They've lost their minds!

[Enderikari]

I was lucky enough to be talking to a little girl earlier in the day at the Magic Kingdom today. Couldn't have been more than 8 years old. Generally when I introduce myself to someone, I also say who my favorite character is. Now, since we were on one of the MK tours together (the VMK insider tour) I also found out what this little girl's favorite character was. Without any hesitation, she declared, "Figment!" So, of course, being the Disney nerd that I am, I then bust out the worst rendition of the figment-creation song Dreamfinder sings at the beginning of the original "One Little Spark." She looks at me like I am a crazy person... So then, I try another tact. and sing-songingly sing out-"With F-I-G-M-E-N-T, you will see things differently." Together we belt out the rest of the song.

The point... you will never convince me that JIII isn't an enjoyable attraction for kids....

 

[General Grizz]

I was lucky enough to be talking to a little girl earlier in the day at the Magic Kingdom today. Couldn't have been more than 8 years old. Generally when I introduce myself to someone, I also say who my favorite character is. Now, since we were on one of the MK tours together (the VMK insider tour) I also found out what this little girl's favorite character was. Without any hesitation, she declared, "Figment!" So, of course, being the Disney nerd that I am, I then bust out the worst rendition of the figment-creation song Dreamfinder sings at the beginning of the original "One Little Spark." She looks at me like I am a crazy person... So then, I try another tact. and sing-songingly sing out-"With F-I-G-M-E-N-T, you will see things differently." Together we belt out the rest of the song.

The point... you will never convince me that JIII isn't an enjoyable attraction for kids....

And you will never convince me that JIIw/Figment is a more enjoyable attraction for kids and their families than the original. . .

I think the point here is that, while the attraction touches some who ride it, Disney can't keep on producing attractions like these and expect them to become legends... because they won't. Figment's popularity is primarily based on his history and heritage with Epcot.

 

[Kwit35]

I was lucky enough to be talking to a little girl earlier in the day at the Magic Kingdom today. Couldn't have been more than 8 years old. Generally when I introduce myself to someone, I also say who my favorite character is. Now, since we were on one of the MK tours together (the VMK insider tour) I also found out what this little girl's favorite character was. Without any hesitation, she declared, "Figment!" So, of course, being the Disney nerd that I am, I then bust out the worst rendition of the figment-creation song Dreamfinder sings at the beginning of the original "One Little Spark." She looks at me like I am a crazy person... So then, I try another tact. and sing-songingly sing out-"With F-I-G-M-E-N-T, you will see things differently." Together we belt out the rest of the song.

The point... you will never convince me that JIII isn't an enjoyable attraction for kids....

:wave: Well, I am glad that the pavilion is still loved. I bet that if that same little girl could ride both the old and the new version, she would like the first one better. :lookaroun Maybe? Again, just my opinion. I guess I just have trouble letting go of the past. It is just soooo hard when the past was sooooo good.

 

[askmike1]

Dreamfinder = Mythical character older in age? What's the big deal? :lol:

A) Wikipedia has almost everything. I put in dreamfinder, and well, this is what you get.
B) Next I googled Dreamfinder mythology (if google doesn't have it, nobody does). Out of the 62 results, 1/3 was about this Dreamfinder, 1/3 was about the ToD Dreamfinders (misspelled Dream Seekers), and the other 3rd was either random or NC-17 (just kidding)
Dreamfinder is not a mythical character. Also, he is not old (probably late 40s). Notice one similarity about everyone you posted (except the genie), they had white or grey hair. Dreamfinder's is very brown.

Disney villains... evil with weapons and evil powers

Or maybe they are just misunderstood.

-Michael

 

[General Grizz]

A) Wikipedia has almost everything. I put in dreamfinder, and well, this is what you get.
B) Next I googled Dreamfinder mythology (if google doesn't have it, nobody does). Out of the 62 results, 1/3 was about this Dreamfinder, 1/3 was about the ToD Dreamfinders (misspelled Dream Seekers), and the other 3rd was either random or NC-17 (just kidding)
Dreamfinder is not a mythical character. Also, he is not old (probably late 40s). Notice one similarity about everyone you posted (except the genie), they had white or grey hair. Dreamfinder's is very brown.


Or maybe they are just misunderstood.

-Michael

And Disney doesn't have a right to create its own myths? Honestly, I don't know what the big deal - I mean unimportant deal -is.

