Changes

| image=FigmentdreamFigmentdreamer3.jpgPng| caption='''The Dreamfinder and his creation Figment, were flying the stars of Dreamcatcher in the original Journey Into Imagination attraction's Flight to Imagination scene.'''

What would one day be known as The genesis of the Journey Into Imagination, attraction began as an idea from when Imagineer Tony Baxter. Baxter was tasked with working on an attraction creating a pavilion for Kodak in EPCOT Center. Although the company had agreed to sponsor a pavilion in the developing theme park, a suitable topic had not yet been decided on. When giving Baxter instructions for the pavilion, Kodak's Kodak Pavilion, with the only request being was that they wanted something that would it be "very imaginative" <ref name= "E82"> http://www.epcotlegacy.com/historical-expositions/2010/6/30/gather-store-re-combine-a-history-of-imagination-part-1.html </ref>. Mulling Taking these words to heart, Tony began to work on this idea over a period of six months, and pavilion based on this request, Tony came up with the idea of a Dream Catcher (as it is unofficially called); a machine which traveled through space collecting sparks of imagination <ref name= "E82"/>.

Piloting After thinking about the Dream Catcherintangible subject, would be DreamfinderTony came to conclusion that all imagination, a whimsical inventor who collected no matter the subject, happens when you, "gather, store and reused imagination. The Dreamfinder character actually began as the host of an unbuilt attraction called the Gallery of Illusion re-combine" <ref name= "E82"/>. This attraction was to be built in the never constructed Discovery Bay expansion of DisneylandTo portray this concept, Tony created The Dreamcatcher (as its unofficially known), which Imagineer (and it was to be hosted by an investor named Professor Marvel <ref> http://allears.net/ae/issue722.htm </ref>. In one of the scenes in this attraction, Professor Marvel showed how he domesticated dragons, even holding art director) Steve Kirk described as "a baby one giant vacuum cleaner floating through space" <ref name= "E82"/>. When work began on Journey Into ImaginationThe Dreamcatcher would essentially would collect sparks of imagination and store them. Later, Captain Marvel became the inspiration for Dreamfinder, with Joe Rhode serving as the model for the character <ref> http://yourfirstvisitthey could be recombined into something new.net/2015/08/21/a-friday-visit-with-jim-korkis-figment-and-dreamfinder/ </ref>. According to Imagineer Steve Kirk:

{{Quotation|When looking to create a host for the new attraction, Tony (Baxter) was in with turned to an old idea that he had developed for the Kodak folks as being potential sponsors unbuilt Discovery Bay expansion of Disneyland. One of the attractions for some kind this new land was to be the Gallery of pavilionIllusion, hosted by Professor Marvel <ref name= "E82"/>. He ran into my office in The older gentleman was somewhat based on the middle Wizard of this meeting Oz <ref name= "Korkis"> http://yourfirstvisit.net/2015/08/21/a-friday-visit-with-jim-korkis-figment-and said-dreamfinder/ </ref>, 'Can I borrow Marvel and in one of the dragon?' And scenes he grabbed the model and took it in to them was to show it to them he domesticated dragons, even holding a baby one. As the imagination attraction developed, Professor Marvel was transformed into Dreamfinder, who Baxter described as "A Santa Claus-type who is wise and older and knows all the great things, a great thinker. <ref name= "allearsmouse"> httphttps://allearswww.netmouseplanet.com/ae10073/issue722.htm Tony_Baxter_Figment_and_Imagination </ref>" According to Imagineer Steve Kirk: [[Image:KirkFigment.}}jpg|400px|thumb|Steve Kirk's model of Professor Marvel and his dragon. The duo would evolve into Dreamfinder and Figment]]

