EPCOT Figment, well, to be replaced by Figment

[Moth]

I feel like we’ll get something replacing the Short film festival soon. It’s not a draw and you can see those films on Disney+. It would be a slam dunk to put a Figment 3D film in there and move the M&G to where Mickey was. Then the pavilion would ideally be empty and ready for a refresh when Test Track opens back up.

My current theory is that Imagination and SSE are both slated for refreshes but Disney does NOT want those two and Test Track all down at once so it'll be one at a time.

My current projected timeline is....
Test Track taken offline late July.
D23 has more details on Test Track 3 and drops the Imagination 4 shoe.
Imagination closes as Test Track 3 soft opens. Figment M&G persists so he continues to have a presence in the parks as well as something going into the theater (maybe the Seth Rogen Figment film was actually something taking over the Short Film Festival?)
Once Imagination is done, Spaceship Earth closes and reopens.

Maybe something happens with MISSION: Space after? But that's out of the scope of this.

 

[James Alucobond]

My current theory is that Imagination and SSE are both slated for refreshes but Disney does NOT want those two and Test Track all down at once so it'll be one at a time.

I definitely see the logic with SSE, but does Journey actually help that much with capacity at the moment? Maybe it does and I’m mistaken, but it always looks fairly abandoned when I’m there. The wait on the app is frequently 5 minutes when I look, which I think is the placeholder for no wait.

 

[trainplane3]

I definitely see the logic with SSE, but does Journey actually help that much with capacity at the moment? Maybe it does and I’m mistaken, but it always looks fairly abandoned when I’m there. The wait on the app is frequently 5 minutes when I look, which I think is the placeholder for no wait.

When a major attraction is down, it's bound to pick up the load a bit. Regardless of it's good or not, you still need capacity elsewhere.

 

[James Alucobond]

When a major attraction is down, it's bound to pick up the load a bit. Regardless of it's good or not, you still need capacity elsewhere.

Just saying, it seems like getting desirable, quality capacity up and running quickly on Imagination should trump worrying about overlap with other projects even if leaving it alone might slightly reduce strain. SSE, on the other hand, is already quality and still draws people even when it's not the absolute last option available; the refresh is more for long-term viability of the ride system than anything else, even if some scene updates and enhancements do occur.

 

[Moth]

I definitely see the logic with SSE, but does Journey actually help that much with capacity at the moment? Maybe it does and I’m mistaken, but it always looks fairly abandoned when I’m there. The wait on the app is frequently 5 minutes when I look, which I think is the placeholder for no wait.

When Test Track goes down, I think Imagination is going to maybe help sponge up some of the excess people? It's better to just ride it out with the extra capacity available versus having both down at once.
But I do see your point about preferring desirable capacity up for Imagination versus this. I'm just trying to get into the heads of higher ups.

 

[James Alucobond]

When Test Track goes down, I think Imagination is going to maybe help sponge up some of the excess people? It's better to just ride it out with the extra capacity available versus having both down at once.

You can make this argument any time a premier attraction closes. I don't think that means they should delay the most desperately needed upgrades by more years than they already have.

 

[pdude81]

Frequently a walk on, but I saw a 30 minute wait once at Imagination last summer. Whenever a thunderstorm hits, you have TT down for sure and people piling into pavilions to seek refuge. So if anything else goes down it can be a major cluster. This anecdotal 30 minute wait was just in the middle of a normal day though, hot and sunny.

 

[Moth]

If Imagination and Test Track close together, Future World (bite me Disney!) would have 6 rides and World Showcase would have it's three rides open.
9 rides for the park wouldn't be a worst case scenario, add on the fact Communicore Hall would be open by then with the Encanto Stage Show, and other activities to absorb attention, it's not a WORST case scenario, especially for a park as big as EPCOT.

 

[Bocabear]

If Imagination and Test Track close together, Future World (bite me Disney!) would have 6 rides and World Showcase would have it's three rides open.
9 rides for the park wouldn't be a worst case scenario, add on the fact Communicore Hall would be open by then with the Encanto Stage Show, and other activities to absorb attention, it's not a WORST case scenario, especially for a park as big as EPCOT.

For the cost, 9 rides....especially when you are counting Finding Nemo, mission Space, and the the crap-tacular Where is Donald...for your well over $100 entrance fee....doesn't sound great.

 

[James Alucobond]

I mean, that doesn’t include Journey of Water, American Adventure, Awesome Planet, the Pixar Film Festival, Turtle Talk, the aquarium, or any of the World Showcase films, which seems slightly unfair.

