18
Credit: DisneyFor decades, Journey Into Imagination with Figment has been a staple of EPCOT, but it’s also been a source of debate among Disney fans.
While Figment remains a beloved character, the ride itself has long been seen as in need of an update. Now, Disney has officially filed a permit for electrical work on the attraction, fueling speculation that changes could finally be on the horizon.
The Evolution of Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Journey Into Imagination debuted in 1983 as one of EPCOT’s original attractions, featuring the Dreamfinder and Figment, a playful purple dragon representing creativity and imagination. The original version was widely praised for its whimsical storytelling, unique ride system, and catchy Sherman Brothers song, One Little Spark.
Back then, the attraction was an absolute fan favorite. It took guests through a series of imaginative realms, with Dreamfinder collecting sparks of inspiration while Figment excitedly contributed his own ideas. It was a ride that truly captured the heart of what EPCOT was meant to be—an exploration of creativity, invention, and human potential.
However, in 1999, Disney overhauled the attraction, removing Dreamfinder and significantly altering the ride’s format. This version, known as Journey Into YOUR Imagination, drastically reduced Figment’s presence and replaced the original storyline with one focused on the Imagination Institute, a fictional organization linked to Honey, I Shrunk the Audience.
The changes were met with overwhelming backlash, as fans felt the new version lacked the heart and creativity of the original.
Realizing the mistake, Disney reworked the ride again in 2002, this time bringing Figment back in a more prominent role and incorporating more of One Little Spark into the soundtrack. However, Dreamfinder was still absent, and the attraction remained tied to the Imagination Institute theme. Many fans saw this as an improvement over the previous version but still felt it was a shadow of its former self.
Since then, the ride has largely remained unchanged, aside from minor refurbishments and maintenance work.
While Figment has remained an EPCOT icon—evidenced by the popularity of his merchandise and his mascot status at events like the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts—Journey Into Imagination has frequently been criticized for feeling outdated compared to EPCOT’s newer, technologically advanced attractions.
Disney’s New Permit for Electrical Work
Now, Disney has officially filed a Notice of Commencement for electrical work on Journey Into Imagination with Figment. According to the permit, Walt Disney World Resort has contracted MMR Constructors, Inc. to perform electrical improvements at the attraction. The permit is valid until March 5, 2026, meaning the work is expected to be completed within the next year.
While the permit does not specify the scope of the electrical work, it is important to note that this does not appear to be a major overhaul. Given that the permit strictly mentions electrical updates, it’s likely that Disney is working on infrastructure improvements rather than a full-scale reimagining of the attraction.
However, electrical upgrades could still be significant. They might involve updated lighting effects, improved animatronics, or even enhancements to the ride system itself. It’s possible that Disney is laying the groundwork for future changes by first addressing some of the attraction’s technical shortcomings.
Could This Be a Sign of Bigger Changes?
Rumors of a major refurbishment or even a complete reimagining of Journey Into Imagination have persisted for years. Fans have speculated about everything from a full return of Dreamfinder to an entirely new ride concept replacing Figment altogether.
While Disney has never confirmed any such plans, the attraction’s continued presence in discussions about EPCOT’s future suggests that Imagineers are aware of the demand for an update.
The filing of an electrical permit alone isn’t enough to confirm a major overhaul, but it does indicate that Disney is investing in maintaining the ride. If this work includes upgrading show lighting, animatronics, or special effects, it could be a way to breathe some new life into the attraction while keeping the core experience intact.
It’s also worth considering that this permit comes at a time when EPCOT has been undergoing massive changes.
The park recently completed its multi-year transformation, introducing new experiences like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and the overhaul of Spaceship Earth’s entrance plaza. Journey Into Imagination remains one of the few untouched remnants of an older EPCOT, making it a prime candidate for an update.
The fact that Figment remains such a strong part of EPCOT’s identity suggests that Disney isn’t looking to remove the ride entirely, but rather to improve it. Merchandise featuring Figment continues to sell out, and it’s clear his popularity is cemented in the Disney World park.
All of this points to Disney recognizing the character’s importance, making it more likely that any future refurbishment would enhance Figment’s presence rather than diminish it.
What’s Next for Figment?
The timing of this permit is interesting, as it comes just over a year after the introduction of the Figment meet-and-greet at EPCOT. The character’s continued popularity, combined with this new electrical work, raises the question: is Disney laying the groundwork for a larger-scale refurbishment?
With EPCOT’s transformation pretty much complete, the next logical step would be refreshing older attractions to match the park’s new vision. Journey Into Imagination remains one of the few remnants of a past era, and while some fans appreciate its nostalgic charm, many agree that it needs an update to match the technological advancements seen in newer attractions.
The ride’s storyline and effects feel especially dated compared to the cutting-edge attractions Disney has introduced in recent years. Even smaller enhancements, such as improved lighting, projection mapping, or interactive elements, could go a long way in making the ride feel more relevant to modern audiences.
For now, fans will have to wait and see what Disney has in store. The electrical updates could be nothing more than basic maintenance, or they could be a precursor to bigger things ahead. One thing is certain: Figment isn’t going anywhere, and his attraction remains a focal point of discussion among Disney fans.
If this permit is the first step toward a bigger refurbishment, fans of the imaginative dragon may finally get the ride update they’ve been hoping for.