Avatar-land coming to DAK-just hit the Orlando Sentinel

[DCTooTall]

It'll be interesting to see where this goes. I'll hold off judgement until we have more than just a general "We got the rights to use their stuff."

With the overall ecology/conservation theme of Avatar, I can see it being able to fit into AK.

and I don't think anybody here can deny that AK needs some serious love and attention.


Based off just the first movie though, I'm not sure if there is enough background story to feed an entire area though in the theme park sense. If this has any real hope of drawing a crowd (vs. being just some new stuff in the park) I think it'll end up depending upon what happens with the next 2 movies that are already being worked on. Those movies will be what tells of is Avatar has any real staying power or if it was just really nice Eye Candy.

 

[jeanigor]

I liked the movie (even though I told myself I wouldn't)...depends on how it's done, it could fit...but maybe more at DHS instead of DAK..

Camp MinnieMickey.

Move Festival of the Lion King to Africa (which to me was more logical to begin with).

Utilize more of the defunct boat loading areas for character meet and greets or on Discover Island or the Oasis.

Plenty of room (and away from animals) for a thrill ride (if they are looking to boost attendance) and plenty of calmer rides and attractions.

I do think it is a bit of a miss to be tieing it all to the Avatar franchise though.

 

[DEA]

My reaction was, pretty much: "You have got to be kidding me."

It just seems so out of place for the Animal Kingdom, which is, Disco Yeti excepted, a celebration of our natural world. I understand the theme of the movie (harmony with nature) but I find it hard to see how that theme can be carried through to a land at AK. I feel like it would have to be set aside from the rest of the park to avoid the whiplash of the alien world in with the well-realized themes of the continental areas.

What's that? They're replacing Dinoland with it? Oh, well the, bring it on!

No, I have no information that they are replacing Dinoland with this area. Just thinking that it also sticks out a bit in AK.

 

[WebmasterMike]

 

[jcb]

Two points.

WDW has not described this as "avatar-land." The blog post is noticeably lacking in describing whether there will be a land or an attraction or more than one attraction. It is simply referred to as a "project" which will provide "experiences."

If you want to ask further questions, do what the blog post Mike put up suggested and ask them:

Got questions about the announcement? If so, Tom Staggs will be answering them in a special Q&A blog post later today. Just submit your name, city where you’re from and your question to questionsfortom@disney.com and then check the Disney Parks Blog later to see some of the answers.

It would be nice to have Tom Staggs answer a few questions from DISsers.

 

[Goofypop]

I am just excited for anything NEW at WDW. I would love it if there were some new rides. There haven't been any in some time. I know about the Fantasy Land refurb, but this sounds a bit more adult.

Why all the haters?

Jennifer

Because most would rather gripe about what Disney does rather than enjoy the parks. There are a lot of people that would love this idea. They may not be on these forums but there are far more than enough people that love Disney and Avatar to warrant this type of move. It just doesn't seem like it because 99% of forum posters are Disney purists and believe they have the ideas that will save Disney from going under. I've just come to expect it these days when Disney announces anything new they get torn to pieces by people that always know better about how to run the parks. This news broke just a short bit ago and already there are tons of comments about how horrible the idea is and how awful the idea is. But these same people wanted a mythical section to AK and Avatar fits. As well as it fits with the environmental theme of AK.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I too wondered what the fuss was with this movie and then I saw it. Visually it is STUNNING and the story line is wonderful. I read Disney's blog post and it is so true that the theme of the movie is the harmony with the world around you - including the animals and trees. This fits very well with AK. I for one am excited to hear about a new themed land (and yes, the blog says 'the first AVATAR-themed land') in any WDW theme park but this fits well with AK. Very exciting news. I'll actually visit the park!!!

 

[Goofypop]

Two points.

WDW has not described this as "avatar-land." The blog post is noticeably lacking in describing whether there will be a land or an attraction or more than one attraction. It is simply referred to as a "project" which will provide "experiences."

If you want to ask further questions, do what the blog post Mike put up suggested and ask them:



It would be nice to have Tom Staggs answer a few questions from DISsers.

Good point. I wonder if they will be replacing Dinosaur or creating a whole new building elsewhere in AK for an attraction if that's all that they plan to do.

