Journey into Imagination with Figment - Martins Complete Ultimate Tribute

Journey back and see the changes made between version two and three of the attraction and pavilion. Walk into the building and see all the details of the queue. Then take a full multi angle ride of the attraction, with a new high quality clean audio mix. Take a look around The Imageworks and see the changes made over the years, and climb the stairs into the pyramid DVC lounge.
Then take a split screen journey into the imagination pavilion, starting outside, for a detailed look comparing today's pavilion and ride to 1983. Compare the lobby, queue, ride and downstairs Imageworks from how it is today to how it used to be, and what used to be where.
Presented in 1080p.

[@superlolbrothers6559]

I grew up with the current version. I do have fond memories of it, but it really is time to bring back the original.

[@ryanashford3672]

Seeing the side by side part made me want to rip out all of my hair, curl into a ball, cry for 3 hours, then die. It's unbelievably heartbreaking to see all of the wonderful and beautiful art replaced by such cheapness. Especially the art section in the original being replaced by that dumb eye chart. I'm so immensely saddened at what this pavilion has become. I yearn unrelentingly for it to one day return to its unforgettable, timeless, and downright amazing form, with the classic purple exterior and the vibrant hand painted mural on the main wall. Figment will always have a place in my heart, and nothing will ever change that.

[@Sorcerer-SMC]

A lot of what you said is understandable, but also a bit dramatic.

[@daniellevine7315]

The original was the ride that had imagination

[@World_of_Manimal]

“You know what’s better than a beautiful blank carousel meant to symbolize the potential of imagination: an eye chart!”

[@A_A610]

What's scarier than using imagination to conjure up murder mysteries and terrifying monsters? CG skunk Figment, I guess.

[@warriorseamonkey1693]

Manimal789 you know what’s better than figment discovering what he can do with his imagination? Figment exploding a wall, I guess

[@MrTrainiac2002]

You know what’s better than a room full of crazy and imaginative things you can create, a pitch black empty room with nothing but loud train sounds

[@jaydenchrist6152]

Your logo is that dragon from world of motion

[@World_of_Manimal]

@@jaydenchrist6152 That is correct. My spirit animal.

[@joeyglusky4774]

17:34 “Imagination is a BLAST!💥” That jump-scare gets me every time! Tell me I’m not the only one thinking that!

[@oswaldandmickey40]

Thats me @ 10:34! Genuinely love your videos and this series has brought me so much joy! I no longer work at Figment but when I did and would train people on the attraction I would make my trainees watch your videos! Thank you so much for these videos you rock!

[@marni1971]

Emily Edmiston I'm so glad you finally saw this!

[@marni1971]

No, its Emily. We had a nice chat at load.

[@elizabethramirezthezenshii9691]

Oh you work there?

[@oxymoron02]

Just a little FYI, comments like this can make it super easy for someone to find you on Instagram and Facebook. If a random guy in the UK can do it, some creeper closer to you can, and come harass you at work (WSEC). I don't want to harass a stranger, but there are others who would. A name change on here could solve it, as all I did was drop your name into Google and Facebook searches.

[@saxonrulesrock]

That was awesome. It's so sad to go in the currant image works and see all the dead space that once was actual ride! Great video

[@jonathanchilders7335]

Super awesome as always, sir! The side by side really shows how bad the quality dipped after the change. It went from jammed pack full of amazing visuals to just mostly bare boned rooms. Sad...

[@tigerslioncub]

Watching this, it dawns on me that if they had put this elsewhere, as its own separate thing without Figment, it would be more liked as a ride. The ride itself isn't really bad-- it has its good moments and has plenty of colour and creativity-- but the fact that it replaced something that truly was so amazingly beautiful and creative means it inevitably ends up compared to the original, and therefore hated when it comes up short. If they'd kept the original Journey Into Imagination-- Dreamfinder and Figment intact-- and put this as maybe something in a neighboring building, I have a feeling people wouldn't hate this with such passion. Of course, that's just my opinion. That being said, I will always love the original-- it's what I grew up with, and that's where my heart lies. It is what sparked my imagination and moved me to dream. If they ever brought it back, I would move the universe to see it even one more time.

