Figments Friend, the murals you show are beautiful and it is sad that they were destroyed. If Disney did not want to use the murals in the revamped ride why couldn't they cover them with black plastic or white paper and then paint over that surface? Who knows what people might want to see in the future. Oh, and I have a suit like Dr. Channing's and I am better looking in it.
Which brings up that the whole Honey I Shrunk and Flubber franchises are really, really, really dated. When I went there last week, I had to think before I knew what the characters were related to.
That would have been nice...to have somehow preserved the mural.
Like the famous 'Promise of Tomorrow' Horizons mural that was eventually removed and saved.
But like i had touched on in a earlier post, there was a real sense of urgency to 'destroy and erase' what was there for devious reasons.
I would LIKE to think there are some elements left behind of the creation process of this mural in the WED/WDI archives.
Surely there is a color layout for it showing the graphics and all paint choices.
I always thought that in today's market for Disney nostalgia/collector's art a print made of this design would sell phenomenally well.
It really was a stunning work of design, that mural.
Regarding the 'dated' nature of the IPs included in the current JIIwF ride...yeah, i completely agree.
It just goes to show you the 'crazed' state of mind Disney was in at that time in the mid to late 90s.
Becoming 'revelant' and 'hip and edgy' were the new catch phrases being sent around to all departments of the Disney Company, WDI included.
It was the new mantra...and almost all projects done during that time period reflect this in some manner.
The Universe of Energy re-do is another example of the '90s Complex' taking over a once great attraction.
I so miss the Radok Screen that used to be there.
Something cool and unique was replaced with something 'contemporary and relevant'....which today is seen as terribly dated and showing it.
I can guarantee that if the Radok Screen was still there today turning ( with a updated film presentation ) it would still be wowing Guests.
That is the problem with using currant trends and incorporating it heavily into a attraction.
It creates a time stamp that in the coming years becomes a problem.
But the dated feel the currant Imagination Pavilion has today has more to do with the '90's-ness' of it all from a design standpoint then the IPs in my opinion.
The loud color scheme, shrill audio overload when you first enter the Pavilion, and the cheesy early CGI animation of Figment himself make one roll their eyes.
Once on the ride, it is not as bad...but the entrance is a jumbled mess.
The ONE redeeming feature however ( depending on how you look at it..) is the caged shelving to your right as you head up to the loading area of the current ride.
If you stop and take a look, you will see various parts from the Original ride. Mostly old lighting equiptment, dimmers, a few scenic dials and set props from the fabled Dreamport, and some other small hidden gems.
Next time you pass through, bow your head and pay your respects.
These relics of the past are what little remain from the Original.
