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 Journey Into Imagination With Figment:
In a rare moment of ... well, ... stupidity, Disney decided to refurbish the Journey Into Imagination ride in 1998 and remove it’s most popular icon, a small purple dragon named Figment. Frequent visitors to the Imagination pavilion couldn’t believe that Disney had the unmitigated audacity to take away the lovable little guy and were so upset by his removal when the “upgraded” attraction re-opened, that they let Disney know about their dissatisfaction in droves. Proving that they are sensitive to the wishes of their audiences, Disney reintroduced the delightful little Figment to the Orlando vacation attraction in June of 2002 and even added his name to it.
This extremely colorful ride at the Imagination pavilion takes Orlando vacationers through an open house of labs at the “Imagination Institute” that explore the senses of sight, sound and smell. The ride is hosted by Dr. Nigel Channing and his impish assistant, a small purple dragon named Figment. Riders never make it to the other two senses; “taste” and “touch,” because the mischievous little dragon has literally trashed those rooms and invites guests to accompany him instead, to the open house he has created. Figment likes to break all known rules, as his open house is upside down and has been remade in a colorful manner that promotes the impossible and fantastic - a style that can only be attained by one with a true sense of imagination.
Adults and children alike love this little gem of a ride and are often heard singing the Imagination song “One Little Spark;” which plays throughout the ride, long after they have left the Imagination pavilion. The gift shop often has more Orlando vacationers lined up for Figment souvenirs than are queuing up for the ride, itself. (I still find it hard to believe that Disney ever thought it was a good idea to get rid of the merchandising gold mine, Figment).
 Honey, I Shrunk The Audience:
When you are handed a pair of “safety goggles” at the entrance to this attraction at the Imagination pavilion, you might wonder what you have gotten yourself into. This thoroughly entertaining 4-D movie starts at the Imagination Institute’s awards ceremony, where Professor Wayne Szalinski (played by Rick Moranis, reviving his role from Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, Honey, I Blew Up The Kids and Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves) is about to receive the “Scientist of the Year” honor. The quirky scientist has decided to make his grand entrance in a contraption he calls the “Remote Hoverpod,” a device he hasn’t fully mastered the controls of. As part of the awards ceremony, he will be introducing his latest inventions, the “Dimensional Duplicator” and the “Incredible Shrinking Machine.” When a mishap with the remote causes Professor Szalinski to completely lose control of the hoverpod, the directional beam of the shrinking machine gets misdirected toward the audience and the adventure begins, as the entire audience is miniaturized.
Excellent 3-D visual effects accompany the sensations of things visitors actually feel, in this fun-filled sensory movie experience. This is an extremely popular attraction at the Imagination pavilion and long lines are generally to be expected. Fortunately, a FastPass is available for it. Unlike other Orlando vacation web sites that reveal some of the sights and sensations that await you at Honey, I Shrunk The Audience, I will let you experience the attraction with nothing else revealed so that you may take in all it has to offer in total surprise. Before leaving the Imagination pavilion, be sure to check out the What If Labs where you can do a little experimenting of your own. Hop on “stepping tones” that play musical notes, conduct an orchestra or even send a photo E-mail of yourself to family and friends.
Did You Know?
 Eric Idle from Monty Python’s Flying Circus is featured in both of the Imagination pavilion’s main attractions. He is Dr. Nigel Channing in both Honey, I shrunk The Audience and The Journey Into Imagination With Figment .
- The Journey Into Imagination With Figment attraction received the 2004 Disney Magazine “Reader's Choice Award” for Best EPCOT Attraction for Kids.
- On the Journey Into Imagination With Figment ride, one of the world's largest holograms can be seen on the left side of your vehicle as you enter the “Dreamport” in the "Deep Thoughts" container.
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