Michael Jackson is remembered as the “King of Pop.” But at Disneyland, he is also remembered as captain of an alien spaceship, fighting with his ragtag crew against an evil queen.
Jackson starred in George Lucas’ production of “Captain EO,” a 17-minute 3-D film that ran in Tomorrowland from 1986 to 1997.
Park guests experiencing the attraction were mesmerized as Captain EO (Michael Jackson) was captured by the Supreme Leader (Anjelica Huston), leading to a battle filled with more than 150 special effects, including lasers, smoke and star fields.
Perhaps, though, they were more enthralled by the singing and dancing talents of Michael Jackson. Like any Disney film, good triumphs over evil — or in this case, pop music triumphs over evil.
“Captain EO” featured the songs “We Are Here to Change the World” and “Another Part of Me,” both written and performed by Jackson. “Another Part of Me” was released as part of Jackson’s “Bad” album in 1987.
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the film cost about $30 million to produce. At the time, it was the most expensive film ever produced on a per-minute basis.
In April 1997, crowds disappeared and the attraction closed. It was replaced by another 3-D attraction, “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience.”
To read more about the life of Michael Jackson, click here.
For more information on “Captain EO,” click here to read Retroland’s guide to the attraction.
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I wish they would bring it back. Its a million times better than Honey I shrunk the audience.
Unfortunately, I never made it to Captain EO when I was there during the time it was running.
I agree Honey I Shrunk the Audience is waste of space now, a replacement of HISTA would be nice.
I’m glad Disney got that pedophile show out of their park.
Of all things to say about someone now of all times. Evidence was never produced and he was fully acquitted of ALL charges!!
Disney fan is right on in that is exactly when Disney closed down that show - and fast. Snanice, you may remember this guy with love and appreciation for hs music which is well and fitting but don’t say things yourself that aren’t accurate. He paid off more than one father and was accused by more than one kid. He specialized in giving these boys “Jesus Juice” aka wine then giving the daddy’s money. Cherish your memories but don’t whitewash the guy. And don’t say “evidence was never produced.” Of course it was. .
According to the article Disney closed down the show in 1997. The first allegation against Jackson was in 1993. Before you tell somebody “don’t say things yourself that aren’t accurate” you should check your your facts first.
And you know because you were there, right? I am not saying he was innocent but come one… You have absolutely NO IDEA what really went on. Only God, MJ and the accusers do.
I am not defending MJ (he probably did it) just saying there is no way to know for sure.
Shut it
I would be happy with a limited run in all the parks. TDA & WDI make it so!!!
I heard his home is still police taped off and the doctor that was at the home still can’t be found. This looks more like a crime investigation. When they start going through some of his personal things I hope they find some of those tapes of him and his little friends. Captain EO will be short lived.
Disney blows once again….
If Disney was smart they’d kind of keep quiet here because their chiming in is bringing back the memories of his “scandal” that caused them to shut down this feature. And showing them to have 2 faces.
Goodbye to the CHILD MOLESTER
Evennow, Disney is a business for profit. With Jackson’s music and videos selling millions in the last 48 hours Disney would be foolish not to release the video so his fans can purcahse it.
Captain EO was the proverbial bomb. I missed that the day they closed it, and I was never the biggest MJ fan (read: never owned sequined glove).
If not brought back to the park, I at least hope for a(n official) DVD release.
You can have your DVD. I’ll take the Blu-ray… along with the double-disk of Moonwalker!
shoulda moved it to Knotts
he made good music regardless of what he did or did not do I grew up with his music
I love Michael forever.
Yeah, Captain EO was WAY better than the current one. They should bring it back, atleast for a few months. Just my humble opinion.
I agree. Maybe email Disney and let them know we’d like them to put up in memory.
https://secure-disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/help/contactUs?name=ContactUsPage
Loved the 3D aspect, especially when the evil lady stuck out her long nails. It was creepy for a kid.
YEAH,AND THE SOUND THEY MADE WHEN SHE POINTED THEM AT YOU!!!
Sorry, didn’t mean to yell that….
Bit O’ trivia: That evil lady with the nails was Angelica Houston.
the 3D effects were so good it had to be closed after kids complained of being touched during the film.
why rehash the crap that didn’t sell? lame.