According to Kirk, {{Quotation|Tony (Baxter) was in with the Kodak liked folks as being potential sponsors for some kind of pavilion. He ran into my office in the Dreamfinder conceptmiddle of this meeting and said, but they wanted to know if they go 'Can I borrow Marvel and the dragon too ?' And he grabbed the model and took it in to them to show it to them <ref name="allears"> http:/>/allears. This request led to the creation of a second character for the Journey Into Imagination attraction, a purple, childlike dragon named Figmentnet/ae/issue722. Figment’s creation began when Tony Baxter was watching an episode of Magnum P.I htm <ref name= "E82"/>. In the episode, Magnum had hidden a goat in Higgins’ yard, and the goad had predictably torn up the vegetation. When Higgins suggested that a goat was ruining his yard, Magnum replied that it was all just a figment of his imagination. Higgins’ response that “Figments don’t eat grass!” gave Baxter the inspiration for his new character, named Figment<ref name= "E82"/>. Tony would later explain that Figment was a character that everyone knows about and has never been visualized. }}

Taking some inspiration from Kodak liked the Gallery idea of Illusion attractionDreamfinder and the imagination concept, Figment was initially sketched by Disney artist Steve Kirk who turned in a rough drawing of the character <ref name= "EDC"> http://www.intercot.com/edc/Imagination/jfacts.html </ref>. Imagineer X Atencio then slightly altered the drawing but they wanted to, "make know if they got the character lovable, in a way that kids could relate to" dragon too <ref name= "EDCallears"/>. With their two main characters designedThis request, Imagineers set about finding voices for the duo. Although finding led Baxter and his team develop a voice second character for Dreamfinder was relatively simple (with actor Chuck McCann filling the role) finding a voice for attraction- Figment proved to be much more difficult. Disney had men, women, boys and girls all audition for the role, but no voice was deemed suitable. Eventually, they found Figment's voice in veteran voice actor Billy Barty, who was deemed perfect for the role <ref name= "EDC"/>. When talking about the role of Figment, Tony Baxter said:

{{Quotation| "The story needed to describe the complex process in formation of Figment began when Tony Baxter was watching an engaging, interactive way without seeming like a lectureepisode of Magnum P. A persona was needed to give I. <ref name= "E82"/>. In the process personalityepisode, but having Magnum had hidden a human character seemed too selective. A friendly imaginary being that could delight goat in Higgins’ yard, and the wonders animal had predictably torn up the vegetation. When Higgins suggested that a goat was ruining his yard, Magnum replied that it was all just a figment of his imagination would be more inclusive. Higgins’ response that “Figments don’t eat grass!” gave Baxter the inspiration for his new character, named Figment <refname= "E82"/> https://www.disboards.com/threads/connecting-the-dots-with-Tony would later explain that Figment was a-potential-return-of-dreamfinder.1144737/ character that everyone knows about, but has never been visualized</ref>name= "| Tony Baxter}}[[Image:KirkFigment.jpg|400px|John Kirk's original design of the Dreamfinder and FigmentE82"/>.]]

With their characters Taking some inspiration from the dragon in placethe Gallery of Illusion attraction, it took Disney nearly six months to come up with an idea for Figment was initially sketched by Steve Kirk, who turned in a rough drawing of the Journey Into character <ref name= "intercot"> http://www.intercot.com/edc/Imagination attraction /jfacts.html </ref>. Imagineer X Atencio then slightly altered the drawing to, "make the character lovable, in a way that kids could relate to" <ref name= "E82intercot"/>. To help them with With their understanding of imaginationtwo main characters designed, Imagineers set about finding voices for the duo. Although finding a voice for Dreamfinder was relatively simple (with actor Chuck McCann filling the role <ref> http://allears.net/ae/issue722.htm </ref>) finding a voice for Figment proved to be much more difficult. Disney brought in various scientist had men, women, boys and artistsgirls all audition for the role, but no voice was deemed suitable <ref name= "intercot"/>. Eventually , they came to the conclusion that while everybody’s imagination was differentfound Figment's voice in veteran voice actor Billy Barty, how people get their imagination is who was deemed perfect for the samerole <ref name= "intercot"/>. Thus they decided to focus on how we gatherWhen talking about the role of Figment, store and recombine ideasTony Baxter said:[[Image:GalleryConcpet. jpg|400px|thumb|Gallery of Illusion concept art featuring Professor Marvel and his dragon]]

