EPCOT Figment, well, to be replaced by Figment

[Homemade Imagineering]

Personally I'm really trying to temper my expectations with a proper Imagination redo. With that said however, I wouldn't doubt it if D'amaro is planning to bring back the original duo at some point in the future. Heck, I think it would be great to announce a new Imagination at the next D23 expo in a year. Almost as, a sign of WDI emerging from the pandemic with a new E ticket everyone will be hyped for (even if it is announced way early on, and actual work on the pavilion doesn't begin until say, 2025). I'd be okay with waiting a few years in between an actual announcement and breaking ground on the pavilion, knowing the current version would only last a short while longer.

 

[Mickeynerd17]

The thing about this narrative and the others that seem to corroborate it, is that it IS very much a thing that they are clearly seriously considering. I really do think it’s not “if” it’s just “when”. This seems to be the crown jewel of the Epcot overhaul, and they don’t want to mess it up so they keep pushing it further down the timeline. Imho.

If this is the case, then the half-in-half approach to the EPCOT overhaul would have two major new rides being Guardians for the IP half and a refurbed imagination for the Vintage half.

It's all speculation, but definitely interesting info.

 

[DoleWhipDrea]

Say what you will about D'Amaro, but he listens to his CMs and the parks fans for feedback. It does sound like brining Imagination back to its full glory is important to him. I would rather Imagination gets the large budget it needs for whenever the eventual refurb happens. Hopefully Chapek won't stand in the way and meant it when he said he prefers to be mostly hands-off over various departments. As long as Figment and Dreamfinder merch can make good money the way it has been, we're on the right track.

 

[pdude81]

What he may have meant by asking for a little time is that there are a whole bunch of other projects delayed right now and needing to wait until revenues are back to normal before any more big projects. He shared an affection for Mr Toad's Wild Ride so he thankfully has respect for classic rides even if they aren't drawing huge crowds right now.

 

[Brer Panther]

needing to wait until revenues are back to normal before any more big projects.

Except the Splash Mountain retheme, apparently.

 

[pdude81]

Except the Splash Mountain retheme, apparently.

I haven't been following the splash threads, but I haven't noticed any news items related to Splash in the year since they announced that eventually it will change. Perhaps it'll go down for refurb in January and stay down a year, but I expect park revenues for Q2 FY22 to have recovered by then. Plus, as I am sure you are aware, that ride will be reworked for a different reason

 

[FigmentFan82]

Make of this what you will. I’m not convinced this is the truth. Just doesn’t seem realistic atm.

what is this referencing?

 

[Bocabear]

it's kind of humorous that a defunct character (Bonnie Apetite) is talking about a questionable rumor to another defunct character (Dreamfinder)...

 

[Homemade Imagineering]

what is this referencing?

D’amaro’s interest in bringing back the Dreamfinder, or something close to the original Imagination.

 

[FigmentFan82]

all they need to do is pull inspo from marvel comic

 

[Thelazer]

Personally I'm really trying to temper my expectations with a proper Imagination redo. With that said however, I wouldn't doubt it if D'amaro is planning to bring back the original duo at some point in the future. Heck, I think it would be great to announce a new Imagination at the next D23 expo in a year. Almost as, a sign of WDI emerging from the pandemic with a new E ticket everyone will be hyped for (even if it is announced way early on, and actual work on the pavilion doesn't begin until say, 2025). I'd be okay with waiting a few years in between an actual announcement and breaking ground on the pavilion, knowing the current version would only last a short while longer.

I've said it before, I'll say it again. They can never top the original ride... (or even get us half close back to it)

 

[Mickeynerd17]

I've said it before, I'll say it again. They can never top the original ride... (or even get us half close back to it)

They may not, but then again they haven't tried yet.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

I've said it before, I'll say it again. They can never top the original ride... (or even get us half close back to it)

Which is why I say.. go to back to that original ride but make the improvements it needed back in ‘98. Mainly the stuff that was initially planned but cut out due to budgetary limitations, along with other technology & spfx enhancements. That’s all you need to do and everyone will be happy. That and improve the marketing on the characters & attraction so they stay in the limelight. Then people ‘know’ they’re there that it’s a must see icon much like Spaceship Earth. That way we won’t have another Honey I Shrunk the Audience situation happen again where that was made the centerpiece attraction as opposed to the latter.