Show Thriller in 3D young Disney Harvard marketing stooges.
http://www.modernghana.com/music/9384/3/evan-chandler-tells-the-truth-about-michael-jackso.html
the truth about him being a so call pedophile….
Yeah…cause that’s a really reliable source. And FYI—this isn’t an article about the child molestation. If you guys want to debate that, go elsewhere.
Michael Jackson was a great performer and had many superb songs. And I might add that his death reminded many of us of our own mortality, especially those who grew up in his era and have special memories attached to those songs. But now that he is dead we need to let him go. When I turn on the news I don’t want round the clock information on Michael Jackson and all the fallout resulting from his death. The world continues to turn and things much more important that the internal soap operas occurring in Michael Jackson’s family need to be brought front and center. I am not in favor of bringing back Captain EO. Let it go. What are they going to do next? Remove Washington’s picture on a one dollar bill and replace it with Michaels? Let it go.
maybe we should take washington off the dollar bill. let him go.
michael jackson was nothing more than a pedophile/child molester. all you drones who want to find something good in this sicko please go back to obama.
Captain EO was the best thing ever at Disney. Honey I shrunk the kids is definately a waste of space. They should at least updated with the current Disney movies out. “up” was a hit, they should do something with that. But yes, Captain EO if anything should be brought back. Would have been perfect for the recent 50 year celebration.
Captain EO was aewsome!!! It was my absolute favorite when it came out. The special effects, the singing, the dancing….. I was teenager then. My memories of that time have been re-kindled. Thank you for this article.
Its not about Michael Jackson or what he may or may not have done. It is about a time in our lives. What we were doing. Thank you for the memories.
Captain EO should be brought back
I agree, Honey I Shrunk the Kids is bland/boring. I loved Captain EO as a kid. They really should bring it back even if for a short period.
Jackson was a pedofle. You don’t pay millions of dollars to people if you didn’t do anything wrong.
Without commenting on his guilt or innocence, in some situations one DOES pay millions of dollars if one didn’t do anything wrong, if the cost of fighting would be much more. This is defintely true in the case of corporations, or wealthy individuals who stand to lose much more from bad publicity and the BS court of “public opinion”. It’s done all the time.
if Jackson was extorted, the extortionists and their attorneys knew full well he would not fight the allegations and would pay them off instead, This is how the game is played. Jackson’s huge mistake was creating a situation where he would be an easy target for this.
http://www.modernghana.com/music/9384/3/evan-chandler-tells-the-truth-about-michael-jackso.html
read this site before commenting:
http://www.modernghana.com/music/9384/3/evan-chandler-tells-the-truth-about-michael-jackso.html
mADMAN, try telling that to “shanice”. she believe he didnt do n e thing wrong just because they settled out of court and was never convicted.
The world is collapsing around us and everyone is in a trance paying attention to the death of a sad person: child abused, drug addicted, plastic surgery obsessed, pedophile. People pretend like they know this guy, and that a relative has died. They don’t seem to care when millions of children get the knife each year in abortions, but they allow themselves to get distracted on THIS while the world passes into bondage. On the same day there was the carbon tax legislation being debated, there there is the Federal Reserve audit bill. But who know or cares about this. Michael died. Please people, wake up and put meaning back into your lives and focus on things that matter. He died. he was a sad figure. Let him rest in peace. Wake up from your self-imposed slavery and face the reality that is around us.
hey jim, this is a story about michael jackson not the federal reserve. so STFU and go *uck urself.
Whatever he did or didn’t do, he was an icon in music and this is infinitely better than Honey I Shrunk The Audience. But will Disney bring it back? No. Innocent or not, the scandal will prevent Disney from putting this in their parks.
I wasn’t able to see this when it was in the park but I have grown up with music and feel that he should be honored properly, in the way that the Beatles and Elvis are. He made as big of an impression as they did in the music industry. Those who want to rant about the case, please return to FOX news or whatever news channel you listen to. This isn’t about that.
OMG would you people stop with the sobbing. He molested children. He was a child molester a pedophile. How in this society can we put such high values on such a peverted and sick person. Get a life