Walt Disney World: It's Not Just for Kids

Because, with F-I-G-M-E-N-T, you can see things differently! I cannot think of a Disney character whom I fell more in love with at first sight in the character up to that point in my Disney lifestyle. On my very first trip in April of 1993, my parents and I went on what was then the Journey into Imagination ride.  When I came off, I asked my mother if the cat who had disappeared before we left* didn’t come home, if we could get a Figment. I remember being so enthralled by Figment that I did not want to see Captain EO. I ended up getting a small stuffed Figment at the Grand Floridian later that trip.

I love Figment-he’s purple, fun and cute.  We went on Journey into Imagination again in 1996, and I still loved him.  Then, on our trip in 2002, a terrible thing happened.  We went to the Imagination! pavilion, and there was no Figment!  I suppose it was a blessing in disguise, as it saved me from ever having to experience the Millenium Journey into Imagination.

Truth be told, I think on my trip in 2006 I was as excited about the Journey into Imagination as I was Philharmagic or Expedition Everest.  While there was no Dream Finder, my Figment was back!

Truth be told, I think Figment is a perfect example of what can happen when Disney does everything right.  In 1983, they created a character who was unique to the theme parks.  This led into merchandising for this character.  In 1998, they tried a new version of the ride sans Figment.  When they had negative responses, they brought Figment back.  As such, Figment manages to bridge a gap between nostalgia for the Epcot Center days, and being novel enough to keep people coming back.  Figment and Dean Finder (I mean Dream Finder) keep on popping up on Epcot merchandise, which means to me that Disney does have an interest in revering its olden days.

*Megan appeared about a day after we got home from that trip, and lived for another decade after that.

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