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We’re lower than one week into 2024, and it’s already been a great yr for Figment. No, there nonetheless has NOT been an announcement of Journey Into Creativeness 4.0, however we’re on report saying it’s time to reimagine Creativeness. Reasonably, due to a few a lot smaller-scale wins.

It isn’t simply the 2024 calendar yr that’s been a great one for Figment, both–it’s the final three hundred and sixty five days which have been good. It began nearly one yr in the past presently when EPCOT’s Competition of the Arts debuted Figment’s Inspiration Station on the Odyssey: Artwork, Meals, and Little Sparks of Magic together with the second model of the character’s popcorn bucket.

It continued with the meet & greet character making his triumphant return to the Journey Into Creativeness pavilion final fall, leading to a few of the longest strains at Walt Disney World upon return. In between, there’s been new merchandise, competition tie-ins, and extra. There was even an ‘attention-grabbing’ journey to Burbank that appeared to tease a brand new trip, the upcoming movie, or each.

Let’s begin with the latest growth, which is that the 2024 EPCOT Competition of the Arts is getting much more imaginative, with Figment’s Inspiration Station on the Odyssey: Artwork, Meals, and Little Sparks of Magic returning for a second yr. This was already mentioned in our Full Meals Studios Sales space Menus for that occasion, however I think a lot of you skipped that when you’re not visiting between mid-January and February.

The massive information there may be the brand-new Journey into Creativeness Pavilion Popcorn Bucket. This limited-edition bucket options Figment inside on a rainbow diving into rainbow coloured popcorn. It follows up on two consecutive years of the Figment Premium Popcorn Bucket, which final yr had a EPCOT fortieth Anniversary strap.

The primary yr of this Figment popcorn bucket, Competition of the Arts was dominated by headlines that EPCOT’s Longest Line Is For Figment Popcorn Buckets. It took some time, however Walt Disney World finally solved that drawback by streamlining the method with Cell Order. (Walt Disney World has confirmed that the brand new 2024 popcorn bucket may even use Cell Order.

I’m not the most important fan of popcorn buckets, however I completely adore this Creativeness Pavilion Popcorn Bucket. Whereas it’s nonetheless early and I haven’t seen this in individual, I’m fairly positive that I like this extra than the earlier Figment Premium Popcorn Bucket. What pushes this excessive for me is that it leans into being a popcorn bucket, quite than simply being a plastic factor that occurs to carry popcorn (if that is sensible).

Every part in regards to the design is de facto intelligent, from utilizing the clear glass pyramids to showcase the rainbow popcorn inside to Figment diving into the popcorn prefer it’s a ball pit at McDonald’s (they don’t nonetheless have these–however they did in my day!). That is simply top-notch by way of and thru, with creativity really befitting Figment. I hope it’s as superior in individual because it seems within the inventory picture under. Enormous kudos to the Disney Design workforce on this!

Whereas the cool new design for the Competition of the Arts popcorn bucket is thrilling, this yr’s first Figment furor was the long-awaited launch of the Figment Little Golden E book.

We ordered two copies the moment this was introduced: one for Megatron, one for the Bricker Household Figment Archives. After seeing this present up at EPCOT round Christmas, I hoped our orders from Amazon would additionally arrive early, however they didn’t. Irrespective of, as this was the right approach to flip the web page on a brand new yr.

The Figment Little Golden E book is written by Walt Disney Imagineer Jason Grandt and impressed by the lyrics to “One Little Spark” by the legendary Sherman Brothers. The e-book is illustrated by Grandt, Scott Tilley, and Nick Balian.

A few of you could acknowledge Jason Grandt because the writer of the fan-favorite Orange Fowl Little Golden E book and the Magic Kingdom Storybook earlier than that. Even earlier than each of these books, he grew to become a family title within the Walt Disney World fan neighborhood as a frequent fixture at D23 shows and on social media, sharing sketches, historical past and extra.

Many Walt Disney World diehards are followers of Grandt as a result of he’s among the many present crop of Imagineers who’re the actual deal–ones who each care about and respect the inventive legacy of the Walt Disney Firm and Imagineering, and constructing upon each. This weblog is usually vital of people within the group who don’t “get” Disney or have a condescending angle in direction of theme parks, and the purpose is that he’s the alternative of that.

Even when you didn’t know all of that background earlier than, it could be instantly apparent upon opening the Figment Little Golden E book. The opening two-page unfold is gorgeous art work of Dreamfinder flying by way of the universe searching for new concepts on his Dream Catcher. The primary six phrases are, “Oh, good day! I’m the Dreamfinder!” It’s a gap so chills-inducing that it’ll go down with “Name me Ishmael,” as among the many best of all-time.

Figment Little Golden E book is crammed with web page after web page of attractive art work that reimagines the unique Journey Into Creativeness in a whimsical and beautiful type. Whereas I respect artist’s reinterpreting topics and icons, placing a recent spin on issues, I’ll admit that I haven’t been appreciated quite a lot of modern seems for Figment and Dreamfinder, because the edginess isn’t at all times in step with the spirit of the unique.

Fortunately, the Figment Little Golden E book brings its personal visible identification to the desk whereas preserving the center of the trip’s type. It’s without delay outdated and new–completely stunning, web page after web page. The art work blended with a singsong story is all the pieces I wanted from this e-book and extra. The cherry on high is the many nods to different previous EPCOT Heart sights, and even Easter Eggs from Magic Kingdom’s previous. The Figment Little Golden E book is really one thing particular.

I’ve learn quite a lot of books in my day, a few of which have even had phrases (humblebrag). It’s true. If I’m being goal, I’m placing the Figment Little Golden E book proper up there with the perfect of them: This Facet of Paradise, Catch-22, The Depend of Monte Cristo, and Typically a Nice Notion. It’s positively higher than Ulysses, which I did learn however didn’t perceive. As an added bonus, you may learn the Figment Little Golden E book 1,352 occasions earlier than ending Conflict and Peace even as soon as. Additionally true!

And you understand I’m being goal on this assessment of the Figment Little Golden E book as a result of it already has a better rating (an ideal 5/5!) than all the aforementioned titles on GoodReads. Suffice to say, Figment Little Golden E book is effectively on its approach to cementing its place because the definitive twenty first century Nice American Novel. I get why critics are giving it unanimously excellent scores, rating it as the best e-book of all time.

They’re in all probability lifelong Figment followers who learn it to their daughter (or son). These reviewers probably did the voices for Dreamfinder and Figment (poorly) and he or she smiled and laughed in amusement. They in all probability noticed a youthful model of themselves mirrored in her eyes, having a brand new perspective on that childlike surprise and curiosity that made their dad and mom additionally love Figment and Dreamfinder. These critics’ hearts have been crammed by even this little sliver of recapturing the previous and introducing their youngster to one thing that made an indelible impression on them. Or one thing like that, I’m simply spitballing.

It’s mentioned that the perfect literature can transport you to a special time and place. This e-book actually was like stepping again into the mid-Nineteen Nineties and taking a trip on Journey Into Creativeness. I’ve seen ride-throughs and tribute movies, however none of them conveyed the essence and emotion of being there just like the Figment Little Golden E book. Studying it actually did fire up lengthy misplaced emotions, and took me proper again. I might see the Audio Animatronics and present scenes in my thoughts’s eye–it was unimaginable.

In fact, I additionally did this with our daughter on my lap. I’ve imagined introducing her to Figment and Dreamfinder for the higher a part of a decade, and this was my first alternative to do this. And her reactions have been priceless. Though, if I’m being trustworthy…her reactions are about the identical to any e-book that entails me doing duck or Muppet voice (I’m not good at voices; there’s little or no daylight between Figment, Muppets, or Donald and his nephews.)

Regardless, the Figment Little Golden E book is an early contender for the perfect e-book of 2024. I can solely assume the Vegas oddsmakers have it as a favourite for the Nationwide E book Awards.

After my preliminary read-through of the Figment Little Golden E book, I used to be inclined to effusively advocate it to those that by no means skilled the golden age incarnation of Journey Into Creativeness, saying–that is it, in e-book type! Taking a step again from my preliminary pleasure of being in that second, I do surprise if it could resonate the identical manner.

The e-book would nonetheless be cute, in fact. However would the story move as lyrics of “One Little Spark” from the unique? Would the wide-eyed wonderment of Figment or Professor Santa-like joviality and encouragement of Dreamfinder be as evident from the textual content? Would the magic of the art work hit fairly the identical?

I’m inclined to say that the Figment Little Golden E book wouldn’t be as significant to those that by no means skilled the unique attraction, nevertheless it’d nonetheless be superb. The perfect and most trustworthy adaptation of media since The Muppet Christmas Carol.

