RUMOR: Captain EO To Depart/Imagination Closing

[DizneyFreak2002]

Any idea on when Imagination will be closing? This is my daughter's favorite ride and she likes to ride with my mom. Mom's in a wheelchair and can't transfer so she's limited on what she can ride on. This is kind of their thing and I'd love for them to ride at least once more. We'll be there the first weekend in November for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon. Think it will still be open?

Only time frame I have seen quoted is winter... Someone said November, another said after the holiday rush... Right now, I would say no confirmation as to when the pavilion is closing...

[Goofy4TheWorld]

I'm also one who feels cautiously optimistic after seeing the return of The Enchanted Tiki Room.

That wasn't Disney magic, it was dumb luck. The building has to be gutted after catching on fire, otherwise Iago would still be a regular at The Enchanted Tiki Room.

[MNNHFLTX]

I know it's incredibly unlikely and I'm sure to be mocked for even suggesting it, but man would I love it if they brought the original back.

Not mocking you at all. Think of it--the basic concept of the original ride (love Dreamfinder), but updated with newer technology. Could be some really great effects there. Plus it would keep the ever-popular Figment in the attraction.

[AgentC]

Not mocking you at all. Think of it--the basic concept of the original ride (love Dreamfinder), but updated with newer technology. Could be some really great effects there. Plus it would keep the ever-popular Figment in the attraction.

I still miss the Dreamfinder.

[Gator]

I hope that it's not a complete return to the original. I've only seen it on youtube, and I don't see what everyone loved about it. But then again, a bunch of people wanted the original TikiRoom back, and I didn't get that at all. That attraction is booooorrriiiinnggg. I hope they don't do the same to Imagination. My kids love Figment.

As for Eo, why they ever brought it back is a mystery to me. Outdated and uninteresting. Here's hoping for a very cool effects 3D with mass appeal. Or singular appeal....like Tron!

[mcjaco]

^ For one, the original was twice as long (and the ride track is still in place). It had show elements, and incredible effects for it's time, and told a much more descriptive story. The latest version is a really cheapened, shorter version of the original.

If the rumor is true, and we've heard this one on and off for years, all I hope is that they figure out how to reinvent the labs, and put them back upstairs. Some of the best views of FW are up there.

[waymickey]

I would love for them to reopen the upstairs Imagination playground. They can update it and add cool new stations. I loved the feel of being up there and the lighting was awesome.

As for updating the ride I would hope they kept Figment. I love Figment. One of a kind only place to see him cool little purple dino. I also would not mind Phineas and Ferb joining Figment, but Perry might. lol

Captain EO- Never a fan glad to see it go.

[DizneyFreak2002]

More than likely, upstairs will not be returning...

[IamBelle]

I really hope they keep Figment, it is a tradition in my family every time we go to WDW! With the refurb, I hope they find use for the rainbow tunnel...I saw on youtube that it is still upstairs in the Imagination pavilion!

[mcjaco]

More than likely, upstairs will not be returning...

Stupid fire safety requirements. :P

[azcavalier]

I roll my eyes at the current ride, and I never saw the previous version. But my two DD's, and my DW love this ride. They'll be sad to see it changed.

I'd be surprised if they got rid of Figment. His merchandise sells.

[1DisneyNut]

Whatever they plan is, I hope they do not let the guy who designed The Three Cabaleros, Nemo, and the new Under the Sea ride in Fantasy land do the design work. Those are by far the worst new attractions and some of the worst in the parks period. We were so completely disappointed with Under the Sea. We all felt like we had already ridden it before because it is so similar to Nemo. The projection screens just aren't very exciting for us. You know they are bad rides when you can walk straight on them any time of the day during the peak summer season.

[Main Street Jim]

I know it's incredibly unlikely and I'm sure to be mocked for even suggesting it, but man would I love it if they brought the original back.

Before you laugh completely, remember they did essentially that with the Tiki Room.

They kind of *had to* with the Tiki Room, what with Iago *exploding* and everything; they HAD to go "back to the old show". The "New Management" should would NOT have made any sense without Iago yelling and screaming.

With JiYI, the original load turntable is/was *soooo* out of whack (off-balance, won't sync up with the ride vehicles, etc.), I'm not even sure the turntable is still even there. You walk right across it coming through the current queue. They also removed about 2/3rds of the original ride's length and physical track for the "new" version.

I *HOPE* and pray that Figment stays. He's an EPCOT original

[Silvertip309]

This is the first I've heard about the upstairs Imageworks being any kind of a hazard, why would it be unlikely for it to return?

[DisneyGiant]

I know it's incredibly unlikely and I'm sure to be mocked for even suggesting it, but man would I love it if they brought the original back.

Before you laugh completely, remember they did essentially that with the Tiki Room.

But what about SCIENCE, echo, SCIENCE, echo, SCIENCE......

My favorite line in the original. Thankfully, I have the audio recording of the soundtrack!!!

[DisneyGiant]

Oh I just remembered - as a Kodak employee (I worked there in 2002) - I got to go into the VIP lounge next to Captain EO (was Honey I Shrunk the Audience at that time).

It was losing its lustre then, but you could see at one time it was swanky. They had photos in notebooks of MJ at the opening of Captain EO, free drinks and a nice place to rest during the pre-show.

You went down the back steps 5 minutes before the door opened to the show - so it was nice to skip the line (at the time that show was popular).

Supposedly, all the other pavilions have VIP sections too.

I wonder during all these rehabs, if the VIP areas remain?

[Mrs Bus Driver]

They kind of *had to* with the Tiki Room, what with Iago *exploding* and everything; they HAD to go "back to the old show". The "New Management" should would NOT have made any sense without Iago yelling and screaming.

Can someone please explain this, first I've heard of it.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Can someone please explain this, first I've heard of it.

There was a fire and Iago got fried... So, instead of creating more Iago AAs, they reverted to the original Tropical Serenade minus a few of the original song sets...

[Ian]

I hope they don't do the same to Imagination. My kids love Figment.

Well Figment was an integral part of the original, sooooooooooooooooooo .....

[Mrs Bus Driver]

There was a fire and Iago got fried... So, instead of creating more Iago AAs, they reverted to the original Tropical Serenade minus a few of the original song sets...

So the tiki gods took their revenge