Walt Himself Needs an Animatronic (Open Brainstorm)

[Crockett]

...and what better place than the Epcot pavillion which sums up in one word what Walter Elias Disney was all about: Imagination

Picture this. The current version of Journey Into Imagination is completely revamped. Keeping the same track layout, speed of ride, etc, we start from scratch with an all new ride which features:
-A complete return to the theme of IMAGINATION rather than the bodily senses.
-Return appearances by Figment and Dreamfinder
-A surprise appearance by Walt himself.

But how would Walt fit in with the attraction? Why not have a brief scene toward the end which re-acts his announcement of his greatest dream...Epcot. The AA figure would be standing in front of a screen which projects the exact map of Epcot used when he announced his vision.

Of course Figment and Dreamfinder would be the main stars of the ride. The ride could begin with a similar scene from the original version where Dreamfinder & Figment are seen once again flying in their famous imagination blimp. Dreamfinder could start off: "Hello again! I've been away for quite some time, collecting ideas..." and so on.
The ride progresses in a fashion similar to the original version, but not completely the same.

Finally, as it gets toward the end of the ride, Figment and Dreamfinder say they would like to introduce some of the greatest imaginations in history. You see lit-up pictures on the wall of Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, etc. The final room is a replica of Walt's office where he made the famous Epcot announcement.

What does everyone think of this? Please suggest ideas on how to improve.

 

[jtizzle1023]

I would personally love to see this but I remember reading somewhere that Walt himself said that he didnt want a figure of himself. They were gonna do one for the Walt Disney 50th Exhibit in DL but didnt go through with it

 

[Crockett]

I would personally love to see this but I remember reading somewhere that Walt himself said that he didnt want a figure of himself. They were gonna do one for the Walt Disney 50th Exhibit in DL but didnt go through with it

That's sad to hear. But I do understand why he may not have wanted to become an animatronic star. Perhaps just a large screen instead of a AA figure (?) Still carry out the final scene of the ride with famous "imaginations" in history, leading up to a screen showing Walt. (Without making it too similar to One Man's Dream at DHS).

 

[MarkTwain]

Check out this original trailer for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhyuey4xU3Q

It refers to Jules Verne and Walt Disney as the "masters of imagination," and I think that's a perfect description for the two gentleman. I think an interesting take on Imagination would be one that explored the imagination of these and other great imaginers of history.

Maybe start with a Leonardo Da Vinci scene, showing Da Vinci's unique imagination: lots of flying machines, Dreamfinder shooting Figment out of one of the cannons Da Vinci invented, Dreamfinder painting Figment dressed as the Mona Lisa.

Then segue into Jules Verne - show Figment swimming alongside the Nautilus in an old-fashioned underwater suit, Dreamfinder floating in a 19th century-styled rocketship on its way to the moon (in a tribute to the classic Horizons scene), maybe the two floating together in a balloon pointing out to the world icons beneath them, in a reference to Around the World in 80 days.

Then have a Van Gogh or Monet scene, showing the two in an Impressionist-styled world, perhaps even being depicted in Impressionist styles themselves. Maybe have Figment pop his head out of the river from the Water Lilies with a lily pad on his head, or a distant Dreamfinder flying his dreamcatching machine through the Starry Night.

Then, have a Walt Disney scene, perhaps first entering a black and white cartoon world looking like it was hand-drawn, maybe Figment staring over an AA's Walt's shoulder as he draws Mickey Mouse for the first time. Or, alternatively, have a spoof on the classic Norman Rockwell painting, with Dreamfinder looking in a mirror and seeing Walt's reflection, as he draws Figment on his sketchpad. Then the scene can transition into color, and maybe take on a fully-animated look. Maybe even have monorails and Peoplemovers whirring around.

Finally, the ride could be about the potential of YOUR imagination, as Figment and Dreamfinder sing the classic song while doing everything from re-enacting westerns, flying in airplanes, dressed as royalty in a castle, basically the "you can do anything" mentality from the conclusion of the original attraction.

I think that would be an interesting way to bring Walt to the Imagination pavilion.

 

[ScorpionX]

This is all great. I had another concept where Walt would represent the 20th Century in The American Adventure as Ben Franklin and Mark Twain represent the 18th and 19th Centuries respectively.

 

[FigmentJedi]

Then, have a Walt Disney scene, perhaps first entering a black and white cartoon world looking like it was hand-drawn, maybe Figment staring over an AA's Walt's shoulder as he draws Mickey Mouse for the first time.

Don't you mean Ub Iwerks?

 

[ScorpionX]

Then, have a Walt Disney scene, perhaps first entering a black and white cartoon world looking like it was hand-drawn, maybe Figment staring over an AA's Walt's shoulder as he draws Mickey Mouse for the first time. Or, alternatively, have a spoof on the classic Norman Rockwell painting, with Dreamfinder looking in a mirror and seeing Walt's reflection, as he draws Figment on his sketchpad. Then the scene can transition into color, and maybe take on a fully-animated look. Maybe even have monorails and PeopleMovers whirring around.

During the B&W segment, Figment could appear as a 1920s cartoon character similar to how Mickey looked in Steamboat Willie.

 

[Crockett]

Check out this original trailer for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhyuey4xU3Q

It refers to Jules Verne and Walt Disney as the "masters of imagination," and I think that's a perfect description for the two gentleman. I think an interesting take on Imagination would be one that explored the imagination of these and other great imaginers of history.

