PS: It doesn’t *exactly* have to be “going back” either. It can be a *new* Journey Into Imagination ride, with elements from the original and the recent comic series put in. Heck, if you wanted to. Since Figment *has* met and interacted with film IP characters before in the Language Arts Through Imagination short films (like Alice & Peter Pan for instance). (Not to mention Dr. Channing from Honey, I Shrunk the Audience and some of other film characters featured in the Institute) It *could* technically be utilized properly without it being intrusive.
Think Disneyland’s treatment of It’s a Small World. You can see various small cameos in the form of items or small appearances. And it still works, as it’s based on the theme of abstract thoughts and all the creative realms.
*Infact*, you can actually find concept art of the original Literature scene that utilizes the Cheshire Cat for the ‘Cat/Bat’ shadow illusion gag. And a section with an open comic featuring Spider Man. (i’m Not even kidding. I’ll try to find this artwork and post it here later). But it can easily work.
And you know how at the end, after exploring each creative realm, Figment ultimately decides to take all he learned and apply that to becoming a “film” star (*cough cough* Kodak film. Lol) and we get to see him imagine himself in different roles? As a cowboy, a super hero, an ice climber, a scientist, a pirate, etc.)
Now who’s to say you couldn’t change that slightly to have Figment imagine himself as different Disney film character roles. Say instead of a pirate, you could have Figment dressed in the role of Jack Sparrow fighting Davey Jones, or Figment imagining himself as Woody riding on Bullseye alongside Jessie. Why not Figment climbing the ice tower/castle with Olaf or Elsa? Why not Figment imagine himself as Rocket with the Guardians of the Galaxy (synergy. LOL).
It works.. it can be reimagined and not completely destroy the spirit or theme of the original ride. It can still be done in a cohesive and non-intrusive,respectful way