Captain EO Opening at Disneyland
24|02|10 20:21 Filed in: Disneyland | Epcot
Captain EO Opening at Disneyland
Captain EO made its triumphant return to Disneyland Park yesterday, and hundreds of guests lined up early to get a first look. Starting at around midnight the day before, fans began to gather at the main entrance gates, eager to watch Michael Jackson as the title character and his ragtag group of space pals sing and dance their way into the heart of Anjelica Huston's dark Supreme Leader.
Ecstatic fans celebrate the return of Captain EO to Tomorrowland at Disneyland on February 23. Fans began gathering at midnight the night before at the Park's main entrance gates, eager to watch Captain EO (Michael Jackson) and his ragtag group of space pals sing and dance their way into the heart of Anjelica Huston's dark Supreme Leader.
Among the first in line were San Francisco residents Danielle Giacoletto and Jennifer Williams who drove all night from the Bay Area to see the 3D spectacle, which last played in 1997. "I've been wanting them to bring back Captain EO since it left," said Danielle, a paraeducator in the Fremont School District. "I've loved Michael Jackson since I was born in 1980 in the prime of his career."
Added Jennifer, a Federal Express employee and clothing designer, "I'm in love with Disneyland. I always miss when they get rid of things and now to be able to see something I've missed come back into the park, I'm so excited!"
Also excited to see the film were cast members Debbie Lee Carrington and Gregg Sargeant. "When you're coming on board a project with George Lucas, Francis Coppola, Anjelica Huston, and Michael Jackson, you know you're in for a good one," recalled Debbie, who plays Idy, one half of the two-headed Geex in the film. "Just the feeling on the set was like we were doing something huge and remarkable and very magical."
"For myself, coming in as a dancer," remembered Gregg, one of the Supreme Leaders minions who transform into EO's choreographed cavalcade, "to dance alongside someone like Michael Jackson, it's quite an intimidating experience. Michael made sure that everyone around him felt comfortable."
Debbie, who recently guest starred on an episode of Bones, said even when filming was challenging, the set was always fun. "It was grueling, but it was funner than heck! It was very hot in that costume — we had this fur all over us and a head in a helmet balanced above your own head. But at the same time, we were having a ball. Francis wanted to make sure he kept that element of fun and light-heartedness amongst Captain EO's crew. We were just a bunch of goofballs and then we end up saving the day."
It was guest enthusiasm that brought about the return of the attraction explained Disneyland president George Kalogridis. "In this business one of the things that's very important is listening to guests," he said. "The guests said, 'We'd really love to see that,' so the teams went to work to see if it was possible."
Imagineer Tony Baxter was part of that team. "Captain EO was originally designed to make Disneyland Park relevant a generation ago in the late '80s," he explained. "So here we are a generation removed from that. That is both a tribute to the music and the message and the magic of this show and the effect it can have on people. We're excited to have it do for people what it did a generation ago."
Debbie Lee Carrington, who played who played Idy, one half of the two-headed Geex in the original film, remembers production fondly. "When you're coming on board a project with George Lucas, Francis Coppola, Anjelica Huston and Michael Jackson, you know you're in for a good one," she recalled. "Just the feeling on the set was like we were doing something huge and remarkable and very magical."
Tony pointed out that Captain EO isn't the only fan favorite that has been introduced to a new generation of audiences. "Look at what we've managed to do in the last five years — bringing back the submarine ride with Nemo to make it relevant, bringing special effects to the castle to make it very magical for today's generation, and also the Lincoln show with the brand new Audio-Animatronics® in there. I think one of the things Walt discovered with his feature films is that you can put them in the vault for a while and then bring them back and have a whole new audience for them. I think that's proving true here. You've gotta give things a rest, let it go into a hallowed state of memory. Then when a generation grows older and has their own kids, they want to share the magic of their childhood."
At 9 a.m. yesterday, fervent fans were admitted to the park, and at 10 a.m. it was curtain up for Captain EO's official first screening. The exuberant crowd cheered and applauded wildly throughout the 17-minute film, finally giving it a standing ovation once it was finished. "It was amazing!" gushed Danielle following the presentation.
"It was absolutely worth the drive," added Jennifer.
"I want to do it again!" said Danielle before the two raced off to check the wait time.
VIDEOS
At the official opening of the Captain EO Tribute at Disneyland on Feb. 23, 2010 was Walt Disney Imagineer Rick Rothschild who discussed how the attraction originally came to exist and offers insight on what was changed for its current “tribute” version:
Seen here are interviews with three original cast members of "Captain EO," the 3D film that reopened at Disneyland on Feb. 23, 2010.
Interview with Imagineer Tony Baxter at the Captain EO Tribute opening at Disneyland.
Michael Jackson's "Captain EO" 3D film returned to Disneyland on February 23, 2010. This video takes you to the first official screening after the reopening, showing you the before and after.
