Anyone planning a trip to Disneyland this last year has probably noticed that Captain EO has been listed as under refurbishment for quite some time. By now most of us have gotten the hint that it isn’t going to be coming back to the Magic Eye Theater in Tomorrowland. The theater has been home to three different extended previews since June of last year. First was Guardians of the Galaxy, then Big Hero 6, and now it’s currently housing Tomorrowland’s preview.
Captain EO was also shut down around the same time in June of last year in Tokyo Disneyland, but it was able to live on in EPCOT in Walt Disney World and also in Disneyland Paris. However, through friends I have been able to find out that as of last month Disney has stopped playing the show altogether! The final night in EPCOT was April 9th and Disneyland Paris quickly followed suit on April 12th.
Captain EO was also shut down around the same time in June of last year in Tokyo Disneyland, but it was able to live on in EPCOT in Walt Disney World and also in Disneyland Paris. However, through friends I have been able to find out that as of last month Disney has stopped playing the show altogether! The final night in EPCOT was April 9th and Disneyland Paris quickly followed suit on April 12th.
This has me sad to see a great show gone for good (again). I will admit I was a total nerd for Captain EO, both times it ran! Was anyone else a fan of this 17 minute trip through outer space with singing and dancing pop idols and furry fantasy creatures? It was great reliving it in tribute, but now it’s time to say goodbye.
It makes me wonder what’s next for all the Disney parks? Why the sudden pull? Does Disney finally have something new being planned? A new kind of 3D/4D interactive show is definitely in high demand. But does it pull the same crowds that it once did in the 20th century? I am definitely curious to see if Disney has a direction for this or if it is all just coincidence. I myself haven’t caught any of the extended previews and it makes me wonder how much of a crowd is that really pulling? I really hope the Disney imagineers are hard at work for us and that we will be treated with something bigger and brighter in the future!
You can see footage of Disneyland’s final performance of Captain EO from June 17th, 2014 here:
It makes me wonder what’s next for all the Disney parks? Why the sudden pull? Does Disney finally have something new being planned? A new kind of 3D/4D interactive show is definitely in high demand. But does it pull the same crowds that it once did in the 20th century? I am definitely curious to see if Disney has a direction for this or if it is all just coincidence. I myself haven’t caught any of the extended previews and it makes me wonder how much of a crowd is that really pulling? I really hope the Disney imagineers are hard at work for us and that we will be treated with something bigger and brighter in the future!
You can see footage of Disneyland’s final performance of Captain EO from June 17th, 2014 here:
Fun Captain EO facts for Film Nerds:
-The Supreme leader was played by Anjelica Houston! She’s better known now for The Addams Family and Everafter. She also now voices Queen Clarion in the Tinkerbell movies!
-Director was Francis Ford Coppola, known for The Godfather Series and The Rainmaker.
-Executive Producer was George Lucas, known for Star Wars and Indiana Jones.
-Lastly was composer James Horner, who later wrote music for Titanic and Avatar.
Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Disneys-Magic-Kingdom/222787791072953?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser
https://www.youtube.com/user/BigBubbaB/videos
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090793/?ref_=nv_sr_1
-The Supreme leader was played by Anjelica Houston! She’s better known now for The Addams Family and Everafter. She also now voices Queen Clarion in the Tinkerbell movies!
-Director was Francis Ford Coppola, known for The Godfather Series and The Rainmaker.
-Executive Producer was George Lucas, known for Star Wars and Indiana Jones.
-Lastly was composer James Horner, who later wrote music for Titanic and Avatar.
Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Disneys-Magic-Kingdom/222787791072953?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser
https://www.youtube.com/user/BigBubbaB/videos
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090793/?ref_=nv_sr_1