Why was Figment the Dragon created?

[Iknewagirlnamed]

I remember reading that Figment was created for the Imagination Institute. I was wondering if that was accurate or not. I tried doing a search on the boards and the internet but couldn't find the information.

I've been recently growing fond of him and was wondering about his story and how he came to be, other than that he came from someone's imagination ;-)

Also, he doesn't do meet and greets anymore, does he?

And on a funny side note, I've been thinking about the character lately, and yesterday at work I saw a girl wearing a Figment hoodie! I stopped and did a double take. I saw the word "Figment" and what looked like a live action Figment on the back of her hoodie, not an animated one. Someone saw me staring and had a puzzled look on their face. :lol:

 

[Monty]

The term "Figment of your imagination" resulted in the development of Figment for the Imagination Pavilion.

 

[brkgnews]

One of the imagineers (Tony Baxter, I believe, but I'm not certain) saw an episode of an 80s TV show (I believe it was Magnum PI), where someone referred to something being a "Figment of your Imagination"... so he started wondering what such a figment would look like.

There's also been talk in the past that his coloring had to do with the pavilion sponsor (Kodak). Very early renditions of him showed him being green, but (depending on whom you believe), that may have been a little to "Fuji" for Kodak, so he's now purple with a Kodak yellow/red sweater.

 

[marni1971]

Just a note in addition to the above - Figment (and Dreamfinder) were created especially for Journey into Imagination (the pavilion) - NOT the 1999 mess that was the Imagination Institute :wave:

Just had to correct that

 

[brkgnews]

Just a note in addition to the above - Figment (and Dreamfinder) were created especially for Journey into Imagination (the pavilion) - NOT the 1999 mess that was the Imagination Institute :wave:

Just had to correct that

:lol: True.

 

[Iknewagirlnamed]

Just a note in addition to the above - Figment (and Dreamfinder) were created especially for Journey into Imagination (the pavilion) - NOT the 1999 mess that was the Imagination Institute :wave:

Just had to correct that

Interesting. Thank you for letting me know

Now, just to clarify- is Dreamfinder the man that you see with Figment? And if so, what is that floating thing that looks kind of like a blimp? (I originally thought that was Dreamfinder)

 

[SirNim]

Interesting. Thank you for letting me know

Now, just to clarify- is Dreamfinder the man that you see with Figment? And if so, what is that floating thing that looks kind of like a blimp? (I originally thought that was Dreamfinder)

Dreamfinder - man
Figment - dragon
Dream Catcher - magical zeppelin

On the topic of the original attraction, I personally like this site. Oh, and this one too.

 

[Jerm]

I could sware I saw a video all about the creation of the attraction and the a great video about it some place here online......Martin do you know where I could find this?

 

[kjd469]

Not sure how or why he was created, but he is my alltime favourite character...can't even explain why. He's just so cute. My family does not "get" my attraction to him, but they know that no trip to EPCOT is complete until I've seen him. Having my picture taken with "the real live figment" was a highlight of all my 35+ trips to the world.

 

[StageFrenzy]

Wasn't he was created to put a Little bit of character into an what appeared to be a park without character

 

[Now Is The Time]

Interesting. Thank you for letting me know

Now, just to clarify- is Dreamfinder the man that you see with Figment? And if so, what is that floating thing that looks kind of like a blimp? (I originally thought that was Dreamfinder)

That's the blimp type thing that he and Figment were seen flying around in. Apparently he stores new ideas in the idea bag on the blimp and then after Figment fills it, Dreamfinder says that they have to head to the dreamport (I guess the big hard drive that stores ALL ideas :lol because the idea bag is full.

 

[Krack]

Here is some video from the opening of Epcot where Dreamfinder is interviewed. And here's a second video which includes a portion of the original ride (kicks in around 2:30) where Dreamfinder described himself and figment (this was the very start of the ride).

 

[brkgnews]

Wasn't he was created to put a Little bit of character into an what appeared to be a park without character

Dreamfinder and Figs were essentially there from day one. They were on the opening day specials, etc. The rest of the Disney characters were absent for a good period of time until people started wanting to know where they were.

 

[marni1971]

Jerm, apart from my own video ( ) no. Interesting, though!

It must have been strange in 1982 with the ride not open; Fig and DF were all over the pavilion and in the Imageworks, but it took another 5 months to get the ride running for guests to see the overall theme and plot/origins of the 2 stars.

 

[Jerm]

Jerm, apart from my own video ( ) no. Interesting, though!

It must have been strange in 1982 with the ride not open; Fig and DF were all over the pavilion and in the Imageworks, but it took another 5 months to get the ride running for guests to see the overall theme and plot/origins of the 2 stars.

I was putting a chance out for you to plug your video! Wow no wonder you don't make any money off those things, you don't know how to market them! (that was a joke Martin does not sell his videos and is only done out of his love)

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

So that Disney could flog you a brightly coloured hazardous toy made for two bob in China for the bargain price of $20.

 

[Fun2BFree]

Now, just to clarify- is Dreamfinder the man that you see with Figment? And if so, what is that floating thing that looks kind of like a blimp? (I originally thought that was Dreamfinder)

Bring back the blimp! We don't care about that guy, but Disney better bring back Dreamfinder!

 

[Iknewagirlnamed]

Bring back the blimp! We don't care about that guy, but Disney better bring back Dreamfinder!

I thought someone said that Dreamfinder was the guy?

 

[wannab@dis]

They needed something cute to offset the creepy factor of the bearded guy. :lookaroun

 

[Fun2BFree]

I thought someone said that Dreamfinder was the guy?

He is. I was just poking fun at your naïvety, which is actually quite mean.