Vote of the week: To EO or not to EO?

September 11, 2009, 8:22 AM · Soon after Michael Jackson died last month, some Disney fans asked that the company bring the "Captain EO" 3D movie, which starred Jackson, back to the parks. Disney dumped the show when Jackson's popularity waned amid child abuse allegations, replacing it with the "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience" 4D show.

Someone at Disney must have thought it a worthy idea, because company brass arranged a screening of the film, and some reported that "Captain EO"'s return was imminent.

Yesterday, however, Disney CEO Bob Iger threw water on that fire, denying that the company would bring back the show. Still, Disneyland watcher Al Lutz says that Iger's denial was a ploy, and that EO's return will be announced either tomorrow or after the New Year.

So what should Disney do with its Disneyland and Epcot theaters that are now showing "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience"? That's our vote of the week.

Share your thoughts in the comments. And have a great weekend!

Replies (32)

September 11, 2009 at 8:57 AM · The idea to bring back 'Captain EO' is BAD ... it's BAD ... Ya KNOW it-tah .. You know it's BAD .. Cah-mon ... Eee Hee ... Chicka, chicka ...

Moonwalk ... spin ... kick ... point ... do something with my hat ...

September 11, 2009 at 9:01 AM · i think eo was good in its time but it's time to let mj rest in peace they should update with a new movie and head towards the future not live in the past
September 11, 2009 at 9:04 AM · Marvel 3D
September 11, 2009 at 9:13 AM · I would like to see the theaters do a rotation of films. This could include new films as well as Captain EO, Journeys and Honey I Shrunk. An added inducement to come to the parks if your favorite film is playing.
September 11, 2009 at 9:14 AM · Hmmm, how easy would it be to bring back EO for Spring/Summer 2010, then roll out Marvel 4D for Summer 2011 at Disneyland? Point to TH.
September 11, 2009 at 9:21 AM · I fear that no matter how fondly we remember a particular show, after all this time has passed, it would look grossly outdated. Watch the Youtube video. Special effects don't look very special. Honey, I shrunk the Audience looks like this now and it still playing!

They could update the final scene in Carousel of Progress or bring back the Main Street Electrical Parade instead!

September 11, 2009 at 9:25 AM · Disney should release Captain EO on DVD. 3D glasses and all!

If they can release 3D Movies with Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers, they can do it here.

You know, maybe it will happen. Disney just realeased the Haunted Mansion Sights and Sounds CD along with the Sherman Brothers Songbook which is fantastic

September 11, 2009 at 9:31 AM · Mr. Niles writes: "... then roll out Marvel 4D for Summer 2011 at Disneyland?"

I respond: Sorry dude, but the idea came from the east coast. It rolls out at WDW (for the 40th) you guys on the west side will have to make due with your revamped DCA.

September 11, 2009 at 9:33 AM · Iron Man ... 4D with Robert Downey, Jr. Puts Marvel in the park and has star quality as well.

Heck, I would also shoot a revamped Muppet 4D thing, gut Journey into Imagination and turn that into Muppet Labs! Put Iron Man into DHS at the old Muppet theatre.

September 11, 2009 at 10:07 AM · I like that idea TH! I know I personally didn't care for the "Honey I Shrunk" movies even when they were popular. The only thing I ask for the Muppets revamp: Please, oh please add Pepe, okay.
September 11, 2009 at 10:47 AM · Please do not include the terms Mi--y Cy--s and Jo--s Br-----s in any conversation about 3D movies in Disney parks, lest Disney management put two and two together, then bring those flicks into the parks. (Shudders)
September 11, 2009 at 11:13 AM · I voted tear em down, though I don't think the 3D idea has been played out. A new film would not be objectionable. Am I the only one that see the irony in bringing attractions from the past to places called Tomorrowland and Future World?
September 11, 2009 at 1:00 PM · Ya kno, i'd love to see Captain EO since ive never experienced it. Its dated and would probably be around for a limited time. That limited time wouldnt lead back to honey but hopefully i brand new show or ride! So i think we could have the best of both worlds. the return and a following new show or ride.
September 11, 2009 at 1:28 PM · I bring up the unforgivable names to make the point that if Disney is ok with putting them out in 3D DVD, then Captain Eo can be released.


I think it should be released on DVD, but back at the parks because its old and so bad, its good!

September 11, 2009 at 1:34 PM · I never saw Magic Journeys until I my first visit to Walt Disney World in 1992. I had already seen EO in Disneyland. They are all great experiences. Why can't they all be shown in repertory in the same location. Each 3D theater at each venue can be outfitted to show all of the movies if necessary. A compromise could be to show Honey I Shrunk the Audience five times per day, In the Magic Eye Theater at Disneyland, or the Kodak theater in Epcot for example and show EO and Magic Journeys once at a very early, or very late show time, perhaps at part of the magic mornings or extra hours celebration.
September 11, 2009 at 2:32 PM · LOVE LOVE LOVE TH's idea bout muppets going to imagination. The muppets would make a really cool replacement for honey, i shrunk the audeince. They can bring back the muppets mobile lab for the outside in front of the pavillion. However id be completely devastated to see figment go. Hes like the mascot of Epcot and should be given a bigger role. Id love that. Well anyways iron man would fit nicely into the muppet theater and the store themed to marvel as well.
September 11, 2009 at 2:49 PM · I liked Figment back in the day .... When he was called Elliot in 'Pete's Dragon' :o)
September 11, 2009 at 2:57 PM · i hope they sell jesus juice right outside so i can get plastered right before the film, YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
September 11, 2009 at 3:17 PM · Both EO and Honey I Shrunk the Audience are way outdated. Even though EO would be brought back for Michael Jackson, I honestly think it is so terrible it is not even worth the memory. I would like a new 4-D movie or perhaps something else, just something better than these two outdated 3d shows.
September 11, 2009 at 3:20 PM · Time for something new.

