EPCOT Figment, well, to be replaced by Figment

Epcot82Guy

Well-Known Member

Agreed. I think:
1. A decent update to the Magic Eye theater into a new Inside Out-led Cranium Command.
2. A brand new Mystic Manor JII using the original JII story (generally) and MM tech.
3. The upstairs restored as an Imagineering area (which, by mandate, could focus on Disney attractions and characters.

It would blend a lot of Epcot history, Disney and new elements into a compelling pavilion.
 

easyrowrdw

Well-Known Member
The whole, "Figment could be paired with a popular IP... " thought process is so hilarious to me.

Figment is IP.

Whether or not Chapek realizes that or not is the issue.

Your avatar is awesome.

On the topic at hand, Figment was my favorite ride when I was a kid. I thought it was incredible. I remember thinking back on it and not knowing if it was a real thing. I never heard of the figment dragon outside of that trip to Disney. I assumed such a great ride would have been seen on TV or movies like pretty much every other Disney thing I knew.

When I went back later as an adult I still enjoyed it, but thought it wasn't the same as I remembered. Obviously they made a lot of changes and I don't think they're positive. Still, even in its current incarnation my kids really liked the ride on our recent trip. I can only imagine how they would enjoy the original.
 

Figments Friend

Well-Known Member
It's been discussed for ages, and it's been stated many times by several of our real insiders -

There is NO WAY that a trackless ride like the much longed for 'Mystic Manor' can be built inside of the Imagination Pavilion.
The floor is not level enough which is a fundamental requirement for such a Attraction, and to make it so would involve a major and costly modification to the property.
Basically raising the entire building and starting over.

There is so much that can be done with the bare bones of what is there now.
We just need leadership that understands that and has the interest to pursue such a investment.

No need to level the place and 'start over'.
That kind of thinking is what got us into the mess we are in today...and have been since 1998.
And lost us a true masterpiece of design and showmanship.

-
 

Figments Friend

Well-Known Member
I thoroughly enjoyed the Comic...why not just theme it to that. I'm sure it's already been brought up a zillion times but it is exciting, keeps with the original feel, and is very deep in environment.

There was talk some years ago within the Company of developing it into a film....but that's all it was - talk.

As someone here already elegantly stated, 'talk is cheap'.

Would have been interesting, but alas, the time to do so has kind of come and went.

-
 

Mac Tonight

Well-Known Member
Your avatar is awesome.

On the topic at hand, Figment was my favorite ride when I was a kid. I thought it was incredible. I remember thinking back on it and not knowing if it was a real thing. I never heard of the figment dragon outside of that trip to Disney. I assumed such a great ride would have been seen on TV or movies like pretty much every other Disney thing I knew.

When I went back later as an adult I still enjoyed it, but thought it wasn't the same as I remembered. Obviously they made a lot of changes and I don't think they're positive. Still, even in its current incarnation my kids really liked the ride on our recent trip. I can only imagine how they would enjoy the original.
Agreed.

I feel fortunate to have grown up at Epcot in the late 80's - early 90's.
The "original" Figment will always be cemented in my mind along with Dreamfinder.

When I returned in 2012, I was a bit dismayed to see Figment in his current iteration. I can sympathise with those who aren't as fond of him, but to them I say, "you don't know how good it was."

I would just be really disappointed if they removed him completely, or even reduce his role to one of background character.

There is literally so much they could do with the character... if only someone people in management had the... ahem... imagination :)
 

Epcot82Guy

Well-Known Member
It's been discussed for ages, and it's been stated many times by several of our real insiders -

There is NO WAY that a trackless ride like the much longed for 'Mystic Manor' can be built inside of the Imagination Pavilion.
The floor is not level enough which is a fundamental requirement for such a Attraction, and to make it so would involve a major and costly modification to the property.
Basically raising the entire building and starting over.

There is so much that can be done with the bare bones of what is there now.
We just need leadership that understands that and has the interest to pursue such a investment.

No need to level the place and 'start over'.
That kind of thinking is what got us into the mess we are in today...and have been since 1998.
And lost us a true masterpiece of design and showmanship.

-

But what if we use our... Imagination... 😄😄😄
 

Horizons '83

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
Agreed.

I feel fortunate to have grown up at Epcot in the late 80's - early 90's.
The "original" Figment will always be cemented in my mind along with Dreamfinder.

When I returned in 2012, I was a bit dismayed to see Figment in his current iteration. I can sympathise with those who aren't as fond of him, but to them I say, "you don't know how good it was."

I would just be really disappointed if they removed him completely, or even reduce his role to one of background character.

