Throughout ultimate March’s Annual Assembly of Shareholders, outgoing CEO Bob Iger was once requested right through the Q&A about the way forward for Figment. Rapid ahead 12 months, and he’s technically fulfilled that promise. And with the 2026 tournament proper across the nook, it’s time for incoming CEO Josh D’Amaro to be ready for the same query, and to have a extra crowd-pleasing solution.
When you neglected it, Disney CEO Bob Iger was once requested whether or not the corporate would believe the usage of Figment in different spaces of the corporate outdoor of theme parks, equivalent to a film in line with the nature? Right here was once Bob Iger’s reaction:
“That is my twenty fourth shareholder name, my 18th as CEO…and I feel the query of Figment has been requested about 15 occasions. I name him ‘just right ‘ole Figment.’ We all know that Figment is well liked by shareholders as a result of the truth that they ask questions on him at all times.
However we additionally know that he’s standard at EPCOT, the place you’ll be able to meet him and enjoy Adventure Into Creativeness. I’m going to invite our inventive groups to make some type of sequence or short-form movies of Figment. Clearly he’s extra standard than only a walk-around persona.”
Disney has fulfilled Iger’s promise with a brand new Disney Channel quick that includes Figment on Disney+ and YouTube. And with that, the outgoing CEO can retire on a prime notice, technically fulfilling his legal responsibility to lovers. He now passes the baton to Josh D’Amaro, who will face Figment questions for the following alternatively a few years until he acts quick at Disney’s 2026 Annual Assembly of Shareholders later this month or on the 2026 D23 Expo later this summer season.
I’ve taken a sacred oath to recommend for Adventure into Creativeness 4.0 each time the chance items itself, so I’m going to continue with that, once more, right here. As we’ve stated repeatedly and for a few years, it’s time to reimagine the Creativeness pavilion. (Figment referred to as–needs adjustments!)
There are a couple of topics I’ll to find any excuse to file on with out fail as my very own type of protest or a power marketing campaign. Amongst the ones are the Cinderella Fort Dream Lighting, Lighting of Wintry weather at EPCOT, Restoring Impressions de France, Bringing Again MuppetVision, and the Adventure into Creativeness Reimagining.
Walt Disney International is no doubt now not all the time attentive to fan comments and lawsuits, however they’re on occasion and in the correct instances. All of the ones qualify, so we’ll proceed to push for these items even though the possibilities of good fortune are low. Occasionally shouting at a cloud beats doing not anything.
That brings us to lately’s replace, as we satisfy our civic responsibility of elevating consciousness for the hot Figment video:
A brand new quick starring Figment has debuted at the Disney Channel Animation YouTube channel that’s a part of the preferred “How NOT To Draw” sequence. The fast is narrated by means of Disney superfan Neil Patrick Harris, who talks to Figment about creativeness whilst the pair draw other scenes the usage of inspiration from extraordinary gadgets across the room.
We imagine Figment is voiced by means of A.J. LoCascio on this video, who began voicing the nature with the Disney Speedstorm recreation. This might reputedly recommend he’s taking up the position from Dave Goelz, which is truthfully wonderful by means of me. I nonetheless call to mind Gonzo each time I listen Figment within the present appeal.
A.J. LoCascio’s model has grown on me, even though it’s nonetheless a little too raspy and grownup. It’s no doubt a step in the correct course, and I feel he may nail it in a long run model of the appeal. (Figment was once initially voiced by means of the overdue Billy Barty.)
The video is a treasure trove of Easter eggs and hidden references to the unique Adventure into Creativeness, together with CAT/BAT blocks and authentic Dream Cell, at the side of Orange Hen (now not from JII, however nonetheless a a laugh one) and a lot more. It additionally options “One Little Spark,” the tune written for the appeal by means of the mythical Sherman Brothers.
Right here’s hoping that the “larger canvas” that Figment reveals on the finish of the video is a tease for a brand new Adventure into Creativeness, which might for sure be extra considerable than a chain of shorts. (Despite the fact that we wouldn’t bitch about extra substantive shorts pairing Figment with Neil Patrick Harris–the rest to lift consciousness and build up Figment’s fan following!)
