EPCOT Figment, well, to be replaced by Figment

[Zak and Wheezie]

funny how no one has yet mentioned that PBS has broadcast a technically Disney show before: Bill Nye the Science Guy

Bill Nye was actually featured in Innoventions AND Ellen's Energy Adventure.

 

[Jayspency]

They’ve been releasing merch there actually. There was a little straw and a Figment figure w flapping wings that got released there to success I believe. As did the Popcorn bucket But yeah, not sure how upper management took the results of that, let alone how the results turned out. But I hope they did well! Weird thing is though, they didn’t release that same straw clip at EPCOT for whatever reason. Not entirely sure why, but again, hey, if it’s getting the message to those in power at Disney that Figment, Dreamfinder & Journey Into Imagination deserve a bigger investment , that’s a good thing:

I saw a comment earlier citing Tony baxter saying Disney would only invest in a new attraction if they NEEDED to. However the release of the golden book, international merchandise, and other things, seem to hint that Disney is at the very least interested in doing something with figment; and perhaps maybe the ride. Disney can only put it off for so long before they need to replace a pre existing Epcot attraction for expansion.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Bill Nye was actually featured in Innoventions AND Ellen's Energy Adventure.

And Dinosaur and Disneyquest as Bill Nye the Coaster Guy for Cyberspace mountain..

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

I have always wondered how the source audio for the first two got out there.

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 mix 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.

 

[WaluigiTime]

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 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.

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

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

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.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

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.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

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.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

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.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

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.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

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.