Figment has quietly become one of the most recognizable characters at EPCOT, even for guests who may not know his full backstory. He appears on festival signage and souvenirs, park-exclusive collectibles, as well as a character meet and greet.
For an original character who debuted more than four decades ago, that kind of staying power is rare, and it speaks to just how deeply Figment is tied to EPCOT’s identity.
During a recent evening at EPCOT, I noticed multiple wall bays FILLED with one specific purple dragon. From various apparel, baby dragon plush, drinkware and jewelry, to Crocs, a Loungefly backpack, and an egg slicer(?!). This is one of the biggest merchandise features I’ve seen for an original Disney Parks character, probably ever.
Disney clearly understands Figment’s popularity and his emotional connection to longtime fans. Which raises an unavoidable question: why does Journey Into Imagination still exist in its current form?
— Busy holiday week; Imagination is still a walk-on
Figment debuted in 1982 alongside the Dreamfinder as the lovable, spunky unofficial mascot of the newly-opened EPCOT Center. The original Journey Into Imagination attraction was beloved for its warmth, creativity, and sense of wonder.
— Image source: D23
Like many elements of classic EPCOT, it was eventually closed and replaced with an inferior version that removed Dreamfinder entirely. Despite that, Figment remained popular, and Disney wisely kept him around. The problem is how.
Rather than giving Figment an attraction that reflects his importance to the park, Disney has leaned heavily on merchandising. The current version of Journey Into Imagination, which has been in place since 2002, is widely regarded as one of the weakest attractions at Walt Disney World. Compared to earlier versions, Figment’s personality feels grating rather than charming, the effects are visibly dated, and the overall experience lacks the creativity the theme demands. The infamous skunk scent effect is often the most memorable takeaway… and not in a good way.
Next door, the Magic Eye Theater only adds to the frustration. From 1982 through 2015, the space hosted attractions like Magic Journeys, Captain EO, and Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. For the last decade, it has shown rotating Disney and Pixar shorts, content easily accessible outside the parks. That leaves a significant corner of EPCOT’s former Future World underutilized.
Not every attraction needs to be an E-ticket, but quality still matters, especially when the original character featured is plastered across the park in merchandise form. Over the years, rumors have circulated about potential updates, including concepts inspired by Inside Out, while many longtime fans simply want Dreamfinder restored and new scenes added to the dark ride. Disney is capable of fixing this. They have simply chosen not to priortize it.
EPCOT’s multi-year transformation is now complete, with no major projects currently underway (outside of updates to Soarin’ and Frozen Ever After). Yet for many fans, the park will not feel truly refreshed until two longstanding issues are addressed: a major refurbishment of Spaceship Earth and a long-overdue reimagining of Journey Into Imagination.
Loyal fans deserve better. And frankly, so does Figment.