Despite originally scheduled as {{Quotation| "The story needed to describe the complex process in an opening day attractionengaging, Journey Into Imagination opened on March 5interactive way without seeming like a lecture. A persona was needed to give the process personality, 1983, five months after EPCOT Center’s opening day but having a human character seemed too selective. A friendly imaginary being that could delight in the wonders of imagination would be more inclusive <ref> https://d23www.disboards.com/threads/connecting-the-dots-with-a-topotential-z/journeyreturn-intoof-dreamfinder.1144737/ </ref>."}} The plot of the attraction itself would have guests meeting Dreamfinder in the opening Flight to Imagination scene. This would be followed by a trip to the Dreamport. After this second scene, guests would explore the power of imaginationwith Dreamfinder and Figment. Subsequent scenes would include: The Arts, Literature, Performing Arts, Science (included after being requested by Kodak <ref name= "interview"> http://themacgyverproject.blogspot.com/2015/12/tony-baxter-conversation.html </ref>), and then the attractions finale. Although  Of these scenes, the rest one that went through the most drastic change was the attraction's finale. According to Tony Baxter in the original planned ending: {{Quotation| There were two roller coasters segments that never happened because the ride system wouldn't behave. One was down into the monster dungeon, and the second one was into the spiral of film in the pavilion opened finale. And because you were thrilled and excited and screaming, that was where we would take that picture <ref name= "interview"/>}} This ending was eventually deemed unfeasible, after problems with the rest attractions ride system<ref name= "interview"/>. Furthermore, Imagineers initially wanted to give guests the options of EPCOT Centerbuying their photograph by using a digital camera to print out the photo right after the ride ended<ref name= "interview"/>. Kodak bristled at the idea of using digital as opposed to chemical photography, technical issues with and the idea was dropped. [[Image:JourneyConceptArt.jpg|350px|thumb|Journey Into Imagination’s turntable, loading and unloading mechanisms caused Imagination concept art. Note the attraction green Figment.]]Of all the Future World pavilion's Journey Into Imagination was the last to be delayed begin construction <refname= "Martin"> https://vimeo.com/3015806 </ref>. According Although the pavilion was ready for EPCOT Center's opening day, technical issues with the attraction's turntable, and loading and unloading mechanisms, caused the attraction to be delayed <ref name= "Martin"/>. Tony Baxter however, has since asserted that the attraction was up an and running, yet Disney executives did not think it would be reliable enough, and they were concerned that a ride breakdown would cause a bad impression, thus it the opening was delayed<ref> Koenig, David. Realityland: True-life Adventures at Walt Disney World. Irvine, CA: Bonaventure, 2007. Print. </ref>. Finally, on March 5, 1983, the Journey Into Imagination attraction opened to the public <ref> https://d23.com/a-to-z/journey-into-imagination/ </ref>. At the attractions Grand Openingattraction's opening, Kodak CEO Colby Chandler stated: {{Quotation| We knew from the very beginning it would be a challenge to create a journey that would capture the imagination of everyone. But we also knew that if anyone could do it, Disney could...Epcot Center itself is a tribute to the reach of human imagination <ref> Sklar, Marty. Dream It! Do It!: My Half-century Creating Disney's Magic Kingdoms. Disney Editions, 2013. Print. </ref>}}After opening, Journey Into Imagination remained essentially From the same time it opened until 1998, when it was closed for a massive refurbishmentin 1998, Journey Into Imagination did not see any major changes.

After making their way through the queue, guests would board their ride vehicles. The vehicles were trains consisting of four cars. As the vehicles began to move, guests could hear a voice singing the attractions theme song, "One Little Spark". In the clouds to their left, the shadow of a flying contraption could be seen sucking up various objects. As the song continued, the clouds would part relieving the revealing Dreamfinder as the pilot of the flying contraption known as the Dreamcatcher. The Dreamfinder and guests would then fly together at the same speed as he introduced himself.:

As the Dreamfinder continued to sing, "One Little Spark" the objects that he talked about would be projected in the background. The machine that he was flying would also suck up various objects, which would end up in his bag. The Dreamfinder would then create a dragon like creature called Figment. He explained how he was creating Figment in song.[[Image:Dreamfindermachine.gif|thumb|400px|The Dreamfinder flying in his Dreamcatcher.]]

