Could it Be? (EO returning to EPCOT)

[TP2000]

I doubt this is the case. The attitude of Southern Californian locals who visit Disneyland and the tourists who visit Walt Disney World are totally different. Disneyland has a mostly local following, and MJ is more popular there, whereas Walt Disney World has a different audience. Its visitors are less locals but more tourists and families that come once a year or so. MJ isn't as popular with that demographic, so TDO must consider the consequences of not only taking a people-eating attraction offline for a month or two, modifying the theater, then hoping the decades-old attraction is popular and merchandise sales are comforting (which they probably won't be.)

Is HISTA ever full at Epcot now? I haven't bothered going in to HISTA at Epcot in about a decade, so I don't know. But from what I remember of my last visit to Imagination, there was only a small smattering of people waiting to get in the next show in what was otherwise a fairly busy Epcot.

At Disneyland they are staffing extra theater CM's to walk backwards through the rows as the show loads, urging people to move all the way down and make room for the hordes filing in behind them to fill up each theater. They had three hostesses just at the entrance trying to keep up with passing out 3-D glasses last weekend.

Southern Californians certainly dress differently and entertain themselves differently than the average Chicagoan or Bostonian (as a former resident of Boston, I know that very well), but since SoCal youth often set the trends for what Bostonians will be wearing three years later, I can't imagine that the popularity of MJ is only confined to the area between Santa Barbara and San Diego.

Something tells me HISTA at Epcot is playing to a theater that is at best half full, and that putting EO in there for a limited run would fill the empty seats. And there can't be any HISTA t-shirts for sale anywhere. :lol:

 

[Krack]

I don't know. I loved Captain EO when I was a kid (and it was a far better EPCOT fit than HISTA). In fact, I can remember the first time I saw it (summer '87?), the audience went bonkers (hooting and hollering) when the simply showed the back of his MJ's feet at the start of the film (he was that popular).

But now after the guy's life basically took a turn for the weird (including the criminal allegations), my experience is that he gives most people in the south (or at least a significant portion) the heeby-jeebys. I wouldn't be surprised to find out Captain EO is far more popular (now) on the west coast than the east.

 

[the-reason14]

Is HISTA ever full at Epcot now? I haven't bothered going in to HISTA at Epcot in about a decade, so I don't know. But from what I remember of my last visit to Imagination, there was only a small smattering of people waiting to get in the next show in what was otherwise a fairly busy Epcot.

At Disneyland they are staffing extra theater CM's to walk backwards through the rows as the show loads, urging people to move all the way down and make room for the hordes filing in behind them to fill up each theater. They had three hostesses just at the entrance trying to keep up with passing out 3-D glasses last weekend.

Southern Californians certainly dress differently and entertain themselves differently than the average Chicagoan or Bostonian (as a former resident of Boston, I know that very well), but since SoCal youth often set the trends for what Bostonians will be wearing three years later, I can't imagine that the popularity of MJ is only confined to the area between Santa Barbara and San Diego.

Something tells me HISTA at Epcot is playing to a theater that is at best half full, and that putting EO in there for a limited run would fill the empty seats. And there can't be any HISTA t-shirts for sale anywhere. :lol:

Exactly. How is adding interest and filling seats a bad thing? Its not a guarantee win, but Disneyland and Disney World already share similar rides and shows. So imo if its a hit over there itd be a hit over in WDW.

 

[sponono88]

I don't know. I loved Captain EO when I was a kid (and it was a far better EPCOT fit than HISTA). In fact, I can remember the first time I saw it (summer '87?), the audience went bonkers (hooting and hollering) when the simply showed the back of his MJ's feet at the start of the film (he was that popular)..

They still do that at DL. :lol: And Al is right, it's been extremely popular so far (every time i've seen it it's playing to full capacity) and the merch is flying off the shelves. At one point last week star traders had sold out of pretty much everything EO except for a handful of t-shirts.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Here's a question for the masses. Is the mentality (superfandom) of DVC members on par with the mentalities of California Locals? I would think that DVC members, and other annual visitors must have noticed the declining by degrees that has been going in Disney World. In a similar vein, that same group should still have a fondness for nostalgia.

 

[SMRT-1]

it would be a GIGANTIC hit...TDO needs to wake up and bring it back to EPCOT too.

 

[juscet]

I know it is sad that Michael Jackson has passed away; but let us not forget he was also a controversial figure who made some questionable decisions. Plus, EO was replaced for a reason and seems like it would be a waste of money to bring it back, temporarily.

 

[mcjaco]

Here's a question for the masses. Is the mentality (superfandom) of DVC members on par with the mentalities of California Locals? I would think that DVC members, and other annual visitors must have noticed the declining by degrees that has been going in Disney World. In a similar vein, that same group should still have a fondness for nostalgia.

I'm not entirely sure it is.

