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Paying tribute to Michael Jackson: Will Disney resurrect Captain EO?
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Captain EO debuted at Epcot in 1986.
Will Michael Jackson's untimely death prompt Walt Disney World to pay tribute to the pop icon and former Disney entertainer? Several years before Jackson faced felony child molestation charges, he enjoyed a lucrative partnership with Disney. Jackson teamed with George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, and Anjelica Huston to create the 3-D short "Captain EO," which debuted at Epcot's Imagination pavilion in Future World and at Disneyland California in 1986. The film ran at Epcot until 1994, and also ran through the late 1990s at Disneyland California, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disneyland.
Epcot stopped showing Captain EO shortly after the first accusations of child abuse were made against Jackson in 1993. Disney insiders claim that Jackson, who had made regular trips to Disney World, was only permitted to stay at Disney's Swan and Dolphin hotels after the allegations of child abuse surfaced. The Swan and Dolphin hotels are located on Disney property but are managed by separate corporations: Westin Hotels manages the Swan and Sheraton Hotels & Resorts manages the Dolphin.
Not only did Disney World restrict Jackson's access to its resort hotels and close down Captain EO at Epcot in Disney World (years before shutting it down at the other Disney parks), it also decided against partnering with Jackson on future projects. Although Jackson's career had started to decline by the early 1990s, his international fame remained intact. As the decade wore on, however, Jackson first faced child abuse allegations and later faced even more serious charges. In 2004 Jackson was charged with ten felony counts of child molestation and conspiracy. In 2005 he was acquitted of all ten felony charges. The pop star hoped to stage the world's greatest comeback with a 2009-2010 world tour. He was busy rehearsing for the concerts when he collapsed and died June 25 in Los Angeles, just weeks before the tour was scheduled to begin.
The ball is in Disney's court now. Jackson will certainly be remembered for his eccentricities (including an admitted fondness for sharing a bed with children who were not related to him). But the man-child pop star will also go down in music history as one of the most gifted singers and dancers of his time. It would be a fitting tribute to resurrect Captain EO at the Disney parks. Who hasn't grown weary of the "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!" 3-D film that replaced Jackson's futuristic pop fantasy? A Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five stage show would also be welcome at the America Gardens Theatre or at the Magic Kingdom, where Stitch's SuperSonic Celebration in Tomorrowland has been rated one of the worst new productions in Disney history. Come on, Disney Imagineers: now is the time to resurrect Captain EO and pay tribute to Michael Jackson. May he rest in peace.
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