Capitan Eo

[goofy4tink]

I like to describe it as a creepy waste of time and hands down the worst attraction at Disney. It was a huge disappointment I expected so much from a classic but did not expect it to give my kids nightmares and me the heebiejeebies, but that's just me.

Really?? Nightmares? From what? It's so cheesy I can't imagine anyone being bothered by it.

In any case....I loved the young MJ. His music was something else indeed. My dd was just 16 the first time she saw Captain EO....she had lived through all the bad stuff about MJ, and had little to no idea what he was like when he was younger. Well, she fully admitted it was pretty cheesy, but she really liked it a lot. In fact, we now have to do it whenever we're there. Truly??? I think the Stitch attraction is much worse if you're concerned about being scared.
But it is true MJ....fun music with fun choreography. Like someone said, Thriller in Space.

Is it the best thing at Epcot? Hardly. But many of us find it to be enjoyable. I like it better than HISTA...really tired of that one.

 

[ilvdisney1234]

I never bothered to see this in the past but we decided to go last month. I really enjoyed it and my kids loved it! They actually bought Captain Eo tshirts!

 

[goofyernmost]

I like to describe it as a creepy waste of time and hands down the worst attraction at Disney. It was a huge disappointment I expected so much from a classic.

First of all, Captain EO really cannot be defined as a classic just because it was shown before in the same location. If it had been that great it would have withstood the test of time. As it was, it disappeared pretty quickly and was replaced by HISTA. HISTA ran many years longer than EO.

The reality, in my opinion, is that EO returned only because of MJ's death and Disney owned the property and decided to see if they could capitalize on it. They have, but it will go away, just like it did before. It doesn't have staying power.

 

[Candlz]

I would go see it, if only to form my own opinion of it...

 

[NewEnglandCamper]

I'm glad they brought it back... it was very interesting... however I hope its not there long term... (e.g., years to come)

While they are updating that they need to change the equally cheesy Ellen Energy show as well... in fact many of the attractions of Epcot needs refurbishing... they are advertising as Nemo and Seas being "new" and that was there when we first visted in 2006.

Even the popular Soarin had streaks going down on the film... kind of takes away from it...

 

[Evi]

I was dancing in my seat my nieces were like I don't get it lol.

They can't mess with Ellen thats my nap ride.

 

[selina4disney]

Watched it three trips. Kept trying to like it, but just never got into it. We skipped it last trip, and will skip it until they replace it.

 

[BuzzBiteyear]

I like to describe it as a creepy waste of time and hands down the worst attraction at Disney. It was a huge disappointment I expected so much from a classic but did not expect it to give my kids nightmares and me the heebiejeebies, but that's just me.

I thought that was M.I.L.F(Monsters Inc Laugh Floor) just thought I would clarify . . . . .

Are you telling me that they finally shut down that Narnia thing and Sounds Dangerous?

 

[BlueChariot]

Are you telling me that they finally shut down that Narnia thing and Sounds Dangerous?

They haven't shut down Narnia yet, but I heard they are getting rid of it. As for Sounds Dangerous, it is closed most of the time LOL!!

 

[MaxsDad]

First of all, Captain EO really cannot be defined as a classic just because it was shown before in the same location. If it had been that great it would have withstood the test of time. As it was, it disappeared pretty quickly and was replaced by HISTA. HISTA ran many years longer than EO.

The reality, in my opinion, is that EO returned only because of MJ's death and Disney owned the property and decided to see if they could capitalize on it. They have, but it will go away, just like it did before. It doesn't have staying power.

Pretty quickly? It ran for 8 years (11 in DL). I guess if you consider that HISTA ran for 16 years, 8 is pretty quick. But did HISTA have staying power or did it just stay because it was themed to match figment (the whole ridiculous science academy theme) and TDO didn't have or want to make anything new to put in there?

 

[kaligal]

...did it just stay because it was themed to match figment (the whole ridiculous science academy theme)...

I liked the ridiculous science academy theme.

 

[goofyernmost]

Pretty quickly? It ran for 8 years (11 in DL). I guess if you consider that HISTA ran for 16 years, 8 is pretty quick. But did HISTA have staying power or did it just stay because it was themed to match figment (the whole ridiculous science academy theme) and TDO didn't have or want to make anything new to put in there?