 

[FigmentFan82]

Which is why I say.. go to back to that original ride but make the improvements it needed back in ‘98. Mainly the stuff that was initially planned but cut out due to budgetary limitations, along with other technology & spfx enhancements. That’s all you need to do and everyone will be happy. That and improve the marketing on the characters & attraction so they stay in the limelight. Then people ‘know’ they’re there that it’s a must see icon much like Spaceship Earth. That way we won’t have another Honey I Shrunk the Audience situation happen again where it was made the centerpiece attraction as opposed to the latter.

I don't think you go back to what was, but take inspiration from it to create the new Imagination. While we all morn the death of the original attraction, wouldn't simply bringing it back be a bit lackluster since it's something that already existed. IMHO, be inspired by what came before, and wow us with something new

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

I don't think you go back to what was, but take inspiration from it to create the new Imagination. While we all morn the death of the original attraction, wouldn't simply bringing it back be a bit lackluster since it's something that already existed. IMHO, be inspired by what came before, and wow us with something new

I understand what you’re saying but i don’t necessarily agree with that, I feel like while it was popular back in the 80s & 90s, too many people of this generation didn’t get to experience it the way it was intended to be. It was the most timeless pavilion & attraction they had, really what it needed was a reimagined ImageWorks. The fact the current ride’s outlasted the original by nearly 3 years now, about 5 years counting Your Imagination’s years IMO, is just sad. Most of the original building & track still exists. The only thing it needs being really hollow floor boards being removed and the turntable being upgraded. It’s Infact cheaper to do that then do a completely different ride. Why take the chance at possibly screwing it all up again when it worked just fine the first time? It was unjustly altered due to an intentional lessening of marketing on Disney’s part in favor of film IP, Honey I Shrunk to be exact .

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

I don't think you go back to what was, but take inspiration from it to create the new Imagination. While we all morn the death of the original attraction, wouldn't simply bringing it back be a bit lackluster since it's something that already existed. IMHO, be inspired by what came before, and wow us with something new

For me, that’s sorta like if for a while, they replaced the film Mary Poppins, for instance… with a film like High School Musical where Mary & Bert pop in and interfere from time to time to say it’s all wrong.. only to get a glimpse of something similar to the original near the end… despite the film still being titled “Mary Poppins” and that was the only one made available to watch in decent-high quality while the originals, beloved classic was nearly impossible to find, discontinued for years on end due to neglect from studio management, only able to be found in poor video/audio quality.. despite it’s massive popularity.
But because the original film already existed, they can’t release it again with some needed upgrades like picture remastering, possibly cut scenes added back in as a bonus, a better sound mix, etc.

Instead they can only release a remake of the original with new actors, a different story, etc, being advertised as a return of the original classic.. which has a higher chance of not being as good than the latter.

 

[FigmentFan82]

They're not remaking the original attraction. Wishful thinking at best. And its not analogous to films because those still exist in their form. Attractions are a different beast. Heck Snow White just went thru it's what, 4th, 5th iteration. WDI is not in the business of turning back the clock. Best we can hope for is something that is in the spirit of what was and builds upon that in a positive way

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

They're not remaking the original attraction. Wishful thinking at best. And its not analogous to films because those still exist in their form. Attractions are a different beast. Heck Snow White just went thru it's what, 4th, 5th iteration. WDI is not in the business of turning back the clock. Best we can hope for is something that is in the spirit of what was and builds upon that in a positive way

True, though with a Fantasyland ride.. and particuarly in Snow White’s case. The difference is, that’s based off a film.. and the ride is supposed to be a unique way of telling the same story that’s already well known, that’s been able to last for more than a few decades. They didn’t even change the core source material of the ride that much, they simply added to the ride more of the originally planned scenes & additions they would’ve added or even took away at a time (like the dwarves in the mine). Journey Into Imagination never got that chance as a unique WDW exclusive attraction and instead got replaced with a completely different Honey I shrunk/Medfield College attraction within’ it’s original building, with 1 original character shoehorned back in instead. WDI should finally admit to their mistake and change it back with the proper updates it should’ve received back in ‘98 as opposed to the pointless IP retheme. They did it with WDW’s Tiki Room after doing something very similar, despite it being shortened a bit.

 

[Mickeynerd17]

They did it with WDW’s Tiki Room after doing something very similar, despite it being shortened a bit.

That was partially instigated by the fire in 2011 when they just decided to return the original after repairing it, but you make a good point.

If that fire didn't happen, I'd bet money we would still have that awful version of the Tiki Room today.

 

[pdude81]

That was partially instigated by the fire in 2011 when they just decided to return the original after repairing it, but you make a good point.

If that fire didn't happen, I'd bet money we would still have that awful version of the Tiki Room today.

They even pretended that it was more popular than the original (Tiki Room) in the article linked earlier.