Looks like Imagination is getting a major refurbishment, and I mean major... The ride is rumored to close all of 2014... What the plan is, no word.. But look for Captain EO to be retired once again during this time...
Let the speculation begin...
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Looks like Imagination is getting a major refurbishment, and I mean major... The ride is rumored to close all of 2014... What the plan is, no word.. But look for Captain EO to be retired once again during this time...
Let the speculation begin...
I know people love to hate the Imagination ride, and there is never a line for it, but it's been two of my three kids' favorite over the years. I'm glad I got a video of it last time. :figment:
Given the history of the attraction, I would say there is great reason to fear when Disney decides to work on it. While it needs some love (and imagination), Disney has a bad track record with it. Whatever they do, I would really like to see Figment retained.
I know it's incredibly unlikely and I'm sure to be mocked for even suggesting it, but man would I love it if they brought the original back.
Before you laugh completely, remember they did essentially that with the Tiki Room. :D
I'm with Ian. I really liked the original version and would love to see it returned.
Love if they bring back the original Figment. Ellen needs rehab, do enjoy it if only to rest. Hope they do it right.
I'm pretty much good with anything that would bring back some real "imagination" to the place.
So as long as we're just speculating...
Since Kermit and the gang are apparently being evicted from Muppet Theatre, how about having them take up residence in the Imagination Pavilion, find and adopt into the family a certain purple dragon. Seems to me there's a lot of potential for some pretty imaginative stuff in this scenario. A ride, re-open the old (updated and re-themed) play area, and there's even a theater for a new Muppet 3D show!
Oh, and the Working Title is:
Muppets Take Epcot
Any other ideas?
Steve
I was so upset that they changed Figment!! The first time I rode it after the update I was so mad. I was cursing and complaining the entire ride, in my head. I hope it reverts back to the original or at least close to it.
I would vote for either a return to the original or update it with a Phineas and Ferb theme. anyone who has seen the show would know that the boys are always building things, using their imagination, and basically showing kids that they can do/build/invent anything they can think up. I think it would be a great transition.......or they could turn it into a gift shop :mickey:
Interesting... I miss the old Figment and I like the new Imagination ride. They could certainly do with something bigger and better there though. Curious to see how this one goes.
I've been hoping for a return to the original for years! I'm sure a lot of you remember the rumors about 5-6 years ago of a return of The Dreamfinder and the original pavilion.
I'm also one who feels cautiously optimistic after seeing the return of The Enchanted Tiki Room.
I was thinking they should bring the original back also. Not a fan of the show now.
EPCOT future world needs some sponsors that would be willing to put imagination and $$$ to make special attractions. From what I hear, some of the attractions and shows are amazing at other Disney parks in other countries. Disney needs to upgrade EPCOT. I love World Showcase but FW is mainly a walk- through for me.
Any idea on when Imagination will be closing? This is my daughter's favorite ride and she likes to ride with my mom. Mom's in a wheelchair and can't transfer so she's limited on what she can ride on. This is kind of their thing and I'd love for them to ride at least once more. We'll be there the first weekend in November for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon. Think it will still be open?
I will miss Dr. Nigel Channing
I hope that it's not a complete return to the original. I've only seen it on youtube, and I don't see what everyone loved about it. But then again, a bunch of people wanted the original TikiRoom back, and I didn't get that at all. That attraction is booooorrriiiinnggg. I hope they don't do the same to Imagination. My kids love Figment.
As for Eo, why they ever brought it back is a mystery to me. Outdated and uninteresting. Here's hoping for a very cool effects 3D with mass appeal. Or singular appeal....like Tron!
^ For one, the original was twice as long (and the ride track is still in place). It had show elements, and incredible effects for it's time, and told a much more descriptive story. The latest version is a really cheapened, shorter version of the original.
If the rumor is true, and we've heard this one on and off for years, all I hope is that they figure out how to reinvent the labs, and put them back upstairs. Some of the best views of FW are up there.
I would love for them to reopen the upstairs Imagination playground. They can update it and add cool new stations. I loved the feel of being up there and the lighting was awesome.
As for updating the ride I would hope they kept Figment. I love Figment. One of a kind only place to see him cool little purple dino. I also would not mind Phineas and Ferb joining Figment, but Perry might. lol
Captain EO- Never a fan glad to see it go.
More than likely, upstairs will not be returning...
I really hope they keep Figment, it is a tradition in my family every time we go to WDW! With the refurb, I hope they find use for the rainbow tunnel...I saw on youtube that it is still upstairs in the Imagination pavilion!
I roll my eyes at the current ride, and I never saw the previous version. But my two DD's, and my DW love this ride. They'll be sad to see it changed.
I'd be surprised if they got rid of Figment. His merchandise sells.
Whatever they plan is, I hope they do not let the guy who designed The Three Cabaleros, Nemo, and the new Under the Sea ride in Fantasy land do the design work. Those are by far the worst new attractions and some of the worst in the parks period. We were so completely disappointed with Under the Sea. We all felt like we had already ridden it before because it is so similar to Nemo. The projection screens just aren't very exciting for us. You know they are bad rides when you can walk straight on them any time of the day during the peak summer season.
They kind of *had to* with the Tiki Room, what with Iago *exploding* and everything; they HAD to go "back to the old show". The "New Management" should would NOT have made any sense without Iago yelling and screaming.
With JiYI, the original load turntable is/was *soooo* out of whack (off-balance, won't sync up with the ride vehicles, etc.), I'm not even sure the turntable is still even there. You walk right across it coming through the current queue. They also removed about 2/3rds of the original ride's length and physical track for the "new" version.
I *HOPE* and pray that Figment stays. He's an EPCOT original :)
This is the first I've heard about the upstairs Imageworks being any kind of a hazard, why would it be unlikely for it to return?
Oh I just remembered - as a Kodak employee (I worked there in 2002) - I got to go into the VIP lounge next to Captain EO (was Honey I Shrunk the Audience at that time).
It was losing its lustre then, but you could see at one time it was swanky. They had photos in notebooks of MJ at the opening of Captain EO, free drinks and a nice place to rest during the pre-show.
You went down the back steps 5 minutes before the door opened to the show - so it was nice to skip the line (at the time that show was popular).
Supposedly, all the other pavilions have VIP sections too.
I wonder during all these rehabs, if the VIP areas remain?
Can someone please explain this, first I've heard of it. :confused:Quote:
They kind of *had to* with the Tiki Room, what with Iago *exploding* and everything; they HAD to go "back to the old show". The "New Management" should would NOT have made any sense without Iago yelling and screaming.