In Epcot, there were not many areas that appealed to children. There was the World of Motion (now replaced by Test Track, which is a wonderful ride, but not suitable for small children), Horizons (which had those fun little buttons you got to press; They always made me feel all important and stuff; it too is also gone), and of course, 'the Figment ride' which I liked to call it. Figment was wonderful. He was the symbol of imagination to me as a child. He could be anything he desired to be, and nothing could stop him. He could be an astronaut, an artist, a writer, a cowboy. 

With him all the way was the DreamFinder who created him and helped him learn what he could do. Throughout the ride there were images that showed colors and creativity. There was also that song that almost anyone who loved it could re-sing. Every time I came, the first thing that would pop into my head would be, I want to see Figment. But the joy didn't stop at the end of the ride. There was also the play area after. There were the steps that would play music when you stomped on them, and touch-screen coloring books. Almost everything was accessible to small children and designed for them to play with. Looking back on the things I saw then, playing in that area gave me a love of artwork in particular that I have never lost. It is that love that has determined what I wanted to do with my life, and I know that I can do anything I want, as long as I can imagine it. 

When I went back to the ride after they had 'fixed' it, I was horrified to find that world that I had loved so much as a child, gone. I went in with a very open mind. I thought, Disney is normally SO good with their rides. If they changed it, they must have their reasons and would make it maybe, if possible, better than before. I was wrong. The first thing that caught my attention, was how they insulted me in the very beginning. The ride begins by scanning the guests and then determining that you have nothing in your head. No imagination what-so-ever. Vacancy. Being an artist, which can take an awful lot of creativity, this did not make me feel very good. In fact, it made me feel awful, as though they were trying to crush my self-esteem. 

The ride from there, seemed very dark, and unappealing. It had a certain style to it, similar to the Test Track, like it was mechanical. I can say this right now, most kids do not like 'mechanical'. It's like trying to get a child to look at a car engine and tell them to be interested in it. It just isn't going to happen. I did find the upside-down 'house' interesting, but there are so many things to see in it, I couldn't get a good look at it in the time that it took the ride to move past. There was no music that could be associated with the ride, and throughout it, you heard the narrator's voice. Nothing against him, but from seeing the attraction "Honey I shrunk the Audience" (which leads you to believe his character is annoying and ignorant) I could not help but feel utterly annoyed throughout the 'journey.' 

The only part I found with enough colors, was the part with how colors are associated with sounds. But even then, there was nothing I saw that could entertain a young child, let alone an adult. It was quite dull. The big finale was when you were rescanned. Suddenly your head is full of images because this guy told you about them. Then it hit me, that what these people are saying is that people cannot come up with their own creative thoughts unless someone 'smarter' than them puts those thoughts there. Although they try to tell you the opposite, from that perspective of the scan, that is exactly what they are trying to say. It is the complete opposite from what the original DreamFinder believed. He may have created Figment, but he only guided the creature to help him use the imagination the he had from the beginning. Key phrase 'had from the beginning.' From there, Figment learned for himself, not from being told, that he could do or be anything or anyone that he wanted.

Apart from the ride, there is the 'playground' afterward that is also a disappointment. Aside from the partially familiar stomping-sounds, there is not a lot that could be used by children. I know it is Kodak themed, but many of what they offer (stickers, green-screens) are not exclusive to the ride or Epcot. Disney also offers them at Magic Kingdom, and Disney's MGM Studios. These are NOT free play things. They are all a way for Disney to make more money, not entertain people. The few things that are free, such as free picture face-morphing, those things that you move your hands and it plays music, none are original or entertaining for all ages. If you are not interested in playing music (which, I know is hard to believe, but there are quite a few people out there) or if you don't want to wait to take your picture and change it around, there is nothing left. 

I just feel as though there is so much at Epcot that appeals to adults, but they are losing out of a lot of great opportunities for children. They have taken away a great role model for children and other people of all ages and turned him into a merchandise-only attraction. I am very disappointed to think that the new generations will never know the kind of thing that Figment used to be or represent. Instead they will just see the ride that they complain about every time (if ever) their parents try to make them go on. It's just another example of what Disney is doing that is for their own benefit and not that of the guests that they talk so strongly about. There is that phrase that 'actions speak louder than words.' Well what then, is Disney saying through their actions of creating this ride and taking away something that was loved by so many and an inspiration to all. 

Submitted by: Shikari

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