Walt Disney World fans, the moment you have been waiting for is finally here! The “Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase” at this year’s D23 Expo was packed with historic announcements, but Walt Disney Imagineering saved the most nostalgic bombshell for the very end.
In a massive surprise reveal that instantly brought the house down, Disney officially announced a complete reimagining of EPCOT's Journey into Imagination with Figment. The absolute best part of this long-awaited update? The Dreamfinder is finally returning to the Imagination pavilion!
Here is a breakdown of everything we know so far about this historic announcement, why fans are celebrating, and what to expect next.
The Ultimate D23 Surprise
As the massive D23 presentation in Anaheim was wrapping up, host Neil Patrick Harris joked about his wish list—which included unlimited churros. But the real wish fulfillment came when Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum took the stage to deliver the ultimate “one more thing.”
“We are taking a new journey into imagination at EPCOT with Dreamfinder and Figment!” Mazloum revealed to the roaring crowd. “We know how important this is to you. We've heard you, and this is one more way we're putting you in the center of everything we do.”
A Historic Reunion
If you are relatively new to the Disney Parks fandom, you might be wondering why the return of a man in a top hat is such a monumental deal.
When the original Journey into Imagination dark ride debuted in 1983, it was hosted by two entirely original characters:
- Figment: A mischievous, inquisitive purple dragon with the horns of a steer and two tiny wings.
- The Dreamfinder: A whimsical, bearded scientist who traveled the universe collecting sparks of inspiration and helped introduce the world to Figment.
The duo quickly became the undisputed mascots of EPCOT. Tragically, a highly controversial 1999 refurbishment of the attraction completely removed both characters. Following intense guest backlash, Disney retooled the ride in 2002 to bring Figment back in the current iteration, Journey into Imagination with Figment. However, the Dreamfinder was left behind. After decades of fan petitions and hopes, this iconic duo will finally be reunited.
A Tightly Guarded Mystery
While the announcement of the reunion is incredibly exciting, Disney is keeping the creative details entirely under wraps.
The most important takeaway from this announcement is that we do not currently have any details on what will be included in the reimagined attraction. Disney has not released any information regarding the ride's new storyline, show scenes, technological upgrades, or track layout. Until Walt Disney Imagineering reveals further concept art, the actual contents of the ride remain a complete mystery.
No Timeline for Construction
With an announcement of this magnitude, fans naturally want to know when they can book their tickets.
However, there is currently no official start date for the closure of the current ride, and absolutely no end date or opening timeframe for the reimagined attraction. This project is still in its earliest announcement phases.
While fans will need to exercise some patience, this lack of an immediate timeline means you still have plenty of opportunities to ride the current version of the attraction before the construction walls go up.
The spark of inspiration is alive and well at Walt Disney World. Get ready, EPCOT fans—the Dreamfinder is finally coming home!
