Changes

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"/>Imagination.

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, is 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 attraction's 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:

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 <ref> https:name= "E82"//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 and has never been visualized</ref>name= "| Tony Baxter}}[[Image:KirkFigment.jpg|400px|thumb|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 ideas. Tony Baxter said:

Despite originally scheduled as {{Quotation| "The story needed to describe the complex process in an opening day attractionengaging, Journey Into Imagination opened on March 5, 1983interactive way without seeming like a lecture. A persona was needed to give the process personality, 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 the 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 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 rest 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, Imagineer's 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.  Of all the Future World pavilion's Journey Into Imagination’s turntable, loading and unloading mechanisms caused Imagination was the attraction last to be delayed begin construction <refname= "Martin"> https://vimeo.com/3015806 </ref>. According Although the pavilion was read 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, 1993, 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.