Imagination track layout:
Eventually, I will create visuals for every single scene. (I have them storyboarded on paper, and I will post those if anyone is interested).
For now I have this overhead view. (Note that certain details are rather difficult for me to show in this view because they would appear as nothing more than random lines).
My aim was to make this ride feel like the original Journey Into Imagination combined with a little bit of It's a Small World and then bitten by a radioactive Mr. Toad's Wild Ride spider and now we have this. The only limitations I gave myself, again to keep it in the realm of reality, was building the ride in the existing building on what remains of the existing track. But this is no ordinary refurbishment!
On with the show!
Upon first entering, guests are welcomed into the Hall of Imagination. Here, real and fictional inventors, thinkers, and dreamers are honored. Progressing further into the building, we enter the Dreamport. Here we find Dreamfinder’s personal collection of treasures and relics, among them are old props from the original version of the ride.
After boarding a slightly modified Omnimover-type vehicle, guests find themselves traversing the Imagination Superhighway, a tunnel of lights, sounds, and scents. In the distance, we hear the familiar song “Imagination.”
Reaching the end of the tunnel, we encounter Dreamfinder himself. Next to him is a giant lever attached to a carnival style game wheel. Mischievously gripping the lever, he exclaims “Let’s go for a SPIN!” - and as those very words light up against the blackness behind Dreamfinder, we are whisked away into the next room.
That room is a miniature version of the infinity theater from the original Universe of Energy. And as we enter the circular room, the individual ride vehicles spin slowly around. All sorts of imagery is projected around us; people and places, both real and imaginary, wildlife, planets and galaxies, storms, numbers and letters, etc. as well as an occasional glimpse of Figment.
Exiting the spinning room, we see Dreamfinder sitting behind his idea organ, which also has a large screen that is constantly changing. Figment shows up on the screen from time to time. The organ itself seems to be alive, with eyes and a vague mouth, as well as moving feet. The pipes of the organ act as hair. And out of those pipes come projections of even more ideas; racecars, shooting stars, flocks of birds, etc.
We travel through a small tunnel adorned with marque style lights to find ourselves in the company of Figment himself, as he conducts his Symphony of Color. The Imagination theme song is now filling the room. Figment wields a magic wand, and from it spouts a brilliant rainbow. The Rainbow strikes a model sized variation of the pavilion’s own glass pyramids which serve as a prism to spread the light of the rainbow all over the room. Figment’s orchestra includes a wacky assortment of living musical instruments that surround the entire room.
After we leave the orchestra behind, we find ourselves in the company of the Helping Hands. All around us are sets of hands clapping and otherwise gesturing. A large crate sits in the center of the scene rattles as we approach it, and from it comes a comically large boxing glove that seems to strike the ride vehicle. As we make our escape, two large hands and arms sprouting up from either side of the ride track attempt to grab us.
Continuing onward, the scene changes drastically once more, as we now appear to be drifting along a channel or river surrounded by tropical foliage. This is the Island of Imaginary Creatures. Here we find a mix of eclectic inhabitants including hybrid dinosaurs, a creature made entirely of slime, animated foods, a puffy cloud that blows raspberries at guests, and even a winged version of the Lock Ness Monster that rises up from behind the foliage. As we traverse further, we come to realize that the island itself is actually alive! All of the beings are happy, and many whistle along with the theme song.
Rounding another corner, the foliage becomes much fuller and dense. We are now in Figment’s Fantastical Forest. All around us is lush greenery, and within it are a number of living trees, shrubs, and even limbs and stumps that have taken on a humanlike quality.
Continuing forward, the forest gives way to total darkness before we find ourselves surrounded by glistening stars and a giant planet. Dreamfinder and Figment can be seen floating above the planet in their spacesuits. Clouds whirl and swirl around the planet, and our ride vehicles are ever so slightly drawn toward it as we make our way through the room. Dreamfinder’s voice reverberates in the background, slowly getting louder, as he asks “And what about science?!”
The blanket of space gives way to a sleek, monochromatic laboratory. Beakers of various sizes and shapes hold different colored liquids and spout bellowing plumes of smoke. A computer screen can be seen performing an infinite mathematical calculation. A robotic creature similar to the Curiosity Rover waves at us before taking our picture.
Exiting the lab, we are once again engulfed in darkness. There is a sudden gust of wind. Brief flashes of light reveal that we are surrounded by tornadoes! Our ride vehicles once again start to spin. Behind the tornadoes are now similar, but faster and more chaotic projections from the first spinning room. This is the Whirlwind of Ideas.
Once the storm has calmed, we are deposited into a square shaped tunnel of deep blue with bright hot pink trim. Dreamfinder’s calming voice reminds us “Remember, nothing is impossible if you use your imagination!”
At the end of the blue tunnel, a black curtain opens to reveal the grand finale. Some of the pandemoneum includes a miniature amusement park complete with roller coaster, ferris wheel, and carousel. Additionally, we find a model ski resort with a gondola lift, and on overhead mobile featuring a verity of airplanes and rockets. In the background is a gigantic smiling sun with rosy cheeks. Scattered throughout the diorama are a few of our friends from earlier in the journey. And soaring high above it all are Dreamfinder and Figment aboard a new version of their universe spanning blimp. The Imagination song rings out in all its wonderous glory as music absolutely fills every part of the room!
Finally, we enter a blueish purple room where Dreamfinder and Fligment bid us farewell, and all around them are neon signs beckoning us to carry onward to the Image Works.
The entry point to the Image Works is marked by a new and improved Rainbow Corridor! Once inside the main area, a collection of high tech hands on exhibits can be found. These will all be callbacks to the original Image Works offerings only updated for today. This is an area that can constantly be redeveloped as new technology becomes available. Additionally, retail options include on ride photo, plush toys featuring characters from the ride, t-shirts, keychains, buttons, and other miscellaneous items.
And with that, we find ourselves back outside the pavilion. Wanna ride again?!