Figment would then appear alongside the Dreamfinder, telling him that (Figment) was perfect. The Dreamfinder would respond that Figment still needed a "dash of childish delight". The Dreamfinder would then show Figment the "guests" that had joined them. Together they discussed how everybody could use their imagination. As the Dreamfinder and Figment began to sing about various things, the objects of their imagination would appear. They would then begin to imagine all kinds of things. The Dreamfinder imagined a stormy night, and lightning combined with ghostly shivers and a full moon.He then told Figment they could "turn them into a tale of fright!" (as menacing laughter could be was heard). Figment then imagined a rainbow, that he could color with. He then imaginedcontinued imagining:

The Dreamfinder would then ask Figment about science, to which he would respond:

While he talked about science, projections of the equation E=MC², an atom and the elemental symbol CO2 appeared. While Figment was imagining science, the Dreamfinder had to cut him off. On the flying machine, the world "full" lit up and the Dreamfinder had to inform Figment that the bag could not hold any more ideas. He then told both Figment and the guests that, "We must store these ideas with the others in the Dreamport. ". When Figment asked how far away the Dreamport was, the Dreamfinder told him that it was never far away, when they used their imagination.

Guests would then travel with the Dreamfinder and Figment to the Dreamport. Here, they would see various objects, ideas, and thoughts covered with gears and cogs. The Dreamport was the place where the Dreamfinder and Figment stored all of their ideas. At this point, guests could see the Dreamfinder's bag, hooked up to a machine known as the Imaginometer. The Imaginometer, which sorted through the ideas, grouping them together. The groups that the Imaginometer sorted included: dreams, sights, words, sounds, colors and ideas. The machine also had a meter which read how full the Imaginometer machine was.To the left of the machinedevice, was gold container labledlabeled, "Deep Thoughts". Guests could see inside the container, through a window. Inside the Dreamport guests would also see:[[Image:imaginometer.jpg|400px|thumb|The Imaginometer which could be found in the middle of the Dreamport.]]* A giant coffee pit pot pouring coffee right above guests guest's heads

* Bags which held the warm North wind Wind and the cold South windWind. They would blast guests when the ride vehicles went by.* Barrels with the word "laugh" written on them(get it- a barrel of laughs).

After exiting the Dreamport, guests would enter the art Arts scene. Here, spouts poured "Sun Rays," "Molten Lava," and "Gem Stones", which the Dreamfinder then used to would paint with. He then used his paintbrush (which changed colors depending on what he was painting) to create a river, flowers , and animals. In this scene, the Dreamfinder would sing: [[Image:imaginometer.jpg|300px|thumb|The Imaginometer which could be found in the middle of the Dreamport.]]

As guests continued on, they could see various 3D animals and flowers. They , which were all colored white and appeared to made out of paper. The objects were lit with colorful lights, and serine music could be heard. Guests could see a large fish, lion, ostrich, unicorn and camel are rotating under a giant flower. In the art scene, guests could see Figment could also be seen, sitting at the base of a group of flowers wearing a beret and tie. He was painting the rainbow that he had mentioned earlier, while sitting next to a pot of gold The scene then shifted to the "Tales of Terror" segment. As the clouds which lined the top of the room turned grey and angry, the Dreamfinder could be seen playing a haunting tune on a volcano shaped, organ. The organ is also unique, in that it has a typewriter for a keyboard, instead of the standard musical keyboard. As the Dreamfinder played, lava and smoke would erupt from the top of the volcano. The words would then turn into words such as "Horror," "Danger," and "Thrill". In this room, the Dreamfinder sang:

In this room, Figment could then once again be seen. He would be holding three blocks which spelled out the world "CAT". Behind him, a shadow of cat could be seen. Figment would then turn the "C" to a "B", to create the word "BAT". When he turned the block, the shadow would change to into one of a bat. At this point, guests would would enter another room with large rock words. Words here included, "Avalanche," "Tumble," "Sway," and "Shake". The words would perform the action that they depicted (ie. the word "Avalanche" would look like it was about to fall over). Guests would then see the word "Surprise" light up on the wall, before a room full of fireworks was revealed. The tub of fireworks shells on guests right, would explode in the area above them. The fireworks would spell out words such as "Twinkle", "Flash", and "Sparkle. The crackling fireworks would then give way to a star-field where a red genie would appear and disappear.