There is literally so much they could do with the character... if only someone people in management had the... ahem... imagination :)
Especially given that WDI is obsessed with LPS tech now. They could easily create a LPS Dark Ride featuring Figment and Dreamfinder that ties into the older 1.0 version.
 

trainplane3

Well-Known Member
Especially given that WDI is obsessed with LPS tech now. They could easily create a LPS Dark Ride featuring Figment and Dreamfinder that ties into the older 1.0 version.
Thing is, would they opt for gutting and redoing all of the 1st floor to meet LPS requirements (perfectly smooth and level) or just demo the entire thing? Demo would probably be the "cheap" way out.
 

Brer Oswald

Well-Known Member
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DoleWhipDrea

Well-Known Member
Trackless has been used already for Mystic Manor and the existing Rat ride. Why would you think trackless is a fickle technology?

We get regular reports of people being escorted off boat rides and coasters and people movers and omnimovers because of their failures.

I never said that the technology itself was fickle, just that ROTR is exceptionally unreliable and that gives me pause for concern. While all of the other trackless attractions you named are operational (not living overseas, I’ve no idea how they behaved when they first debuted) none of them are currently operating in the domestic parks. I’ve been told that the powers that be have wanted to cheapen out on important construction materials that just don’t hold up the same, which can vary from project to project (against the recommendations of those actually building it), and every little adjustment can impact the behavior of the ride operation.

Yes, rides break down, including the “tried and true.” I’d say that’s more from not so great maintenance from what I generally see, but certain ride systems are also more particular than others. But I’ve never heard of a new Disney attraction being as temperamental as ROTR has been.

I'm pretty sure it's the elevators that are causing the issues (or just someone dropping a loose object on the floor).

This is, of course, a definite possibility. Indiana Jones at DL and Dinosaur at DAK have frequent breakdowns due to the sensor technology on the track. If even a little hydraulic fluid is detected on the path of the jeep, the ride will shut down. With the trackless vehicles, it’s even more imperative that the floor they operate on is perfectly flat. The elevator technology was already perfected with TOT.

Ratatouille already operates daily in Paris with no issues; along with Mystic Manor in Hong Kong. Rise's problems are not solely because it uses an LPS system. Assuming these rides all remain on one level, there shouldn't be any issue.

This all leads to my main point. We’re all unfortunately just guessing why ROTR is having as many technical issues as it is. Growing pains are normal, but I’m not used to seeing a new attraction struggle as much as this one out of the gate. But it’s an excellent attraction, and I’d love to see that level of imagination inspire something new for the Imagination Pavilion.

More important in my eyes s that the new attraction would have high capacity. The parks desperately need more attractions that are high capacity. I don’t want to further derail, but I recommend looking at the amount of attractions and average wait times at Disneyland Resort and then compare them to Walt Disney World. It’s not good that the parks so often get high-capacity attractions replaced with low-capacity ones (if anything at all in many cases), especially if the goal is to get even more guests visiting the parks.
 

raymusiccity

Well-Known Member
I’m sure there is. Even if there isn’t, how about a modern day equivalent of it? And those who don’t have a clue how good it used to be won’t be any the wiser.

worked for mystic manor.
Imagination vs Mystic Manor seems like an apples to oranges comparison, but, I agree with you that Imagination is overdue for a modern update!
 

Epcot82Guy

Well-Known Member
It mostly seems to be thinking that an old guy with an accent and a monkey is the same thing as a bearded guy with an accent and his dragon.

That's a fair question. For me, it's the kinetic and dynamic energy of the attraction that harkens back to JII. Lots of rather whimsical things going on that interact with the car, and the fact it is mostly tangible sets vs. screens (with screens pretty tastefully integrated). The story has nothing to do with it. But, I could easily see the ideas from JII recreated using the tech from Mystic Manor. And the end scene with the swirling tornado would work with the Figment reel finale scene very well. Those are the reasons I personally saw a connection.
 

pax_65

Well-Known Member
Every discussion on Imagination is tempered by the expectation that the attraction will not be an "E-Ticket" or anything particularly innovative or exciting. Why is that? Maybe because the attraction has been lackluster for decades. We cannot IMAGINE (ha) anything amazing actually going in there.

I agree that Figment should stay in some capacity but I wouldn't want him to limit things. By it's very nature, this attraction should be incredibly creative and innovative - and a lot of fun. In it's current state it is none of those things. :(
 

Cmdr_Crimson

Well-Known Member
I Had gone on the ride today and wow...Having been gone for 2 years and seeing how neglected that attraction has become is sad...
  1. The Sound Lab Figment doesn't even move his mouth anymore
  2. The Sight Lab Screen is horribly Blurry and bleeding brightness over the text
  3. The Smell lab....Well, it stinks and I don't mean by that of course..But, for whatever reasons guests who think they are smelling something bad (and man do they over react to something that doesn't even smell). The room alone just has that Skunk-Funk.
  4. The Figment AA By the Touch & Taste Lab...Use to have more livelier movements now it's just minor moves here and there..
  5. Imagination's gift shop just have some Minor Figment things now and that's really sad to me..
But, those were just my little bit of investigating happening there...I really hope they have something in store that would appease everyone..
 

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