How about Avengers Meet The Incredibles?

September 11, 2009 at 3:44 PM · No contest. Jack-Jack RULES!
September 11, 2009 at 5:54 PM · I'd love to see "Mickey's PhilharMagic" find a home at Disneyland!
September 11, 2009 at 7:19 PM · Muppets should stay at the DHS. Remember that Universal has rights to Marvel in theme parks east of the Mississippi also. I really like the rumor of replacing Honey with a Dream Finder adventure. It would be awesome! And finally, with the exception of Main Street Electrical parade (bring it back, pleeeeeaaaaassssseeee!) Disney has never re-hashed an old idea and I don't think they should start now. Captain EO is dead and we shouldn't go digging him back up (literally and figuratively!)
September 11, 2009 at 7:25 PM · Andrew, Universal has rights only to Spider-Man, Hulk, Dr. Doom and X-Men east of the Mississippi. The Orlando Sentinel reviewed the contract and reported that Iron Man is not included in those licensing rights.
September 11, 2009 at 10:29 PM · Get rid of 3D/4D movies entirely. HISTA and Muppets play to empty theaters at DL because these movies have very little repeat value when the majority of the guests are repeat visit locals. Rip the whole thing out and give us a new attraction that has something to do with the future for a change.
September 12, 2009 at 7:25 AM · Oh, I didn't know that, thanks for informing me. And I have Seen Muppets, A Bugs Life, and Mickey's Philharmagic several times and can't wait to see it many more times. In my opinion 3-D movies have a lasting appeal if people like them.
September 12, 2009 at 8:37 AM · I have yet to see a lack of appeal for the 3D/4D movies at the parks. I have had to wait in long lines to see the Muppets, Mickey's, etc. My sons love them, and one huge appeal for me other than the entertainment, is the fact I get to sit down in an air coditioned room for a brief break in the parks.
September 12, 2009 at 9:17 AM · Great question! Mmm...I think that that Disney should keep the "HISTA" for now. Maybe a REFERENCE plaque in the ride that says "King of Pop 1958- 2009". That's at least what I can think of.
September 12, 2009 at 10:22 AM · Last year HISTA at DL was so poorly attended that when you got a fastpass at Space Mountain, the machine would also give you a faux fastpass for HISTA as well, even though HISTA doesn't even have a fastpass system. It was a shallow ploy to get guests to believe HISTA was a popular attraction but think most guests saw right through it. I can't speak for WDW, but at DLR the 3D/4D movies are among the most poorly attended attractions.
September 14, 2009 at 11:21 AM · They could bring back the Kodak Preshow film also. From what I remember, I liked that better than EO.
September 14, 2009 at 11:50 AM · TH -

Your Muppet-Labs-in-Imagination-Pavilion idea is the best bit of Imagineering I've heard in ages.

Why am I in favor of this idea?

On my recent Orlando trip, after years of visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios, Muppet*Vision 3D finally felt and looked dated.

Disney could afford to lose the show from Disney's Hollywood Studios because the park already has plenty of other shows.

An update to the show in Orlando could mean an update at California Adventure, which would work nicely with the huge Cali overhaul.

Waldo, the 3D graphic produced in Muppet*Vision, is a terribly annoying character. He could easily be replaced in the new show with a more popular character, Figment.

The "Honey ..." and "Journey ..." attractions could be combined into a large-scale, imagination-themed attraction. Think Mr. Toad's Wild Ride meets Muppet*Vision, similar in concept to The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman or Toy Story Midway Mania.

September 14, 2009 at 11:50 AM · Alternatively, if the 3D movies and 3D rides are getting tiresome, how about a 3D exhibition pavilion? Guests would don 3D glasses before entering the pavilion, and would explore it at their leisure. Think Innoventions, but with 3D gimmickry from the Muppets and Figment. They could have a lab for each of the senses (sight, smell, touch, taste, sound). The pavilion could be hosted by Figment, and each of the labs could be hosted by various Muppets.

Fozzie and the Swedish Chef could host the Taste Lab, which would be a new-age cafeteria where guests would prepare their own meals. For less creative guests, specials would be available, ranging from Salad ala Boom-Boom to Beency-Bouncy Burgers.

Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem could host the Sound Lab, with a concept similar to that of the old sound stage at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Exhibits could include a giant, anatomical ear, a sound stage with interactive props and video tutorials demonstrating how many of the classic movie sounds were created, a stage with abstract musical instruments and create-your-own song attraction, giant piano floors and games that test your response to various frequencies and pitches and compare them to that of certain animals.

I could spend months delving into little details about the pavilion, but the Imagineers and Muppet writers would probably do a better job.

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