EPCOT Figment, well, to be replaced by Figment

[Inspired Figment]

I wish someone did that with all the music and audio in Horizons.

They did, you can find most of the audio on YouTube where they used this same method for the most part I’d say.
PS: Here’s a fun fact, George Wilkins, the guy that composed all the music for Horizons, also did the musical scores for both the original ‘83-98 Journey Into Imagination and the 02-current Journey Into Imagination With Figment.

 

[Inspired Figment]

As someone who didn't really watch Dragon Tales when it was still airing, I grew a fond love for it. Immediately once I started watching, I thought, "this is like a Journey Into Imagination cartoon, except with no Figment or Dreamfinder". It's such an imaginative, hazy toon'.

My mom (who was a huge Disney person) passed away in March 2021 at the age of 50 and always loved Figment (she never cared for the 2002-present ride). I just think of the environment, the settings of both. Just the colorful whimsical nature of the show. Reminded me exactly of Figment and I instantly found a lot of love for it.

Wheezie to me is just a female Figment. And Zak is essentially Dr. Nigel Channing... except if Figment and Nigel were cojoined twin dragons. I do understand that it is a common character dynamic, though. I bet Wheezie would be best friends with Figment if she ever met him! Ironically, it was the real showcase of Imagination, not the Figment-less 1999 version they had when the show first premiered.

To me, Dragon Tales is close to what Journey Into Imagination would be like if it was an educational cartoon rather than a ride. It's by no means the same, but it's got the same vibes.

Well ya know, it’s funny.. not entirely sure if you’re familiar with the WB Animation film, Quest for Camelot, but in the movie, there’s a conjoined/two headed comedy relief purple dragon sidekick in it that’s oddly very Zak & Wheezie-esque.. but the irony to it all of course is, Eric Idle & Don Rickles play the two characters.

Now granted, when it comes to Figment himself atleast, when it comes to his original ‘83-98 incarnation.. I again associate him more like a Pooh character would be written meets a little (1940) Pinocchio & a bit of Wart/Arthur (from The Sword in the Stone) in regards to how exactly he’s characterized in the original 83-98 ride, he’s the naive, innocent child student of the mix that learns about imagination, along w us guests from the Dreamfinder. (I honestly think this is why he connected so deeply w guests to begin with, he basically emulated our own curiosity/interest & childlike sense of enthusiasm in learning about our creative abilities and how they can do good in the real world mediums & occupations that apply it best.
But to your credit, yes, in the 02-current ride, he’s for sure more wild & out there.. and that’s ‘very’ much how Wheezie acts. Honestly I’d say the original is more of a very fine mix between the two (Zak & Wheezie) if you wanted to make the comparison.. though he was less “loud & wild” like Wheezie and simply would get very enthusiastic & excited about things. It was his curiosity and desire to learn about things that was mostly illustrated throughout the original ride (like, “Ooh, What does this thing do?? Can I imagine/do this too?” “There are so many things and places to dream about.” Boy, I wish I could be an astronaut!,) but typically he was calm & collected like Zak, though not as pessimistic as him per se. Lol! Btw.. one more thing I ought to mention, you’re not the only Figment fan that’s also a Dragon Tales fan here.. little do you know, our resident Tony Baxter Fan Club President Figments Friend (aka: Jenn) happens to have an entire plush set of all the characters by Playskool, brand new in their boxes. I can say from personal experience in video calling w her, not to mention watching some of her videos on YouTube, she ‘def’ has them.

 

[Agent H]

They did, you can find most of the audio on YouTube where they used this same method for the most part I’d say.
PS: Here’s a fun fact, George Wilkins, the guy that composed all the music for Horizons, also did the musical scores for both the original ‘83-98 Journey Into Imagination and the 02-current Journey Into Imagination With Figment.

Oh so that’s why the music is the best thing about that ride!

 

[WaluigiTime]

They did, you can find most of the audio on YouTube where they used this same method for the most part I’d say.
PS: Here’s a fun fact, George Wilkins, the guy that composed all the music for Horizons, also did the musical scores for both the original ‘83-98 Journey Into Imagination and the 02-current Journey Into Imagination With Figment.