We extremely counsel staring at the “How NOT To Draw” Figment video for your self a time or twenty. Perhaps simply put it on loop within the background to lend a hand pump up its stats and display Disney how massive of a fanbase Figment nonetheless has.
If standard sufficient, in all probability this “How NOT To Draw” Figment video will persuade Disney to continue with the Figment characteristic movie by means of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. The movie was once introduced again in 2022, however it kind of feels to caught in construction purgatory.
Our hope is and has been that Rogen’s ongoing courting with Disney ends up in the Figment characteristic movie getting greenlit and transferring ahead. Perhaps Disney already has made up our minds to push ahead with that once the wonder good fortune of The Muppet Display revival by means of the duo.
After Rogen’s pitch-perfect dealing with of the Muppets, with the revival being directly a nostalgic love letter and undying reboot, we’re additional satisfied he’d be a really perfect option to helm a Figment characteristic. There additionally (appears to be) the truth that Figment wishes one thing giant to show the nature into a major emblem or franchise for Disney.
In my view, I don’t suppose a characteristic movie is important to “end up” that Figment’s reputation. The previous couple of a long time of the nature’s reputation in spite of an underwhelming appeal have already carried out that.
It’s no secret that whilst diehard Figment trustworthy, we don’t love the present incarnation of the trip. It made our lists of the 10 Worst Enchantment Replacements at Walt Disney International and 10 Sights That Have Elderly Poorly at Walt Disney International. We did protect Adventure into Creativeness as certainly one of a number of sights at EPCOT that you just must now not skip, which is a “arguable” opinion for the reason that appeal in point of fact is divisive.
The present Adventure into Creativeness has low visitor delight ratings relative to different rides of its type. We’ve automatically remarked that first-timers confuse Figment for a Spyro the Dragon knock-off, which is actually just a half-joke.
Until you’re a kid of the Eighties or 90s who skilled the unique appeal–which has been long gone for some distance longer than it existed!–or are a voracious client of Disney historical past movies, you most likely have 0 affinity for Figment and would possibly also be perplexed by means of why the present persona has this kind of robust fan following. (He doesn’t! It’s the outdated Figment we like!)
The present appeal and Creativeness pavilion as an entire are underutilized. The trip automatically is a walk-on or has a real wait time of beneath 5 mins. The theater has been appearing the Pixar shorts for some time now, which was once additionally supposed to be a band assist following the elimination of Captain EO.
We point out this as a result of, on a number of events, Disney management has expressed a want to extend capability of the parks by means of reimagining spaces which might be these days underused. There are a number of such spots in EPCOT, however except for Wonders of Lifestyles, I will’t call to mind any that experience as a lot doable for soaking up extra crowds because the Creativeness Pavilion. Even with out precise growth, there’s such a lot untapped doable with the Creativeness pavilion.
The good fortune of Check Monitor 3.0 since its reimagining has demonstrated the end result of this manner. An identical methods are these days being undertaken with Giant Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s House Ranger Spin, and subsequent up is Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, quickly to be starring the Muppets.
A an identical technique may–and must–be used with Adventure into Creativeness. Not anything new has been introduced for EPCOT, that means the following all-new appeal isn’t coming till someday within the 2030s. Adventure into Creativeness 4.0 might be fast-tracked to debut this decade.
That is each my hope and my expectation. Walt Disney International’s present 5-year plan requires minimum funding in EPCOT as different parks are the focal point. Except the GEO-82 bar, not anything new was once introduced for the park on the ultimate D23 Expo.
At that time, one thing else will want to be carried out, or Walt Disney International will chance a repeat of the stagnation that’s took place at Animal Kingdom because of underinvestment since Pandora opened. Thankfully, a number of extra trip reimaginings are imaginable to respire new lifestyles into EPCOT, as mentioned in our Listing of What EPCOT’s Overhaul Wishes in Section 2. This is unsurprisingly crowned by means of JII4, but additionally at the checklist are updates to different former Long term International pavilions in addition to additions to International Show off.
