EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts just added a nostalgic element that longtime fans of the park will immediately recognize and appreciate. Figment’s Inspiration Station at The Odyssey building features design choices that pay tribute to one of the most beloved spaces from 1980s EPCOT.
Rainbow Projections Honor ImageWorks History
The interior of Figment’s Inspiration Station is covered in rainbow projections that reference the Rainbow Corridor from the original ImageWorks attraction. This walkway was part of the upstairs play area connected to Journey Into Imagination, the ride that opened with EPCOT in 1982.
The Rainbow Corridor featured rotating colored lights that created an immersive environment combining visual appeal with the kind of technology that fit EPCOT’s futuristic mission. The space became one of the park’s most photographed locations during the 1980s.
The corridor gained additional recognition in 1984 when Michael Jackson did a photoshoot there while touring Florida. Those images captured both the pop star and the distinctive EPCOT aesthetic that made the park feel different from other Disney properties.
What Happened to the Original
The Rainbow Corridor closed in 1992 when the Imagination Pavilion underwent renovations. ImageWorks moved from the second floor to downstairs and was renamed ImageWorks: The “What If” Labs. The upstairs area remained closed for years before reopening in 2016 as a Disney Vacation Club lounge not accessible to general park guests.
For fans who remember the original Journey Into Imagination with Dreamfinder and Figment, the loss of the Rainbow Corridor represented a broader pattern of EPCOT removing distinctive original elements in favor of scaled-back replacements.
The Current EPCOT Experience
Figment’s Inspiration Station transforms The Odyssey building with rainbow and star decorations that evoke the original ImageWorks aesthetic. The rainbow projections create an environment that reminds older guests of the classic experience while introducing younger visitors to design elements from EPCOT’s early years.
The venue serves limited-time Festival of the Arts food including the Figment Fantasy Cake for $5.79. The sponge cake is filled with strawberry whipped cream and topped with white chocolate ganache and orange icing.
Guests can also purchase the Figment Artist Popcorn Bucket for $29 while supplies last. The bucket features Figment in artist gear and comes with rainbow popcorn. It’s available exclusively through mobile order.
Why This EPCOT Tribute Matters
The Odyssey building has become EPCOT’s venue for temporary festival-specific experiences. Last year during Food & Wine Festival, the building was converted to Dr. Honeydew and Beaker’s lab with Muppets theming. Each transformation attempts to create immersive environments tied to the specific festival.
For Festival of the Arts, choosing to honor the Rainbow Corridor and original ImageWorks demonstrates Disney’s awareness that EPCOT’s history resonates with longtime fans. The park has undergone significant transformations since 1982, and not all changes have been well-received by guests who appreciated the original vision.
By incorporating rainbow projections and embracing 1980s EPCOT aesthetics, Figment’s Inspiration Station acknowledges that legacy while creating a festival experience accessible to all guests regardless of whether they remember the original.
Broader Figment Presence
Figment has a significant presence throughout this year’s Festival of the Arts beyond just the Inspiration Station. The annual Figment’s Brush With the Masters scavenger hunt returns, allowing guests to search for paintings featuring the purple dragon throughout World Showcase.
Various Figment-themed merchandise and food offerings appear across the festival, creating opportunities for fans of the character to celebrate him throughout their EPCOT visit.
Making the EPCOT Visit
EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts runs through February 24, 2026. Figment’s Inspiration Station operates during festival hours at The Odyssey building located between Future World and World Showcase.
For guests interested in EPCOT history or fans of Figment, the rainbow projections and nostalgic design choices make the venue worth visiting beyond just the food and merchandise offerings. It represents a moment where Disney chose to honor the park’s past while celebrating current festival programming.
