7 Reasons We Love Figment and Journey into Imagination

With the D23 news that Figment is finally available for a meet and greet, I thought I’d share our family’s love of the whimsical dragon as we try to figure out how to get down there in the coming weeks. Figment is a little divisive because a lot of people don’t understand what the hype is. From the outside looking in, Journey into the Imagination is a bizarre, low-quality ride that makes you smell skunk spray. They feel justified in this opinion because there’s almost no wait time ever, even on crowded days. It has almost nothing that most people associate with a good Disney ride—special effects, a popular franchise, innovative ride experience. With that in mind, here’s a little bit about why we love him. Maybe it will be spark of inspiration for you to love him, too.

Purple dragon with the obvious choice of yellow quarter zip sweater and no pants.

History of Figment

Figment the purple dragon was introduced as the mascot of the Imagination pavilion at EPCOT. Given EPCOT’s focus on the things that will shape the community of tomorrow, he serves as a reminder that it requires imagination to build a better world. He was announced at EPCOT’s opening in 1982, though the ride didn’t open until 1983.

The first version of the ride had Figment with a character named the Dreamfinder, who taught him to use his imagination. Then in 1999, they changed the ride to one where Dr. Nigel Channing (Eric Idle from Monty Python) teaches us about the senses. Figment only showed up briefly.

Under pressure from Figment lovers, they changed the ride again in 2002, allowing Figment to derail the whole presentation and take us into a world of imagination. Basically, we’re supposed to get a lesson on the five senses, but Figment uses our senses to take us into a wild world of his creation. Or, as I like to describe it, it documents a scientist’s slow descent into madness as a he hallucinates about a dragon ruining his life’s work, eventually singing a song while his face has been turned into the moon (in his mind). Now the ride is emphatically called Journey into Imagination WITH Figment. You can’t just leave him out.

A terrible picture of Dr. Channing’s creepy moon face.

Why We Love Figment

Since our family discovered the ride, we’ve made a point to ride it every trip (which isn’t hard because there’s never a wait). We love the ride, the Sherman Brothers’ song, the merchandise, the Imagination pavilion after the ride, and my daughters even think it’s funny when the ride breaks down. On our last visit, we thought it was worth it to ride during the EPCOT After Hours event, even though every other ride in the park had no line. Here’s why.

1. Figment has history

As I outlined above, Figment represents an integral part of EPCOT, the imagination that hearkens back Walt’s philosophies for running the company, and he represents it in characteristic Disney whimsy. Even the creation of his name is whimsical. Imagineer Tony Baxter came up with it while watching an episode of Magnum, P.I. about an elusive goat. For a lot of long time Disney-goers, he represents a connection to everything about EPCOT from the beginning.

2. The Figment Song is Catchy

Just trying to write this article I managed to get the song stuck in my head. We end up singing the bits we can remember all over the park for the rest of the day every time. The Sherman Brothers created a timeless tune, and despite it’s playful melody, Disney has managed to mine lyrics like “one little spark” for inspiring much more than the ride.

3. The Figment Line is Always Short

Never underestimate the power of a short line on a air-conditioned ride at Disney World. I’ve seen it listed between 5 and 20 minutes the dozen or so times we’ve been to EPCOT. Regardless of the listed wait time, we never stop walking until we’re on the ride. We’ll embrace whatever madness Figment leads us to if it means we don’t have to wait or sweat. As I mentioned earlier, my girls were totally fine when it broke down for over a minute in a dark corridor. Admittedly, I started to get a little freaked out.

My wife took this picture. That’s me in the front. Literally the only people there besides the cast members.

4. Obscure References

Now that there is no Honey, I Shrunk the Kids playground at Hollywood Studios anymore (which I remember being awesome as an 8 year old), I’m pretty sure the only reference to that IP is on the Journey Into Imagination with Figment (correct me if I’m wrong in the comments). I’m also pretty sure this is the only reference to Robin Williams’ Flubber. I like a good, obscure 90s reference.

Portraits of the Drs. Brainard and Szalinski, two lovably unethical scientists.

5. My Kids Think Figment is Funny

I probably wouldn’t get into the slapstick humor of Figment ruining Nigel’s life by myself, but my kids think it’s hysterical. Therefore, I let myself get lost in the goofy madness, which is a pretty good metaphor for what it takes to have fun at Disney as a parent. You have to see the world through their eyes. They latched on to the character and beg to go there every trip even though they love the other rides at EPCOT.

They also love the upside down room when Figment takes them into his Imagination exhibit. They think its SOOOO funny that there’s a toilet on the ceiling.

6. Sometimes Bad is Good

When I was in college, my friends and I would make it a point to laugh our way through bad, outdated movies like Krull or Big Trouble in Little China or Star Wars (just kidding, seeing if you were paying attention). Journey into Imagination is like that. It’s not using the best technology. It’s not the best story. It’s not thrilling. The 80s technology with extremely dark rooms is a little unsettling. In short, it’s so different from everything else at Disney that its flaws are captivating. It’s been two days since the meet and greet started, and Figment has fallen at least twice trying to come out of the tunnel. I feel bad for the cast member, but that’s totally on brand.

7. Figment is a Loveable Character

The final reason is that Figment is easy to love. There’s no drama or dark side, just a cute dragon ready to have fun. There’s no conflict or villain (unless you’re trying to do a science exhibit). It embodies what he hope for in a trip to Disney—fun without the drama of outside life.

Conclusion and Further Reading

Do you love Figment? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments. I could easily sit down and write all of the reasons why people don’t get the hype, but our family loves him, and we’ll drop by the Imagination Pavilion right after Soarin’ and before seeing Mary Poppins every time. My daughter even included Journey into Imagination with Figment on her list of favorite rides for kids at EPCOT.