Magic Eye Theater and Submarines?

[Inspired Figment]

I honestly think the best solution they could do with the Magic Eye Theatre would be to have an Imagination themed show starring Dreamfinder & Figment that’s a sequel or expansion of sorts to the original ride. That or a 4D film adaptation of the Disney Kingdoms Figment comics. Along with that, you could alternate/play both Magic Journeys & Captain EO also at different times. Win-win situation for everybody and I believe they’d all be a hit on both coasts, personally.

 

[Sharon&Susan]

Converting it back to a live theater wouldn't be a bad replacement and as long as the show is good enough in there people will come. Big problem would be that Disney would certainly never do anything resembling futuristic in there unless if it involves Star Wars. At least would pave the way for a Fantasyland Theater expansion.

I don't want to see Figment and JIYI in Tomorrowland, it really wouldn't fit the style of Disneyland's Tomorrowland IMO. An updated Horizons is the only EPCOT ride I could see working well in DL Tomorrowland.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Converting it back to a live theater wouldn't be a bad replacement and as long as the show is good enough in there people will come. Big problem would be that Disney would certainly never do anything resembling futuristic in there unless if it involves Star Wars. At least would pave the way for a Fantasyland Theater expansion.

I don't want to see Figment and JIYI in Tomorrowland, it really wouldn't fit the style of Disneyland's Tomorrowland IMO. An updated Horizons is the only EPCOT ride I could see working well in DL Tomorrowland.

In fairness, I don't know if the live productions at that theater pre-3D film days were ever 100% futuristic in focus or theme.

To my understanding, that stage was used more for "Kids of the Kingdom" type productions in the past.

They can't even bother to get Figment to work properly in Epcot, so I'd rather him stay out of other parks for at least the time being.

 

[Rich T]

I honestly think the best solution they could do with the Magic Eye Theatre would be to have an Imagination themed show starring Dreamfinder & Figment that’s a sequel or expansion of sorts to the original ride. That or a 4D film adaptation of the Disney Kingdoms Figment comics. Along with that, you could alternate/play both Magic Journeys & Captain EO also at different times. Win-win situation for everybody and I believe they’d all be a hit on both coasts, personally.

I love this idea, but it would further scramble Tomorrowland’s theme... UNLESS it’s part of a larger effort to give all of Tomorrowland a steampunk fantasy overlay (and do it right this time), which I’d be totally in favor of.

 

[Rich T]

In fairness, I don't know if the live productions at that theater pre-3D film days were ever 100% futuristic in focus or theme.

To my understanding, that stage was used more for "Kids of the Kingdom" type productions in the past.

They can't even bother to get Figment to work properly in Epcot, so I'd rather him stay out of other parks for at least the time being.

The shows were nearly all either pop music or local events/school bands/contests/awards. The only “futuristic” elements were the park performers’ groovy space-age threads. And synthesizers.

The most futuristic thing I ever saw there was the outdoor West Coast showing of Epcot’s Magic Journeys, which was very popular and great fun.

 

[mickEblu]

When I was a kid Captain Eo was one of the headliners at the park for me. It was like POTC, HM, Jungle Cruise, Country Bear Jamboree, IASW and Captain Eo.

 

[Rich T]

When I was a kid Captain Eo was one of the headliners at the park for me. It was like POTC, HM, Jungle Cruise, Country Bear Jamboree, IASW and Captain Eo.

In its debut summer, EO was the park’s rope drop superstar. No one knew what to expect, and the preshow video built up a great atmosphere of hype and anticipation. Space Mtn. was a walk-on until the first EO theater-load emptied out.

 

[mickEblu]

In its debut summer, EO was the park’s rope drop superstar. No one knew what to expect, and the preshow video built up a great atmosphere of hype and anticipation. Space Mtn. was a walk-on until the first EO theater-load emptied out.

Hahah. Did they not know it was a 4D movie? I can’t imagine anyone walking into Captain Eo, knowing it was a 4D Movie (if the term even existed then) and being disappointed. Surely it was the best on the planet when it debuted.

No matter how you slice it, the theatre was always full in the 80s and early 90s from my recollection.

 

[Rich T]

Hahah. Did they not know it was a 4D movie? I can’t imagine anyone walking into Captain Eo, knowing it was a 4D Movie (if the term even existed then) and being disappointed. Surely it was the best on the planet when it debuted.

No matter how you slice it, the theatre was always full in the 80s and early 90s from my recollection.

Remember, no one knew what 4D was back then. 3D hadn’t even had its big comeback yet (When Magic Journeys played outdoors at DL, it was using the old 2 projector system).

And Eisner’s park hype machine was in full force: All the GP knew was: “Michael Jackson! George Lucas! Francis Ford Coppola! A Bazillion Dollars! Live, in-theater effects! It’s like nothing you’ve everrrrrrrrrrrr seen before!!!” One local reporter wrote something like, “Maybe the seats move? We dunno!”

I remember my first rope drop screening. The theater was full of squealing MJ fans and bemused grandparents. Everyone laughed, screamed and cheered. The big wow moment was when the real lasers shot out of the screen in perfect sync with the ship firing, setting off a simulated explosion on the theater wall.

My personal reaction: Really liked it. Loved the 2 songs. Thought the choreography was a bit too similar to Thriller. Was amazed that Coppola had no idea how to use 3D well. Favorite character: Major Domo. Favorite line: “Trash cans!!!” Favorite prop: The Fried Egg.

At the time, sci-fi was everywhere in pop culture and was a frequent advertising theme. And as we exited the theater, I overheard an elderly woman say to her friend, “Well *that* explains all those crazy car commercials!”

 

[truecoat]

I'd rather see Honey, I Shrunk the Audience instead.

 

[D.Silentu]

The big wow moment was when the real lasers shot out of the screen in perfect sync with the ship firing, setting off a simulated explosion on the theater wall.

It really was exciting and the only moment that topped it for me was at the very beginning when the stars on screen began appearing dimensionally, accentuated by chimes on the soundtrack. That was magic. I could hardly believe that neither effect was restored for the tribute version!

Prior to youtube I had a bootleg of EO that I guarded dearly, but now can I watch it on my phone whenever I please. It's time for something new. I would like them to keep the theater. There are bound to be advances in 3D film that a new show could take advantage of. It's said that in Anaheim audiences don't go for shows, they are one and done. I'd love to see how a new 3D show could offer a diverse experience every time you see it, just so long as we are spared Monsters Laugh Floor.

 

[truecoat]

It really was exciting and the only moment that topped it for me was at the very beginning when the stars on screen began appearing dimensionally, accentuated by chimes on the soundtrack. That was magic. I could hardly believe that neither effect was restored for the tribute version!

Prior to youtube I had a bootleg of E0 that I guarded dearly, but now can I watch it on my phone whenever I please. It's time for something new. I would like them to keep the theater. There are bound to be advances in 3D film that a new show could take advantage of. It's said that in Anaheim audiences don't go for shows, they are one and done. I'd love to see how a new 3D show could offer a diverse experience every time you see it, just so long as we are spared Monsters Laugh Floor.

3d or 4d movies get old in a hurry and the lines end up being walk ons. I don't know if we'll see another one of these attractions without some ride system attached.