It was? For some reason it has always sounded more "muddy" than the Journey into Imagination audio to me.

 

[Inspired Figment]

It was? For some reason it has always sounded more "muddy" than the Journey into Imagination audio to me.

Keep in mind, different sources and different qualities of tape deck & tape used, also varying volume levels the audio was recorded at (sometimes not always the most level) not to mention noise removal software applied which can “muddy’ (take the high frequencies out, to remove tape hiss, but sometimes it removes ‘too’ much) the sound of it.

 

[Zak and Wheezie]

Well ya know, it’s funny.. not entirely sure if you’re familiar with the WB Animation film, Quest for Camelot, but in the movie, there’s a conjoined/two headed comedy relief purple dragon sidekick in it that’s oddly very Zak & Wheezie-esque.. but the irony to it all of course is, Eric Idle & Don Rickles play the two characters. View attachment 840802

Oh the wonderful hilarity of seeing Eric Idle star as Dr. Nigel Channing, evolve into a dragon, and then be altered to his original scientist self.

But to your credit, yes, in the 02-current ride, he’s for sure more wild & out there.. and that’s ‘very’ much how Wheezie acts. Honestly I’d say the original is more of a very fine mix between the two (Zak & Wheezie) if you wanted to make the comparison.. though he was less “loud & wild” like Wheezie and simply would get very enthusiastic & excited about things. It was his curiosity and desire to learn about things that was mostly illustrated throughout the original ride (like, “Ooh, What does this thing do?? Can I imagine/do this too?” “There are so many things and places to dream about.” Boy, I wish I could be an astronaut!, but typically he was calm & collected like Zak, though not as pessimistic as him per se.

I dunno, the 2002 ride seems to have a better comparison with Zak and Wheezie. Zak was usually rather boring and unimaginative of a person, there were many instances where he prefers things more dull (just see his reaction in "Staying Within The Lines" where he thinks the uncolored Dragon Land, which had it's color washed away by a rainstorm, looks 'neat and clean' to everyone else's disapproval).

This is where the Nigel Channing comparison comes in (not knocking the OG ride but it didn't have the same sort of 'boring' character to compare to Figment/Wheezie). He literally thinks that showing a normal eye chart is the idea of what "imagination" should be. And then you see Figment, who is wild and mischevious. Very similar to Wheezie. The 1999 ride is probably what "imagination" is to Zak, lol.

 

[Inspired Figment]

Oh the wonderful hilarity of seeing Eric Idle star as Dr. Nigel Channing, evolve into a dragon, and then be altered to his original scientist self.

I dunno, the 2002 ride seems to have a better comparison with Zak and Wheezie. Zak was usually rather boring and unimaginative of a person, there were many instances where he prefers things more dull (just see his reaction in "Staying Within The Lines" where he thinks the uncolored Dragon Land, which had it's color washed away by a rainstorm, looks 'neat and clean' to everyone else's disapproval).

This is where the Nigel Channing comparison comes in (not knocking the OG ride but it didn't have the same sort of 'boring' character to compare to Figment/Wheezie). He literally thinks that showing a normal eye chart is the idea of what "imagination" should be. And then you see Figment, who is wild and mischevious. Very similar to Wheezie. The 1999 ride is probably what "imagination" is to Zak, lol.

Oh, sorry, to clarify.. I wasn’t saying the original 83-98 ride was more like Zak & Wheezie, I was saying.. in regards to analyzing the way the characters are written between each version, the original would be a more fine mix between the two personalities, rather than the very split personalities in the 02-current ride (Channing & Figment representing Zak & Wheezie respectfully)

Anyway, I’d (kindly) reccomend we don’t go too deep into or keep relating back/comparing & contrasting to Dragon Tales here specifically in our conversations here going forward. It comes off as a bit random and totally unrelated to most posters here, We gotta keep it on topic, the focus is on ‘Journey Into Imagination’, Dreamfinder, and Figment specifically. It’s very cool we all have related dragon character interests and see similarities between various properties, but again… they ‘are’ seperate entities as you mentioned, not one in the same This thread’s moreso for discussing the ride in&itself and/or updates as to what’s going on with the ride, related talent directly involved with the ride, & characters at the present and the future and ideas for what should happen. I know we’ve spoken elsewhere on FB and the like (also met & spoke to eachother at EPCOT in person once). We can talk more about this sorta thing on another platform if you wish.