Input incoming Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro, who will take the helm on March 18, 2026. That’s the similar day of Disney’s Annual Assembly of Shareholders. It’s the similar tournament at which Bob Iger was once requested about Figment’s long run ultimate yr (and plenty of occasions within the years sooner than that). The brand new CEO will nearly usually be requested about it once more. Perhaps now not this yr, however in the future quickly–and continuously.
It’s commonplace for Disney to make some splashy bulletins on the Annual Shareholders Assembly. Whether or not that’ll occur in 2026 is somebody’s wager. For something, the 2026 D23 Expo is correct across the nook. For every other, the management “handoff” may well be deemed sufficiently big, and losing giant information within the new CEO’s first day at the activity may well be deemed a doubtful resolution. Alternatively, he would possibly need to hit the bottom operating.
As mentioned in 11 Nice Adjustments Josh D’Amaro May just Make for Giant Wins as New CEO, it’s commonplace for brand new management at Disney to make numerous bulletins and adjustments early of their tenure to set the tone. We’re absolutely anticipating a pair waves of bulletins, most likely with an preliminary set of visitor enjoy wins this spring and summer season, adopted by means of extra substantive information on the 2026 D23 Expo in August.
I will’t call to mind any larger and bolder transfer that Josh D’Amaro may make right through his tenure as CEO to win over alienated lovers than pronouncing Adventure into Creativeness 4.0. (Aside from greenlighting a complete Creativeness pavilion, whole with MuppetVision 3D taking up the theater!)
Bringing again Figment and Dreamfinder is a surefire manner of undoing numerous the wear from arguable adjustments of the previous few years, quieting lawsuits and complaint. There’s no different sure announcement that may outweigh such a lot of prior negatives ones.
It will be the surest manner for D’Amaro to distance himself from Iger and Chapek, unloading the destructive luggage onto them. Rivers of The united states, MuppetVision, DINOSAUR, visitor enjoy cutbacks–it all–could be forgiven by means of lovers within the blink of a watch. Or blamed on any person else.
It will ship a formidable message that there’s a brand new sheriff on the town, and one that “will get” lovers and is attentive to comments. It will determine the Disney Parks as their very own highbrow belongings (one thing that are meant to already be glaring), and now not simply dumping grounds for film IP. It will be a large win for legacy development.
I’ve been advocating for a brand new Adventure into Creativeness for longer than this website online has existed. Figment was once my access level into the fandom within the first position, and there’s actually no information that may be as significant for me as a reimagined Adventure into Creativeness. And even supposing I’ve sought after this for an extended, very long time, there’s a brand new sense of urgency for me: now we have a daughter who’s getting into her early life when this appeal may actually resonate.
Environment apart my very own motivations and nostalgia, Figment is extra standard than ever. He sells popcorn buckets, sweaters, and the whole thing else. It will generate goodwill amongst WDW diehards and forge new lovers within the procedure. Figment would transform the face and mascot of the new-look EPCOT, raising the differently underwhelming central backbone within the procedure. It’d be a license to print cash on extra new products, too.
Recapturing that misplaced magic and spirit of creativeness would have the similar have an effect on lately because it did a long time in the past, which is why such a lot of people are nonetheless Figment lovers. Walt Disney International has carried out sufficient dipping its feet into the pool to check the recognition of Figment. It’s past time for a redone trip. It simply is sensible to reimagine Adventure into Creativeness.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you call to mind the hot “How NOT to Draw” that includes Figment? May just this be a precursor to Adventure into Creativeness 4.0? Or is that this simply extra false hope for lovers? Hoping that Josh D’Amaro does the correct factor and pronounces a trip reimagining or pavilion overhaul this yr? Do you settle or disagree with our evaluate that now’s the second-most logical time for a Adventure into Creativeness overhaul? Any questions? Listening to from you is half of the joys, so please proportion your ideas within the feedback!
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