Imagination Version 4...

[Silvertip309]

So... now that we are seeing projects that were put on hold during the economic downturn (Fantasyland refurb,) has anyone heard anything about the long rumored return of the Dreamfinder and Figment in a new Journey Into Imagination? Recent rumor pointed to the old Imageworks possibly re-opening this year with the Rainbow Tunnel showing up in the new planning video and cast reports of the upstairs area (where the tunnel, pin screens, Figment's coloring book, Dreamfinder's school of drama sit dorment) being cleaned up. Anyone hear anything?

[GothMickey]

Fantasyland refurb put on hold? Where did you hear that? The refurb is due to be announced at the D23 convention. However, I am understanding the budget has gone from $750 million, down to $500 million, and now sits ar $250 million, so slashes are happening already, if true.

Also, at D23, Star Tours 2.0 (not sure of the official name) will be announced for DL, DHS, and TDL.

As for Epcot, don't expect to hear anything about an Imagination refurb. Unless Disney has something up their sleeve (highly unlikely), nothing significant is coming to Epcot or DAK.

[Silvertip309]

By on hold I had meant that the Fantasyland project rumor had surfaced a few months back and was then rumored to be on hold because of the economy. Now that the economy is going back up and the Fantasyland project seems to be again moving forward, I was wondering if other projects that might have been on hold due to the economy, such as Imagination 4, might have been re-visited. Star Tours 2! Gnarly! Here's hoping to see The Dreamfinder again soon. Thanks GothMickey.

[GrumpyFan]

The Fantasyland project has been rumored to be in the works for at least a year or two. Star Tours 2, has been rumored to be in development for almost 10 years! Dreamfinder and the Imagination pavilion have been speculated on ever since the first redo, but nothing has ever been officially announced about it.

Nothing's official at Disney until they actually start construction. Even projects that are publicly announced sometimes never see the light of day. Don't believe me? Look back at the history of some of the resorts that were supposed to be built, or look at some of the other lands/pavillions that were supposed to be built at Epcot. There are many such examples, take a look at wikipedia and search for an article titled "List of never built Disney attractions", many of which were publicly announced.

Hopefully, some of these rumored announcements will turn out to be true and we'll actually get to experience them within the next 5 years. But, don't get your hopes up too high, with Disney, you just never know.

[Ms. Mode]

I hope they do refurb Fantasyland, and I would love to see the Cranium/Body Works thing at Epcot. Every time I've been there it's been missing, now I understand it's just.... GONE.....

[JPL]

According to sources the big problem with the return of Dreamfinder is that Kodak owns the Character as well as sponsors the Pavillion which is why it changed in the first place. Kodak wanted a change and they got the 2nd version which was so terrible it lead to a retro fit into the 3rd version.

[GrumpyFan]

According to sources the big problem with the return of Dreamfinder is that Kodak owns the Character as well as sponsors the Pavillion which is why it changed in the first place. Kodak wanted a change and they got the 2nd version which was so terrible it lead to a retro fit into the 3rd version.

Indeed, and before they will consider a 4th version they have to see some kind of potential for return on their investment. And, in case you haven't paid attention, Kodak's not exactly doing well as a company right now. So, investing in attractions at Disney is probably not on the top of their priority list.

[Ian]

I just can't see it happening. Barring the involvement of a new sponsor anyway ... Kodak is not going to shell out cash to redo an attraction that was just redone a couple years ago when they're current in the process of going bankrupt.

[GrumpyFan]

I just can't see it happening. Barring the involvement of a new sponsor anyway ... Kodak is not going to shell out cash to redo an attraction that was just redone a couple years ago when they're current in the process of going bankrupt.

Unless maybe they get some government bailout money!

Seriously though, the whole pavilion could stand a refreshment. It's getting quite stale. Of course, Universe of Energy is the same way. New sponsors for these two are most definitely needed. Any takers? Somebody who's not hurting in the current economy, and has a couple hundred million to spare. Imagineering needs to go pitch some of their new ideas at some big corporates and woo them into a lucrative multi-year deal. I guess the days are gone where big companies would line up at the door to have their name on a Disney attraction. Sad!

[lockedoutlogic]

Fantasyland refurb put on hold? Where did you hear that? The refurb is due to be announced at the D23 convention. However, I am understanding the budget has gone from $750 million, down to $500 million, and now sits ar $250 million, so slashes are happening already, if true.

