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Journey Into Imagination
Epcot |
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EPCOT
Attraction Seating AT
A GLANCE... FUTURE
WORLD WORLD
SHOWCASE ENTERTAINMENT SPECIAL
EVENTS HOLIDAYS TOURS SPECIAL
REPORTS ARCHIVES OTHER
THEME PARKS
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The Journey into Imagination Pavilion, sponsored by Kodak, has been a part of Epcot since it opened and it probably has changed more than any other pavilion in Epcot. The last changes were a direct result of guest displeasure with the reworked Journey into Your Imagination Ride which debuted as part of the Millennium Celebration October 2001. In June 2002, Figment reappeared (in more than just a cameo) and folks are enjoying the attraction once again. There are three attractions in the Journey into Imagination Pavilion: Honey I Shrunk the Audience (Not To Be Missed) and Journey Into Imagination....with Figment, and the What If Labs. Journey into Imagination... with Figment- Reopened June 1, 2002!
Most of the queue is the same, with the addition of a portrait gallery of Inventor of the Year winners, which includes Dr. Nigel Channing, Dr. Wayne Szalinski and Dr. Brainard from "Flubber." There are Figment videos on the screens overhead, and sometimes there was a soundtrack and other times there was nothing. The ride loading and unloading areas are unchanged. Inside the ride, you go through "labs" for studying the senses--Sight, Sound and Smell. One never gets to Taste and Touch, as Figment has made the rest of the "Open House" a disaster. Figment then invites everyone to his own open house, which is the upside down house redone in Figment's taste and style.
The new ride is light years better than the last incarnation, but nothing will ever be as good as the original. The newest version is still too short, and has some timing problems. If you are in the front car, you barely have time to catch a glimpse of the finale, but if you're in the last car, you miss the setup for some of the scenes. Hopefully they'll be able to work out the kinks soon. Meanwhile, it's still better than the dreadful Journey Into Your Imagination. At least people weren't getting off the ride with that puzzled "What the heck was *that??*" look that was so prevalent with JIYI.
Epcot
Restaurants At A Glance For more information on Epcot Live
Entertainment, visit Steve
Soares WDW Entertainment Website.
Journey into Your Imagination - There are 2 portions of the ride (one at the beginning and one near the end), where it gets pitch black and very noisy (from pouring rain to a loud train)! Young children may be frightened by this. See Comments below. What If Labs! can be lots of fun, especially if it is not crowded. Be sure to stop by the Email center and send home a postcard of yourself, Imagination Styled! Be sure to check out the fountains outside the pavilion. The What If Labs are a great place for kids to run around, touch things and get out some energy. Be sure you read the Touring Tips (above) regarding things that may frighten children. Figment sometimes appears in the small building to the left of the Honey I Shrunk the Audience entrance (the former Kodak camera store). Check your daily Epcot Times Guide for times and locations. Epcot Characters
At A Glance
The Gift Shop immediately following the What If Labs has computer-generated photos taken with Disney Characters. There is some Figment merchandise in the form of mugs, T-shirts, key chains etc., as well as new Figment and Imagination merchandise. There are also some unusual etched Lucite gifts here -- the images they can etch into the material are really quite impressive! There are a number of Instant Photo booths by Kodak where, for $5, you can make your own Epcot Passport, Photo-ID Badge for the Imagination Institute, or picture postcards to send to friends and family!
Dr. Nigel Channing is played by Eric Idle from Monty Python's Flying Circus. "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" brings together all the special effects of the Szalinski movies but in 3D. The Journey to Imagination Pavilion that opened with Epcot Center provided a "child's-eye view of imagination". A spectacular 3-D journey in the Magic Eye Theater and the creative Image Works area were part of the original pavilion. Honey I Shrunk the Audience replaced Captain EO starring Michael Jackson. |
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At
the conclusion of your journey you enter the Kodak What If! Labs (similar
to the Image Works that was on the 2nd floor of the building). The What
If! Lab experiments were fun. You can still conduct the orchestra, but
this time a la the new millennium. Other interactive experiments included
stepping stones that create sounds and a special mirror that distorts
your body. I played with some of the experiments and had fun. I noticed
lots children enjoying this interactive section. You can also send email
postcards home from here, some with other-worldly special effects!