At this point, the scene once again shifted, now showing a magical library. Here, books with names such as "Serpents", "Trolls", "Giants", "Leprechauns", "Knights", "Dragons", and "Eyes"could be found. The phrase "Once Upon a Time" could also be seen here, leading guests towards a castle. Lightning would then strike, as the word "lightning" appeared to guests. Figment could then be seen holding a flickering candle. The candle cast a shadow of the word "Shadow" onto an open book behind him. On guests left, they could read the word "Dungeon", as red eyes of monsters peered at them. Figment could then be seen hanging from chains on the ceiling, and holding a book entitled, "Nightmare". At this point, guests could hear a Raven cawing, and see it's shadow on an open book. The book was actually Edgar Allen Poe's poem the Raven, with the page reading, ""Quoth the raven, nevermore.". A book reading vampires could then be seen along with a book titled, "Monsters" which Figment was trying to keep closed.

[[Image:OnceuponatimeOn guests left, they could read the word "Dungeon", as red eyes of monsters peered at them. Figment could then be seen hanging from chains on the ceiling, and holding a book entitled, "Nightmare". At this point, guests could hear a Raven cawing, and see its shadow on an open book.jpg|300px|thumb|The words book was actually Edgar Allen Poe's poem the Raven, with the page reading, "Once Upon Quoth the raven, nevermore." A book titled vampires could then be seen along with a Timebook titled, " led guests Monsters", which Figment was trying to a haunted castlekeep closed.]]

As guests moved out of the scary literature scene, they entered a scene depicting the backstage of a theater. A large marquee reading, "World Premiere Performance" could be seen, along with three rotating signs which read words such as, "Dance", "Music", "Tears", "Laughter". On their left, guests could see Figment dressed in a tuxedo and standing in front of a make-up mirror. In his hand was a mask of the Dreamfinder's face. A sign above him read, "A Brand New Show!". Dreamfinder (unseen) and Figment then began to sing again:{{Quotation|'''Dreamfinder:''' Some happy songs

{| class="infoList"|-| '''DreamfinderTogether:'''| '''Figment'''|-| Some happy songs| Some snappy dances|- ! scope="row" colspan="2"|With laughs and tears and footlights all aglow|- | The sparks ignite, ha!| A brand new show!|-| Some happy songs| Some happy songs|-| Some snappy dances| Some snappy dances|- | Costumes and sets| Costumes and sets|-| Spoofs and romances| Spoofs and romances|-| With laughs and tears| With with laughs and tears|-! scope="row" colspan="2"| And footlights all aglow|-! scope="row" colspan="2"|The sparks ignites|-|Ha! A brand new show!||-||Yes Sir!|}

'''Dreamfinder:''' The sparks ignite, ha! '''Figment:''' A Brand new show! '''Dreamfinder''' (with Figment echoing): Some happy songs <br> Some snappy dances<br>Costumes and sets<br>Spoofs and romances<br>With laughs and tears<br> '''Together:''' And footlights all aglow <br>The sparks ignite '''Dreamfinder:''' Ha! A brand new show '''Figment:''' Yes sir!}} Guests would then see the Dreamfinder conducting a laser light show. Guests could see musical notes, various shapes, and a top hat and cane projected onto the wall. Guests would then see Figment, now in a astronaut suit, hitchhiking his way to the next scene, science. At this point, the ride vehicles entered a tunnel where various shapes were reflected onto the walls and ceiling. The shapes seemed to be constantly moving away from guests as they passed through. Inside the tunnel guests could hear the Dreamfinder repeating:

On the other side of the tunnel, guests could see the Dreamfinder wearing a white lab coat and turning a large microscope. The Dreamfinder showed guests a view of Earth from space, in this view the Earth looked like from space. Earth then morphed into a single drop of rain, which fell into a pond of water. The Dreamfinder then spoke saying:

At this point the microscope was used to show all of the living organisms within the water. The Dreamfinder then continued, "I'll wind this dial and time escapes, Watch minerals change to crystal shapes". The microscope then zoomed in to show enlarged crystals. He then said, "Let's look at nature at this speed,From germination, then back to seed". A time lapse film was then shown, in which a flower is shown growing from seed to a full flower. The Dreamfinder then concluded:

[[Image:Figmentasturnaut.jpg|300px400px|thumb|Figment hitchhiking in his astronaut suit.]]