[@Sorcerer-SMC]

Well I think the reason why they made it about a tour of the Imagination Institute Labs is because they made it as a connection to its, at the time, neighboring show, Honey I Shrunk The Audience

[@oxymoron02]

As someone (also UK based) who was only recently introduced to the old EPCOT rides by an online friend who was there in the 80s, it's so sad to think that this is the current Journey Into Imagination. The older one is so much more entertaining, even if it's just in video form.

[@Dave_Williams200]

Bring that original ride back it was my favourite when I watch the original ride and I love it bring back journey into imagination if Disney do that it will be great 😁

[@ThemeParkRider]

I don't mind changing things as time goes on, but its upsetting looking back on what has happened to this pavilion. It has so much potential for fun and it just doesn't live up to what it can be. Very frustrating.

[@anounceofgold]

This is amazing thank you for all the hard work to make this, I especially love the comparison of the original ride to today!!

[@kingposeidon4535]

Thank you so much for the work that goes into your videos Martin. I've just finished watching your Imagination trilogy and you do stunning work. Your documentation of older rides from the original iteration of Epcot are just absolutely fantastic. I understand that the video technology at the time makes it challenging to really film most dark rides, but your editing, different angles and video enhancements are the best I've ever seen regarding these attractions. Please keep up the good work because it's so incredibly fun to learn about the history of these attractions and to see them in anything other than grainy footage.

[@southparkboyproductions6040]

Thanks for the video! This took me back to my childhood memories!!!! Which I’m talking about the current version because I wasn’t born until Veterans Day 2004. I rode this at age 3. But now, the original version looks more inspiring and timeless than this!

[@andrewschannel4259]

I went to EPCOT in December and I saw all of the remnants you pointed out in the video, except for the escalator and Magic eye theater link.

[@calebberman9784]

I had to pause and cry because I miss the original

[@silvereagle2061]

You do such a fantastic job at these videos. The side by side comparison is absolutely outstanding.

[@PanickedTato]

I can't help but wonder just how much longer this version is going to stick around. It has been rumored for years that it was next on the chopping block. Frankly, I was amazed something wasn't announced for it at D23 this year. Maybe once Energy is done this will be next. Don't get me wrong, as at least some sort of remains of what I remember of the original (if you count the bits of track they kept and the Figment in a space suit, etc.) I'd rather not see it go but... given the direction to move everything to have some sort of IP tie in, and the fact that they were surveying folks about whether or not they knew who Figment was a month or so ago, I just don't have faith that its days aren't numbered. Oh and PS, that comparison bit at the end had me in tears. Extremely well done and incredibly helpful in placing where I am in today's version but, tears nonetheless. :)

[@Sorcerer-SMC]

Well fortunately Disney still knows about Figment and the Dreamfinder. Most of not all of the Figment animatronics and puppets are either in Disney storage or have become prized possessions of collectors. And in the queue of Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout in California, a Figment animatronic can be spotted in a frosted cage as one of The Collector’s Items. Less is known about the Dreamfinder, but his vehicle, The Dreamcatcher can be seen at the Disney Gear Shop in Epcot. And luckily during D23 2019, it shows both new concept art for the 2020 overhaul and a little model that changes colors and there are a few things in it that hint Journey Into Imagination’s possible revival. 1. In the new concept art it shows lights coming out of the glass pyramids of the pavilion, 2. On the color changing model, there’s a rainbow over the pavilion, and 3. One of the symbols represented in the sneak peek is the original Imagination Pavilion symbol

[@southparkboyproductions6040]

I’m still hoping Disney doesn’t confirm the rumored Inside Out ride replacing the pavilion

[@Bowsermmbbreal]

Its 2023. they haven’t done anything to the ride

[@Magic3Star]

LOVED EVERY BIT OF IT! :D

[@DisneyfanBeckers]

I like the side-by-side portion because it can help me better understand where things were in relation to what's there now. Could we get a side-by-side of the first and second versions sometime?

