First of all let me get something straight. This is a JOURNAL not a diary. I know what the name of this blog is but when Mom made me this thing I SPECIFICALLY told her to pick a title without the word “diary” in it. Great. Now all I need is for some kid to catch me looking at this website and get the wrong idea.


Friday, March 8, 2013

Attraction Profile: Journey into Imagination

This year marks the 30th anniversary of one of the most beloved theme park attraction of all time: Journey into Imagination at Epcot at Walt Disney World in Florida. This is the first in a new segment called Attraction Profile. It'll talk about the most beloved theme park attractions of all time. Let's get started shall we?

Journey into Imagination was opened in 1983 at Epcot as the signature attraction at the Imagination pavilion. The pavilion's other attractions Image Works (a high tech playground) and Magic Eye Theater ( a 4-D cinema which has shown over the years Magic Journeys, Captain EO, and Honey, I Shrunk the Audience) opened the previous year. Journey into Imagination was a last minute decision to Epcot, and could not open with the rest of the park in 1982. The ride was a wondrous adventure which featured Dreamfinder and his friend, a purple Dragon (green would offend the pavilion's sponsor Kodak) on an adventure to collect colors, sounds, and other stuff to create ideas.
Here's a link to a photo of the characters.



In 1998, the ride went down for rehab. The main reasons (at least i my opinion) were
1. The turntable at the opening scene was a maintenance nightmare.
2. Ever since the release of "Something Wicked This Way Comes" in 1983,the Dreamfinder started to resemble the villain, Mr. Dark. Parents felt that younger kids would be terrified by a ride who resembled a character from what is possibly the scariest movie Disney made.

 The new version was to feature Eric Idle as Dr. Nigel Channing, a role he originated at Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. The retitled Journey into YOUR Imagination opened in 1999 to universally negative reviews, mostly due to the absence of Figment and Dreamfinder. Disney redid the ride AGAIN in 2002 into its current form, Journey into Imagination WITH FIGMENT. Even with the Changes, the ride remains a walk-on. Bob Iger, if you're reading this,
Will you please make a Journey into Imagination IV?

Well, that covers today's Attraction Profile. Be sure to let me know which attraction should be next. Send E-Mail to themeparkdiary@gmail.com . See you soon!





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6 comments:

  1. BarbaraMarch 9, 2013 at 5:09 PM

    Very interesting, Ben! While I'm not as well versed in theme parks, I have been to Universal Studios in Orlando several times. Could you cover the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith next? It was one of my favorite rides the last time I was there.
    Thanks,
    your cousin Barbara.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ben GruenMarch 10, 2013 at 9:09 PM

      I love that ride as well. Thanks for suggesting. I will.

      Delete
  2. BarbaraMarch 9, 2013 at 5:12 PM

    *I mean Hollywood Studios....

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  3. UnknownMarch 10, 2013 at 9:19 AM

    Ben,
    Great post about Journey Into Imagination IV! Quick question: What is 4-D? (I'm a little clueless.) Also, what do you think are the main differences between Disney World and Disneyland? I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts.
    Mikey

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    Replies
    1. Ben GruenMarch 10, 2013 at 4:51 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Ben GruenMarch 10, 2013 at 9:09 PM

      2 things: Disney World has a lot more stuff. I'll write about that in an upcoming entry. And 4-D is a 3-D movie with in-theater effects like water, vibration, and bubbles. Examples at Disney include Captain EO, Muppet*Vision 3D, It's Tough to Be a Bug!, Honey, I Shrunk the Audience (defunct), and Mickey's PhilharMagic.

      Delete

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