At a Glance
Duration: 5 minutes, 50 seconds
Look Out For: sensory overload, flashing lights, loud noises, unpleasant smells, and other practical effects
Opening on June 2nd, 2002, Journey Into Imagination with Figment is a chaotic dive into all five senses and the power of one little spark. But how scary is Journey Into Imagination? Let’s take a look at the stats:
1. Ride Length
Journey Into Imagination has a ride duration of 5 minutes and 50 seconds. This makes it about a minute longer than the average Disney dark ride.
2. Height Requirement and Warnings
Journey Into Imagination has no height requirement. In addition, Disney has no official warnings for this attraction.
3. Ride Vehicles and Restraints
The Journey Into Imagination ride vehicles consist of individual cars with two rows, seating approximately three adult guests per row. Families with younger children may be able to fit up to 4, though it should be noted that especially sensitive kiddos might not be up for the experience. There is no lap bar or ride restraints of any kind.
4. How Does Journey Into Imagination Work?
Journey Into Imagination works like any other Disney dark ride, sending its cars along a predetermined track. Its show scenes – while not all that elaborate – do utilize loud noises, flashing lights, practical illusions, and piped-in smells to stimulate all five senses.
5. Is Journey Into Imagination Scary?
While Journey Into Imagination is not intentionally scary, I find it one of the most intense dark rides due to its blaring sensory effects. Disney clearly markets this attraction as whimsical, family-friendly fun, but the complete onslaught of sensory overload could make it, at the very least, an uncomfortable experience for many riders.
Along your journey, you’ll encounter several moments of complete darkness, the close-by sound of a freight train, a strong piped-in skunk smell, and even a simulated explosion – in the form of a loud boom and bright flash before the room goes dark. This attractional also has a noisy (and maybe a bit grating) sound design and some disorienting visuals – like the upside-down house segment. In addition, some riders could be a bit unsettled by the theme of Figment constantly trying to interfere with the “tour,” and not knowing what prank he’s about to pull next might bother some riders.
6. How High is Journey Into Imagination?
Journey Into Imagination does not involve heights. As an indoor track ride, the ride vehicles never leave the ground.
7. How Fast is Journey Into Imagination?
Journey Into Imagination does not go fast. Like most other dark rides, you will slowly meander through the show scenes, making a few stops here and there.
8. Does Journey Into Imagination Have Drops?
Journey Into Imagination does not have drops. With its lack of ride restraints or height restrictions, this ride has no thrill-ride elements whatsoever.
9. Does Journey Into Imagination Cause Motion Sickness?
Journey Into Imagination should not cause motion sickness to most riders. While there is no spinning or large screens, the aforementioned skunk-smell could cause some nausea to those sensitive to strong and unpleasant smells.
10. Is Journey Into Imagination Claustrophobic?
Journey Into Imagination should not feel claustrophobic for most riders. While it does have a slightly longer than average ride duration, this attraction has no ride restraints and goes out of its way to portray the limitless feeling of using your imagination. Personally, I didn’t feel especially confined throughout this ride, but it was still uncomfortable for me due to the sensory intensity of it.
It’s also worth noting that the queue involves some tight, windowless, and crowded hallways that could be a problem for some – but the wait times aren’t usually very long.
11. Are There Animatronics on Journey Into Imagination?
There are a couple of non-human animatronics on Journey Into Imagination. Figment (a purple dragon) is portrayed several times throughout the ride. While he’s arguably less unsettling due to his cartoonish design and limited range of motion, he could still be a bit creepy to those particularly averse to animatronic characters.
Journey Into Imagination Queue Walkthrough
The queue entrance is located outside in the Imagination Pavilion in Epcot. As you enter the building, you’ll make your way through a series of hallways depicting the Imagination Institute’s open house. You’ll pass by the lobby and reception and then make your way down the hallway where you’ll see doors to offices and the sensory labs. After what is typically a fairly short wait, you’ll find yourself at the loading station.
Journey Into Imagination Ride Walkthrough
After boarding the ride vehicles, you’ll push through the double doors to the sensory labs and be greeted by Dr. Nigel Channing (on screen) as he welcomes you to the institute and prepares you for the open house. Figment butts in and wants to tag along, eventually interfering with the tour and taking you to the sound lab.
After going through a series of sound tests, Figment reappears once again on the phone, inviting you to hear with your imagination. The room goes dark and he shouts to you from different directions before the loud sound of a freight train rattles around you.
Moving on to the sight lab, Figment will pop up on the eye chart, serenading you once again. You’ll move quickly along to the smell lab where Dr. Channing tells you about the power of pleasant smells. Figment has other ideas (surprise, surprise) and takes over the lab by assaulting your nose with a strong skunk smell.
Afraid of what stunts Figment will try to pull next, Dr. Channing decides to cancel the rest of the tour. However, our little purple friend is more than happy to take you into his own open house instead. You’ll meander through a set depicting an entirely upside down house (furniture hanging from the ceiling). Finally, Dr. Channing decides that he might as well join along and Figment jumps in, shouting that “imagination is a blast” before the room “explodes” and you’re sent into a psychedelic scene of rainbows and oh, so many Figments singing around you.
With that, the ride comes to an end and you’re allowed back into the real world – your newfound imagination in-tow.
That’s it! Remember, everyone’s riding experience is a little bit different and only you can decide whether to hop on that ride vehicle or not. I just hope this guide helps you be prepared and enjoy every second of your Disney experience!
So what do you think? How scary is Journey Into Imagination with Figment? Leave a comment to help keep this guide up to date!
For a full visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from 4K WDW:
