It’s getting hot here in Southern California, and that has me hunkered down in my air conditioned rumor mill. Epcot is in my sights today and said mill is spinning pretty wildly. The on-and-off rumor about Journey Into Imagination with Figment turning into an Inside Out based attraction is on again, and here’s the story on it:  

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot Center
Forget Figment?

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot Center

When Pete Docter, whom I like, took over as the Chief Creative Officer of Pixar, one of the first things that Imagineering showed him was an Inside Out attraction. Why? Because he was the director of Inside Out, so, they pitched an Inside Out attraction (details of which you will know when the attraction is either greenlit or shelved permanently.). 

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot Center

“What about Figment?” Docter asked (I’m paraphrasing) “Don’t people still love Figment? Why would you take out a character that people love?” (YAAAAAY PETE DOCTER!!! ONE OF US!!! ONE OF US!!!) 

Imagineering moved aside the Inside Out attraction, instead opting for the Magic Eye Theater to become the new home for Sadness, Joy, Anger, Fear and Disgust. Figment, so much less adorable than his original incarnation, was still saved. 

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot Center

Then some of the folks at Disney started talking about bringing back something closer to the original, using the ride system from Mystic Manor and Ratatouille. Hey, there’s two Circle-visions and there were several Omnimover attractions at one time. Ye gods, how I miss them.  There was even talk of returning Dreamfinder to the attraction. WDW ops hated the original ride because the center of the turntable kept drilling holes in the floor and wearing out. Things looked good for Imagination. 

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot Center

Then along came Bob Chapek, who wants to base everything on a known IP that will attract the same people who spent billions on the films and tv shows. It’s a very safe way of doing business, and so far, it’s worked. He has stated that nobody knows who Dreamfinder and Figment are, and that no one will want to see them but a handful of Disney die-hards. You know, the ones who spend millions of dollars on Disney Vacation Club, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, and Disney Theme Park vacations. 

He’s above Pete Docter, so he has final say. 

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot Center
In this artist rendering, a new entrance plaza in development at Epcot will greet guests with new pathways, sweeping green spaces and a reimagined fountain. This design will pay homage to the original park entrance with fresh takes on classic elements. (Disney)

Now, about Epcot Center: I don’t know if they’re doing this to satisfy or torment me, but the area between Spaceship Earth and the Fountain in Future World will be an area called “Epcot Center.” A Doctor Strange show/experience is also planned for this area, but that’s about all I know. 

Some other things…

Captain Marvel is Coming Home!

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot CenterI got a preview copy of the Captain Marvel blu-ray and it “blu” me away! You know how much I loved the film. The extras in this one are very … extra. There are interviews, outtakes and some further explanations involved. Don’t want to spoil it for you. I get a couple coins if you buy your copy from THIS LINK. Ugh, I love Goose so much. 

There are special 4K editions just for Best Buy…

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot Center…and Target as well!

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot Center

Big Fish and Disney Collab for Toy Story Drop!

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot Center

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot Center

If you’re addicted to Drop 3 games like I am (I can’t EVEN stop!), you’ll adore the newest free-to-play game featuring the characters from Toy Story all the way through to Toy Story 4. You’ll play in locations such as Andy’s Room, Pizza Planet and Sunnyside Daycare. You can collect and assemble character-based sets. Toy Story Drop! is available on the App Store and Google Play, and will be available soon on the Windows 10 store. To learn more, visit: www.toystorydrop.com . 

From My Mailbox: (It’scomingsoonit’scomingsoonaghIcanhardlywait!!!)

GO BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS AND DISNEY PARKS, EXPERIENCES AND PRODUCTS AT D23 EXPO 2019

The Walt Disney Studios, Disney Parks, and Disney+ Join the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony in the 6,800-Seat “Hall D23” Venue at the Anaheim Convention Center.

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot Center
The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place  at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)
MICKEY MOUSE

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club has announced the lineup of the most highly anticipated presentations at D23 Expo 2019, August 23–25. The Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, will kick off the Expo on Friday morning, August 23. Later that same day, Disney+ will showcase its exciting slate of original films and series coming to the streaming service, set to launch in the U.S. on November 12. On Saturday morning, The Walt Disney Studios will give fans a sneak peek at their collection of world-class film labels, including Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, and Lucasfilm. And on Sunday morning, fans will get a preview of what’s in store at Disney Parks during a presentation hosted by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Bob Chapek.

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot Center

These Expo favorites will take place in “Hall D23,” the 6,800-seat venue located in Hall D of the Anaheim Convention Center. The schedule of Hall D23 Events and Presentations is as follows (all events subject to change and additional events to be announced in the coming weeks):

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot Center

The Disney Legends Awards Ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 23. The ceremony, hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, will once again honor those visionaries and artists who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy. This year’s recipients are: Wing Chao, Robert Downey Jr., Jon Favreau, James Earl Jones, Bette Midler, Kenny Ortega, Barnette Ricci, Robin Roberts, Diane Sawyer, Ming-Na Wen, and Hans Zimmer.

On Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., the highly anticipated streaming service Disney+ will give guests a first look at some of its original content including Lady and the Tramp, The Mandalorian, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, and many more during this star-studded presentation.

The Walt Disney Studios will present a behind-the-scenes look at its blockbuster collection of upcoming films on Saturday, August 24, at 10 a.m. Fans will see what’s on the drawing board for the acclaimed filmmakers at Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios and get a peek at the exciting slate of live-action projects, from Disney to Marvel Studios to Star Wars. As always, attendees will be treated to exclusive footage, special guest appearances, and more!

On Sunday, August 25, at 10:30 a.m., step into the magical world of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products with Chairman Bob Chapek to find out what’s new and what’s next for resorts around the globe, including more about the transformational plans for Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Single-day tickets for Friday and Sunday of D23 Expo 2019 are available for $89 for one-day adult admission and $69 for children 3–9. Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $77 for a one-day adult admission and $59 for children 3–9. Single-day Saturday tickets and three-day passes are sold out. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2019, visit D23Expo.com.

Presentations, talent, and schedule subject to change. To join the D23 Expo conversation, be sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23Expo.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($99.99), Gold Family Membership ($129.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com.

Thank you!

I’m still trying to figure out Patreon Rewards after $1 (Get a thank you here) and $5 (get a thank you on the I Want That podcast). Any suggestions for other levels? If so, leave them in the comments below.

Well, that’s about it for this week. Let me know how you think this will all turn out – and how it should turn out. 

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot Center

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot CenterPlease help support MiceChat by clicking here! I’m on Patreon, and support Ryman Arts.

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot Center

 

, Rumor Update: Forgetting Figment & Hello Epcot Center
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Shelly Valladolid
Shelly Valladolid, aka Fab, has been writing about Disney and theme parks for about two decades. She has written for various fan and pop culture sites, Disney Magazine and OCRegister.com and participated in several books, including Passporter's Disneyland and Southern California and Disney World Dreams. She was co-founder and president of the Orlando, Florida chapter of the NFFC (now Disneyana Fan Club). She taught a class on theme park history at a Southern California University. She is creator and co-owner of Jim Hill Media, one of the creators of MousePlanet and was a consultant on MSNBC, The Motley Fool and others about Disney and various media matters. She was a Heel wrestling manager on TV and a voice artist on the radio in Honolulu, HI, where she grew up. She has a blog and a podcast with her daughter, Mission:Breakout Obsessive Alice Hill. She and her husband, MiceChat columnist Noe Valladolid, live in Southern California with Alice.