30 August 2009 by Walt Disney World Recreation Examiner - Peggy Macdonald
In the wake of Michael Jackson's untimely death, fans flooded Disneyland's corporate offices with petitions to bring back Captain EO. Apparently their efforts did not go unnoticed. Unconfirmed reports reveal that Disneyland is expected to announce at its upcoming D23 Expo that Captain EO will return to Disneyland in 2010.
Captain EO, a 3D film with additional lighting and smoke effects and two original Michael Jackson songs, debuted at Disneyland and Epcot in 1986. Jackson acted and sang in the short film, which was produced by George Lucas of Star Wars fame, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, and costarred Anjelica Huston. The film also played at Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland.
After allegations of child abuse were made against Jackson in 1993, Epcot was the first to pull Captain EO (in 1994). The film continued to be shown at Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disneyland through the late 1990s, however. The film was eventually replaced by another 3-D film, Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!
Immediately following Jackson's death June 25, the pop star's music, videos, and memorabilia soared in popularity, marking the first time that the top sales came from catalogue--as opposed to current Billboard Top 200--music. Fans began circulating petitions to Disneyland to resurrect Captain EO through social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
Disneyland officials are expected to announce the restoration of Captain EO to Disneyland at the D23 Expo in early September. The D23 Expo is the perfect place to share the news of Captain EO's rebirth. This inaugural Disney fan fest offers the latest information on the Disney parks, merchandise, films, and more.
Captain EO fans who live in Florida will have to wait to see if Michael Jackson's futuristic pop fantasy will return to Epcot at Walt Disney World. In the meantime, signs are pointing to the film's rebirth at Disneyland in 2010. According to MiceAge.com, the film will open in Disneyland's Tomorrowland in January. MiceAge reports that Disneyland executives expect Captain EO to boost park attendance in the slow winter months.
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