Also, at D23, Star Tours 2.0 (not sure of the official name) will be announced for DL, DHS, and TDL.

As for Epcot, don't expect to hear anything about an Imagination refurb. Unless Disney has something up their sleeve (highly unlikely), nothing significant is coming to Epcot or DAK.

i'm highly skeptical about any such announcements and projects....

First, you can have star tours 2.0....that ride is so ridiculously out of date and the franchise attached to it has so cheapened itself that it really holds little potential at this point....but whatever

Second, a slash of 2/3 of a potential budget on a project puts us in "why bother territory"

by "why bother"...i mean most if not all of the decisions made in the parks in the last 10 years...the list is long, but distinguished

Third, and here's the actual point - Disney has shown an outright refusal to do their major capital improvements in "bad" economic times (being relative...because WDW is a cash cow any way you slice it - personally i'm a fan of ribeye of late )

There are many reasons to do your building RIGHT NOW....but the beaners and stock watch just can't see the logic in this.

I expect nothing....as they have already put a ton of their funds into bailing out two inferior and ill conceived parks already

[Supercali]

Soarin' Over the World is expected to be announced at D23 for EPCOT.

[Mousemates]

Soarin' Over the World is expected to be announced at D23 for EPCOT.

[big blue and hairy]

Soarin' Over the World is expected to be announced at D23 for EPCOT.

WOO-HOO!!!

[brownie]

I'd like to see Dreamfinder return, but seeing as how Kodak is now into the as seen on tv thing with printers, I don't see the money being shelled out for any changes.

[big blue and hairy]

First, you can have star tours 2.0....that ride is so ridiculously out of date and the franchise attached to it has so cheapened itself that it really holds little potential at this point....but whatever

Using empirical evidence...the fact that Stars Weekends are INSANE, would tend to suggest otherwise....

[GothMickey]

i'm highly skeptical about any such announcements and projects....

First, you can have star tours 2.0....that ride is so ridiculously out of date and the franchise attached to it has so cheapened itself that it really holds little potential at this point....but whatever

Second, a slash of 2/3 of a potential budget on a project puts us in "why bother territory"

by "why bother"...i mean most if not all of the decisions made in the parks in the last 10 years...the list is long, but distinguished

Third, and here's the actual point - Disney has shown an outright refusal to do their major capital improvements in "bad" economic times (being relative...because WDW is a cash cow any way you slice it - personally i'm a fan of ribeye of late )

There are many reasons to do your building RIGHT NOW....but the beaners and stock watch just can't see the logic in this.

I expect nothing....as they have already put a ton of their funds into bailing out two inferior and ill conceived parks already

Ride out of date? Sure is, HENCE the refurb to a NEW and IMPROVED ride. There will be more than just a movie added. DHS will not be getting the cheap version either. Another smackdown from corporate onto TDO.

The 2/3 lashing of the fantasyland budget is only rumor. That number has been passed around online, take it with a grain of salt.

The "why bother" attitude is what caused WDW to become stale. Is this the attitude we really want them to have? We complain when they do nothing. Now that there appears to be a number of projects getting greenlit, what happens? People complain.

My advise: Stay away if Disney bothers you so much.

[DisneyFanaticDargon]

There are many reasons to do your building RIGHT NOW....but the beaners and stock watch just can't see the logic in this.

I think you mean 'bean counters'. Let's not forget that Biggby Coffee changed its name from Beaners after over 20 years of not realizing the name was actually a derogatory term for people of Hispanic descent.

[Ian]

I think you mean 'bean counters'. Let's not forget that Biggby Coffee changed its name from Beaners after over 20 years of not realizing the name was actually a derogatory term for people of Hispanic descent.

I think in the context of his sentence it's pretty clear what he meant.

Let's not be overly PC here.

[hokies4life]

It's interesting that I found these things being talked about here because last night when getting on the Imagination ride, the CM mentioned that Imagination was going to get a revamp and that the Star Wars 2 was going to be announced in Sept. At least other people have been hearing the same things.

[DisneyFanaticDargon]

I've actually been hearing a lot lately that Disneyland IS actually getting a newer version of Star Tours fairly soon. Not sure if there's any truth to it but...yeah.