EPCOT Figment, well, to be replaced by Figment

[SpectreJordan]

If they're serious about making this Figment movie then they really need to remake this ride. The amount of people who remember the original JII are dwindling, most people know this crappy current version. Who's going to see a Figment movie if their knowledge of Figment is entirely of the new one?

 

[Tegan pilots a chicken]

If they're serious about making this Figment movie then they really need to remake this ride. The amount of people who remember the original JII are dwindling, most people know this crappy current version. Who's going to see a Figment movie if their knowledge of Figment is entirely of the new one?

This!!

I’m an older millennial who was blessed enough to visit WDW annually as a kid/tween/teen. So I have vivid core memories of EPCOT Center.

Most people 30 and under probably never experienced the original, or weren’t old enough to really remember it.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I just bought a copy of the book at Epcot. It's really lovely to re-experience.

 

[Mickeynerd17]

If they're serious about making this Figment movie then they really need to remake this ride. The amount of people who remember the original JII are dwindling, most people know this crappy current version. Who's going to see a Figment movie if their knowledge of Figment is entirely of the new one?

Exactly. For most of my upbringing (2000s / 2010s), I was always confused why people liked figment because the ride was nothing to write home about. It wasn't until I randomly stumbled on the original attraction through Google that I understood. Most people never understand.

I've had multiple friends who visited epcot over the years who never realized the pyramids had an actual ride in it, and if they actually do get on the ride they're left confused. It's a real shame.

 

[Andrew25]

Don't get me wrong, SSE needs a refurb, but I think Figment needs it far more. At least SSE's current iteration is decent, but Figment is just laughable, especially in its current state of upkeep.

 

[Starship824]

Don't get me wrong, SSE needs a refurb, but I think Figment needs it far more. At least SSE's current iteration is decent, but Figment is just laughable, especially in its current state of upkeep.

The SSE ride system desperately needs a reburb, I don't really see a need to completely redo the entire attraction IMO. But somebody please fix Figment.

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

I really hope it’s the next thing after Test Trafk and Spaceship Earth to get an overhaul at EPCOT.

It's looking like we're going to be waiting a little while on both of those, particularly Spaceship Earth. I personally hope their next focus would be on Wonders but sometimes that feels like even more of a pipe dream than Imagination.

 

[UNCgolf]

Don't get me wrong, SSE needs a refurb, but I think Figment needs it far more. At least SSE's current iteration is decent, but Figment is just laughable, especially in its current state of upkeep.

Yeah, SSE is still a good ride, it just needs maintenance (and a fixed descent). Imagination is basically a waste of space.

 

[Andrew25]

Yeah, SSE is still a good ride, it just needs maintenance (and a fixed descent). Imagination is basically a waste of space.

Yeah, it's painful to think how SSE would have been updated by now... but at least it's still a somewhat enjoyable experience. Figment is a ghost town and even the biggest fans of Figment come out disappointed.

 

[Haymarket2008]

Test Track going down for over a year is going to hurt capacity.

In an ideal world, they'd get a Wonders of Life project going before they shutter Imagination or Spaceship Earth.

 

[DisneyDodo]

They aren’t changing Imagination, SSE, or WoL anytime soon. Disney can’t wait to finally wipe their hands clean of this entire Epcot overhaul fiasco.

Dinoland, Beyond Big Thunder, and Animation Courtyard are now ahead of anything in Epcot in the queue for attention (not including TT which has a sponsor). When those are done, in like 2046, maybe Epcot will see some “love” again.

 

[UNCgolf]

I don't think another coaster would be a good move for DHS right now. It wouldn't do much to help the park's issues and may actually exacerbate them.

Both it and DAK need more high capacity "family" rides.

 

[aladdin2007]

They aren’t changing Imagination, SSE, or WoL anytime soon. Disney can’t wait to finally wipe their hands clean of this entire Epcot overhaul fiasco.

Dinoland, Beyond Big Thunder, and Animation Courtyard are now ahead of anything in Epcot in the queue for attention (not including TT which has a sponsor). When those are done, in like 2046, maybe Epcot will see some “love” again.

that,,,,,and that one for sure is so bad it needs to be fast tracked,,,.yet Imagination is an embarrassment, not sure how much longer they can just ignore it.

 

[UNCgolf]

that,,,,,and that one for sure is so bad it needs to be fast tracked,,,.yet Imagination is an embarrassment, not sure how much longer they can just ignore it.

They've also got Nemo sitting there which is just as unpopular (maybe even more unpopular).

That said, Nemo is only a minor part of the Seas pavilion and not the main draw, so it's not hurting the park nearly as much as Imagination.