That's true, I guess. But at least in it's original run it was during an acceptable time and for an acceptable reason. Now it is just a novelty due to MJ's death. It dated quickly back then and since it started out even more dated this time, I don't see a long future for it.

 

[famousmockingbird]

I LOVE Captain Eo! I saw it when I was 16, and thought it was awesome. When they brought it back, I had to see it to see if it was still awesome. It was cheesy but we LOVE it! I've seen it twice since it has returned, and my ten year old loves it. Also, if you are familiar with comedian Doug Benson, you have to see it. A young, pre-stand up Doug is a DANCER towards the end!!!!!

 

[MaxsDad]

I liked the ridiculous science academy theme.

It is ok, I guess it has just run it's course for me.

That's true, I guess. But at least in it's original run it was during an acceptable time and for an acceptable reason. Now it is just a novelty due to MJ's death. It dated quickly back then and since it started out even more dated this time, I don't see a long future for it.

I agree but I don't know if I would call it a novelty, and who knows how long it will last. I just hope that when they do decide to get rid of it they bring in something new and don't bring back HISTA, because IMO that was somewhat dated as well. I think something I would have liked to have seen with Captain EO would have been to at least do an updated preshow. Maybe interview the people involved and get their views on the film 25 years later. Wouldn't help the actual film experience but would at least update one aspect of it.

I saw captain EO in December for the first time since I was a little kid and I enjoyed it, and the great thing is that 15 year old DD enjoyed it as well.

It is like any other attraction really, some will like it and some will hate it, but like I say with all these types of threads I think that people should try an attraction instead of avoiding it based on what other people say on an internet forum.

 

[DisneyCher]

I saw it when it first opened in the 80s, on a sneek preview weekend, and liked it WAY better than Magic Journeys (the previous 3D movie in the Imagination pavilion).

Now, it is so dated and bizarre. And I can't get over that Francis Ford Coppola directed it. Angelica Houston is in it, too.

If there is no wait, it might be worth it as a novelty and/or to snark on for the rest of your vacay. Who knows, maybe you and your family will do what DH and I did and go around shouting for Hooter for the rest of your trip.

 

[Lehuaann]

OP, I'm sure you received most of your answer, however, I'd also like to add that back in the day it was a HUGE attraction; the most expensive film ever produced on a per-minute basis, $1.76 million per minute. And combined with how on-fire MJ was in the 80's, the involvement of George Lucas/Anjelica Huston/James Horner/Francis Ford Coppola, 3-D tech, special effects (lasers/starfield - not avail on 2010 version), dancing - it was very cool.

It may now seem outdated-cheezy, but I enjoy it for the memories it evokes...makes me feel 16 all over again.

 

[MaxsDad]

OP, I'm sure you received most of your answer, however, I'd also like to add that back in the day it was a HUGE attraction; the most expensive film ever produced on a per-minute basis, $1.76 million per minute. And combined with how on-fire MJ was in the 80's, the involvement of George Lucas/Anjelica Huston/James Horner/Francis Ford Coppola, 3-D tech, special effects (lasers/starfield - not avail on 2010 version), dancing - it was very cool.

It may now seem outdated-cheezy, but I enjoy it for the memories it evokes...makes me feel 16 all over again.

I think you hit the nail on the head with why people who saw it as kids like it now, for the nostalgia effect, and that is fine with me.

 

[Gracedis1]

My DH and I saw it separately in '89 when we were teens, and I can't wait to see it together when we go in December. We love all things '80's and I had a huge MJ crush, much to my parents' dismay. Our kids like his music so it should be fun!

 

[butterfly71076]

I love Captain EO and MJ!!!! I saw it on my first trip to WDW and can't wait to see it again, although, I have been watching on Youtube!! Honey, I shrunkk the kids, was released in 1989, so I think HISTA was very dated as well. It's just alot of fun, bad acting, and great music. How could you go wrong with MJ dancing and singing? Take the chance and see it, you just might end up liking it. If not, then you don't have to go again.