EPCOT Figment, well, to be replaced by Figment

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

They even pretended that it was more popular than the original (Tiki Room) in the article linked earlier.

Yeeah, my best guess is they were basing that entirely on attendance levels when it first reopened as the IP overlay.. simply because, “something’s new at the tiki room so we gotta see it”… just as with anything brand new that opens at Disney. Attendance peaks about the first couple few weeks-months, then dwindles, particuarly if it’s something bad.. But actual popularity/enjoyment of the thing.. I HIGHLY doubt it.

And it further proves my point that it was lack of/ intentional lessening of marketing that led to that show’s closure also. That, and they didn’t make the same enhancements they made to it like Disneyland did, along with a push in merchandising. If they would’ve done that same approach along with a push in marketing as a Walt Disney classic icon, that NEVER would’ve happened.
Practically everytime I’ve gone to Disneyland, honestly.. the show’s been packed full-house.. so yeah.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

And speaking of which.. if the original show was getting “stale”.. I simply can’t understand why they wouldn’t first think of doing something along the lines of the Country Bears’ Vacation or Christmas shows seasonally instead. That way, there’s some fresh new content in the tiki room, but it never full on replaces the original show. It’s ‘that’ simple.

 

[gustaftp]

it's kind of humorous that a defunct character (Bonnie Apetite) is talking about a questionable rumor to another defunct character (Dreamfinder)...

Methinks she heard it from a retired bus driver

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

Honestly, I think they should just stick with the original ride, thus the original Billy Barty recordings. But in regards to any additional or new dialogue for Figment, I’d definitley go with Corey Burton as he sounded spot on to Billy’s.

Link to Corey voicing Figment?

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

Link to Corey voicing Figment?

9:09, 10:04, & 19:21 ; sounds SPOT ON to Billy’s Figment, right?? Makes me wonder why they didn’t decide on him for the ‘02 version.. but oh well. Still wouldn’t have changed how badly conceived that version was I’m afraid.. Lol

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

Granted, from what I’ve heard via d23 podcasts, when Dave was approached for the role. He was told Billy originally did the character and he was initially gonna do a Billy impression but the guy recording him told him he didn’t have to. So when he did the voice he did, they just pitched it up to sound somewhat like Billy’s… so yeah

10:21 & 19:21 ; sounds SPOT ON to Billy’s Figment, right?? Makes me wonder why they didn’t decide on him for the ‘02 version.. but oh well. Still wouldn’t have changed how badly conceived that version was I’m afraid.. Lol

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

I’ve also read on Disney Wiki that Figment appeared & was voiced by Corey again in House of Mouse.. though I have yet to find or see such an appearance or scene. Sure would be neat though as I LOVED House of Mouse as a kid (my second fave next to The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.. which ironically, Chuck McCann, the voice of Dreamfinder voiced a few characters in. ). Desperately wish they’d put HoM on Disney Plus in it’s entirety already though. That (which featured cartoon segments of the short-lived series Mickey Mouse Works) was IMO, the BEST contemporary version of Mickey shorts ever produced. Better than the current shorts even.

 

[Brer Panther]

If you slow down Dave's Figment, it sounds like Gonzo.

 

[The Aracuan Bird]

9:09, 10:04, & 19:21 ; sounds SPOT ON to Billy’s Figment, right?? Makes me wonder why they didn’t decide on him for the ‘02 version.. but oh well. Still wouldn’t have changed how badly conceived that version was I’m afraid.. Lol

19:21 is Billy. Maybe someone can confirm, but watching enough of ten educational videos and the ride soundtrack, you can hear the distinct similarities in the voice.

9:09 and 10:04 sound a bit different, but to the untrained ear, it’s hard to tell.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I’ve gone over it so many times now.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

19:21 is Billy. Maybe someone can confirm, but watching enough of ten educational videos and the ride soundtrack, you can hear the distinct similarities in the voice.

9:09 and 10:04 sound a bit different, but to the untrained ear, it’s hard to tell.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I’ve gone over it so many times now.

One thing to note is some of the laughter, Ooh (when he’s scared), one of the ‘yeah’ ‘s and the ending “Can they imagine too?” is indeed reused stuff of Billy’s. But the rest of the brand new dialogue. That’s Corey from what I can tell doing a very close/nearly spot on impression of Billy.. I too have heard many many recordings of Figment over time and I’m positive they’re all Corey with the exception of the couple reused clips I mentioned.