All Video from Inside the Magic
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Contribute to Disney By The Numb3ers
If you would like to contribute and write about Disney please complete the quick writing form, and you are on your way. We can use writers for our blog and monthly newsletter.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Ecstatic fans celebrate the return of Captain EO to Tomorrowland at Disneyland on February 23. Fans began gathering at midnight the night before at the Park's main entrance gates, eager to watch Captain EO (Michael Jackson) and his ragtag group of space pals sing and dance their way into the heart of Anjelica Huston's dark Supreme Leader.
Among the first in line were San Francisco residents Danielle Giacoletto and Jennifer Williams who drove all night from the Bay Area to see the 3D spectacle, which last played in 1997. "I've been wanting them to bring back Captain EO since it left," said Danielle, a paraeducator in the Fremont School District. "I've loved Michael Jackson since I was born in 1980 in the prime of his career."
Added Jennifer, a Federal Express employee and clothing designer, "I'm in love with Disneyland. I always miss when they get rid of things and now to be able to see something I've missed come back into the park, I'm so excited!"
Also excited to see the film were cast members Debbie Lee Carrington and Gregg Sargeant. "When you're coming on board a project with George Lucas, Francis Coppola, Anjelica Huston, and Michael Jackson, you know you're in for a good one," recalled Debbie, who plays Idy, one half of the two-headed Geex in the film. "Just the feeling on the set was like we were doing something huge and remarkable and very magical."
"For myself, coming in as a dancer," remembered Gregg, one of the Supreme Leaders minions who transform into EO's choreographed cavalcade, "to dance alongside someone like Michael Jackson, it's quite an intimidating experience. Michael made sure that everyone around him felt comfortable."
Debbie, who recently guest starred on an episode of Bones, said even when filming was challenging, the set was always fun. "It was grueling, but it was funner than heck! It was very hot in that costume — we had this fur all over us and a head in a helmet balanced above your own head. But at the same time, we were having a ball. Francis wanted to make sure he kept that element of fun and light-heartedness amongst Captain EO's crew. We were just a bunch of goofballs and then we end up saving the day."
It was guest enthusiasm that brought about the return of the attraction explained Disneyland president George Kalogridis. "In this business one of the things that's very important is listening to guests," he said. "The guests said, 'We'd really love to see that,' so the teams went to work to see if it was possible."
Imagineer Tony Baxter was part of that team. "Captain EO was originally designed to make Disneyland Park relevant a generation ago in the late '80s," he explained. "So here we are a generation removed from that. That is both a tribute to the music and the message and the magic of this show and the effect it can have on people. We're excited to have it do for people what it did a generation ago."
Debbie Lee Carrington, who played who played Idy, one half of the two-headed Geex in the original film, remembers production fondly. "When you're coming on board a project with George Lucas, Francis Coppola, Anjelica Huston and Michael Jackson, you know you're in for a good one," she recalled. "Just the feeling on the set was like we were doing something huge and remarkable and very magical."
Tony pointed out that Captain EO isn't the only fan favorite that has been introduced to a new generation of audiences. "Look at what we've managed to do in the last five years — bringing back the submarine ride with Nemo to make it relevant, bringing special effects to the castle to make it very magical for today's generation, and also the Lincoln show with the brand new Audio-Animatronics® in there. I think one of the things Walt discovered with his feature films is that you can put them in the vault for a while and then bring them back and have a whole new audience for them. I think that's proving true here. You've gotta give things a rest, let it go into a hallowed state of memory. Then when a generation grows older and has their own kids, they want to share the magic of their childhood."
At 9 a.m. yesterday, fervent fans were admitted to the park, and at 10 a.m. it was curtain up for Captain EO's official first screening. The exuberant crowd cheered and applauded wildly throughout the 17-minute film, finally giving it a standing ovation once it was finished. "It was amazing!" gushed Danielle following the presentation.
"It was absolutely worth the drive," added Jennifer.
"I want to do it again!" said Danielle before the two raced off to check the wait time.
VIDEOS
At the official opening of the Captain EO Tribute at Disneyland on Feb. 23, 2010 was Walt Disney Imagineer Rick Rothschild who discussed how the attraction originally came to exist and offers insight on what was changed for its current “tribute” version:
Seen here are interviews with three original cast members of "Captain EO," the 3D film that reopened at Disneyland on Feb. 23, 2010.
- Debbie Lee Carrington (Idy)
- Renee Colette (dancer)
- Gregg Sargent (dancer)
Interview with Imagineer Tony Baxter at the Captain EO Tribute opening at Disneyland.
Michael Jackson's "Captain EO" 3D film returned to Disneyland on February 23, 2010. This video takes you to the first official screening after the reopening, showing you the before and after.
All Video from Inside the Magic
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Contribute to Disney By The Numb3ers
If you would like to contribute and write about Disney please complete the quick writing form, and you are on your way. We can use writers for our blog and monthly newsletter.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sign up for the Disney By The Numbers Newsletter-
http://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=1018222r
What do you think? Leave your comments below
If you have some Disney news call the Disney By The Numbers
hotline at +1 407 - 374- DBTN (3286)
blog comments powered by Disqus