When The Imagination Pavilion first opened in @1983, 2 characters were prominently displayed. (Dreamfinder, and Figment are shown above.) As you went through the ride you went through various sections showing Figment using his imagination to do different things. After the ride guests could go to an upstairs playground.
You could also see “Captain EO” in the Kodak theatre next door, which then became “Honey, I shrunk the Audience.”
After several years, Disney changed the ride in @1999. When the ride was reopened, all traces of Figment, and the Dreamfinder were gone. The ride was now being run by Dr. Nigel. The upstairs playground was gone, and a much smaller one was placed downstairs.
A few years later, Disney once again remodeled the attraction. I would believe it was due to customer comments regarding Figment, possibly. The attraction, which still exists today, as last remodeled, features Dr. Nigel, and Figment. The ride now elaborates on the senses of the body, such as Sight, Sound, Smell. Figment causes his own mayhem about half way through.
The ride is nothing like it used to be when it was first opened. I personally liked to see Figment, and I know it was the highlight of my mothers day. When I was last in Epcot there was a full sized Figment that you could get photos with. I have posted a picture of him below.
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Actually, Horizons closed partially because it lost a sponsor and partially because the building was not structurally sound, which is why they tore it down.
Spaceship Earth would be a thrill ride now if it wasn’t for the fact that the track is an integral part of the building and cannot be dismantled.
But as far as Figment goes. He sold a lot of merchandise and at one time, Michael Eisner is quoted as saying “Figment is dead.” Which marketing probably freaked about since he’s EPCOT favorite character. I always liked the little purple dragon.
One point to note about Figment. The voice of the original dragon, Billy Barty, died. Perhaps that had to do with the decision originally to leave him out of the attraction as I heard that they had a lot of trouble finding just the right voice to play him.
If anyone cares to see what the original Journey Into Imagination was like, then click Disney Videos on the top right, in the Park Directory. You can also click http://www.myblogs4u.com/?page_id=46
When Epcot opened, most kids did not enjoy most of the attractions. Spaceship Earth explored communications from the dawn of time to 20th Century America. Horizons explored future worlds on earth, in the water, in the skies. Motion showed the advance of transportation from foot into the 20th Century. The attractions were both informative and educational–two kisses of death for tyooung America today.
With the New Millennium came the need for some modernization. The world as we know it has changed dramatically from when Epcot opened in 1982. Spaceship Earth has been redesigned to emphasize recent technology. Horizons closed and its space revamped into Mission Space, an attraction that visitors seem either to throng to or to avoid entirely. Transportation was leveled to make room for the need for speed ride Test Track.
The Energy Pavilion got a new approach with a prequel and postquel featuring Ellen Degeneras. Many parts of the Land were gutted to make room for Soaring, a ride so successful in California that Imagineering took its adventure to Florida too. The ride through the Living Seas was closed. What a loss! Those were the attractions of Futureworld aimed at the mamas and papas.
Imagination was rethought again and yet again. By the time it morphed into Design III, Epcot had lost not only the only ride meant for toddlers through adolescence, but the Figment character itself had been purged. Too bad Disney didn’t leave the original ride alone. It was the only really child friendly ride in the entire park. It didn’t traumatize, bore, or make the under 12 segment fall asleep.)
Just exactly was Figgy’s crime–being popular? Why didn’t Disney simply take out its old design and building specs and rebuild the ride that made us all laugh? Once I inquired a manager why didn’t they restore the first ride. The response given me was that it had been sold off.
Hmm… Was there a power play with Kodak, sponsor of the attraction? Did some clause in Figment leasing remove the happy yellow eyed, purple pigmented from the scene? The words to his song are telling:
One little spark
Of inspiration
Is at the heart, ha, ha
Of all creation
Right at the start
Of everything that’s new
One little spark
Lights up for you
Two tiny wings
Eyes big and yellow
Horns of a steer
What a lovable fellow!
From head to tail
He’s royal purple pigment
And there, Voila!
You’ve got a Figment
Lyrics © Disney/Wonderland Music, used without permission