 

[The Leader of the Club]

I mean, that doesn’t include Journey of Water, American Adventure, Awesome Planet, the Pixar Film Festival, Turtle Talk, the aquarium, or any of the World Showcase films, which seems slightly unfair.

Not to mention meet & greets, exploring World Showcase, or catching the nighttime spectacular

 

[DisneyDodo]

If I had to prioritize FW pavilion overhauls, I’d easily have WoL and Imag over SSE. Before it was rumored (and then announced) that SSE was getting a revamp, I didn’t hear much talk about how necessary it was. If anything, it was the opposite (i.e. “Disney is ruining Epcot, they better not touch SSE, the only good pavilion left”). But as soon as the overhaul got cancelled, the tune changed to “Omg, I don’t think SSE can go on another day.”

Of course, I’ll take some TLC where I can get it, and I do wish Disney had followed through on this project, but I just don’t see how it can be viewed as the top priority over a pavilion that was gutted and one that was actively maimed.

 

[UNCgolf]

If I had to prioritize FW pavilion overhauls, I’d easily have WoL and Imag over SSE. Before it was rumored (and then announced) that SSE was getting a revamp, I didn’t hear much talk about how necessary it was. If anything, it was the opposite (i.e. “Disney is ruining Epcot, they better not touch SSE, the only good pavilion left”). But as soon as the overhaul got cancelled, the tune changed to “Omg, I don’t think SSE can go on another day.”

Of course, I’ll take some TLC where I can get it, and I do wish Disney had followed through on this project, but I just don’t see how it can be viewed as the top priority over a pavilion that was gutted and one that was actively maimed.

The issue with SSE isn't the content (other than the descent and maybe the narration/script) -- it's still a great ride. The problem is the ride system. It's incredibly aged and close to breaking down entirely. That's what people (at least most people) are referring to when they say SSE needs work.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

The issue with SSE isn't the content (other than the descent and maybe the narration/script) -- it's still a great ride. The problem is the ride system. It's incredibly aged and close to breaking down entirely. That's what people (at least most people) are referring to when they say SSE needs work.

It need maintenance and a light refresh

 

[Horizons '83]

It need maintenance and a light refresh

Track replacement is #1 then a refresh of show scenes IMO.

 

[SailorMercury]

My current theory is that Imagination and SSE are both slated for refreshes but Disney does NOT want those two and Test Track all down at once so it'll be one at a time.

My current projected timeline is....
Test Track taken offline late July.
D23 has more details on Test Track 3 and drops the Imagination 4 shoe.
Imagination closes as Test Track 3 soft opens. Figment M&G persists so he continues to have a presence in the parks as well as something going into the theater (maybe the Seth Rogen Figment film was actually something taking over the Short Film Festival?)
Once Imagination is done, Spaceship Earth closes and reopens.

Maybe something happens with MISSION: Space after? But that's out of the scope of this.

I have long accepted that we won't get Imagination 4 at D23. Happens every few years. Some new Dreamfinder stuff happens (the comic in 2014. Plate in 2016. Golden Book in 2024), we're finally convinced this is the year. Radio silence. I'll believe that Imagination 4 is happening when we get actual tangible evidence that is exists.

 

[SailorMercury]

For the cost, 9 rides....especially when you are counting Finding Nemo, mission Space, and the the crap-tacular Where is Donald...for your well over $100 entrance fee....doesn't sound great.

Gran Fiesta Tour is peak. Should be blasphemous to speak ill on its name.

 

[Mike S]

I have long accepted that we won't get Imagination 4 at D23. Happens every few years. Some new Dreamfinder stuff happens (the comic in 2014. Plate in 2016. Golden Book in 2024), we're finally convinced this is the year. Radio silence. I'll believe that Imagination 4 is happening when we get actual tangible evidence that is exists.

Yup. I’m not falling for it yet again.

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

I have long accepted that we won't get Imagination 4 at D23. Happens every few years. Some new Dreamfinder stuff happens (the comic in 2014. Plate in 2016. Golden Book in 2024), we're finally convinced this is the year. Radio silence. I'll believe that Imagination 4 is happening when we get actual tangible evidence that is exists.

A great way to gauge how long someone has been in this fandom is to tell them you heard this is gonna be the year they announce JII 4, and observe how they react.

 

[Kevin_W]

I have long accepted that we won't get Imagination 4 at D23. Happens every few years. Some new Dreamfinder stuff happens (the comic in 2014. Plate in 2016. Golden Book in 2024), we're finally convinced this is the year. Radio silence. I'll believe that Imagination 4 is happening when we get actual tangible evidence that is exists.

Wow, was the comic all the way back in 2014? I remember the excitement when that came out about a possible remake of the ride. 10 years, sheesh...