Difference between revisions of "ImageWorks"

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The ImageWorks are an interactive area located in the Imagination! pavilion in EPCOT.

ImageWorks
The entrance to the ImageWorks
Epcot
Land	Future World
Theme	Imagination
Opening date	October 1, 1982
Formally Known As	Kodak: What If? Labs (1999-2010)

Attraction History and Plot

The ImageWorks are in interactive area located outside of Journey Into Imagination With Figment. They feature various exhibits which allow guests to further explore their imagination.

The Original ImageWorks (1982-1998)

The ImageWorks were orignally located on the second floor of the pavilion. At the end of the Journey Into Imagination, the Dreamfinder would invite guests to further explore their imagination here. To get to the area, guests would take a spiral staircase up to the pavilions second floor. Here they could explore various exhibits including:

Light Writer- This exhibit allowed guests to draw geometric patterns using laser beams. It was removed in the mid 80s, and replaced with Figment's Coloring Book.

Figment's Coloring Book- This exhibit allowed guests to use projected light to add color to pictures of the Dreamfinder and Figment.

Dreamfinder's School of Drama- This exhibit allowed guests to act out various stories using "Chroma-Key" video technology which added a background to the video. Here, guests could act out three different stories:

• "Daring Deputies and the Return of Sagebrush Sam" (a western)

• "Acrobatic Astronauts in Galactic Getaway" (a science fiction story)

• "Enchanted Travelers - Wily Wizard and the Cranky King" (a fairy-tale)

Making Faces- This exhibit allowed guests to take their picture, and then alter their faces. They could give themselves different hairstyles, noses, ears and accessories.

Magic Palette- This exhibit allowed guests to paint pictures of the Dreamfinder, Figment, or the pavilion itself, using touchscreen technology.

Kaleidoscope- A giant Kaleidoscope, which guests could turn to create amazing designs.

Pin Screens- Giant tables which held thousands of pins. Guests could run their hands through the pins to create all kinds of colors.

Electronic Philharmonic- This exhibit allowed guests to control an orchestra by moving their hands up and down. Sensors would recognize these hand movements which would raise and lower the volume of sections of the orchestra.

The Sensor Maze: "It Knows You're There"- This maze featured many exhibits which were based on sensors. Exhibits found inside included:

• Rainbow Corridor- A large tunnel full of neon tubes which lit up when guests passed by. When entering the corridor, guests would be assigned a color which would follow them through the tunnel.

• Image Warp- Moving mirrors which would create strange reflections. The Image Warp was replaced in the mid 1980's by the Mirage Room.

• Digital Wall- Light would flash while guests stood in front of an invisible wall, giving the wall a computer like look. The Digital Wall was replaced in the mid 1980's by the Mirage Room.

• Mirage Room- The Mirage Room used mirrors to make guests think they could touch a 3D image of Figment. They could not however, as the image was only a mirage.

• Stepping Tones- Colored squares that would play music when stepped upon.

• Lumia- A ball that emitted various frequencies and tones, which would create patterns of light and color. Lumia was replaced in the mid 1980's by the Optical Illusion.

• Optical Illusion- A painted scene showing hot air balloons which rotated around a cylindrical mirror. Although the balloons were drawn flat and elongated, they appeared to have perfect proportions when reflected.

What If? Labs (1998-Present)

In 1998 both Journey Into Imagination and the ImageWorks were closed for refurbishment. During the refurbishment, the ImageWorks was moved to the first floor of the pavilion, and renamed the Kodak: What If? Labs. During the run of Journey Into Your Imagination, the exhibits focused on guests imagination, usually with a tie in to photography. Many guests complained that while the ImageWorks had been an imagination playground, the Kodak: What If? Labs was simply an advertisement for Kodak. The exhibits during this time included: an exhibit where guests could conduct a 1990s orchestra, Stepping Tones (similar to the former exhibit) and a mirror that distorted guests body. Following the re-branding of the attraction to Journey Into Imagination With Figment, Figment was also added to the labs. Although many of the exhibits remained the same, Figment was added to show his inclusion in the pavilion.

Following the end of Kodak's sponsorship of the Imagination! pavilion, the name of the attraction was changed back to the ImageWorks. The current exhibits located in the ImageWorks are:

• Stepping Tones - Similar to the original Stepping Tones, the current exhibit features picture panels which make corresponding sounds. In 2008, the Stepping Tones were refurbished, so that they now play instruments.

• Figment's Melody Maker- This exhibit allows guests to have Figment play "One Little Spark" on various instruments. Guests can change the tone of the instrument by making Figment bigger or smaller.

• Compose your own Figment- This exhibit allows guests to create a custom Figment using touchscreens and then email to their friends.

Current State of the Upstairs ImageWorks

The second floor of the Imagination! pavilion is sometimes used for special events and tours. For a time it was used as a part of the Kim Possible Wold Showcase Adventure. The pin table exhibit, the giant kaleidoscopic, the Rainbow Corridor, Figment's Coloring Book, and parts of the Electronic Philanthropic exhibit can still be found, although some of the exhibits may have been recently removed.

Fun Facts and Trivia

• Since each pin in the Pin Table exhibit had to be identical, the artist who worked on the project spent a month at the Dayville, CT, pin factory checking each pin for perfection.

• The upstairs ImageWorks is currently used for storage.

References

http://allears.net/ae/issue004.htm

Smith, Dave, Disney A to Z: The Official encyclopedia (New York, 1996: Hyperion), p. 151

http://www.intercot.com/edc/Imagination/jimage.html