[@GenGamesUniverse]

That Eric Idle moon will always make me shudder! Why the hell would they make something like that!?

[@AngelLittleMerman]

This attraction and 20,000 Leagues holds such an impact the imagineering team fails to realize that. This last two videos are sad to see actual imagination was stripped down for bare rooms, the awful professor who is not our Dreamfinder.

[@andrewschannel4259]

Despite this refurbishment, the original surpasses this version in every way. Journey Into YOUR Imagination is what ruined the pavilion. This refurbishment, while bringing back Figment into the ride more frequently, made him relentlessly annoying.

[@DisneyfanBeckers]

And now Honey I Shrunk the Audience, the show that introduced the Imagination Institute theme that later spread to the whole pavilion, has been gone for several years. Can we please have a good immersive show like that again and not just cartoons we can pull up on the internet??

[@Mechasonicrocks]

@@DisneyfanBeckers IMO they should've kept "Captain EO" going and permanently retired "Honey I Shrunk the Audience", as well as giving "Pixar Film Festival" the axe. "Captain EO" was always my preferred Magic Eye Theater main feature film. "Magic Journeys" was okay, but darn did "Captain EO" get you groovin'!

[@mikedegnan7489]

Dude I was just thinking about this when my notification came up

[@MrChaos010]

although i didnt ride the original ride i can feel how it mustve felt

[@xSunnyEclipse]

Amazing video as usual!!

[@ThatDreamfinderGuy]

My childhood favorite attraction, nowadays not so much

[@SpazticColin]

It was fascinating, but sad, to see the side by side comparison. They really trashed that ride in the first re-do. Wow. Most of the 2nd floor is empty, aside from the DVC lounge, which was awesome to visit if only to be back upstairs once more.

[@dylanwic5163]

28:40 on is absolutely heartbreaking

[@epicsackboy5454]

If I could rank all three versions, I'd say: S Tier: Journey Into Imagination A Tier: Journey Into Imagination with Figment D tier: Journey Into Your Imagination (It gets a D because Nigel Channing alone carried the attraction, but unfortunately not enough to make it better.)

[@Mechasonicrocks]

My crazy theory: The annoying, bratty "Figment" you see in this most recent version isn't the real Figment we all knew and loved from the original "Journey Into Imagination" ride; It's an evil clone. The real Figment (created by the Dreamfinder himself) is being held captive by Taneleer Tivan (aka Collector) inside a glass case in the queue line for "Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout" at Disney's California Adventure. #notmyFigment

[@RGJubilee]

grate video!!!!

[@JeffFrmJoisey]

Another outstanding video, Martin!! I really liked the side-by-side portion at the end. A question, I don't remember seeing the answer to - I remember a train scene where the train horn would blare in your face and the front of a train would be lit up. I remember it was there to "wake people up." I can't remember which version this scene was in and don't remember seeing it in the series. Thoughts?

[@onesparkonedream2065]

That’d be Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

[@CastawayRJ]

The current version is better than Journey Into Your Imagination, but not as good as the original.

[@jgkidd82]

I don't like what they did to the original Image Works on the upper level. A lounge? Lame.

[@AtomicFox64]

18:10 did the imagineers play too much of the legend of zelda: majora's mask?

[@eliot_sece6055]

Yes

[@sewthernbelle]

You know, while I don't mind the theming of the Imagination Institute, compared to the original version of the ride with the open and airy lobby and queue area, the new queue is just so cluttered and cramped. And I can't create in cramp and clutter.

[@bluedragon9925]

Only two words can describe the end result of what they did to this once great pavilion: *ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!!!*

[@juliec1257]

Wow the older version was much much better!

[@silvereagle2061]

I really miss "Magic Journeys"

[@joshuabwainwright]

Martin, where did you get the music for this video? I’ve been searching for this music everywhere and I can never find it!!

[@marni1971]

Josh Wainwright the ride is from multiple live recordings. The rest is from my private collection.

