Difference between revisions of "Journey Into Imagination with Figment"
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Journey Into Imagination With Figment is an attraction located in the [[Imagination!]] pavilion, in [[Epcot]]. | Journey Into Imagination With Figment is an attraction located in the [[Imagination!]] pavilion, in [[Epcot]]. | ||
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| + | ==Attraction History== | ||
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| + | The basic idea for the Journey Into Imagination attraction came from Disney Imagineer, Tony Baxter. The idea for the character figment came to him while watching an episode of the television series Magnum P.I. In the episode Magnum had hidden a goat in Higgins' yard, and the goat had predictably tore the garden up. When Higgins suggested that a goat was ruining his yard. Magnum replied that it was all just a figment of his imagination, to which Higgins countered "Figments don't eat grass!". This line, gave Tony Baxter the idea to create a character "that everyone knows about and has never been visualized. | ||
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| + | Figment was first sketched by Disney artist Steve Kirk who turned in a rough drawing of the characters. Imagineer X Atencio then slightly altered the drawing to, "make the character lovable, in a way that kids could relate to". The Dreamfinder, Figments creator was designed after Imagineer Joe Rhode, who would later be lead designer of Disney's Animal Kingdom. The Dreamfinder's voice was performed by actors Chuck McCann and Ron Schneider. Finding a voice for Figment proved to be much more difficult however. Disney had men, women, boys and girls all try out for the role, but no voice was deemed suitable. Eventually, they found Figment's voice in veteran voice actor Billy Barty, who was perfect for the role. | ||
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| + | It took Disney nearly six months to come up with an idea for the Journey Into Imagination attraction. To help them with their understanding of imagination, Disney brought in various scientist and artists. Eventually they came to the conclusion that while every bodies imagination was different, how people get their imagination is the same. Tony Baxter said: | ||
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| + | {{Quotation| "The story needed to describe the complex process in an engaging, interactive way without seeming like a lecture. A persona was needed to give the process personality, but having a human character seemed too selective. A friendly imaginary being that could delight in the wonders of imagination would be more inclusive."}} | ||
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| + | Journey Into Imagination With Figment finally opened as simply Journey Into Imagination on March 5, 1983. Although the Kodak sponsored pavilion that housed the attraction had been open since Epcot's opening day, the pavilion remained nameless until Journey Into Imagination gave it it's namesake. The original attraction was a dark ride, which helped guests explore their imagination. The ride was hosted by the popular characters Dreamfinder and Figment. 71 different special effects were created for the original Journey Into Imagination, more then tall of the effects created for the opening of the Magic Kingdom. The ride remained essentially the same from 1983 until 1998. In 1998 Kodak renewed it's sponsorship, and decided to redo the attraction, in an attempt to make it cheaper to operate. | ||
Revision as of 18:05, 10 March 2012
Journey Into Imagination With Figment is an attraction located in the Imagination! pavilion, in Epcot.
Attraction History
The basic idea for the Journey Into Imagination attraction came from Disney Imagineer, Tony Baxter. The idea for the character figment came to him while watching an episode of the television series Magnum P.I. In the episode Magnum had hidden a goat in Higgins' yard, and the goat had predictably tore the garden up. When Higgins suggested that a goat was ruining his yard. Magnum replied that it was all just a figment of his imagination, to which Higgins countered "Figments don't eat grass!". This line, gave Tony Baxter the idea to create a character "that everyone knows about and has never been visualized.
Figment was first sketched by Disney artist Steve Kirk who turned in a rough drawing of the characters. Imagineer X Atencio then slightly altered the drawing to, "make the character lovable, in a way that kids could relate to". The Dreamfinder, Figments creator was designed after Imagineer Joe Rhode, who would later be lead designer of Disney's Animal Kingdom. The Dreamfinder's voice was performed by actors Chuck McCann and Ron Schneider. Finding a voice for Figment proved to be much more difficult however. Disney had men, women, boys and girls all try out for the role, but no voice was deemed suitable. Eventually, they found Figment's voice in veteran voice actor Billy Barty, who was perfect for the role.
It took Disney nearly six months to come up with an idea for the Journey Into Imagination attraction. To help them with their understanding of imagination, Disney brought in various scientist and artists. Eventually they came to the conclusion that while every bodies imagination was different, how people get their imagination is the same. Tony Baxter said:
"The story needed to describe the complex process in an engaging, interactive way without seeming like a lecture. A persona was needed to give the process personality, but having a human character seemed too selective. A friendly imaginary being that could delight in the wonders of imagination would be more inclusive."
Journey Into Imagination With Figment finally opened as simply Journey Into Imagination on March 5, 1983. Although the Kodak sponsored pavilion that housed the attraction had been open since Epcot's opening day, the pavilion remained nameless until Journey Into Imagination gave it it's namesake. The original attraction was a dark ride, which helped guests explore their imagination. The ride was hosted by the popular characters Dreamfinder and Figment. 71 different special effects were created for the original Journey Into Imagination, more then tall of the effects created for the opening of the Magic Kingdom. The ride remained essentially the same from 1983 until 1998. In 1998 Kodak renewed it's sponsorship, and decided to redo the attraction, in an attempt to make it cheaper to operate.
