My friend's family just got back from their WDW trip. Their daughter having never been to WDW before fell in love with Figment and proceeded to buy a plush and shirt immediately after exiting the attraction. These were her only attraction specific souvenirs. She's a little old, IMO to be toting a plush around but supposedly it never leaves her side.
Does merch have any sway in determining things?
Merch does not make as much of a sway as fans would like to the decision makers when it comes to the hope of refreshing the Imagination Pavilion.
A lot of fans seem to have this idea that if they buy a lot of Figment merch it will 'send the message to Disney' that they want a restored Pavillion with a imaginative Attraction again.
This is particularly true with 'retro' merch that features Dreamfinder or 'nostalgic' elements from the Original ride.
In reality, it only sends the message that Figment and 'retro' JII merchandise sells and alerts Marketing to just create more of it for sales.
It has very little impact otherwise.
The recent exception however was the release of the Marvel 'Figment' comic book series a few years ago.
THIS did create awareness within the halls of Burbank and some executives took notice of it's success.
It was hoped at the time that this would help drive a re-do of the Attraction, but alas, nothing has come of it to date.
The problem is, as i've covered here and elsewhere before, is that most of the execs at Disney that have the power to make such changes are too young to have known the Original.
Many never experienced it at EPCOT Center back in the day, so they don't have the emotional connection to the memory of it.
They are also for the most part California based, so there is a difference of awareness when one is based on the West Coast.
So they honestly have NO IDEA of the scope and how much this Attraction effected and meant to people back in the day, and STILL does today.
They were clueless, until the 'Figment' comic series came out and it was so successful.
Surprisingly successful in their eyes, so much so it made many sit up and take a deeper look.
Marvel's biggest selling non-super hero series EVER.
That got their attention.
Now, some are more aware of it...but there is still opposition within the Company to invest any serious resources into it at present.
I hope one day it happens...and there is a return to a truly imaginative experience with these characters Dreamfinder and Figment.
NO stupid 'Pixar' crap...or other 'contemporary' IP. It is NOT NEEDED in this case.
We already had a brilliant concept that should be and CAN be built upon, not destroyed.
It has to happen at some point...long overdue.
Here's to hoping.
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