May 11
18
The Future of Imagination
If you have been around the Imagination Pavilion in Epcot lately, I’m sure you’ve noticed that it’s not exactly what it used to be and there are a lot of questions surrounding its future. The pavilion is currently without a sponsor and looking ahead, things are going to change for Imagination and the question is, will it be something worthwhile and noteworthy that could spearhead other changes to take place in Future World, or will the changes be some of the worst at Epcot?
It’s obvious that Disney made the right decision in bringing back Captain EO in place of the insanely outdated Honey I Shrunk the Audience (HISTA), and while dated itself, EO is a classic that draws in the crowds. Eventually Captain EO is going to retire once again, and when this happens, Disney has a HUGE decision to make. There have been rumors of HISTA being cleaned up and put back, and I simply say this is the worst idea they could consider. The show was amusing back in the 90s when the movies were popular with kids however, that time is long gone and I can’t remember outside of the show at Epcot and the playground at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, hearing it or even mentioning that series.
HISTA Entrance
Disney has made so much progress with the “theater” type of attractions (Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Turtle Talk with Crush) that perhaps something on a grander scale could work or at least something that would really get the guest thinking and/or involved somehow.
Time to update, dont you think?
The other side of the Imagination Pavilion is the ride that is located next door, which is currently, Journey into Imagination with Figment. This is one of those attractions that you either like or can’t stand and it’s gone through some changes over the years, however it feels like it could benefit from some tinkering. I know we will never get the original attraction back, however with HISTA now being defunct, perhaps we could do away with Nigel Channing (Sorry!) and the Imagination Institute. I think the Figment character should remain there; it is a nod to the original and something many people recognize on some level or another but something needs to change. One idea I came up with would be perhaps touching on Imagineering and how the Imagination is just important in adults as it is in children and how it helps create the new and exciting attractions, characters and shows that are featured in Disney Parks, Television and other forms of media. Again, just an idea.
Without a sponsor for the pavilion, it’s very difficult to say if any major changes will come anytime soon to this area, however one can always….. Imagine.
