Figment's future at EPCOT suddenly looks very different.
Disney used its massive D23 presentation on Saturday night to confirm something longtime EPCOT fans have wanted for decades: Dreamfinder is coming back.
The announcement means Figment will remain part of EPCOT's future, but his attraction is heading toward major changes. Disney described the project as a “new journey into imagination” featuring Dreamfinder and Figment together.
There was just one major detail Disney didn't provide.
When is all of this actually happening?
Disney Confirms Dreamfinder's EPCOT Return
Dreamfinder was a central part of the original Journey Into Imagination when it opened in 1983.
For 15 years, Dreamfinder and Figment introduced guests to a whimsical world built around creativity and curiosity. Dreamfinder disappeared from the attraction in 1998, but Figment eventually returned and has remained an increasingly important EPCOT character.
Now, Disney is finally putting them back together.
Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum announced that the company is developing a new journey featuring the characters, telling the D23 crowd that Disney knows how important they are to fans.
Disney didn't reveal exactly how much of Journey Into Imagination With Figment will change. It also didn't provide concept art, a closing date, or an opening year.
That leaves us looking at Disney's other EPCOT announcement for clues.
Spaceship Earth Could Go First
Disney also announced a massive reimagining of Spaceship Earth.
The opening-day EPCOT attraction currently tells the story of human communication. Disney plans to broaden that concept into the story of “human connection,” while bringing the attraction into the internet age and beyond.
Disney didn't announce dates for that project either.
However, from what we've gathered, we'd expect Spaceship Earth to close before Journey Into Imagination With Figment.
A potential 2027 closure for Spaceship Earth would make sense, though Disney hasn't confirmed that timeline. Considering the size of the transformation, the attraction could potentially remain closed into 2028.
That would then clear the way for Disney to move toward its Figment project.
Figment Could Remain Open Until 2028 or 2029
If Disney staggers these two major EPCOT projects, Journey Into Imagination With Figment could have several years of operation remaining.
Our current expectation would put a potential Figment closure sometime in 2028 or possibly 2029.
Again, those years are projections. Disney has not officially announced a closing date.
A closure during that window could potentially lead to the new Dreamfinder and Figment experience opening in 2029 or 2030, depending on the scope of Disney's plans.
There's also another interesting possibility.
EPCOT turns 50 in 2032.
Disney could potentially target 2031 for completion, allowing its reimagined Imagination attraction to debut just before one of the biggest anniversaries in the park's history.
Don't Say Goodbye to Figment Yet
For guests worried that Journey Into Imagination With Figment could suddenly disappear, there doesn't appear to be an immediate reason for concern.
Disney has announced where Figment is going, but it hasn't announced when the current attraction will close.
If Spaceship Earth comes first as expected, Figment could remain right where he is for another two or three years.
And whenever the overhaul finally happens, Figment isn't disappearing.
Disney has already confirmed he's sticking around. This time, he'll have an old friend joining him for the ride.
