Disney Reviews: Ride Edition #8 - Journey Into Imagination with Figment

This is one of those rides that most people either pass by or wax reminiscent about the "old version". I often like to think that if my imagination had a form and a color, it would be a purple dragon with a dry sense of humor and sharp wit, which is why Figment is one of my favorite Disney characters. For a long time, he was the only Disney character to be featured in Epcot and he was (and still is) an Epcot exclusive. It's a very simple ride (a slimmed down version of the old one), it has a very 80's feel to it (nothing wrong with that, I always say), and, if there is no brighter side for you, it's an air conditioned building that allows you a 10 minute distraction from the heat and the crowds (because the Imagination Pavilion is never crowded).

Located in Epcot's Future World, the Imagination Pavilion has a lot of interesting touches around it for those interested in looking around:
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It's where you'll find the upside-down waterfall:
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and the leapfrog fountains:
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ducks tend to hang:
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as monorails go stealthily by:
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(my attempt at an art shot)

Time to step inside:
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It's open house day at the Imagination Institute, but no one seems to be home!
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The phones are ringing off the hook:
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The recipients of the Inventor of the Year Award...anyone look familiar?
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You might think looking up in the queue isn't a pretty sight...but you never know when a little purple dragon might fly by:
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There are some very interesting (and noisy) rooms along the way:
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Dr. Nigel Channing, the director of the Imagination Institute (and Manager of Everything Else...see his door above), introduces you to the purpose of the Imagination Institute, with a little help from Figment.
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Figment "hijacks" the tour and shows you imagination HIS way!
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From what you hear:
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To what you see:
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Even to what you smell:
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But the best way to see imagination is from Figment's house (at least according to him) where everything is a bit upside down:
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Dr. Channing is a bit frazzled, but knows that Figment is definitely onto something when it comes to letting your imagination run wild!
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And that's it for the ride, but follow Figment out into the Imageworks What-If Labs for some play time:
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But that's not my favorite part...my favorite part is the Figment Store!
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Of course the Imagination Pavilion also houses Captain Eo (but I much prefered Honey I Shrunk the Audience), but we don't go to it. I can say I've seen it, but I'm NOT a Michael Jackson fan and the whole thing is way beyond creepy to me.

Comments

Tiffstitch said…
That sounds like my favourite ride yet! Great shot of Robin Williams too, although Eric Idle is one of my favourite actors of all time.
Linda said…
That doesn't look like my kinda thing. Gorgeous pictures though.

Linda