A Visit to the Imagination Pavilion at Epcot
Epcot’s Imagination Pavilion is one of the most recognizable buildings within the park. The glass pyramid reflects the sun in the prettiest of ways. This pavilion is original to Epcot Center and home to an attraction focused on imagination.
Below, we’ll discuss the pavilion’s attractions, character meet-and-greets, and shopping options. If you have plans to visit Epcot, you can use this guide to decide what you might want to see or experience during your vacation.
Inside the Imagination Pavilion
Below is a list of attractions, entertainment, and shopping options in the Imagination Pavilion.
Attractions
- Leapfrog Fountains
- Journey Into Imagination with Figment
- Image Works
- Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
Character Meets
- Figment
- Disney Visa Character Meet
Shopping
- ImageWorks Gift Shop
Other
- Disney Vacation Club Members Lounge
Epcot’s Imagination Pavilion is in the World Celebration section of the park, past the Seas Pavilion and the Land Pavilion. It has a triangular structure with a roof made of mirror tiles that reflect the sky. Although this building is older, it is unique. Its base is painted in bold reds and oranges with a blue break in between. Bougainvillea spills from planters wrapped around the building’s structure.
Imagination Pavilion Leaping Fountains
One of the pavilion’s most delightful elements is its fountains. At night, the primary fountain in front of the pavilion glows with yellows and oranges. Meanwhile, the pyramid lights up pink, blue, purple, and green.
Not only is the fountain gorgeous, but it flows upside down. Of course, if you spend a little time around the Imagination Pavilion, you will find many things tend to wind up, well, upside down.
In addition to the primary fountain, a separate Leaping Frog fountain is at the top of the pavilion. It’s not uncommon to find several children in the area who’ve managed to get drenched by the leaping frog.
Water leaps from one spot to the next. However, the water spouts tend to leap around a bit. So you’re not always sure which way they’ll go next. Sometimes, it’s the little things that end up being the most fun.
Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Journey into Imagination with Figment is a slow-moving ride designed by Imagineer Tony Baxter initially. That first version of the ride included Dreamfinder and Figment, who took guests on a journey through the imagination.
Unfortunately, the attraction was eventually completely refurbished, and Figment and Dreamfinder were entirely left out. The new version of the ride received so much criticism from fans that Disney ended up closing it a few years later for another renovation.
When the ride reopened, Figment had returned, joining Dr. Nigel Channing (Eric Idle) as they set out to take you on a tour of the Imagination Institute. There, you’ll visit the audio, sight, and smell labs. And that’s how the ride remains today, charming yet dated.
As you make your way to the labs, you’ll run into Figment, who plays a few mischievous pranks along the way.
The ride features a few special effects. However, Figment’s upside-down open house is not one of them. Because everything in Figment’s house is upside down.
Journey Into Imagination with Figment has a standby queue and Lightning Lane with Lightning Lane Multi-Pass. However, you won’t need to use the service for this attraction in most cases. Wait times tend to diminish from late afternoon until the evening. However, it’s important to note that this attraction sometimes closes earlier than the park. So, you’ll want to check the exact hours in the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit.
Related: Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Image Works Lab
After exiting the ride, you will arrive at the Image Works Lab. This portion of the pavilion offers several hands-on activities.
For instance, you can practice conducting music in the Image Works Lab. All you have to do is wave a pretend conductor stick in the dedicated area.
Then, you might try your hand or feet at making more tunes by jumping from block to block.
Additionally, there are a few other interactive games in the area.
Meet Figment
Figment replaced the former Vanellopen Von Schweetz and Wreck-it Ralph character meet-and-greet location in the Imagination Pavilion.
He meets daily and is a fun character opportunity to experience after exiting the ride.
He doesn’t sign autographs, but cast members usually have an autograph card.
Related: Meet Figment at Epcot
Meet Joy
Joy from Inside Out also meets in the Imagination Pavilion. Her meet-and-greet location is across the walkway from Figment. Update 2024: Joy now meets at Pixar Plaza at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Related: Meet Joy at Pixar Plaza at Hollywood Studios
Joy and Figment take breaks intermittently throughout the day. When they leave, it’s a bit of an event. Both characters enter through a tunnel called The Link, where they leave (and return) to visit the Internet.
Here is an older video of Vanellope and Joy returning to the Imagination Pavilion from The Link.
Gift Shop
Before you exit the pavilion, you’ll run into the Image Works gift shop.
This is an excellent place to find Figment merchandise.
Figment plush, anyone?
Additionally, this area usually has a selection of Disney Vacation Club merchandise. If you are a DVC member, the Imagination Pavilion has a private, members-only lounge.
There are a few other items nearby the gift shop. How often do you see a photo booth these days?
Additionally, there’s a Magic Photo Studio.
Guests can select from the images and have an image of their face inserted.
Here are the various options, which include many Star Wars options.
For those of you who collect pressed pennies, there is one machine with eight designs.
On the day of this visit, all eight designs were Wreck-It Ralph characters.
Disney Pixar & Short Film Festival
The Magic Eye Theater sits outside to the left of the main pavilion structure. This is where the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival is held. Inside, the theater airs three cartoon shorts: Get a Horse, Feast, and Piper. During the films, the theater moves slightly. They are shown in 3D format, so you’ll need to wear the provided glasses. If you visited this attraction in the past, you might remember it was the former home of Captain EO, the Michael Jackson attraction.
Related: Disney Pixar and Short Film Festival
Mickey Mouse had a temporary meet-and-greet inside the Magic Eye Theater while Epcot was under major construction. However, he is not at his new location with Minnie Mouse and Goofy.
Related: Meet Mickey and Friends at Epcot
Disney Visa Card Character Meet
The Disney Visa Card Photo Spot sits to the left of the Magic Eye Theater.
Those with a Disney Visa card can participate in this special character meet. However, you must show your Disney Visa card or Disney Visa Rewards card to enter. Characters are a surprise, but they are always one of the fantastic five. On our last visit, we met Goofy with Mickey. Previously, we met Minnie Mouse with Pluto.
Related: Disney Visa Card Photo Spot
Final Thoughts on the Imagination Pavilion
Overall, there’s plenty to see and do at the Imagination Pavilion. It’s also a great place to slow down midday when you need a break. We love to grab a snack or a soda and find a seat near the leaping fountains. The atmosphere is gorgeous, and it’s fun to watch the monorail glide by.
Additionally, this area is one of the best places to hang out when it’s raining. You can take a spin on Figment’s ride, meet the characters, and hang out in the play area.
After that, it’s only a few steps to the film festival. There, you can kill another 30 minutes or so watching cartoons in an air-conditioned theater and meeting Mickey Mouse.
For more Epcot Planning, you might enjoy the following:
- Mission: SPACE at Epcot Guide
- Spaceship Earth Ride Guide
- Test Track Ride Guide
- Living with the Land Ride Guide
- Soarin’ Around the World
Resorts Gal specializes in providing information about Walt Disney World Resorts. We have a list of Disney World Hotel Reviews. Or you might enjoy these other resorts in the Epcot area:
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort Review (It’s Our Favorite!)
- Disney’s Yacht Club Review (It’s a Close Runner-Up!)
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort Review (Perfect Location)
- Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Review (For Marriott Bonvoy Members!)
In the Comments
What do you think of the Imagination Pavilion at Epcot? Do you have fond memories of this pavilion?