Maybe start with a Leonardo Da Vinci scene, showing Da Vinci's unique imagination: lots of flying machines, Dreamfinder shooting Figment out of one of the cannons Da Vinci invented, Dreamfinder painting Figment dressed as the Mona Lisa.

Then segue into Jules Verne - show Figment swimming alongside the Nautilus in an old-fashioned underwater suit, Dreamfinder floating in a 19th century-styled rocketship on its way to the moon (in a tribute to the classic Horizons scene), maybe the two floating together in a balloon pointing out to the world icons beneath them, in a reference to Around the World in 80 days.

Then have a Van Gogh or Monet scene, showing the two in an Impressionist-styled world, perhaps even being depicted in Impressionist styles themselves. Maybe have Figment pop his head out of the river from the Water Lilies with a lily pad on his head, or a distant Dreamfinder flying his dreamcatching machine through the Starry Night.

Then, have a Walt Disney scene, perhaps first entering a black and white cartoon world looking like it was hand-drawn, maybe Figment staring over an AA's Walt's shoulder as he draws Mickey Mouse for the first time. Or, alternatively, have a spoof on the classic Norman Rockwell painting, with Dreamfinder looking in a mirror and seeing Walt's reflection, as he draws Figment on his sketchpad. Then the scene can transition into color, and maybe take on a fully-animated look. Maybe even have monorails and Peoplemovers whirring around.

Finally, the ride could be about the potential of YOUR imagination, as Figment and Dreamfinder sing the classic song while doing everything from re-enacting westerns, flying in airplanes, dressed as royalty in a castle, basically the "you can do anything" mentality from the conclusion of the original attraction.

I think that would be an interesting way to bring Walt to the Imagination pavilion.

Yes, yes, and YES...to all this. I really like this idea, and it would certainly be heads & shoulders above what the ride currently presents. And definitely we'll have to keep the classic song which has been a staple of the attraction since it's debut.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I would personally love to see this but I remember reading somewhere that Walt himself said that he didnt want a figure of himself. They were gonna do one for the Walt Disney 50th Exhibit in DL but didnt go through with it

Meh. I doubt Abe Lincoln would have wanted to be an AA either (if he'd had any idea what one was). His wishes might have been relevant while he was alive, but I say go for it now.

 

[MarkTwain]

Don't you mean Ub Iwerks?

Touché.

 

[MarkTwain]

This is all great. I had another concept where Walt would represent the 20th Century in The American Adventure as Ben Franklin and Mark Twain represent the 18th and 19th Centuries respectively.

That would be really good too, seeing as they never found their host for the 20th century, and there aren't too many people that could represent the progress and free enterprise that built the 20th century quite like Walt Disney could.

 

[Crockett]

Meh. I doubt Abe Lincoln would have wanted to be an AA either (if he'd had any idea what one was).

I dunno. Have you ever read the fine print of the Emancipation Proclamation?

"That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom. And let it also be said that I wish to be recreated in movable lifelike plastic form, to entertain the masses who frolic in themed lands of entertaining venues..."

 

[Wilt Dasney]

^ The educational system failed me. I missed that bit. :lol:

 

[jmick71]

Check out this original trailer for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhyuey4xU3Q

It refers to Jules Verne and Walt Disney as the "masters of imagination," and I think that's a perfect description for the two gentleman. I think an interesting take on Imagination would be one that explored the imagination of these and other great imaginers of history.

Maybe start with a Leonardo Da Vinci scene, showing Da Vinci's unique imagination: lots of flying machines, Dreamfinder shooting Figment out of one of the cannons Da Vinci invented, Dreamfinder painting Figment dressed as the Mona Lisa.

Then segue into Jules Verne - show Figment swimming alongside the Nautilus in an old-fashioned underwater suit, Dreamfinder floating in a 19th century-styled rocketship on its way to the moon (in a tribute to the classic Horizons scene), maybe the two floating together in a balloon pointing out to the world icons beneath them, in a reference to Around the World in 80 days.

Then have a Van Gogh or Monet scene, showing the two in an Impressionist-styled world, perhaps even being depicted in Impressionist styles themselves. Maybe have Figment pop his head out of the river from the Water Lilies with a lily pad on his head, or a distant Dreamfinder flying his dreamcatching machine through the Starry Night.

Then, have a Walt Disney scene, perhaps first entering a black and white cartoon world looking like it was hand-drawn, maybe Figment staring over an AA's Walt's shoulder as he draws Mickey Mouse for the first time. Or, alternatively, have a spoof on the classic Norman Rockwell painting, with Dreamfinder looking in a mirror and seeing Walt's reflection, as he draws Figment on his sketchpad. Then the scene can transition into color, and maybe take on a fully-animated look. Maybe even have monorails and Peoplemovers whirring around.

Finally, the ride could be about the potential of YOUR imagination, as Figment and Dreamfinder sing the classic song while doing everything from re-enacting westerns, flying in airplanes, dressed as royalty in a castle, basically the "you can do anything" mentality from the conclusion of the original attraction.

I think that would be an interesting way to bring Walt to the Imagination pavilion.

love this ride idea (would work well for the disney jr. show that was discused on the board) except YOUR imagination. They tried that once and we all know ho that turned out :hurl: lol