Wonders of Life is even worse for the park than either, but that's a separate conversation.

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

This needs to close. It’s time.

It’s in disrepair and it’s a below the quality standard. In years past, it was able to shuffle on, but it has reached the end of the line.

I do think this may be the year an announcement comes. The figurative smoke is bigger than it has ever been. Fingers crossed.

If I were you I wouldn't get my hopes up for this year . . . plans can change, but right now this isn't in the foreground. They do have concepts, of course.

Based on what I've been hearing, I'd say a new Imagination before the end of the decade is possible, but not guaranteed. They've got bigger fish they want to fry first.

EDITED To Add: Just caught up on some of the more recent posts in this thread - it's true that EPCOT is probably lowest on the list of the 4 WDW Parks for new attractions (revised Test Track notwithstanding). MK, AK, and DHS all have significant things actively in the works. Which will materialize first remains to be seen, but I'd bet on AK or DHS. EPCOT *could* theoretically get something new before MK's big projects open, but that would likely come down to how ambitious they are at MK and how long it takes to open stuff. Seems like they really do wanna swing big there.

Nemo isn't particularly popular but I believe its GSATs are better than Imagination, and rightfully so. Disney knows Imagination is a wasteland but fixing it isn't the priority.

 

[UNCgolf]

Nemo isn't particularly popular but I believe its GSATs are better than Imagination, and rightfully so. Disney knows Imagination is a wasteland but fixing it isn't the priority.

The last two times I was there Imagination supposedly had a longer wait than Nemo (not that that's saying much; Imagination was posted as 20 minutes and Nemo posted as 10) -- I didn't ride, so I can't say if it actually did, but the one time I rode Nemo the entire queue was empty. We just walked straight through and boarded.

I don't have trouble believing the Nemo GSATs are higher, though. And as I said, Nemo isn't really important to the function of the pavilion; it would have roughly the same number of visitors if the ride didn't exist.

Imagination, on the other hand, is basically just wasted space since the whole pavilion is barely used.

As for DHS... I hope they're smart enough to not just dust off the Door Coaster (as has been rumored recently), unless they're planning to build two or three other attractions along with it. Adding a new coaster to DHS without anything else would probably make the park's existing problems worse.

 

[HMF]

Yeah, SSE is still a good ride, it just needs maintenance (and a fixed descent).

and a non-insulting script.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

and a non-insulting script.

And better music score..

 

[Tegan pilots a chicken]

SSE is still a wonderful experience. If they wanted to go with an inexpensive refurb, just remove the screens and make the ascent and descent look good. Some interesting lighting and a nice score would really go so far. Like 90% of the ride doesn’t need changed. Though I would love to see the planetarium-esque section restored to its former glory.

Imagination on the other hand is just embarrassing at this point. Though when I’ve brought first timers to WDW they generally end up enjoying it for what it is. But it really could and should be so, so much more.

One is the park icon the other is the park mascot. Idk which one should be fixed first for those reasons, though I lean toward Imagination.

But I wish we could get something at all in the former WoL pavilion.

 

[Haymarket2008]

If I were you I wouldn't get my hopes up for this year . . . plans can change, but right now this isn't in the foreground. They do have concepts, of course.

Based on what I've been hearing, I'd say a new Imagination before the end of the decade is possible, but not guaranteed. They've got bigger fish they want to fry first.

EDITED To Add: Just caught up on some of the more recent posts in this thread - it's true that EPCOT is probably lowest on the list of the 4 WDW Parks for new attractions (revised Test Track notwithstanding). MK, AK, and DHS all have significant things actively in the works. Which will materialize first remains to be seen, but I'd bet on AK or DHS. EPCOT *could* theoretically get something new before MK's big projects open, but that would likely come down to how ambitious they are at MK and how long it takes to open stuff. Seems like they really do wanna swing big there.

Nemo isn't particularly popular but I believe its GSATs are better than Imagination, and rightfully so. Disney knows Imagination is a wasteland but fixing it isn't the priority.

Thanks for the reply. It's fascinating to get a small insight into their thought process. Despite me being the EPCOT fan, I fully realize that the other parks need capacity....badly.

It really stinks Imagination is left to fester, but I'd much rather this take its time and come out on top than be a rush job.

AK needs investment, DHS needs FAR more variety and redevelopment (arguably more than any park on property).

I understand the need to alleviate the absolutely unbearable crowd situation in Magic Kingdom, but I am weary of truly MAJOR expansion. Hopefully it won't dilute the product. I'm still very much of the mind that MK needs the "Disneyland 60" treatment: basically everything got a medium to heavy sized refurbishment budget. That park looked spectacular in 2015.