Figment, EPCOT, and New IP: What D’Amaro Said at the 2026 Shareholder Meeting

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Figment fans, EPCOT lovers, and Disney IP watchers — Josh D’Amaro had something to say about all of it at the 2026 Annual Shareholder Meeting on March 18. The new Disney CEO fielded questions on the future of Journey Into Imagination, Figment’s place in the park lineup, and how Disney balances new creative properties with the franchises fans already love.

Here’s a breakdown of what D’Amaro said on each topic — and what it means for the future of EPCOT and Figment.

Quick Summary

• Journey Into Imagination’s Pixar short films are not being replaced — D’Amaro confirmed no current plans for new content
• Figment has no new park announcement, but Disney says it is “always exploring” new ways for guests to engage with the character
• Figment recently appeared in the Disney animated short “How Not to Draw,” narrated by Neil Patrick Harris
• Original IP remains a priority — the film “Hoppers” opened at #1 and is the biggest global debut for an original animated film since “Coco” in 2017
• D’Amaro highlighted Disney’s cross-platform reach as its biggest competitive advantage for both new and existing IP

Journey Into Imagination: No New Pixar Shorts Coming

A shareholder raised a concern about the Pixar short films currently running inside Journey Into Imagination at EPCOT, noting the same films have been playing there for many years without an update.

D’Amaro acknowledged the films and spoke warmly about Pixar’s ability to pack real emotion into a short runtime. He even gave a personal recommendation — “Bao” — as a standout example of what the short film program can do.

But he was direct: “Right now, we don’t have any plans to bring new shorts to Journey Into Imagination.” If you were hoping for a refresh announcement, this wasn’t it. The current theater presentation and ImageWorks play area are staying as is for now.

Figment at EPCOT: D’Amaro Loves the Character, But No New Announcement

This is the one Figment fans have been waiting for. A shareholder asked whether Disney would consider a Figment film or more Figment content in the parks. D’Amaro’s response was warm but didn’t break any new ground.

He called the Figment question a “staple of shareholder meetings” — which, if you’ve followed these events over the years, is accurate. He expressed genuine appreciation for the fan base. “I love the fact that there is so much adoration for Figment,” he said. “He’s clearly a fan favorite and continues to spark creativity and imagination across generations.”

D’Amaro pointed to Figment’s recent appearance in the animated short “How Not to Draw,” narrated by Neil Patrick Harris, as evidence that the character is still part of Disney’s active creative output. That’s a meaningful data point — Figment isn’t being ignored internally.

He stopped short of any new park announcement, but said Disney is “always exploring new ways for guests to engage with Figment and other characters that fans love.” It’s not a confirmation of anything new, but it’s also not a closed door. For now, Figment remains a fixture in EPCOT through the Journey Into Imagination attraction and merchandise — without any announced expansion.

Disney’s IP Strategy: Sequels and Original Stories

The third topic D’Amaro addressed was how Disney balances new creative properties with established franchises. The question behind this is one that Disney fans and investors have been asking for years: is Disney too sequel-dependent? Are original stories still getting the attention they deserve?

D’Amaro pointed to “Hoppers” as his evidence that original stories remain a genuine priority. The animated film opened at number one and is the biggest global debut for an original animated film since “Coco” in 2017. That’s a real benchmark — “Coco” went on to become one of the most beloved Disney/Pixar films of the past decade.

But D’Amaro’s broader point was about what happens after a story exists. Disney’s competitive advantage isn’t just creating the story — it’s what comes next. A new film or franchise can simultaneously expand into parks, streaming, games, and consumer products in ways that no competitor can match.

He put it plainly: Disney will continue delivering both familiar favorites and new original ideas — and deploying them everywhere fans spend their time.

What This Means for Figment and EPCOT Fans

The honest read on Figment and EPCOT from D’Amaro’s 2026 shareholder meeting comments: there’s genuine affection for the character internally, and he’s staying active in Disney’s creative output. But no new park experience is announced, and Journey Into Imagination isn’t getting new content in the near term.

D’Amaro is a parks person who clearly understands the emotional weight that EPCOT carries for fans. The fact that he’s exploring new ways to engage with Figment rather than dismissing the character entirely is meaningful — even if it’s not the announcement fans were hoping for.

Stay tuned to DisMornings for all the latest EPCOT and Figment news as D’Amaro’s leadership continues to take shape.

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