Do you want to shave him?

 

[Enderikari]

I think the point here is that, while the attraction touches some who ride it, Disney can't keep on producing attractions like these and expect them to become legends... because they won't. Figment's popularity is primarily based on his history and heritage with Epcot.

Then what we have here is a bit of a miscommunication, because when you say legend... I say Museum... Exactly the type of thing that Walt was trying to avoid.
Walt's statements about his theme parks were that he wanted them to be in constant change. Heck, he called for the removal of 7 attractions at DL himself. Change at WDW is inevitable, and thusly should be regarded as a GOOD thing, attraction change, become focused on another idea, carve their own history, then are allowed to become heritage... When they are gone. My favorite attraction in all of WDW is The Jungle Cruise... Will I whimper if they change it? Will I start letter writing campaigns if they remove it for something else?
Not at all, Walt would have wanted it that way. I'm not speaking ex cathedra here either. Walt wanted change, wanted his park to be unlike his movies, untouchable after they went to print. JI left, for various reasons, and became an agent of change, which is truly what WDW is all about. Will it change again? Count on it. Will it change to your specifications? I doubt it. But, I do know one thing... I will enjoy every minute of any Disney vacation I take, and relish in the changing World around me....
So help me Walt

 

[askmike1]

The point... you will never convince me that JIII isn't an enjoyable attraction for kids....

I agree

I think the point here is that, while the attraction touches some who ride it, Disney can't keep on producing attractions like these and expect them to become legends... because they won't.

So Disney should cater to everything you want? Come on. You say the attraction touches "some." Have you taken an exit poll of everyone who comes out? Do you know how many people it touched? Do you know how many the original touched in it's first 2-3 years? Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean a lot of other people don't like it.

-Michael

 

[General Grizz]

So Disney should cater to everything you want? Come on. You say the attraction touches "some." Have you taken an exit poll of everyone who comes out? Do you know how many people it touched? Do you know how many the original touched in it's first 2-3 years? Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean a lot of other people don't like it.

A lot of people do like it. But I will EASILY venture to say that not as many are touched by it. Why for? Attendance at the ride - the signature spot of the pavilion - is just higher than Cranium Command's (first of all). I also read thousands of comments on the Internet. Consensus? The original was better. I'm not saying bring back the original. I'm saying bring back something new and better than even the original.

Put in a wall with two doors, one which says "Dream Lab" and another that says "Smell Lab." The alternative is a GIANT mural of a work of art with images changing colors. Which one will entertain more? Which one will bring people back?

 

[JLW11Hi]

I'm going to be honest here. The main point I usually hear when people defend Disney's replacement of the original attraction is that it was getting old, and that not many people would really remember the original.

Now I can very well understand this position. I find it hard to believe that many people would even care who Dreamfinder is/was. But funny as it may seem, people do remember this stuff. The non-Disney fanatics who liked the original often have a vague memory of the ride ("oh yeah, the Imagination ride, what was it called? Travel into Imagination? And the little dinosaur guy, what was his name? Pigment? I loved that ride!"), but people do remember it, and they remember that they liked it, often one of their favorites in Epcot. I think the main reason for this is that the original JII, during the "early" Epcot years, was one of the only "non-boring-educational" attractions at the park. It was pure fun and fantasy.

So really, its difficult to say that people wouldn't care about the orignal anymore. The generations that went there as children, or as parents with children, do remember this attraction. It may seem like it is rare to find people who do remember it, who have even gone to Epcot in this period. But even I have been surprised at how some people actually remember the original attraction.

Anyone here a Family Guy fan? Anyone who watches Family Guy knows that they love to make references to 70s, 80s culture, and often the references can be VERY random and vague. Here's an example of a very popular show targeting jokes at probably the smallest audiences you could think of, those that know about the movie/actor/song that they are spoofing. But you would be surprised to see how many people actually get the jokes! I know, the comparison is a bit of a stretch (Family Guy : Figment), but hopefully you get the idea. In fact, writing about this, I could almost see Family Guy doing a joke about Figment in a future episode.

I'm not saying they should/shouldn't bring back Dreamfinder. The attraction they have now it alright, but could have been much better. I'm just throwing out my 2 cents.

