when it comes to how sugar coated it is. If they ever make a new version of the ride if they ever bring back Dreamfinder then they should also us the comic book persona of Figment.

 

[brb1006]

okay that is so sad lol, what a way to start my morning haha.

I remember this was made back when the first Epic Mickey was having a following before the sequel came out and killed interest with such an interesting concept.

 

[Disney4family]

The original Test Track taught you about what the real car testing process is like, in a very exciting way, by putting you in the car. As much as you might like EPCOT Center's passive, slow-moving rides (and I sure do) this is really the very definition of edutainment. The only thing missing from this Future World attraction was future.

The current Test Track, I suppose, is futuristic, and gives off the slightest sense of optimism. But what do you learn, what do you gain from the ride? Instead of going through tests that mimic those in the real world, you're going through futuristic-looking rooms of colorful lights, in silence. Once you get over the razzle dazzle of the futuristic look, there is no substance. They put style over substance.

I think they would've been better off simply updating the original.

That's how we feel. With the original, every small segment had a purpose. Now they're clumped into 4 big tests. It feels like you just have to get through the old track sequences just for the 4 tests.
My kids have had fun seeing which car is better, but that's only if the technology is working. Sometimes it's a blank screen and other times it's stuck and we see what the car in front of us did. We've also had issues if the people who cue up behind us touch their magic bands before our car departs & we get their cars instead of ours. Without actually seeing how your car did in the 4 tests, it really feels like you're just going through the motions and waiting for the woo-hoo performance part of the ride at the end.