After the Dreamfinder said this, fireworks exploded. The film restarted, showing Earth from space once again. In a window behind the screen, guests could see Figment doing various tricks. Continuing on, guests could see signs reading, "World's Beyond", "The Known and the Unknown", "Destiny", and "Dreams", all pointed in different directions. Straight ahead, guests could see the Dreamfinder wearing a sorcerer's costume with a turban and cape. He was waving his arms over his crystal ball, while Figment watched intently. He and Figment were discussing the nature of imagination, while guests pictures were taken. Figment and the Dreamfinder would then once talk.

Continuing on, guests then saw the Dreamfinder rolling a movie camera. Although he was supposedly filming the the movie on the screen behind him. Instead of the movie however, guests would see the ride photos taken earlier in the attraction. The Dreamfinder would then give one final speech as guests disembarked, reminding them to visit the [[ImageWorks]].

'''The Dreamfinder'''- Chuck McCann (speaking) and Ron Schneider (singing)

* In the scene where Figment sat with the blocks that spell out "CAT", other words could be found. One set of blocks spelled out "WED" for Walter Elias Disney (or WED Enterprises) and another spelled "TB" for Imagineer Tony Baxter<ref name="intercot"/>.

* The laser show that the Dreamfinder conducts, was actually the test program that came with the laser equipment. Originally, the scene was to have featured Figment dancing and chasing a ballerina around the stage<ref name="intercot2">http://www.intercot.com/edc/Imagination/jiiscript2.html </ref>* When the attraction first opened, guests would have to step out of the moving vehicles and onto a moving ramp. Because the transition was difficult, the belt was eventually removed <ref name= "intercot2"/>.

* When Across from where Figment held onto the attraction first opened"Nightmare" book, guests would have to step out of the moving vehicles and onto could see a moving ramplarge book spine which read "Something Wicked. Because the transition " This was difficult, the belt was eventually removeda reference to Disney's 1982 Halloween movie "Something Wicked <ref name= "trivia"> http://www.intercot.com/edc/Imagination/jfacts.html </ref>.

* Across from where In 2011, Dreamfinder and Figment held onto appeared on stage together at the "Nightmare" book, guests could see a large book spine which read "Something WickedDestination D: Walt Disney World 40th event." This It was a reference to the a Disney, 1982 Halloween movie called "Something Wickedfirst time Dreamfinder had been seen since Journey Into Imagination closed in 1998 <ref> http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2011/05/16/imagine-that-the-dreamfinder-amp-figment-reunite-for-one-night-only-at-wdw-40th-anniversary-event.aspx </ref>.

* In 2011There were 78 special effects in Journey Into Imagination, the Dreamfinder and Figment appeared on stage together at the Destination D: more than were used in all of Walt Disney World 40th eventon opening day <ref name= "trivia"/>. It was  * In the first time Science and Technology scene, guests could see a "Hidden Mickey" island off the coast of Argentina <ref name= "trivia"/> * Dreamfinder had been seen since Journey Into Imagination closed in 1998was originally going to have white hair, but this was changed when it was decided that he looked too much like Santa Clause <ref> http://progresscityusa.com/2012/01/15/do-you-know-this-man/ </ref>.

* On the current [[Journey Into Imagination With Figment ]] attraction, guests can see a door with a nameplate reading "Dean Finder" near the beginning of the attraction<ref> http://www.wdwradio.com/2014/08/inside-jokes-walt-disney-world-journey-imagination-figment/ </ref>.

* Pieces of the Dreamfinder's flying machine The Dreamcatcher can be found on the west wall in Epcot's Mouse Gear store<ref> https://farm1.staticflickr.com/43/81963215_c84aedac24_o.jpg </ref>.