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2. Figment

Image: DisneyLet’s employ Occam’s razor here. Figment is a purple dragon who (sometimes) wears a yellow sweater. He’s an astronaut, a cowboy, a dancer, a knight, a mountain climber, a pirate, and a superhero. What’s not to love?

Actually, Figment has become something of a tragic tale over the years. The first iteration of his attraction, Journey into Imagination, was a wonderful celebration of creativity featuring Figment and his dear friend, the Dreamfinder. The two later incarnations of the attraction are like Matrix sequels. Sure, you’ll find defenders of their quality, but everybody knows it peaked after the first one.

Image: DisneyAlso, the Dreamfinder vanished from Journey into Imagination. That’s like taking LeBron James off the Cleveland Cavaliers. What’s left is still pretty good but yikes! Anyway, even in the absence of the Dreamfinder, Figment has remained a beloved character. His toy sales are always strong, and the quickest way to make new friends at Epcot is to lament the loss of the original Journey into Imagination. It’s been gone for roughly 20 years now, yet grown men still shed tears over its absence.

1. Madame Leota

Image: DisneyWhich came first, the chicken or the egg? Do I love Madame Leota because I’m a Futurama superfan? Or do I love the idea of heads in jars in Futurama because I loved Madame Leota as a kid? Whatever the explanation, I came up with the idea for this entire list while stuck in a Doom Buggy, looking at Madame Leota. As she recited the words to her summoning spell, I appreciated just how spectacular this character is.

Picking the most entertaining part of The Haunted Mansion is a brutal task, especially if you love the ride like my family does. I already had to pick between the Hatbox Ghost and the Hitchhiking Ghosts, which is akin to choosing a favorite child. But what I can say with certainty is that Madame Leota is apex of Disney theme park character creation.

Only a Disney Imagineer could find the ultimate solution to an impossible problem. If some people want a scary attraction and others want a silly one, all the ride needs is a bridge. And that’s what Madame Leota is. Her séance is the turning point where the ghosts arrive, only they’re not as scary as advertised. In fact, they seem to love being dead. Leota’s spellcasting is the last spooky sequence. From that moment forward, everybody’s singing and/or dancing save for one killer bride. Madame Leota’s functionally the breaking point, making her not just an amazing character but also a critical ride element.

 
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Comments

What no Orange Bird?!
Henry?!
Big Al?!
Pirate with dirty feet that everyone looks up and cringes at when they pass underneath?!

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