 

[Inspired Figment]

Anyway, getting back on track here, specifically relating to Journey Into Imagination. Here’s an old press photo that surfaced recently that was used during the development of Journey Into Imagination back in the day, featuring the artist/sculptor, Perri Russ, under the direction of Blaine Gibson sculpting the figure opening and closing the pot of rainbows in the Realm of Art scene. You sadly don’t hear too much about these individuals involved in creating these characters & the original ride much sadly. Would be nice if someone did an entire book documenting the development and folks involved in creating all the EPCOT classics or even separate attractions dedicated to one book each.

 

[Agent H]

View attachment 840819Anyway, getting back on track here, specifically relating to Journey Into Imagination. Here’s an old press photo that surfaced recently that was used during the development of Journey Into Imagination back in the day, featuring the artist/sculptor, Perri Russ, under the direction of Blaine Gibson sculpting the figure opening and closing the pot of rainbows in the Realm of Art scene. You sadly don’t hear too much about these individuals involved in creating these characters & the original ride much sadly. Would be nice if someone did an entire book documenting the development and folks involved in creating all the EPCOT classics or even separate attractions dedicated to one book each.

I love that idea

 

[Haymarket2008]

I'm going cross-eyed skimming through the last handful of pages reading about Dragon Tales.

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

I'm going cross-eyed skimming through the last handful of pages reading about Dragon Tales.

Its been a weird week with the random off topic discussions between here and the Play Pavilion thread

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Anyway, I’d (kindly) reccomend we don’t go too deep into or keep relating back/comparing & contrasting to Dragon Tales here specifically in our conversations here going forward. It comes off as a bit random and totally unrelated to most posters here, We gotta keep it on topic, the focus is on ‘Journey Into Imagination’, Dreamfinder, and Figment specifically. It’s very cool we all have related dragon character interests and see similarities between various properties, but again… they ‘are’ seperate entities as you mentioned, not one in the same This thread’s moreso for discussing the ride in&itself and/or updates as to what’s going on with the ride, related talent directly involved with the ride, & characters at the present and the future and ideas for what should happen. I know we’ve spoken elsewhere on FB and the like (also met & spoke to eachother at EPCOT in person once). We can talk more about this sorta thing on another platform if you wish.

Yes please! This derailed when it was first mentioned..

 

[Zak and Wheezie]

Whoops.

On topic to Figment: I may or may not be in the minority here, but the orange/blue exterior colors of the 1999 ride are IMO far superior to the original exterior colors.

Heck, even the finale to the 2002 ride captures a lot of the spirit of the 1983 ride. That's the one truly imaginative part.

 

[Zak and Wheezie]

I know we’ve spoken elsewhere on FB and the like (also met & spoke to eachother at EPCOT in person once)

Oh yeah! I met you at EPCOT when I was there.

 

[Inspired Figment]

For those curious about which figure I was referring to, it’d be this one. (This one’s my personal fave in all honesty ). Fun fact is this very same sculpt is used today in the 02-current ride aswell, he’s the Sound Lab figure that wiggles the telephone in his hand, except he’s been retrofitted onto one of the original opening Flight to Imagination/Figment popping out of the back hatch of Dreamfinder’s machine scene mechs to pop up and down and turn to the left & center again

View attachment 840819Anyway, getting back on track here, specifically relating to Journey Into Imagination. Here’s an old press photo that surfaced recently that was used during the development of Journey Into Imagination back in the day, featuring the artist/sculptor, Perri Russ, under the direction of Blaine Gibson sculpting the figure opening and closing the pot of rainbows in the Realm of Art scene. You sadly don’t hear too much about these individuals involved in creating these characters & the original ride much sadly. Would be nice if someone did an entire book documenting the development and folks involved in creating all the EPCOT classics or even separate attractions dedicated to one book each.

