Imagination! (Epcot)
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Imagination! | |
---|---|
Status | Operating |
Opening date | October 1, 1982 |
Ride statistics | |
Designer | WED Enterprises |
Theme | Human imagination, creativity, and the arts |
Sponsor |
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Imagination! (formerly The Journey Into Imagination) is a
Attraction history
While the pavilion itself has existed since 1982, it has gone through three significant phases. The original started out as an area in which the
In 1998, the original Journey Into Imagination went down for renovation. During this renovation, the upstairs ImageWorks was closed and the building's purple and blue painting exterior was replaced with different colors, navy blue being primary. The original glass sign was replaced by one made of wood and metal. The leap frog fountains were reduced in size to accommodate the new gift shop at the exit of the new Journey Into Your Imagination. The glass pyramids remained intact, although the upstairs ImageWorks was closed, to be replaced by the downstairs ImageWorks - The "What If" Labs
The pavilion was renamed Imagination! in 1999, when the new attraction opened. Fans were upset that
For a brief time after Figment's return to the Imagination pavilion, the walk around Figment character was available for a meet-and-greet in the former Kodak shop between the main pavilion and the theater. Figment's place is now unlabeled, but the décor inside is still visible through the windows.[1]
In the summer of 2006, the finale of a
Following the death of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009, Disney officials mulled over the possible return of Captain EO.[3] In February 2010, the film, now retitled Captain EO Tribute, returned to Disneyland. On July 2, 2010, Captain EO returned to the Imagination! pavilion for a limited run, replacing Honey, I Shrunk the Audience.[4]
In August 2010,
In June 2016, the old upstairs portion of the Imagination Pavilion used for the original ImageWorks reopened as a lounge exclusively for Disney Vacation Club members.[6]
Current attractions
- Journey into Imagination with Figment (June 2, 2002–present; third renovations)
- Magic Eye Theater
- Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival (December 23, 2015–present)[7]
- Disney Vacation Club Lounge (2016–present)
Current exhibitions
- ImageWorks: The What-If Labs(October 1, 1999– present; second renovations)
Former attractions
- Magic Eye Theater
- Magic Journeys (October 1, 1982 – February 9, 1986)
- Makin' Memories(Early 1980s)
- Captain EO (September 12, 1986 – July 6, 1994; first renovations)
- Captain EO Tribute (July 2, 2010 – December 6, 2015; second renovations)
- Honey, I Shrunk the Audience(November 21, 1994 – May 9, 2010)
- Magic Journeys (October 1, 1982 – February 9, 1986)
- Journey Into Imagination(March 5, 1983 – October 10, 1998; first renovations)
- Journey Into Your Imagination(October 1, 1999 – October 8, 2001; second renovations)
Former exhibitions
- ImageWorks(October 1, 1982 – October 10, 1998; first renovations)
See also
- Epcot attraction and entertainment history
References
- ISBN 9781500887926.
- ^ "Kim Possible Game", "All Ears Net", retrieved November 6, 2006
- ^ Brady MacDonald. "Iger: No plans to bring 'Captain EO' back to Disneyland". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
- ^ Bevil, Dewayne (June 30, 2010). "What's old is new again as 'Captain EO' returns to Epcot". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
- ^ Garcia, Jason (September 10, 2010). "Kodak cuts ties with Epcot pavilion". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
- ^ "Disney Vacation Club New Lounge". Member Lounge at Epcot – Now Open!.
- ^ "'Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival' to Debut Today At Epcot". Disney Parks Blog.