EPCOT Figment, well, to be replaced by Figment

[Haymarket2008]

So they have been kicking around the idea of Figment and Dreamfinder movie it seems for decades...while the ride languishes but the merchandise is still selling.... So while we wait for something of substance to happen with Figment they are actually plowing ahead with a live action Stitch remake? I wish they could stop graverobbing their old animation with lackluster live action remakes and do something fresh like a Figment Movie... At least it would be the first movie for this character that is already beloved.... Like they did with Pirates, I think it could be a hit.

As soon as a movie gets released, Oriental Land Company will pay for multi million dollar Figment ride in Japan and we'll still get nothing lol.

 

[Bocabear]

As soon as a movie gets released, Oriental Land Company will pay for multi million dollar Figment ride in Japan and we'll still get nothing lol.

I can see that happening...lol Sad but true....and at Tokyo Disneyland they would sell the heck out of the merchandise....and come up with much better then an annual Popcorn bucket.... It would have been fascinating to see what the OLC would have done if they built a mirror EPCOT park in Tokyo....and what it's condition would be today...

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Part of the issue with a film is how simple Dreamfinder and Figment are as characters, especially Figment. He doesn't lend himself to deeper character development, nor should he. The simple joy of imagination is why he worked so well in his first incarnation. In the current ride, he has more depth - seems a bit older. And, it just doesn't work that well. I fear that's how any Figment story will go. It would be much better as a series of silly shorts, where Figment leads us through the ideas in the Dream Port. (I actually think that would work, but I'm not sure it would fly in today's world.) If it has the conflict and arc of a well done full-length film, I think it will ruin Figment even more.

 

[Earlie the Pearlie]

Part of the issue with a film is how simple Dreamfinder and Figment are as characters, especially Figment. He doesn't lend himself to deeper character development, nor should he. The simple joy of imagination is why he worked so well in his first incarnation. In the current ride, he has more depth - seems a bit older. And, it just doesn't work that well. I fear that's how any Figment story will go. It would be much better as a series of silly shorts, where Figment leads us through the ideas in the Dream Port. (I actually think that would work, but I'm not sure it would fly in today's world.) If it has the conflict and arc of a well done full-length film, I think it will ruin Figment even more.

If they do what the comics did and give Dreamfinder the arc instead, that might work. And it can be another entry into the genre of "uptight guy discovers a CGI talking animal and is like 'whoa what are you' and then they go on an adventure and he learns to love" that way.

 

[FigmentJedi]

If they do what the comics did and give Dreamfinder the arc instead, that might work. And it can be another entry into the genre of "uptight guy discovers a CGI talking animal and is like 'whoa what are you' and then they go on an adventure and he learns to love" that way.

The comic was more of a "Creative learns to become more self confident in himself with the help of the physical embodiment of his childhood optimism" story.

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

Part of the issue with a film is how simple Dreamfinder and Figment are as characters, especially Figment. He doesn't lend himself to deeper character development, nor should he. The simple joy of imagination is why he worked so well in his first incarnation. In the current ride, he has more depth - seems a bit older. And, it just doesn't work that well. I fear that's how any Figment story will go. It would be much better as a series of silly shorts, where Figment leads us through the ideas in the Dream Port. (I actually think that would work, but I'm not sure it would fly in today's world.) If it has the conflict and arc of a well done full-length film, I think it will ruin Figment even more.

I think there's a ton of potential in fleshing out Dreamfinder more. You're introduced to him in the ride as this mysterious figure, and while he is explaining to you who he is (and furthermore while going through the Dreamport) it becomes more and more apparent that he has done many things "off-screen". He tells you what's relevant and your car is on your way, there's an endless supply of stories there to be told. Figment, he's simplistic because he's just been born. You're experiencing his character development throughout the ride. The current ride falls flat there not because Figment is now more established, but because his character is so different. He's not the curious child anymore, he's mischievous. If you develop Dreamfinder, that instantly leads to being able to develop Figment. At their core yes, you can distill Dreamfinder to the explorer/adventurer type and Figment as curious. You can give it depth or not, but either way it sounds like the easiest outline to a children's film known to man.

All of that mess said, I think you can absolutely make a low stakes silly movie without giving either character much development. Give them the same intro the ride did and send them off on an adventure to kill an hour. The Mario Movie earlier this year proved that you can throw a paper thin plot into a movie with great visuals and still return a slam dunk enjoyed by all ages. They could really go either way and get a good movie out it.

 

[Rodj]

IMO, the 1991 ImageWorks animated “shorts” shown Figment’s personality well.

 

[Fox&Hound]

I have little faith in a hollywood figment movie. He would probably rap, make meta jokes about the Kardashians, and have a voice none of us recognize.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Still trying to figure out why Figment is just known as a "Latest Discovery" We all know who made him, why give Figment such a downgrade in who he is? What did they find him in a corner behind some boxes holding a Dreamfinder picture in tears....