 

[Inspired Figment]

Whoops.

On topic to Figment: I may or may not be in the minority here, but the orange/blue exterior colors of the 1999 ride are IMO far superior to the original exterior colors.

Heck, even the finale to the 2002 ride captures a lot of the spirit of the 1983 ride. That's the one truly imaginative part.

Get where you’re coming from.. but in all honesty, if you look specifically at the color scheme of the original 83-98 attraction, the old color scheme worked better with the rest of it. The inside used to be very colorful & whimsical. And it was an airy, open space w lots of blues & purples and other colors of the rainbow (Dreamfinder & Figment’s colors) throughout, hence why both the exterior & ride vehicles were this same color scheme originally. It also kinda emulated the sky, as we were taking a flight w Dreamfinder & Figment basically, into the real of imagination (think of the phrase, “your head is in the clouds”)

They changed it to red, orange, & blue once the Honey, I Shrunk IP theming came in to match the Imagination Institute theming of said show. And while it def pops.. I personally liked the more peaceful colors of the original rather than the bright/loud scheme we have now per se. Again, just my opinion.. I get why some like the current scheme. It’s very 90s.. but I always felt the original was more timeless and peaceful per se, much like the ride used to be. It didn’t use to be so chaotic per say, it was a very relaxing journey, sure, it had it’s more dark/tense moments, for instance, the literature scene, but even that wasn’t exactly “terrifying” per say rather than really general aesthetics really. Wasn’t any more “scary” than say the Haunted Mansion, really.

 

[Zak and Wheezie]

I'm still sad we haven't gotten this, though:

It clearly appears to be a bigger revamp, a more exciting-looking space, than the rather tired exterior we currently have. Imagine if COVID-19 didn't happen. Who knows. Maybe EPCOT would be pretty darn good. Or still in a pretty bad state.

I do agree that the 1983 ride/colors worked better in tandem; at first I found it really odd that the 1999 ride's color are the same as Figment's shirt as he was barely in the 1999 one, but then that makes me wonder if the revamped colors were to reflect the Kodak sponsorship at the time.

Correct me if i'm wrong, but didn't Kodak not want to update the ride around this time? I think (not 100% sure) that Disney kind of forced them to revamp the attraction due to the contract. Had Kodak dropped out in 1997/98 the ride probably would've had a bigger budget for a revamp (and probably still terrible, but a much different ride than the revamp they made).

 

[Agent H]

I'm still sad we haven't gotten this, though:
View attachment 840829
It clearly appears to be a bigger revamp, a more exciting-looking space, than the rather tired exterior we currently have. Imagine if COVID-19 didn't happen. Who knows. Maybe EPCOT would be pretty darn good. Or still in a pretty bad state.

Knowing chapak it was probably going to be inside out

 

[MisterPenguin]

The original.. folks back in the day used to be able to access the sound control room, and through whatever jack I believe was meant for headphones to test each channel of audio, they’d bring a tape recorder w them, connect an audio cable from the headphone jack to their tape deck’s microphone/input jack and just, play each part of audio or mixture of audio and hit record.
Second version, guessing someone contacted the composer or someone close to the development of said ride and got the audio tracks.

Wasn't there a period in between in which people had an inductor placed near a speaker to pick up 'the signal'?

 

[Inspired Figment]

I'm still sad we haven't gotten this, though:
View attachment 840829
It clearly appears to be a bigger revamp, a more exciting-looking space, than the rather tired exterior we currently have. Imagine if COVID-19 didn't happen. Who knows. Maybe EPCOT would be pretty darn good. Or still in a pretty bad state.

Yup, that looks to be the original color scheme, so seems like a ‘very’ good sign.. however, we know how Disney can be with their BlueSky art and how things change all the time. I genuinely believe though, they’ve got to know how much they’ve got to get this right after how badly they’ve fumbled so much as of late. The plans and everything are in their archives, right in front of them.