Originally Posted By Skellington88 I hope now with John Lasseter in charge and Tony Baxter getting his voice back they may think about redoing Journey into Imagination. Tony Baxter did afterall create the original version of the ride.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost That was a mind boggle. I must have ridden the original 5 or 6 times yet the only thing I remembered about it was the beginning, riding along side Dream Finder and Figment. Nothing about the rest even sparked (tee hee)the slightest memory. Judging from what I saw just now, I would have to say that I like the present one better. Since my memory isn't functioning well, I don't even trust myself on that one. The short lived number two show was given a quick and much needed death. That is the first time I ever saw any of it and it didn't deserve to last as long as it did. Happy farewell to that one.
Originally Posted By danyoung I'll never forget the first time I rode the current version. I was full of hope, because the 2nd version was just so awful that this one had to be better, right? RIGHT? Well, I guess it's bit better, but I remember reaching the Vision Lab and seeing the main special effect of this section being . . . a simple film of Figment bouncing around on an eye chart. Huh? This was the best Imagineering they could come up with? When the best effect of an entire attraction is a disappearing butterfly / mirror effect, there's something seriously wrong! They should shutter that thing and completely re-imagineer a new attraction!!!
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Interesting to see how the new Figment in the newest version is much more annoying that in the original. I remember Figment in the original as having a sort of playful sensibility. He gets into mischief but he's cute and apologetic about it. This Figment likes to make trouble -- he's almost as annoying as Waldo the Spirit of 3D from 'MuppetVision 3D' -- one of the most annoying characters in any theme park attraction. Plus, his voice isn't quite right. I understand Billy Barty is no longer with us, but typically, they're able to find 'sound-alikes' that are closer to the original. I do think the latest version is better than V.2 -- which was tedious and sort of a downer.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I know I'm in the vast minority, but I liked the second version much more than the current one. I don't really remember the original that well, so I can't really rank it honestly, but from what I remember, I liked it more than the second one. The second one started by insulting you, yes, I know, shame shame. But it did a really good job of showing different things, and in the end, it proved that we really do have imaginations. Also, the final scene in the second version is much better than the current one. You couldn't see the walls moving, the screens made the room look enormous (I thought it was at least 3-4 times as big as it appears in the current one), and it really pulled the entire thing togeather. The new one, Figment just gets in the way again, and introduces a song that hasn't been heard at any other point in the ride. The original also worked a lot better with the fiber optic unload, and you really couldn't tell when you got in there. I also liked the constillation room, that connected the stars, since it really left me asking "How did they do that?". The new one is disjointed, confusing, and annoying (Both Mr Channing and Figment, along with the effects and styling of most of the scenes)
Originally Posted By mickey_ring Just imagine (pun intended) if version 3 came first. I wonder how fast the interest in it would've dropped off. Maybe the whole pavilion would have been seasonal by 1990 if it was Nigel and Figment in the early years. Just a point to ponder.
Originally Posted By FenwayGirl I saw the 'New" version in January. I remember the first version and prefer the original. It was fun...
Originally Posted By Kimrue I think a pretty cool way to try to change the new version without taking a wrecking ball (which would be a dream come true to me..but never going to happen...) to it is swap out Nigel channings "part" with other actors...cool ones...think Rockin' roller coaster only tame. Wouldn't be fun to every couple of years hear maybe robin williams doing a character interaction/voice over with figment, maybe even Jessica simpson, someone current. Keep up with American pop culture. Every couple years change it up.
Originally Posted By idleHands "... and Tony Baxter getting his voice back..." Must have sucked for Mr. Baxter to have had laryngitis for so long. Perhaps this is why DL's Pooh is so crappy. Tony had no voice to express his concerns? I'd suggest he try sign language if his voice goes out again. But then again, he's so tall, nobody could read it without binoculars. Perhaps all he'd really need is one carefully selected finger. LOL!!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<I know I'm in the vast minority, but I liked the second version much more than the current one.>> I can do better than that: I never like the ride period; any version.
