Dreamfinder & Figment Reunited in Ride Reimagining of Journey Into Imagination at EPCOT

A headline and sentence that I never thought I’d type: Walt Disney World has announced that Dreamfinder will return to his rightful home, reunited with Figment inside Journey Into Imagination as part of a reimagining of the classic EPCOT Center attraction. This is literally the best Disney news I can possibly imagine.

Tonight was one of the best nights of my life. (I got married midday and my daughter was born in the morning, so I’m safe saying that.) As I sit here typing this in the middle of the night, I’m at once incredibly sleep-deprived and am in a state of adrenaline-driven euphoria. I don’t think I could sleep even if I wanted, so it’s a good thing I have about a dozen blog posts to crank out. Although I do keep pinching myself just to quadruple-check that I’m not dreaming.

Even though I didn’t put Journey Into Imagination on my D23 predictions for the first time in a decade and told myself I knew it wasn’t going to happen, my heart sank when Parks Chairman Thomas Mazloum abruptly ended the Disney Experiences Showcase. I should’ve been on cloud nine with the equally overdue Tomorrowland reimagining, but yet, I was devastated once again. And then I saw the man in the sack (maybe I am dreaming?!) appear behind the doors and I jumped from my seat. I knew immediately: it was finally happening.

The man in the sack revealed himself as Neil Patrick Harris dressed as Dreamfinder holding Figment, and demanded that Mazloum fulfill a promise: that if NPH hosted the “Horizons: A Carousel of Progress,” Mazloum would restore NPH’s favorite Animatronic character of all-time to his former glory.

Here’s video of what can only be described as the most magical moment:

Already watched this a dozen times, still can’t believe it is finally real. pic.twitter.com/WJx5Xc5vNt

— Disney Tourist Blog (@DisTouristBlog) August 16, 2026

“YES! We are taking a new Journey Into Imagination at EPCOT with Figment and Dreamfinder!” Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum told the cheering crowd. “I’m so happy to share this news tonight. 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.”

Walt Disney World further shared that it’s time to take a new flight of fancy into our imagination at EPCOT. Not only will everyone’s favorite creative purple dragon be sticking around, but he’s finally reunited with Dreamfinder, too. There’s so much more to come about Dreamfinder and Figment’s journey back to EPCOT, so stay tuned.

Obviously, there are a lot of unknowns, but the one thing that absolutely is known is the what Thomas said at the end: “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.”

This truly is thanks to all of you. All of us. I was advised a few years ago that if I wanted to see Dreamfinder and Figment restored to their former glory with a reimagined Journey Into Imagination pavilion, the fans needed to (paraphrasing) will it into existence. We needed to do everything in our power to deliver leadership with what they needed to get a proposal greenlit.

If I received this message, I am confident that others did externally and internally as well. So if you’ve ever wondered why there’s been a sometimes awkward, concerted effort to spotlight Figment, there’s your answer. We did it, everyone. This announcement was made possible by fans, for fans, and on behalf of fans.

I know some of you didn’t believe when we explained how new Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro is different. Or how Imagineering is back on track, and there’s a greatly improved working relationship between Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney World leadership.

If you don’t see that now, after tonight’s slate, I don’t know what to tell you. From the Tomorrowland reimagining to Disco Yeti to the Journey Into Imagination reimagining, this Expo was basically a list of the greatest hits of fixing fans’ biggest complaints. Even the presentation itself was heavy on fan service, and often of a very cathartic, self-aware nature. I can tell you for sure that also doesn’t get through during the Chapek era. (And there were specific jokes in there that I’m 100% positive wouldn’t have flown even 6 months ago.)

I guess this means I can never say another bad word about Josh D’Amaro, Thomas Mazloum, Bruce Vaughn, Michael Hundgen, Chris Beatty, Neil Patrick Harris, or anyone else who helped make this moment happen, cleared the path of obstacles, or simply stayed out of the way when they could’ve impeded imagination. I’m still having a hard time believing this is real.

Our Commentary

As long time readers no doubt know, Figment is my favorite Disney character and the original Journey into Imagination is my favorite attraction. Not just at Walt Disney World–anywhere, ever. I’d trade all future visits to Tokyo DisneySea for a chance to experience the original EPCOT Center dark ride with Sarah and Megatron just once.

There’s literally no news that would be as meaningful for me as this announcement of a reimagined Journey into Imagination. Disney could’ve announced a 5th gate at Walt Disney World, Tokyo DisneySky, or the return of all extinct holiday offerings (including Country Bear Christmas) and this would still be the #1 news of the 2026 D23 Expo for me by an incredibly wide margin. It is the announcement I’ve been anxiously awaiting for the last two decades.

That’s hardly hyperbole. It’s been time for a reimagining for two decades. The last version was only a band aid, meant as a quick fix for the truly abysmal second version. That third version–again, a temporary solution–is now the longest-running version of Journey into Imagination. (Let that sink in.)

