Like I said, he was almost entirely removed from his own ride for two years. It might be a marginal improvement over the second version of the ride, but it’s still a far cry from the one that opened in 1983.ĭisney has often seemed less than committed to Figment as a mascot for the park. That version of the attraction turns 20 this June, and guests can still experience it at Epcot today there’s almost never a wait. It was so unpopular that it, too, closed just two years later it was updated with a new storyline that primarily focuses on Figment, restoring him to prominence, but as a foil to Eric Idle’s buffoonish scientist. ![]() An entirely new ride opened in the same pavilion about a year later it barely featured Figment, instead focusing on a new character played by Eric Idle. Many of the early Epcot rides were replaced throughout the ‘90s for experiences that were shorter, more thrilling, or cheaper to maintain, with the original Journey into Imagination going away in 1998. As a young child in EPCOT’s earliest years, I immediately recognized him as EPCOT’s version of Mickey Mouse, and was as excited to meet Figment as any of the cartoon characters at the Magic Kingdom.įigment’s original ride was an ode to the power of imagination, and like many early rides in the park that is now known as Epcot, it was slow, lengthy, and built around multiple showpiece scenes filled with audio-animatronics. I loved Figment.) At the time EPCOT didn’t feature many traditional Disney characters, and so Figment became its go-to mascot, and the character most closely associated with the park. From the start Figment was a staple of EPCOT marketing, with all the merch you’d expect from Disney: shirts, toys, hats, and, especially, stuffed animals. The purple dinosaur debuted at EPCOT’s Journey into Imagination pavilion when the park opened in 1982 the ride he starred in, which originally had the same name, opened five months later. It only partially involves making money.įirst, though, let’s talk about Figment. I’m not here to encourage you to laugh at these people, though, or to mock the existence of adult Disney fans no, my goal is to give you a bit of context, some understanding, as to why people might be so excited about a piece of dragon-shaped plastic that they’d spend the better part of their day in line for one. Yes, that’s a little ridiculous, and something I personally would never do-I can tolerate lines for an attraction, but not for snacks or souvenirs. Case in point: many outlets reported on the Figment popcorn bucket that Disney fans lined up for last week, with the wait at one point reaching up to seven hours. Please read our full disclosure for more details.It’s not often that theme park news gets mainstream coverage, but when it does, it’s frequently treated as something weird or funny or embarrassing. At no extra cost to you, buying services through these links help support TDR Explorer. Some links may be affiliate links to services I recommend. ![]() ![]() Make sure to follow us on social media to stay updated on everything Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai! Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube. For my personal recommendations on SIM cards, portable wi-fi devices, travel insurance, cheap flights, and hotel bookings, read our travel resources page.ĭo you love exclusive and early access to content? Support us on Patreon as it helps us continue bringing you free and continuous content to help you plan your trip. Get all your discount tickets for Tokyo Disneyland, Robot Restaurant, Universal Studios Japan, and more through our tickets page (includes an exclusive discount code). Our guides have everything you need to know from the best times to visit, what hotel to choose, what to do, what to eat, and tons more! With nearly 2000 copies sold, our premium guides have become an essential tool for Explorers! Take the anxiety out of planning a trip to Japan with our premium ebook travel guides on Tokyo Disney Resort & Universal Studios Japan.
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