Welcome to 30 Days to 30 Years; a countdown series that pays homage to the past 30 years of Epcot’s history. Today, my co-host, Beth (Pursuing the Magic) and I are thrilled to welcome Manda; co-host of our previous series 20 Days to 20 Years, and owner of Manda’s Disney Blog! Get ready for 1998.
1998 saw big changes for one of Epcots most famous
attractions, ‘Journey into Imagination’. Having opened in 1983 in the
Imagination! Pavillion, 1998 brought a major renovation for the
attraction …which involved the removal of a very famous purple dragon –
Figment! As well as the Dreamfinder!
attractions, ‘Journey into Imagination’. Having opened in 1983 in the
Imagination! Pavillion, 1998 brought a major renovation for the
attraction …which involved the removal of a very famous purple dragon –
Figment! As well as the Dreamfinder!
When the attraction reopened in October 1999 as ‘Journey into
YOUR Imagination’, guests were shocked to find the Dreamfinder missing
completely … and Figment’s appearances now only consisting of a few cameos in
the queue movies, a constellation in the connection lab and at the end of the
ride where he is only heard, not seen.
YOUR Imagination’, guests were shocked to find the Dreamfinder missing
completely … and Figment’s appearances now only consisting of a few cameos in
the queue movies, a constellation in the connection lab and at the end of the
ride where he is only heard, not seen.
There was an outcry! Guests felt Disney had simply tried to
create a tie-in ride with ‘Honey, I Shrunk The Audience’, and they were furious
when they came across the downstairs Image Works, which appeared to be a
huge advert for Kodak.
create a tie-in ride with ‘Honey, I Shrunk The Audience’, and they were furious
when they came across the downstairs Image Works, which appeared to be a
huge advert for Kodak.
Fans of the original attraction, and Figment and Dreamfinder,
took action and boycotted the new Imagination ride as well as Kodak Film. With
support from both Kodak and Michael Eisner (CEO of The Walt Disney Company
1984-2005), the campaign was successful! Little over two years after reopening,
the attraction was closed for yet another revamp.
took action and boycotted the new Imagination ride as well as Kodak Film. With
support from both Kodak and Michael Eisner (CEO of The Walt Disney Company
1984-2005), the campaign was successful! Little over two years after reopening,
the attraction was closed for yet another revamp.
Just in time for the ‘100 Years of Magic Celebration’, the
attraction reopened in June 2002 as ‘Journey into Imagination with Figment’ …
it’s well seeing they knew what the fans wanted!
attraction reopened in June 2002 as ‘Journey into Imagination with Figment’ …
it’s well seeing they knew what the fans wanted!
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| Source: Disney Wikia |
Now Figment appears all over
the attraction, in the sound lab, the sight lab, and the smell lab, where Figment
becomes a skunk and sprays guests with a stinky smell! … which actually turns out to
be the smell of coffee … phew! Finally, in the touch and taste lab, the attractions host Dr Nigel Channing stops the tour after seeing the chaos Figment is
causing. Figment then takes riders to his own house, which he turns upside down
with his carefree mind, helping guests to understand that Imagination should be
set free! In the finale, guests see loads and loads of Figments everywhere! And Figment and Dr Channing sing the attractions famous theme song ‘One Little
Spark’. Talk about bringing Figment back with style!
the attraction, in the sound lab, the sight lab, and the smell lab, where Figment
becomes a skunk and sprays guests with a stinky smell! … which actually turns out to
be the smell of coffee … phew! Finally, in the touch and taste lab, the attractions host Dr Nigel Channing stops the tour after seeing the chaos Figment is
causing. Figment then takes riders to his own house, which he turns upside down
with his carefree mind, helping guests to understand that Imagination should be
set free! In the finale, guests see loads and loads of Figments everywhere! And Figment and Dr Channing sing the attractions famous theme song ‘One Little
Spark’. Talk about bringing Figment back with style!
There have long been rumours of the return of the
Dreamfinder too in a fourth version of the attraction. Figment and Dreamfinder
were reunited last year at the D23 event Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th,
for a live performance of ‘One Little Spark’.
Check out the awesome reaction from
the crowd!
Dreamfinder too in a fourth version of the attraction. Figment and Dreamfinder
were reunited last year at the D23 event Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th,
for a live performance of ‘One Little Spark’.
Check out the awesome reaction from
the crowd!
If a fourth incarnation of this attraction does indeed go ahead, then maybe … just maybe … we can be treated to a more
permanent reunion of Dreamfinder and his amazing creation … Figment!
permanent reunion of Dreamfinder and his amazing creation … Figment!
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| Source: Disney Wikia |
Thank you so much Donna and Beth for having me as part of this brilliant series! If you want to check out more from the other awesome bloggers taking park, click the button below!
And you can sample more of Manda’s brilliance at her blog, @mandadisneyblog, Facebook, Pinterest and You Tube!
Tomorrow we’re gonna party like it’s 1999. Look for Mark of Illuminating Epcot fame to close out the century…
Thanks, Manda, for revisiting one of the most magical memories of EPCOT for our entire family! On reflection, Figment, the Dreamfinder, and the music of the Sherman brothers are a bridge to the sunset of a Disney era many are not eager to see fade away. In the age of "Shake it Up" and the ease of digital creation, having an attraction that engages children much like Walt connected with their parents crosses that bridge. Here's hoping that Figment charms at full power someday soon…meanwhile, we'll be stopping at the Magic Kingdom to spin on the Carousel of Progress again!
Well, "Survey Says" has so eloquently summed up the emotions surrounding Figment (and this entire series, for that matter). Manda, you "hit it out of the park", as we Americans say!
I would so love to see another revamp of this ride. I wish they had left the original alone as it was fabulous!
Thanks so much for the kind comments guys! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂 x
Oh goodness! I knew a little about the history of Figment and Dreamfinder but not all these details. And the video is fabulous…gave me goosebumps. Thanks for the info. Love this!