It’s no secret that even as diehard Figment faithful, we don’t love the current incarnation of the ride. It made our lists of the 10 Worst Attraction Replacements at Walt Disney World and 10 Attractions That Have Aged Poorly at Walt Disney World. We did defend Journey into Imagination as one of several attractions at EPCOT that you should not skip, which is a “controversial” opinion because the attraction truly is divisive.

Unless you’re a child of the 1980s or 90s who experienced the original attraction–which has been gone for far longer than it existed!–or are a voracious consumer of Disney history videos, you likely have zero affinity for Figment and might even be confused by why the current character has such a strong fan following. (He doesn’t! It’s the old Figment we love!)

The current Journey into Imagination has low guest satisfaction scores relative to other rides of its kind, and for good reason. The ride routinely is a walk-on or has an actual wait time of under 5 minutes. The theater has been showing the Pixar shorts for a while now, which was also meant to be a band aid following the removal of Captain EO. We’ve routinely remarked that first-timers confuse Figment for a Spyro the Dragon knock-off, which is really only a half-joke.

While the current attraction is better than nothing, the original Journey into Imagination of my childhood in the 1980s through mid-1990s featuring Figment and Dreamfinder was something special. An exemplar of Imagineering on par with Haunted Mansion that has enduring popularity, despite being extinct for decades, because it showcased the pinnacle of Disney and humanity.

Figment embodied the best things about childhood curiosity. The character resonated deeply with adults who saw a little bit of their kids in Figment, and kids who saw a little of themselves in the character. He was whimsical and inquisitive, funny and endearing. More than any other character, Figment embodies what it means to be a kid at heart.

It was a similar story with Dreamfinder; the warm, jolly and eminently huggable figure who was one part professor, one part parental figure, and one part Santa Claus. Journey into Imagination’s success is simple: the ride showed us all the best of ourselves.

In a world that is increasingly polarized, on edge, and bursting with negativity, Figment and Dreamfinder are an antidote to all of that. These characters are arguably “needed” more than ever, and resonate increasingly with each passing year because of the ideals they represent.

I’m convinced that’s part of why Figment merchandise performs so well, even with guests who never experienced the original attraction. Its spirit of optimism, imagination, childlike wonder and whimsy are universal; even if the current attraction doesn’t, the ideal version of Figment speaks to fans.

My fondness for Figment is well-documented on this blog. You’re probably already aware of that because every time there’s even the most inconsequential development on a ride reimagining, such as CEO Josh D’Amaro mentioning the ‘future of Figment’ during the shareholder’s meeting, DTB is all over it.

We’ve been imploring Walt Disney World to reimagine Journey Into Imagination for years. Selfishly, I want our daughter to be able to ride a reimagined version of the ride while she’s still the ideal age; but I also want everyone who didn’t experience the original to see how this character can be so special.

This original EPCOT Center attraction and these characters were my one little spark into Disney fandom. My first foray into the Disney fan community was the now-defunct FigmentsImagination.com (available here via the Internet Archive Wayback Machine). I discovered that website back in the late 1990s, after being disappointed to learn that the original ride closed. It was a way to keep the memory alive of the original characters and attraction that I loved, holding out hope they’d return.

Fast-forward about a decade to when Sarah and I returned from our first trip together to Walt Disney World, and my fondness for Figment was rekindled. I began scouring eBay for all things Figment and found an embarrassment of riches. I scooped up everything I could find.

My obsession with Walt Disney World became our obsession. Sarah had gone before as a kid, but she wasn’t hanging out on message boards in her school’s computer lab, poring over EPCOT Center ride rumors. I guess she was “cool” or something. Not anymore. Now we were both Disney geeks.

We returned to Walt Disney World the next year as true geeks, wearing our Figment shirts to meet the character known as Figzilla. The photo below is from August 19, 2007. It’s one of a series where I, a college dude, got quite excited to meet his childhood hero, a costumed dragon, in front of his girlfriend. (And yet, she still married me!)

This is the trip that really put Walt Disney World over the top for us. Our first trip was fun, but this was magical. Upon returning home, we were in even deeper when it came to Walt Disney World. The passion grew, including that for Journey Into Imagination.

Even at the time in 2007, there were rumors of a ride reimagining and restoration of Figment to his former glory. Naturally, we purchased a Figment baby costume so that our future child could experience that future version of the attraction and wear it while meeting future Figment and Dreamfinder.

A few years later, I had the good fortune of meeting Tony Baxter and briefly discuss the original pavilion with him. Later that same trip, I had the incredible experience of seeing Dreamfinder, Figment, and Richard Sherman perform “One Little Spark.” In fact, this is all so significant to me that Figment and Dreamfinder made my Top 10 Disney Experiences (So Far) List twice.

For a while, rumors about a future reimagining of Journey into Imagination were commonplace among the Disney fan community. It seemed that there were always a few competing ideas for a new ride that was thisclose to being greenlit. Invariably, one would involve Disney intellectual property from an animated film and another would be a next generation ride featuring the triumphant return of Figment & Dreamfinder.