Originally Posted By Labuda "think Rockin' roller coaster only tame" But Rockin' Roller Coaster *is* tame. "Wouldn't be fun to every couple of years hear maybe robin williams doing a character interaction/voice over with figment, maybe even Jessica simpson, someone current." I prefer Eric Idle. Robin Williams is great, yeah, but I don't think he works with Disney anymore. And Jessica Simpson? Well, we don't need a scantily coas girl int he Imagination Pavilion, IMHO. And with clothing on, even men would lose interest in her.
Originally Posted By Kimrue oh, labuda...what I meant by tame is, while I personally love Steven Tyler screaming in my ear before I get launched into darkness, I don't think that would fly with the preschool crowd which seem to frequent rides such as Journey into your Imagination...Robin Williams and Jessica Simpson were just examples...I think Jessica Simpson being a total dingbat would so totally make a "tour gone awry" pretty funny/interesting for kiddies, plus if you can get "dad" on the ride with the kids that's a bonus. Obviously not in her normal *ehem* attire (if that's what you would like to call it.) but dressed in coke bottle glasses and white jacket...I could picture it! While I hate to admit it, I don't think people are "tired" of her yet otherwise she wouldn't be plastered all over magazines, commercials, tv, videos etc. As far as Robin Williams, he is a legend and an example of a classic comedian, and his name just came to mind, just as Aerosmith is timeless in that my 68 year old father LOVES them and so does my 21 year old nephew. You say the name "Robin Williams" and my father will tell you "Mork and Mindee", I'll say "Goodmorning Vietnam" my nephew would tell you about "Mrs. Doubtfire" and my younger nephew will ask, "hey isn't that the Genie?" I guess what my point is, is that ANYBODY is better than Nigel Channing! How about someone who is part of POPULAR American pop culture, I don't even know who the heck he is! If I could have my way, Johnny depp would be the one I would love to see all over that ride, but that'll never happen....
Originally Posted By Labuda YOu honestly don't know who Eric Idle is? Oh, wow. He's one of the members of Monty Python. A comic genius - absolutely wonderful comic that was part of the single greatest comedy troupe this world has ever seen!
Originally Posted By Mouskateer I love Robin Williams, don't get me wrong, but Eric Idle is a genius, I really didn't think that anyone would not know who he was... They now have a remake of their famous comedy routines on Broadway... Monty Python's Spamalot <a href="http://www.ticketspecialists.com/theater/monty_python_s_spamalot_tickets.htm" target="_blank">http://www.ticketspecialists.c om/theater/monty_python_s_spamalot_tickets.htm</a>
Originally Posted By Kimrue NO, I don't know "who" NIgel Channing is!! Where did this guy come from? Is he actually on television or movies anywhere in the world?
Originally Posted By mele <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001385/" target="_blank">http://www.imdb.com/name/nm000 1385/</a>
Originally Posted By danyoung Kimrue, may I ask how old you are (ballpark)? As Labuda alluded to, Eric Idle is 1/6 of the Monty Python comedy troup from Britain. They had a show on for a few years called Monty Python's Flying Circus. They are very funny, very strange, and all 5 surviving members have gone on to great success in various divisions of the entertainment industry. Do you know John Cleese? He was a Python.
Originally Posted By Kimrue Oops, tee hee and I wonder why people compare me to Jessica simpson (except I don't dress like a trashy tart) I'm 30, which means I guess I should know who Eric Idle's ugly a@@ is, but yeah, no, I don't *shrug* sorry...
Originally Posted By leemac I think it is summed up quite well by a side conversation I had with a senior imagineer recently (for a later Tales interview). I asked when they would "fix" Imagination and he just shrugged, sighed and said "If we knew how, we would I can assure you, Lee." I wouldn't say it stinks but it isn't great either. I enjoyed the original but the music drove me mad and I also thought the middle sagged immensely (the story just disappeared). But I also have no idea how to fix it. Not a clue. Adding Figment didn't do a whole lot for me. I am sure it will continue to limp along for a while until Kodak start to get embarrassed. I really wonder whether it is time for a new themed pavilion for that spot.