 

[General Grizz]

Walt's statements about his theme parks were that he wanted them to be in constant change. Heck, he called for the removal of 7 attractions at DL himself. Change at WDW is inevitable, and thusly should be regarded as a GOOD thing, attraction change, become focused on another idea, carve their own history, then are allowed to become heritage... When they are gone.

This isn't about change. This is about genuine progress.

Because I also recall Walt Disney stating, "Give the public all you can give it." And I remember Walt bringing up how his parks would improve over the years.

Journey into Imagination with Figment does not fit in this category. Since when do a few touchscreen computers provide a greater guest experience than a sensory playground with activities unavailable anywhere else overlooking the park?

Never have I said JII should be rebulit exactly how it was. But Walt was a fan of change, and Walt was a fan of progress and improving things. Guest opinion was not taken into account in JIYI and a quick adjustment was made for JIIw/F. Hopefully the building of the future will house a ride like no other...and reopen (and IMPROVE) the Image Works.

 

[askmike1]

And Disney doesn't have a right to create its own myths?

Dictionary.com
"Myth: A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves as a fundamental type in the worldview of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of society."
Now, perhaps someone who understands what this says more can say something, but the way I read this, Dreamfinder does not fit into the category of myth.

Do you want to shave him?

Eww, no. Although, I could see that happening on Fear Factor.

Why for?

Are you sure you're Grizz? (just kidding)

Put in a wall with two doors, one which says "Dream Lab" and another that says "Smell Lab." The alternative is a GIANT mural of a work of art with images changing colors.

It's all in the way you word it.

Since when do a few touchscreen computers provide a greater guest experience than a sensory playground with activities unavailable anywhere else overlooking the park?

Again...the wording.

Journey into Imagination with Figment does not fit in this category.

Correction...Journey into Imagination with Figment does not fit in this category, in my opinion.

-Michael

 

[General Grizz]

It's all in the way you word it.

Okay. This is my last post on this subject. Here, Mike, in order to translate a previous post for you:

WHICH WILL GIVE GUESTS MORE FOR THEIR MONEY AND WHAT WILL ENTERTAIN THEM MORE?:

1. A DOWNSTAIRS IMAGEWORKS/WHAT IF LABS THAT FEATURES COMPUTERS WHERE YOU CAN TAKE PHOTOS OF YOURSELVES AND JUMP ON STEPPING TONES OF ANIMALS

or

2. AN UPSTAIRS IMAGEWORKS/ATRIUM WHICH FEATURES A MAGIC PALLETE (THAT ALLOWS YOU TO PAINT PICTURES OF CHARACTERS FEET AWAY), A RAINBOW COORIDOR, A SCHOOL OF DRAMA, AN ELECTRONIC PHILHARMONIC, KALEIDESCOPES, THE WORLD'S LARGEST PIN TABLES, along WITH COMPUTERS WHERE YOU CAN TAKE PHOTOS OF YOURSELVES...

Now is that wording better for you? Am I clear now???

(Actually, I think my rewording might have helped my case... :lookaroun )

 

[askmike1]

Off of the top of my head, you are missing at least 4 things from the current version.
1) I don't know the official name, but the things where you wave your hands and conduct the Figment (there are multiple with different instruments for each one)
2) The world's largest Digital Camera show
3) Putting your family's picture on a Disney background (again, don't know the official name)
4) Putting your head(s) inside a crystal as 3D (which I consider part of Imageworks, and I also have one)

-Michael

 

[MayKingMajikHpn]

They have finally lost thier ever-loving minds! This is just pure madness!

For more info on Mickey dressed up as Dreamfinder: http://eventservices.disney.go.com/pintrading/pin?id=9836

Excuse me Mickey, but what exactly have you been forced to eat?

 

[Woody13]

Mickey Dreamfinder

 

[CoffeeJedi]

what's that gold "thing" in between Spaceship Earth and Mickey?

 

[WI DISNEY FAN]

One little spark, la la la la la.............. Imagination, imagination.

 

[Kwit35]

what's that gold "thing" in between Spaceship Earth and Mickey?

Looks like a space.

 

[diddy_mouse]

that pin just looked funny...and i second that...what *is* that gold thing between Mickey and SE?

EDIT: it does look like a space in the pin...mystery solved

 

[CoffeeJedi]

Looks like a space.

buh? :veryconfu

edit: oh nooooooow i see it, weird