I followed these rumors voraciously, getting caught up in the angst, excitement, and general roller coaster of emotions. Potential replacements ranged from Phineas and Ferb to Inside Out, and probably a half-dozen other characters I’m forgetting.

A decade ago, it seemed a Journey into Imagination redo was finally moving forward, only to seemingly be thwarted by the success and subsequent fast-tracking of a Frozen ride in World Showcase. Then during the darkest days of the Chapek era, all of the rumors revolved around Figment being outright replaced by movie intellectual property, which should come as a surprise to no one.

Around that time, I became jaded and skeptical of any rumors regarding Journey into Imagination. I’ve always really wanted to believe, which has probably been part of the problem for many other EPCOT Center fans, too. And I really wanted an announcement, but at the same time, I wanted the timing to be right. During the late-stage Chapek era, which also brought us such gems as CommuniCore Hall, I knew the timing was not right.

As a lifelong Walt Disney World diehard, EPCOT Center enthusiast, and Figment fan, I could play the long game and wait a few more years. After all, what’s a little longer at this point? Especially for an attraction that will be around for decades to come. I’d rather Imagineering have the time, talent and budget to get it right–and without Joy from Inside Out replacing Figment.

In the last few years, I’ve allowed myself to believe again. Chapek is gone. Imagineering is back on track. Leadership is aligned, from the local-level at Walt Disney World to the Parks Chair to even the CEO. Whereas Bob Iger was familiar with Figment and probably knew better than to remove him and incur the wrath of the fandom, new CEO Josh D’Amaro knows exactly who Figment is and what he means to fans.

Still, even with the stars seemingly aligned, I didn’t want to get ahead of myself in imagining this possibility. I had heard all of the rumblings, rumors and wishful thinking this time. And yes, I was even one of the crazies who “saw” a blurred Dreamfinder behind Neil Patrick Harris and Parks Chair Thomas Mazloum in the above photo. (In my defense, I didn’t see it until it became a veritable Rorschach test on social media, but I’ll concede that once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it.)

All of this backstory is either necessary context for my love of the original Journey into Imagination or me ‘running out the clock’ to avoid offering an actual reaction to this news depending upon your perspective. Truthfully, it’s a bit of both. For the second time in the same night at D23 Expo, I feel like the dog that has caught the car.

I can barely contain my excitement, but I’m also in a state of shock. As much as I’ve wanted this to happen, and advocated for it at every turn in the hope that whatever influence this site and its readers might have could help make a difference, I’m also not sure I ever believed it actually would happen.

Honestly, even as I sit here typing this, it still doesn’t quite feel real. Did that announcement actually happen, or did I drift asleep while writing up an announcement about 50 new popcorn buckets coming for EPCOT’s 50th Anniversary and dream it all?

Ultimately, what’s most exciting for me, personally, is that we now have a daughter who is entering her formative years when Journey Into Imagination could really resonate. She’s already outgrown her adorable Figment costume (no one tells you time starts moving faster when you become a parent), and is entering the ‘sweet spot’ for Journey into Imagination to spark her curiosity.

Sarah showed her the clip of the announcement and she was excited to see Figment, but had no clue who Dreamfinder was, so I guess I have some work to do. Separately, she saw Neil Patrick Harris and exclaimed, “it’s doodah!” Which, I guess, by extension means I could portray Dreamfinder!

For my part, I hugged at least a dozen different people at the Honda Center (I am not a hugger) and gave several random strangers high fives. It’s probably the closest I’ll ever get to what it must feel like to win the Stanley Cup, except everyone (reading this) would agree the stakes are way higher here. Suffice to say, I am absolutely ecstatic for the reimagining of Journey Into Imagination to finally be happening.

I am personally excited about being able to relive my own childhood nostalgia, and forge new family memories four decades later. I am basking in the communal excitement of fellow EPCOT Center fans, who have similarly waited so long for this day but also were apprehensive it’d ever happen or actually be good news when the Journey Into Imagination reimagining was announced.

Finally, I’m elated at the prospect of reuniting Figment and Dreamfinder, restoring them to their former glory and introducing new fans to the characters who can fall in love with them for the first time. Thinking about the kids who are going to discover these characters during their formative years, and have a truly imaginative Journey Into Imagination to leave an indelible mark that shapes their childhood and sparks their own curiosity and inquisitiveness, fills my heart with joy.

Above all else, that’s what made me teary-eyed about this announcement. The fact that a whole new generation of kids are going to have the same experience that I did as a child, and be inspired to imagine and dream. That’s worth celebrating. I absolutely cannot wait to learn more and watch this ride reimagining play out.

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

Your Thoughts

What was your reaction to this announcement? Thoughts on Dreamfinder and Figment being reunited and restored to their former glory in a reimagined Journey Into Imagination? What would you like to see happen in an ideal world? Are you excited? Skeptical? Nervous? Any other thoughts, insights, etc? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!