As we’ve identified repeatedly, in case your solely publicity to Figment is the present incarnation of Journey into Creativeness, you is likely to be questioning what’s so particular about that character. (You’re proper–there may be nothing really magical in regards to the present model of Figment until you’re bringing nostalgia to the combo.)

The Figment Little Golden E book is one of the best ways of getting what made the unique attraction and its characters so particular to “click on,” absent a time machine. I’m not essentially saying it would be just right for you, nevertheless it definitely has rather a lot higher probability than a popcorn bucket, stuffed animal, or no matter. I’d advocate watching Martin’s Final Tribute to Journey Into Creativeness first for background context, after which studying the Figment Little Golden E book. It’s as shut as you’ll be able to probably are available in 2024 to capturing the essence of the unique.

It’s in all probability obvious from all the above, however in case not, I’ll say it bluntly: this isn’t an unbiased assessment of the Figment Little Golden E book. From the second I noticed the quilt artwork and Jason Grandt’s title hooked up, I knew this was going to be an all-timer for me, personally.

As very long time readers little question know, Figment is my favourite Disney character. Has been for the reason that Nineteen Eighties, and at all times will. Not due to the present attraction or his character at this time, however due to what he was within the authentic Journey into Creativeness from 1983 by way of mid-Nineteen Nineties. He was whimsical and inquisitive, humorous and endearing.

Figment symbolized the perfect issues about childhood curiosity and creativeness, and deeply appealed to adults who noticed a bit little bit of their youngsters in Figment (or vice versa), and each youngsters and adults who noticed qualities of themselves within the character. The explanation for the unique Figment’s success is profoundly easy: he confirmed us all the perfect of ourselves.

Greater than every other character, Figment embodies what it means to be a child at coronary heart. In a world that’s so polarized, on edge, and bursting with negativity, Figment is an antidote to all of that. The character is arguably “wanted” greater than ever, and resonates more and more with every passing yr due to the perfect he represents.

Even in any case these years, Figment nonetheless stirs up my feelings. Irrespective of how cynical I is likely to be about anything associated to Walt Disney World, that melts away in terms of Figment and Journey into Creativeness. I’m immediately 8 years outdated once more, seeing the character for the primary time after we each shared comparable senses of childlike surprise and innocence. I really can not clarify what it’s–because it defies logic or goal reasoning.

Along with transporting me to my childhood and seeing the story by way of the eyes of our daughter, studying the Figment Little Golden E book served as one more reminder that Megatron shall be assembly Figment this yr and driving Journey Into Creativeness for the primary time!!! Yeah, it’ll be the present model as a substitute of the 1983 authentic, however that’ll nonetheless be fairly particular to see and expertise.

In the end, my honest hope is that each one issues Figment we’ve seen not too long ago from Walt Disney World and the corporate as an entire are immensely profitable. I hope this turns into the best-selling e-book of all-time (sorry, Harry Potter). I hope the digital queue for the brand new popcorn bucket fills up sooner than Cosmic Rewind. I hope the meet & greet has larger visitor satisfaction scores than Mirabel or Mando.

Greater than something, I wish to preserve demonstrating to Walt Disney World that Figment nonetheless has severe reputation, drawing energy, and merchandising potential. I’m not naive sufficient to suppose {that a} new e-book or lengthy strains for merchandise or meet & greets would be the one little spark that it takes to get a brand new Journey into Creativeness greenlit imminently (I’ve gotten my hopes up for nothing too many occasions previously), nevertheless it’s definitely a optimistic for the longevity of the character and his future prospects!

A technique or one other, the present incarnation of Journey into Creativeness is on life help. It’s not fashionable with friends, doesn’t rating effectively in satisfaction surveys, and is lengthy overdue for a reimagining. The trip being redone once more is an inevitability, and Figment demonstrating his endurance and recognition regardless of his present trip’s lack of high quality might go a great distance. It is likely to be the distinction between Journey Into Creativeness 4.0 with Figment as a substitute of with Bing Bong.

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YOUR THOUGHTS

Have you ever already picked up your copy of the Figment Little Golden E book? What did you consider the art work, Easter Eggs, or story itself? Was it like a visit down reminiscence lane for you, too? Ideas on Figment or anything mentioned right here? Agree or disagree with my evaluation? Any questions? Listening to from you is half the enjoyable, so please share your ideas within the feedback!