Originally Posted By Rebekah This topic is for discussion of the 4/19/2002 news item <b><a href="News-ID10011460.asp" target="_blank">Journey Into Imagination with Figment Brings Popular Purple Dragon Back to Epcot</a></b> Journey Into Imagination with Figment invites guests to an open house at the Imagination Institute led by Dr. Nigel Channing, who plans to show how the five senses can influence a person's imagination. The revamped attraction also heralds the return of "One Little Spark," an uplifting song written by legendary Disney composers Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman for the attraction's original opening in March 1983.
Originally Posted By Kevin One Little Spark is returning. That is good news. And it sounds like it will be open in 6 weeks.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I dunno.. That press release descriptions makes it sound very uninteresting still. I hope i am mistaken though. While i am glad to see the Figment character back, i wonder why do they still choose to keep this Nigel character and Imagination Institute concept going; and if you read carefully, the press release sounds more like the same awful ride sets and storyline with only Figment being added to it. I shall again lower my expectation and approach it that way.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I personally don't care one way or the other...I hated the rehab, but never liked the original attraction either [gasp!] It was just too abstract for my sensibilities. Plus the whole Figment "mania"...what is it with people and dragons? Sorry, no offense is meant...as much as I have my own silly preoccupations, I just don't "get it."
Originally Posted By Britain I think the good news is that the attraction is being re-targeted back to being more appealling for little kids. With the exception of Winnie-the-Pooh at MK, all the other parks give the kids lip-service type treatment when it comes to rides. (ie. spinners) The original JII was very artsy and abstract and rather boring for the older kids, but in a way, that kinda made it Epcot's equivilant of It's A Small World. After the rehab, it seemed a bit too cool, too high-tech. You may say that high-tech is perfect for Future World, and I agree, but do kids think about monitors, wires, computers sensing your thoughts?... it's sounds more like a strange sci-fi trip to the dentist! The original was more about rainbows, light and shadow, musical notes... in the end, it was Future World's art pavillion, and I think little kids can grasp that more than technology. I know the press release makes it sound as if not much has changed as far as sets go, but hopefully the plotline will be more uplifting, optimistic ...more, dare I say, Walt-like. I hope "A Little Spark" is used quite a bit throughout the whole show, because it definately captures that fun innocence that Journey needs.
Originally Posted By BuzzLightyear84 I know it's basically the same ride with more Figment added, but I never really had a problem with the Imagination Institute theme. The major problem I had with the ride was that it seemed oly half done. It had a few pretty good effects, but it neaded much more to round out the ride. Hopefully Figment will be able to do that. Whatever happens, I'm sure it will be an improvment over JIYI.
Originally Posted By aquamoptop Has anyone heard about a sneak preview or a specific opening date yet? I really want to see it but i do think it sounds like the rehab with a little more Figment. I really wish they couldve saved us all this conversation by leaving it the way it originally was
Originally Posted By bwanabob I wonder who will do the voice work for Figment? Or will they recycle the old audio?
Originally Posted By Corciopat IMHO, they shoulda left the ride like it was to begin with................. you can access video and and audio from the original at www.figmentsimagination.com It brings back good memories of a great ride.
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn Will the old Imageworks floor be opened with new stuff? Or will this have again gone by the wayside? I checked out the figmentsimagination.com, and watched the whole ride video. Nearly brought out a tear. I especially like the moving music in the oragami paper animal room. I don't really care too much how they intend to "improve" this attraction. It can never possibly be better that the original.
Originally Posted By SJHYM I just heard they are submerging the old image works at the bottom of the sea to create a reef.
Originally Posted By leemac They hope to debut the the new attraction in late May. As far as I know, there is no ImageWorks. Tony Baxter at the WDAC Convention this weekend said that the new attraction is a "distinct improvement" over the MK2 version. The way he described it was very interesting. With Dave Mumford in charge, you can pretty much guarantee that it will be fun!
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: I'm certainly looking forward to the reopening of the attraction and so is little Figment! He told me so, himself, when we last got together. ORGOCH: 'Course the new track ain't gonna' be as long as it was before. But I s'pose we oughta be glad we git somethin' better than what just got trashed! ORDDU: See what happens when the fans of Figment unite to let Management know that they won't be satisfied until EPCOT's main character icon is treated with a lot more respect? We LOVE you, Figgy!
Originally Posted By dixiedisneydiva Someone please ask Disney not to redo the redo. 3 years ago we visited end of May/first of June and it was Imagination was closed for the JIYI version. First trip back in 3 years and I am missing my Figment by 3 weeks(we'll be there first couple wks of May). TRAGIC! I still have my first purple figment from the opening year. He sleeps with my 5 year old. So disappointed that we won't get to see him or hear that lovely music. Oh well, maybed in 3 years...
Originally Posted By Tonyspad Does anyone have an actual date this is going to reopen?? I have read end of May or begining of June. I am headed down around Memorial Day, any chance??
Originally Posted By jmuboy David Mumford and Tony Baxter are two of the best in the buisness. AND, Tony created Figment in the first place. I am sooooo much more positive about this new version of the ride!!!!!
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct Alright - please clarify .... there will be no "Imageworks"? You mean, the whole interactive area? Has that area been closed and used for ride space? Or has the track length been shorten YET AGAIN like the witches said? and Britain ... WELL SAID and SJHYM re: a new reef ... ROTFL!!!!!!!!!