 

[The Aracuan Bird]

One thing to note is some of the laughter, Ooh (when he’s scared), one of the ‘yeah’ ‘s and the ending “Can they imagine too?” is indeed reused stuff of Billy’s. But the rest of the brand new dialogue. That’s Corey from what I can tell doing a very close/nearly spot on impression of Billy.. I too have heard many many recordings of Figment over time and I’m positive they’re all Corey with the exception of the couple reused clips I mentioned.

I know what you’re talking about, but listen to the “You’re quite clever, all of you” and the “Incredible, awesome, absolutely fabulous”.

Then listen to his voice here.


Unless that’s not Barty either, and I’ve been lied to by the credits.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

I know what you’re talking about, but listen to the “You’re quite clever, all of you” and the “Incredible, awesome, absolutely fabulous”.

Then listen to his voice here.


Unless that’s not Barty either, and I’ve been lied to by the credits.

Well of course, Figment’s known for having that type of inflection in his voice, which I feel Corey was able to capture perfectly in his performance. But it’s definitely Billy voicing him in the educational videos.

 

[SailorMercury]

Make of this what you will. I’m not convinced this is the truth. Just doesn’t seem realistic atm.

Oh hey! I’m Bonnie Appetite there! Just want to say that this is actual stuff I have heard. Like I said a few replies down, I’m not sure how reliable the info is so I didn’t want to elaborate too much, as to not spread too much false info. But yeah. Just wanna clear that up.

 

[Homemade Imagineering]

Oh hey! I’m Bonnie Appetite there! Just want to say that this is actual stuff I have heard. Like I said a few replies down, I’m not sure how reliable the info is so I didn’t want to elaborate too much, as to not spread too much false info. But yeah. Just wanna clear that up.

Thanks for clearing that up!! Sorry if I sounded so doubtful on my original post. It’s just hard to believe alot of things you hear around the community nowadays online, especially when it comes to a pavilion that’s been ignored for so long. Thanks again for the insight!

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Well of course, Figment’s known for having that type of inflection in his voice, which I feel Corey was able to capture perfectly in his performance. But it’s definitely Billy voicing him in the educational videos.

This could very well be Corey as Figment in the Queue line video..But, it's a bit hard to tell...

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

9:09, 10:04, & 19:21 ; sounds SPOT ON to Billy’s Figment, right?? Makes me wonder why they didn’t decide on him for the ‘02 version.. but oh well. Still wouldn’t have changed how badly conceived that version was I’m afraid.. Lol

I honestly though for the longest time it was Billy Barty! Corey is fantastic! I would have no problem with him voicing Figment in a new ride.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

I honestly though for the longest time it was Billy Barty! Corey is fantastic! I would have no problem with him voicing Figment in a new ride.

I agree, though I’d think he’d probably be most useful for a new Magic Eye Theatre show starring Figment (and Dreamfinder) or some new ImageWorks activities rather than another new ride….
The reason I say this would because I genuinely feel like the best way to go about this would be to go back to the original ride with Billy Barty’s original voice but update & enhance all the spfx, technology, AA figures, and add the stuff that was originally planned but cut due to budgetary limitations (aswell as tech) at the time.
Also, update the ImageWorks activities & tech accordingly aswell.
It never truly should’ve been closed back in ‘98 or changed the way it was in ‘99 nor in ‘02. It was thanks to an intentional dwindling of advertisement, focus, and exposure on the Journey Into Imagination ride in favor for ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Audience’ as the main attraction (completely reversed from the Magic Journeys & Captain EO way of doing things) that led to its artificial drop in attendance and eventually its closure… aswell as maintenance costs on the turntable being used as an excuse to change it…
It was wrong.. and I feel they need to truly correct the mistake they made and fix it the way they should’ve back then rather than risk needlessly screwing it up/fixing what wasn’t broken entirely again like they did with Your Imagination & With Figment.

 

[Mickeynerd17]

The jumping fountains are finally running again!

 

[Hyperion]

@marni1971 Are the sets/figures from the sealed off portions of the ride still in there intact?

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

@marni1971 Are the sets/figures from the sealed off portions of the ride still in there intact?

“Sealed off” portions?? As in The upstairs ImageWorks (the post show after the ride)?? It’s my understanding that a lot of the things have been dismantled yet there are still a number of original signs & ‘partially’ dismantled activity equipment and such still up there. In regards to the actual ride though, ‘most’ of the original showrooms are intact, but simply stripped of all the original props, scenery, & AAs and have been replaced by the minimal lab equipment, charts, table and doors, & maybe 2-3 Figment AAs placed in the middle of them. That’s about it I’m afraid…