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Mickeyblog shows the inside of the book..And Huzzah! Dreamfinder is present! Plus a nice nod to the rainbow tunnel on the last page.
Pics from mickeyblog

 

[Haymarket2008]

Mickeyblog shows the inside of the book..And Huzzah! Dreamfinder is present! Plus a nice nod to the rainbow tunnel on the last page.
Pics from mickeyblog

SPECTACULAR.

 

[_caleb]

I rode Journey Into Imagination (the original) and I’ve been on JII w/Figment several times, but I still don’t think I get it. I’m genuinely curious, why do people like Figment?

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

I rode Journey Into Imagination (the original) and I’ve been on JII w/Figment several times, but I still don’t think I get it. I’m genuinely curious, why do people like Figment?

It has almost nothing to do with the current version and basically everything to do with the original. The bright, buzzing, dynamic version of the character in the original just "did it" for a lot of people. It may have helped that he was one of the most traditionally-Disney elements in the early days of EPCOT, while still being a new character for people to discover and imagine. I'm sure the catchy song helped people grab onto him too.

That said, not everything appeals to everybody - if he didn't endear himself to you in the original ride the character may simply not suit your tastes, which is fine.

 

[_caleb]

It has almost nothing to do with the current version and basically everything to do with the original. The bright, buzzing, dynamic version of the character in the original just "did it" for a lot of people. It may have helped that he was one of the most traditionally-Disney elements in the early days of EPCOT, while still being a new character for people to discover and imagine. I'm sure the catchy song helped people grab onto him too.

That said, not everything appeals to everybody - if he didn't endear himself to you in the original ride the character may simply not suit your tastes, which is fine.

Thanks for the responss (and for not taking offense at the question)! I certainly don’t dislike the character, I guess I just didn’t connect like others have.

Yours is a very good explanation.

 

[UNCgolf]

I rode Journey Into Imagination (the original) and I’ve been on JII w/Figment several times, but I still don’t think I get it. I’m genuinely curious, why do people like Figment?

I've honestly never understood it either, even though I think the original was one of the best attractions they've built. I certainly like Figment, but he was never a major draw.

I've pointed out before that (at least for me) Figment really only works well with Dreamfinder (doesn't have to be Dreamfinder specifically; but any similar character). He feels like a complementary character -- a new Imagination attraction that heavily features Figment but doesn't include some Dreamfinder-like figure to help frame Figment will probably be a miss again, although it could still easily be better than what currently exists.

I'm guessing it's just a combination of being a small purple dragon and love for how good the original ride was, although the latter obviously doesn't apply to people who never rode the original.

 

[Haymarket2008]

The Other Site posted a full breakdown of Figment's Golden Book and it is absolutely stunning in every way.

A perfect blue print for an update to the ride. Various references to past EPCOT and Disney attractions / stories and revamping the original ride experience. I'm so impressed and shocked this was made.

I wonder if there are serious plans afoot...I am genuinely surprised that Disney would allow this specific of merch to be made for a ride that doesn't reflect the experience at the parks.

 

[trainplane3]

The Other Site posted a full breakdown of Figment's Golden Book and it is absolutely stunning in every way.

A perfect blue print for an update to the ride. Various references to past EPCOT and Disney attractions / stories and revamping the original ride experience. I'm so impressed and shocked this was made.

I wonder if there are serious plans afoot...I am genuinely surprised that Disney would allow this specific of merch to be made for a ride that doesn't reflect the experience at the parks.

When I saw it was Jason writing it and doing the art, I felt it was going to be a good book. The guy has a great art style and an obvious love of the character. Good on him and those that helped out with it. Oh and Tom Morris helped out it seems. That explains a lot too.

The problem is it seems all modern attractions need to have some kind of conflict. Would they actually allow a ride refurb that's just a relaxing ride with a nice ending?

 

[Haymarket2008]

When I saw it was Jason writing it and doing the art, I felt it was going to be a good book. The guy has a great art style and an obvious love of the character. Good on him and those that helped out with it. Oh and Tom Morris helped out it seems. That explains a lot too.

The problem is it seems all modern attractions need to have some kind of conflict. Would they actually allow a ride refurb that's just a relaxing ride with a nice ending?

Great point.

I would point towards a ride like Frozen Ever After as an example of a modern Disney ride that is just there to make people feel good and have no genuine story.

I always have the nightmare situation of Disney finally giving us a Dreamfinder/Figement revival and having it be some terrible Toy Story Mania shooter or something. A “careful what you wish for” scenario.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I always have the nightmare situation of Disney finally giving us a Dreamfinder/Figement revival and having it be some terrible Toy Story Mania shooter or something. A “careful what you wish for” scenario.

IMAGINATION 3D: A Figment Adventure

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ]

I always have the nightmare situation of Disney finally giving us a Dreamfinder/Figment revival and having it be some terrible Toy Story Mania shooter or something. A “careful what you wish for” scenario.

Not gonna lie I had a similar thought, an armchair replacement for Buzz Lightyear Spin where with the help of Dreamfinder and Figment we catch Sparks of Imagination. Highest score wins. LOL