FROM: Disney Tale of the Tape Published Every Other Saturday

Figment vs the Caballeros

In today's bout, a handicap match, the small but feisty Figment from Journey into Imagination faces off against the potent but perennially squabbling trio of the Gran Caballeros. Dan Sisneros expects a good, clean fight, and he promises a clear winner.

- Dan Sisneros, April 9, 2011

This is a 6 round bout between, in the red corner, Figment from Journey into Imagination, and in the blue corner, the Three Caballeros from the Gran Fiesta Tour.

These journeymen are past their primes and will probably never contend for 'the title' but both have their loyal fans and both have staged 'comebacks' with mediocre success.

Let's look at the Tale of the Tape:

Now the bell rings and our contenders square off:

ROUND 1: The Queue Areas

The actual Gran Fiesta queue area is simple: stand in line while you wait to board your boat. The impressive 'Mexico at Night' aura of the pavilion itself is what provides the fun for this queue. By contrast, the Journey queue winds through a dedicated area with displays of the Imagination Institute to put you in the proper mood for the ride.

This is a close round to score, but in this judge's opinion, Journey takes it 10-9.

ROUND 2: Star(s) of the Show

Donald Duck is hard to beat as a host. But in Gran Fiesta, he only appears on a plasma screen. Figment has a loyal following AND he appears as an Audio Animatronic!

Even with the help of Panchito and Jose, there is just no way that anything projected on a TV monitor is going to outscore an Audio Animatronic. Journey takes this round 10-9.

ROUND 3: Excitement and Thrills

Neither of these two combatants carry a knockout punch. They have to rely on 'finesse'.

Journey offers a few 'surprises' that may make you jump back a bit. Gran Fiesta is colorful but offers no thrills or surprises, and so Journey takes it again 10-9.

ROUND 4: The Setting

Journey is a bit more technical in its set-up, with your vehicles transporting you to self-contained scenes, pausing for each 'show', and then moving you to the next scene. Gran Fiesta is a non-stop cruise from one scene to another.

There is just something that I like about the gentle drifting motion of Gran Fiesta. Plus, it really does seem that you're touring Mexico. I give this round to Gran Fiesta 10-9.

ROUND 5: The Songs

The first knockdown of this bout has been scored! I have found myself humming the Journey song on more than a few occasions. I also have the old Rio De Tiempo song running around in my head, but I can't even recall the current song for Gran Fiesta.

A big score for Journey, which takes the round 10-8.

ROUND 6: Intangibles

One personal factor favors Gran Fiesta: it was my grand-daughter's FIRST Disney World attraction! I will never forget watching her little head bob back and forth as she looked from one scene to the next. Nothing can match that!

My grand-daughter also enjoyed Journey, but for this round, Gran Fiesta takes it 10-9.

JUDGE'S FINAL SCORECARD

Journey into Imagination got off to a fast start in this match, and with a knockdown scored in round 5, it was just too much for Gran Fiesta to overcome. The winner with a score of 58-55 is... Journey into Imagination with Figment!

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