The Dreamfinder rumor, from a slightly different source...

[marni1971]

Just remember, screen haters - the original had lots of screens too. In some places instead of AAs. The new version should take the same route - to mainly supplement, not replace, the AA.

 

[HMF]

Just remember, screen haters - the original had lots of screens too. In some places instead of AAs. The new version should take the same route - to mainly supplement, not replace, the AA.

Yes, but that was before Tom Fitzgerald became an Executive.

 

[marni1971]

Yes, but that was before Tom Fitzgerald became an Executive.

Harsh. But fair.

 

[jedimaster1227]

Does that mean "turntable"?

the revised verson of the carosuel portion?

In short: yes and no. The turntable will never be brought back due to its extremely difficult system and the issues it brought upon version 1. The revision will be more of a replacement since it is not an option to bring back the carousel itself.

 

[FigmentJedi]

In short: yes and no. The turntable will never be brought back due to its extremely difficult system and the issues it brought upon version 1. The revision will be more of a replacement since it is not an option to bring back the carousel itself.

So with screens substituting the carousel, is the intro going to be a long showstop or is it going to be like a virtual version of the carousel in the whole "following you" aspect and they will restore parts of that old track?

 

[olmec26]

In short: yes and no. The turntable will never be brought back due to its extremely difficult system and the issues it brought upon version 1. The revision will be more of a replacement since it is not an option to bring back the carousel itself.

Woohoo! Does this mean we can expect the DreamCatcher back as well?

 

[CaptainMichael]

I'm really hoping that the new version can become my new favorite EPCOT attraction and bridge the current Epcot with EPCOT Center.

We're pulling for ya Imagineering!

 

[HMF]

In short: yes and no. The turntable will never be brought back due to its extremely difficult system and the issues it brought upon version 1. The revision will be more of a replacement since it is not an option to bring back the carousel itself.

When you guys talk about the turntable are you talking about the original last scene where Figment was in the middle with all the screens around him?

 

[Rob562]

When you guys talk about the turntable are you talking about the original last scene where Figment was in the middle with all the screens around him?

No, it's referring to the original opening scene in Imagination with Dreamfinder and Figment on the DreamCatcher (blimp). There were actually five duplicate blimp scenes on a giant rotating turntable, with walls in between each segment. A curved section of track went all the way around the outside of this turntable.
A train would enter the turntable scene, the cars would rotate sideways, and the train would lock into the turntable and creep along slowly at the same speed. To most passengers, it was as if the trains stopped for three minutes to view the scene, unless you looked at the wall behind you.
The trains would stay this way throughout the 3-minute scene, and then would exit the turntable and continue on the ride track, and the scene would pick up another train. It was an interesting way to present an otherwise static scene that set up the rest of the attraction, and its low play time helped to make the ride time even longer. It was quite the engineering feat, but it caused all sorts of headaches throughout its history to ensure that the ride system had a train entering the turntable at just the right moment.

-Rob

 

[marni1971]

Just a reminder - the term `turntable` is a myth. There wasn`t a turntable as such - it was a huge rotating framework of steel beams with props and lighting hanging from the upper half and 5 walls separating the individual sections. The rotating rings which formed the top and bottom of the rotating structure are mostly intact, as is the drive mechanism and motors. The thing was destroyed in the 98-9 rehab by support beams for the new queue area being driven through the lower platforms and RCS infrastructure being bolted to it. The poor thing will never rotate again.

 

[dxwwf3]

I'm really hoping that the new version can become my new favorite EPCOT attraction and bridge the current Epcot with EPCOT Center.

We're pulling for ya Imagineering!

I'm with ya on this. But at the same time, there's going to be A LOT of pressure on the Imagineers on this project. When they officially announce the new attraction with a Dreamfinder return, it's going to get a lot of people very excited and expectations are raised. If they do, however, knock this one out of the park, it will probably be one of the most popular attractions at WDW among the fanbase. There's a lot of folks who are starving for anything that resembles the EPCOT of the 80's and another set that are just starving for a great attraction to once again reside in the pavilion.

I wouldn't want to be in their shoes, but yes best of luck to Imagineering.

 

[dxwwf3]

Just remember, screen haters - the original had lots of screens too. In some places instead of AAs. The new version should take the same route - to mainly supplement, not replace, the AA.

That's great to hear. I can't speak for everyone, but when I hear video screens I immediately think of Spaceship Earth and my feelings toward the descent. And needless to say I was not a big fan of that use

 

[Horizonsfan]

That's great to hear. I can't speak for everyone, but when I hear video screens I immediately think of Spaceship Earth and my feelings toward the descent. And needless to say I was not a big fan of that use

Oh where's merf when you need him? :lol::lookaroun:lookaroun

 

[maggiegrace1]

Oh where's merf when you need him? :lol::lookaroun:lookaroun

around...:lookaroun

 

[jedimaster1227]

That's great to hear. I can't speak for everyone, but when I hear video screens I immediately think of Spaceship Earth and my feelings toward the descent. And needless to say I was not a big fan of that use

The screens will be innovative (from what I have been told) in the way they deliver the story, and get the rider up to speed with things. Needless to say, the Epcot Camp won't be investing heavily in screen-based points-of-focus anytime soon for the majority of an attraction.

 

[olmec26]

The screens will be innovative (from what I have been told) in the way they deliver the story, and get the rider up to speed with things. Needless to say, the Epcot Camp won't be investing heavily in screen-based points-of-focus anytime soon for the majority of an attraction.

Good to hear...is there any idea on a timeframe yet?

 

[kingslyZISSOU]

Just a reminder - the term `turntable` is a myth. There wasn`t a turntable as such - it was a huge rotating framework of steel beams with props and lighting hanging from the upper half and 5 walls separating the individual sections. The rotating rings which formed the top and bottom of the rotating structure are mostly intact, as is the drive mechanism and motors. The thing was destroyed in the 98-9 rehab by support beams for the new queue area being driven through the lower platforms and RCS infrastructure being bolted to it. The poor thing will never rotate again.

how on earth do you learn these things?

 

[Jasonflz]

If Disney used a bigger budget they could empty out the ENTIRE pavilion and start from scratch. I have mixed feelings on a video screen attraction.

 

[Enigma]

I am going to have to respectfully disagree with recent posts about the Mexico El Ria de Tiempo refurb.

I think it was a pretty good refurb for the $$ made availalble. It added a bit more color and pizazz back to a once very dull and boring attraction. Plus, its nice to see los Tres Caballeros back in action.

$$ is not the issue. We have seen imagineers work with alot less back in the day (look at the fantasyland dark rides for example). Its just lazy imagineering.

 

[Enigma]

The new scenes at the beginning dont' even match the sets.(Which were perfect for the ancient culture scene of El Rio Del Tiempo.)

Especially the ancient entrance tunnel/cave, it use to be real mysterious and specially lit. Now there is nothing and the video screen lights up the whole tunnel and you can see up into the ceiling. They didnt even bother to do anything with the walls and turned off the lighting effects. Very bad show now, just like with sse. Im guessing the same teams are working in these attractions because each one is being left unfinished or cheaply done and it shows.

yes it is the same team. I believe its the team that is ultimately headed up by Tom Fitzgerald who used to work in WDI Productions which did all the video work for attractions (like the vids in Alien Encounter, test track, etc. very prevelant in the 90s). So obviously his agenda is to gve them all the work instead of the imagineers that work on set design and AA's. His whole team really needs to either be reassigned or fired im sorry to say.

I hope they officially begin work on Imagination Pavillion this year.