I just got back from a trip to DLR. I was rather amazed at the crowds for EO. They aren't storming the place to get in, but the theater was certainly full for most shows. Crowd reaction to the movie was odd. They were hooting and hollering the minute MJ hit the screen.

I loved EO as a kid, but I'll be honest revisting it this past month, the film showed it's age, was rather unexciting, and just didn't give me the same nostalgic feel I hoped it would.

Maybe it was the lack of the full effects package, and half of the show having the floor bounce to the beat of "We Can Change the World."

 

[lnsemsf]

I know it is sad that Michael Jackson has passed away; but let us not forget he was also a controversial figure who made some questionable decisions. Plus, EO was replaced for a reason and seems like it would be a waste of money to bring it back, temporarily.

It wouldn't be a waste of money if it's profitable would it?

 

[Krack]

It wouldn't be a waste of money if it's profitable would it?

I believe he's suggesting that it would not be profitable. In other words, the costs of bringing it back would not be outweighed by the tickets sold because of it.

 

[Future Guy]

I agree that putting EO back at EPCOT would probably cause a brief spike in attendance for that particular show, but I can't imagine that it would last long enough to justify the cost of refurbishing the theater to accommodate it. After all, the Michael Jackson Grief Train left the station a long ago. I'm sure there are hardcore fans that would go see it, but his hardcore fanbase is in Southern Cali, which explains the continued popularity of the show there.

Better to leave things as they are until the entire pavilion gets the rehab it deserves.

 

[CaptainJackNO]

I hated Captain EO. I thought it was boring. I have no desire to see it back at WDW. I would prefer something new. :hurl:

 

[the-reason14]

I hated Captain EO. I thought it was boring. I have no desire to see it back at WDW. I would prefer something new. :hurl:

When was the last time you say HISTA? If it did come back, you wouldnt have to go to it. You can walk by that area and see the hordes of people trying to get in, and do Imagination twice.

 

[dweezil78]

I saw EO a few weeks ago while in Disneyland. The park was PACKED and even still, EO was literally a walk-on. And as fun as it was to see it again, ya know what? It still totally sucked. Just not a good movie and not a quality Disney attraction. It wasn't then and it isn't now. The 3D isn't really put to good use and it was terribly blurry, which also was something I had remembered from back in the day. Surprised to see it has not been improved at all.

As an old-schooler it's definitely a cool thing to have an oldie return to the park, but in this case, I'd honestly say EO is probably better left locked up in a vault somewhere. If Disney wants to bring back Magic Journeys though, I'd welcome it with open arms!!!!

 

[sponono88]

^ EO still gets the attendance numbers that HISTA never got in recent years. As a temporary attraction it's doing quite well. And I think the film looks pretty good for an 80s 3D movie.. I actually think HISTA looked more blurry than EO currently does.

 

[aladdin2007]

When was the last time you say HISTA? If it did come back, you wouldnt have to go to it. You can walk by that area and see the hordes of people trying to get in, and do Imagination twice.

imagination is bad enough once much less twice. :hammer::lol:

 

[TP2000]

I'm sure there are hardcore fans that would go see it, but his hardcore fanbase is in Southern Cali, which explains the continued popularity of the show there.

Hardcore fans in SoCal? No. I think his only fans left are in East Germany and former Soviet republics who just got cable TV a couple years ago. :lol:

The kids in SoCal wearing the EO stuff, and the folks hooting and hollering in the theater at Disneyland, are doing it out of mild amusement at the bad 80's kitsch on display. It's just all for fun and pop kitschiness, not out of rabid superfandom. The male backup dancer with the best mullet gets a wild crowd reaction at Disneyland, so that should tell you what this is about.

Go ask a 14 year old, they'll get it.

 

[dweezil78]

The male backup dancer with the best mullet gets a wild crowd reaction at Disneyland, so that should tell you what this is about.

I'll definitely back that up! The part got the biggest response of the entire film, and it was merely the audience laughing at how cheesy 80s it was. Totally cool for a limited engagement, I get it. But hopefully it doesn't outstay its welcome -- would love to see see something brand new take its place!

I just hope its not the rumored Laugh Floor clone like WDW's. :shrug:

 

[the-reason14]

imagination is bad enough once much less twice. :hammer::lol:

lol. Its ok, it aint that bad. That bad, is Stitch, and Monster inc lol.

 

[SeaCastle]

Go ask a 14 year old, they'll get it.

Teenagers in droves are more apt to be found in Disneyland rather than at WDW. WDW is a vacation destination, and Disneyland draws most of its popularity from a local crowd which includes large groups of roaming teenagers which you are less likely to find at WDW. The two parks have totally different audience, and I don't believe you can gauge the response of Captain EO being at EPCOT from the crowds of Disneyland.

There are just certain things that have a niche in Disneyland (or WDW for that matter) that just aren't as popular on the other coast. (ex. EPCOT, Muppets, Country Bears, possibly the Haunted Mansion)