[@joshuabwainwright]

marni1971 ah jealous!!! i used to work there a while back and the area music brings back so many memories :D

[@dannygrau2983]

There is a reason for why there is no wait for this ride. It's because nobody seems to like it. Sorry I don't mean to offend anyone because I know we all love figment . But Disney could put some money into it and fix this ride up and make it a popular ride again

[@spectroman71]

Questions: are all of the animatronics and static Figment figures in use today from the original ride? And prior to ImageWorks being on the first floor, it appears there was no gift shop. Was the original shop located in that small building adjacent to Magic Eye Theatre instead which now appears unused? I didn't find any video of that shop in use in any of the trilogy.

[@jeremykick8911]

Can the up escalator (40 mins) to the former image works still be seen?

[@mikedegnan7489]

Hey Martin in the scene and in this video where you show the edge of the flight to imagination turntable on the ceiling of that edge I noticed a black,thin strip of metal that looks like a track. Did something in that scene when it used to spin travel on that if it even is a track?

[@jacksonsuniverse]

Mike Degnan I think that was the Dream Machine/Dream Catcher/whatever they call it track.

[@mikedegnan7489]

Dis1023 are you sure? I think I may know what it is. If you notice the the track is in the dead center of the barrier. I think the outside half of the wall used to come all the way down as a wall. The inside half didn’t come down and the track was a guide rail for the giant barrier walls the spun with the turntable to prevent from hearing the other versions of the same same going on as there was 5. Hopefully Martin will tell us what it was.

[@mikedegnan7489]

Dis1023 I went back to the todays loading area and the back wall is the original wall from the turntable. My theory on what I said is correct. The wall is the same color as the barrier in the image works and has the same small service lights. Only thing is the outside half of the wall comes all the way down in the loading area

[@jacksonsuniverse]

Mike Degnan that would make sense, and the wall is probably attached to the ground for the sake of having a solid wall.

[@mikedegnan7489]

Dis1023 yeah so from my observations the barrier wall we see in the image works used to look like the back turntable wall that can be seen in the loading area right behind the the ride cars with the banners attached to it. I also can conclude as that metal track is also on the wall in the loading area so that must have been the railing for the barriers separating the 5 show scenes apart. Bringing back the original turntable wouldn’t be as hard as we think now would it. I now have pieced together where everything is.

[@saramcconnell8817]

Wowza... am I the only person who thinks that the 2nd version of this ride has more creativity than the 3rd?

[@jetraydude]

I think the problem with the third iteration is that it's trying to be an educational experience (even though it really isn't) and, in trying to seem more like a scientific institute, it becomes very stifled. It's also the third attraction to occupy that space, and it's become so edited down from the original vision that it loses a lot of consistency. It's like a film that's been written and rewritten too many times.

[@benber7358]

Like it

[@Bowsermmbbreal]

I wonder why there still isn’t a clear audio of this ride

[@Bradly105]

What mic did you use to record the ride audio?

[@marni1971]

Bradly105 YT a very old Sony directional stereo mic.

[@danielgarcia3825]

17:00

[@JsmovieGuy]

12:16 Imagintaion!

[@Redchuck69]

22:45 Mickey Mouse short!

[@BellhopDrew]

Im guessing the land's next? When will we get WoL?

[@marni1971]

Drew P WoL will be around next summer.

[@yadlthegamer2852]

marni1971 are you going to the 3 parts of the land, the living seas, and communicore(innoventions) and computer central, and then WoL

[@marni1971]

Dook LaRue 82 right now it's 3xLand, Seas, Life then Communicore.

[@southparkboyproductions6040]

The Land?! Soarin was great

[@Bradly105]

A improvement...

[@silvereagle2061]

Get rid of the original animatronic FIGMENT and the Dreamfinder, and what do you have? ... Pure bullshit.

[@eliot_sece6055]

The original ride is still buried under this abomination of a ride

[@altarush]

I heard they are coming to replace this ride with Inside Out with emotions. They might even remove Figment again and replace him with Ridley ‘s elephant friend.

[@thatblindgamer726]

First

[@UDAMZ]

Wow, people really do still write that....