Captain E.O. - When does it close??

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I had memories in my brain about a futuristic one sorta Leonard Part VI style or something. Was I mistaking it for something else? I remembered from 20 yrs ago the queen with the long fingernails, but in my mind, it was much darker (like at night). I didn't remember the goofy space shuttle scenes (which reminded me of Spaceballs with Mog, half man half dog meets ALF or something), and honestly, he may be an incredible artist but he sounds pretty funny speaking lines (a bit like a talking princess). So I agree with the person who said it's a great opportunity to sit in the AC and take a nap. A few of the dancers were really good, but it is kinda odd. I was really, really missing Honey I Shrunk the Audience, even if it was blurry. You could always laugh at the dog! But I do think there is a place for classics too, especially to new generations, but I think it will be completely lost on them and have no relevance whatsoever. They would probably demand some 3D Frozen 10,000 times over instead...

 

[OKW Lover]

It is going to be there forever or at least well into the future. The attraction is no longer sponsored by Kodak so they needed to put something there and EO was an easy fix.

Not quite understanding the linkage here. Captain EO did play at Imagination while Kodak was a sponsor. The movie was replaced with Honey I Shrunk the Audience because Kodak (still the sponsor at that time) wanted something "new". Why would Kodak leaving the program be a reason to bring back Captain EO?

 

[qman]

I understand sponsorships and all but for one of the preimire theme parks in the world to have such a dated and tired attraction is embarrassing.

 

[traceyw]

DH and I found Captain EO "amusing" (because it's humorously bad!) the first time we saw it in the Imagination Pavilion since we both grew up in the 80's with MJ. However, in the process, our 2 DD's (now 8&10) loved it so we have had to do it once each trip the last few times. I would be more than happy to skip it but, overall, I'm in a pretty happy agreeable mood when I'm at Disney so a li'l Captain EO is OK. Last summer when we were there, though, there was a family sitting behind us. The parents were around my age, but their kids were older - teenagers. After it ended, the one son said "dad, I think that just ruined my vacation". The dad said something like he thought it was supposed to be a documentary and his wife was chuckling. DH and I had a good laugh about that because we figure that dad probably knew exactly what he was doing. He just wanted a little piece of the 80's, haha!

 

[AmyB2006]

Captain E.O. - When does it close??

Not soon enough.

 

[BAMLuvMickey]

Not quite understanding the linkage here. Captain EO did play at Imagination while Kodak was a sponsor. The movie was replaced with Honey I Shrunk the Audience because Kodak (still the sponsor at that time) wanted something "new". Why would Kodak leaving the program be a reason to bring back Captain EO?

I thought they brought it back as a tribute to MJ's passing... Kodak leaving makes no sense as a reason for bringing it back to me either...

I waited forever to see Captain EO(as a kid. I remember it being advertised on the Disney Channel). As an adult was slightly bummed on my very first trip that it was no longer showing. I thought Honey I shrunk the Audience was lame. And then I was ecstatic to learn they brought Captain EO back and had the chance to fulfill my childhood dream(however lame it is)I probably will never see it again though...

 

[magicbob]

Not quite understanding the linkage here. Captain EO did play at Imagination while Kodak was a sponsor. The movie was replaced with Honey I Shrunk the Audience because Kodak (still the sponsor at that time) wanted something "new". Why would Kodak leaving the program be a reason to bring back Captain EO?

A little additional history... before Captain EO was introduced the first time, the movie that Kodak sponsored there was "Magic Journeys." It was a "journey into imagination" type of fantasy showing children's daydreams transforming into reality by using their imaginations.

By today's standards, the 3D would probably seem lackluster, but I remember the audible gasps as the title credits of the movie leapt from the screen and made a "loop" over the audience's heads. Later, a kite flies out of the screen and moves ever closer until it appears to hover over the row right in front of yours. And there were several other jaw-dropping 3D effects. It was a groundbreaking 3D film for its time and tied in nicely with the imagination theme.

I'm not advocating bringing this "classic" back per se, but this pavilion desperately needs a change and if they can't put something new in there, HISTA or even Magic Journeys would be a welcome change.

 

[OKW Lover]

A little additional history... before Captain EO was introduced the first time, the movie that Kodak sponsored there was "Magic Journeys." It was a "journey into imagination" type of fantasy showing children's daydreams transforming into reality by using their imaginations.

By today's standards, the 3D would probably seem lackluster, but I remember the audible gasps as the title credits of the movie leapt from the screen and made a "loop" over the audience's heads. Later, a kite flies out of the screen and moves ever closer until it appears to hover over the row right in front of yours. And there were several other jaw-dropping 3D effects. It was a groundbreaking 3D film for its time and tied in nicely with the imagination theme.

I remember that movie too. I also think it used to show over at the MK in the 3D theater that now houses Mickey's Philharmagic.

 

[AmyB2006]

I remember that movie too. I also think it used to show over at the MK in the 3D theater that now houses Mickey's Philharmagic.

Either way, it's definitely time for a new movie.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

?..When they finally do take it down I hope they release a nice Blu-Ray edition with lots of behind-the scenes stuff. I'll buy it!

I just wish, as long as the movie is there, that they had any kind of merchandise in the store. There's not a Captain EO keychain, refrigerator magnet, coffee mug or anything available. I mean...this is Disney! I can't believe they have no Captain EO merch available.

 

[akayek31]

When we were there in February 2013 I heard the rumors that it was going to close that year. So I bought the Captain EO trading pin not to trade. I love MJ and the music in the show and after it. I was glad to see it open in February 2014 so I could see it again. I never saw it in the 80's. Hopefully it will still be there in October.

 

[NavyDotz]

I just wish, as long as the movie is there, that they had any kind of merchandise in the store. There's not a Captain EO keychain, refrigerator magnet, coffee mug or anything available. I mean...this is Disney! I can't believe they have no Captain EO merch available.

There used to be a kiosk/cart outside a little bit way from the attraction that sold t-shirts, keychains ect. Sad to hear its gone. I would have liked to restock. I believe I remembered seeing just the t-shirts in a shop near SE as well.

 

[magicbob]

I just wish, as long as the movie is there, that they had any kind of merchandise in the store. There's not a Captain EO keychain, refrigerator magnet, coffee mug or anything available. I mean...this is Disney! I can't believe they have no Captain EO merch available.

They had lots of Captain EO merchandise at Disneyland Paris last time I was there (to include plush dolls of the alien characters).

 

[luvthemouse71]

No idea, but I will be disappointed if it is still open when I go back in September.

Yeah, me too. Takes up space that could be better used. MJ is dead, and the attraction is outdated.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

They had lots of Captain EO merchandise at Disneyland Paris last time I was there (to include plush dolls of the alien characters).

Well I wish they'd import some to WDW! And I knew that the aliens would make good plush dolls.