#nigel channing

I envy those who got to experience the ride in its original form with dream finder and all, I really do. I remember being a kid In the early 2000s and my grandpa was excited to take us on it as it was his favorite ride, only to find it completely different. However, what you might not expect me to say is that I don’t think the current iteration of journey into imagination is bad! Do I think it lives up to the original? No, but Dr.Channing is decent and the concept is quite cute.

The problem is this iteration is a clear patch job done nearly 20 years ago and they’ve let it sit ever since. This sucks. Especially considering Disney and Epcot clearly realize how much pull Figment has as a character, people adore this purple dragon years after his debut (remember the popcorn bucket?). They’ll slap him on anything and everything for festivals… but his ride? Actual non festival attraction related merch? You get a shirt or two if you’re lucky! When I went recently there was a single shelf reserved for figment related items. A single shelf in a decently sized gift shop that was mainly filled with the same Toy Story summer line they overestimated in popularity. (I’ve never seen anyone buy or have something from this line). The state it’s in is sad, especially considering Disney pulls on figments popularity! He’s getting a meet and greet again so can we finally update the attraction! … I’ve also heard rumor of the rainbow tunnel returning….

My solutions-

As much as I wish it could, I don’t know if we’ll get the dream finder version of the ride back, but here’s my idea on how to update the ride with the storyline we do have. It’s a cute concept but they’re not doing it to the best it can be.

1. Make it longer! To say they shortened journey into imagination is a understatement, I have no idea what they’re using half of the building for. Make it longer- maybe do go into the smell and taste labs. Make some more elaborate scenes- show that chaos figment has brought to the institue! One of the best gags is in the queue and the poor secretary of Dr.Channing answering the phone every few seconds - give me that energy! Give me… imagination running wild! That’s literally the storyline with figment but he feels so… constrained? Lack of space as it’s so short.

2. 2D figment. I beg of you. I know when the ride was redone 3D animation was new and all the rage but… I’m sorry 3D figment is terrifying and super dated. Soft, cuddly and cute 2D figment is timeless. It wouldn’t be that hard to go over the same scenes just with a drawn model instead, this is a quick fix to Rodger rabbit it.

3. More characters. I’m not even asking for animatronics but you need to give us something more. Again, that secretary is just a gag but its such a good show of story we don’t get on the actual attraction. A fun idea you could do is have “Dean Finder” come out and be the only one to be able to calm figment down/understand him? Sort of nod to the OG besides just a door THEN they open Channings mind to imagination as something to be free. This equally lengthens the attraction.

4. It just makes me sad as they have a really good concept here and ERIC FLIPPING IDLE but don’t utilize such a great comedic actor to the potential I know they could have. Another thing I’d request is the return of a good imageworks that’s not 99% photo opportunities with random characters not seen anywhere else. Additionally if you don’t want to make a lot of merch for the ride that’s fine… make the gift shop smaller, which shouldn’t be a issue if you make the ride longer again.

Title: Harmonica Warnings: Slight angst, a couple curse words Summary: The events after Part One, where Nigel talks with Figment. Plus a references to Disney properties(movies, rides) ;) Author's Note: I straight up forgot to post this, biggest apologies! The next part will come eventually, wrote a lot on poor wifi and it failed to save so I lost a chunk.

Group 2 - The Future

Just IMAGINE how much better it could be. New animatronics, a much funner plot, Actual justice brought to this original ride, maybe even references to the original comic book series. The SHIT that could be done to make this ride enjoyable to people of all ages instead of only little kids and enthusiasts who know all the lore. Half of the people only like the ride because of Figment and Dr Channing, so why not *enhance* it? Bring the goofyness and chaos to an even higher level, flesh everything out!! If this ride actually got remodeled it would be CRAZY for Epcot, imagine how much attention Figment would get from that, the amount of things Disney could do with the tech they have now, their insane ways of mixing animatronics that are VERY defined and smooth, their work with screens, and what they've done in the past versions of this ride!!

I wish sometimes I could grab this company's face and scream at them this idea that is RIGHT. THERE. They're already remodeling Epcot completely!!! Their going to redo Spaceship earth, adding a new Moana attraction, refurbishing most of the parks areas, wouldn't it make sense to fix this ride completely, rather than scrap it and take the easy way out? Because I think a LOT of people would have a major hissy fit if they removed this ride completely.