The fate of "Journey Into Imagination"?

SMRT-1Michael

SMRT-1Michael

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I hate to open this can of worms again on this site. But I have become really sad lately thinking about the pathetic existence of the current "Imagination!" Pavillion (Lame name change btw). I was at Epcot last Sunday and my friend and I rode the current version as we do each time. And while Figment is still there, I still hate it. I'm 20 years old, which means that I got the honor to ride the Original JII attraction for the first 5 years of my life. It was my favorite attraction ever and I still to this day have numerous Figment pins, plushes, etc. Anyways, The whole Nigel Channing bit is just lame and does spark my imagination at all. When the second and horrid version JIYI opened in 1999, my mother told me that I cried (mind you I was 6) when "Figgy" as I called him, was gone.

Over this past decade as I've gotten older I've done numerous amounts of research about the original attraction and let me tell you when I visit Epcot now (I go a lot since I live in FL), seeing it in it's current state depresses me. I actually can't sleep at night because I'm thinking about some of the awful changes made, from closing down HALF of the track, removing Dreamfinder (don't even get me started on that), and closing the Upstairs ImageWorks (which I loved as a kid, again, dont get me started on that ramble lol). The ImageWorks currently is absolutely half-a*sed and lame and I literally just walk to the exit once I exit the ride. Seeing that spiral staircase when I go to the gift shop blocked off with cheesy souveneirs and posters makes me so sad. I still dont understand why they would get rid of all of the beautiful murals and the wide open atrium lobby which was the original load area. Now it's like in the middle of the building...I'm just over it.

Sorry for rambling, but I would really like some discussion on this matter. I haven't posted a thread in about a year.

Any thoughts or opinions on a return of at least a JII 4.0 that AT LEAST pays homage to the original and includes Dreamfinder and Figment as a duo, and no Channing and "that pesky dragon". (I hate how they portray Figment as an annoying pest in the current version)

Thanks for reading! Have a magical day!
 
Z

Zman-ks

Well-Known Member
FettFan said:
The same cannot be said for Test Track.
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:eek:
 
K

Kev1417

Active Member
An attraction about your IMAGINATION should be pretty incredible. I mean you are not limited to anything! Bring back the original cast, use some modern technology mixed with the classic feel of the original attraction and it could be a hit again. Is it possible to extend the ride into the EO theater since that is being taken away? The original was a very lengthy ride. Oh the possibilies.......but the way things have gone it won't live up to anything people put out there. Kind of sad it seems people are more amazed at the new bathrooms in the MK than they are with the new ride.
 
ShookieJones

ShookieJones

We need time for things to happen.
Nemo14 said:
It's going down for a lengthy refurb next year, so don't lose hope yet.
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This.
For the record I think just about everyone around here feels similar to you about the JII. The first iteration of the ride was the "one and only". It was also a great example of how to integrate an original, kid friendly character into the learning environment that Epcot has recently 'struggled' to be.

For example I don't have a huge problem with the Nemo Living Seas version, although it certainly lost some of it's original coolness by having an existing Pixar character overlay be the means of combining those fun and learn elements, however I get why they do it, it's just that they don't seem to be anywhere near as good at it as they were when they first introduced us to Figment.
 
SMRT-1Michael

SMRT-1Michael

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I feel the same about Test Track. Seriously, World of Motion was great. I love the "It's Fun to be Free" theme!

But getting back to JII... Can we at least get rid of that AWFUL paint job an restore it to pale purples and blues. And get the original sign back?

I'm just very hopeful of the future. The fan base for this attraction was so large and Disney obviously has the money. It was broken so I don't know why they fixed it.

Also, if they aren't going to move back upstairs... How about bringing the stuff downstairs? I bet you the Rainbow Corridor still works. They just have to turn it on!
 
AllyInWonderland

AllyInWonderland

Well-Known Member
I agree with everything you've said! I only got to ride the original as a baby, but I miss the original SO much! Dreamfinder was so cool, and Figment was so cute and innocent. I honestly don't see what was so wrong with Dreamfinder that they had to replace him with Eric Idle.

My heart will be broken if they ruin it again.
 
SMRT-1Michael

SMRT-1Michael

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
retroeric said:
You know things are bad when there is not one person in line. I went on Tuesday and the CM in the loading area was literally waiting for my arrival and I was the only person in the 4-car ride. What a depressing state this ride has become.
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My friends and I were also they only ones in line.... The CM's look so bored too.
 
SMRT-1Michael

SMRT-1Michael

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
ShookieJones said:
This.
For the record I think just about everyone around here feels similar to you about the JII. The first iteration of the ride was the "one and only". It was also a great example of how to integrate an original, kid friendly character into the learning environment that Epcot has recently 'struggled' to be.

For example I don't have a huge problem with the Nemo Living Seas version, although it certainly lost some of it's original coolness by having an existing Pixar character overlay be the means of combining those fun and learn elements, however I get why they do it, it's just that they don't seem to be anywhere near as good at it as they were when they first introduced us to Figment.
Click to expand...

I would be okay as long as the called it "The Living Seas" again. Keep the Nemo stuff just change the name back
 
JohnD

JohnD

Well-Known Member
It's been so long since I've been back that I only remember the original. Well, going in October and will get to experience 3.0 (with Figment). I hear that 2.0 was a disaster.
 
ajrwdwgirl

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
The original is the best, I really still go on this ride for two reasons....1. I love Figment and I like to support this ride. 2. Short line with a sit down air conditioned ride.

I hope they don't remove figment, remember all the protests the last time! I remember signing a petition to get him back!
 

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