 

[andrewilley]

Cautiously optimistic, AK needs some attention. But only if they either rip out the cheap Dinoland tat (which would be fine by me!) or extend the park without removing any of the otherwise decent content - as Beastly Kingdom was meant to do.

They could do so much with the Avatar theme in a high-concept 3D/motion simulation ride. But please, no cheap off-the-shelf carnival rides with a superficial paint job (as happened at DLP's new Pixar area and DCA's Bug's Land).

Just keep it inconspicous for people who still want to visit Animal Kingdom rather then Avatar Kingdom.


Andre

 

[WebmasterMike]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/the-...y-parks-announcement-20110920,0,5194769.story

Disney to build 'Avatar' attraction in Animal Kingdom theme park

By Jason Garcia, Orlando Sentinel
2:45 p.m. EDT, September 20, 2011

The Walt Disney Co. will build a theme-park "land" based on the movie "Avatar" in Disney's Animal Kingdom as the first step in a broader licensing deal that will lead to similar attractions in Disney parks worldwide.

The deal announced Tuesday with 20th Century Fox gives Disney exclusive rights to use elements from the 2009 blockbuster and from sequels due out in 2014 and 2015. "Avatar," which was directed by James Cameron and grossed nearly $2.8 billion in worldwide box-office receipts, is widely considered one of the most valuable intellectual properties not already tied up by a theme park.

Disney said it plans to build multiple-attraction lands based on the film's fictional world of "Pandora," including themed food and merchandise, rides and entertainment. It's the same approach Universal Orlando has taken with its wildly popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which has fueled huge attendance and guest-spending gains since opening in Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park last year.

Disney said it would begin construction of Animal Kingdom's Avatar land in 2013 and expects to open it to guests about five years from now. A company executive indicated that the price tag would be approximately $600 million.

Camerson said he initially thought Disney would want to build only an individual ride based on his film.

"I quickly realized that their vision for this thing is far beyond what I imagined," he told reporters. "It was kind of thrilling that they wanted to do a land and really bring the world of Pandora to life."

More Avatar lands would follow down the road. Disney currently has five theme-park resorts worldwide and is building a sixth in Shanghai, China.

"We obviously appreciate that this was a film that was enjoyed by millions globally. So it's now a global product," Disney Co. President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger said. "We can clearly leverage the global interest in this property in multiple places, although we don't have any plans at the moment or specifics to announce to you."

Disney will license the rights from Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment studio and Fox Filmed Entertainment.

The Avatar land should provide a huge jolt in the arm for the 13-year-old Animal Kingdom theme park. The youngest of Walt Disney World's four theme parks has been criticized by some park fans for lacking attractions and not amounting to a full-day experience on par with the Magic Kingdom or Epcot.

The last major new ride added to Animal Kingdom was the Expedition Everest roller coaster, which opened in 2006. That ride cost more than $100 million.

Although a precise date hasn't been set for completion of the Avatar attractions in Animal Kingdom, an opening sometime in 2016 could allow Disney to capitalize on a fresh wave of fan interest in the 'Avatar' film franchise from the two sequels currently in development. Cameron said the tentative plan is to release the first sequel around Christmas 2014 and the second around Christmas 2015.

"The timing seems to work out well in terms of the sequels," Cameron said. "Really, what we need to resolve is how much of the elements of the second and third films are incorporated into the Avatar land."

 

[WebmasterMike]

Will revenues from "Pandora-land" be used to fix the Yeti?

 

[jcb]

Will revenues from "Pandora-land" be used to fix the Yeti?

i just knew you would open that box.

 

[WebmasterMike]

i just knew you would open that box.

Pun intended!

 

[jeanigor]

i just knew you would open that box.

groan....

 

[kermit116]

Will revenues from "Pandora-land" be used to fix the Yeti?

 

[jcb]

If we aren't careful, the next rumor will be about an Angelina Jolie action movie being the next land at AK, right next to the Festival of the Lion King.

 

[SIMJUN]

I am surprised at the lack of enthusiasm by some posters.

Whether or not you like the movie, most agree it was visually stunning and who better than Disney imagineers to bring Pandora to life? It is a perfect fit for Animal Kindom.

I can't wait!!!


Now, if only they would team up with the BBC and bring Dr Who to Hollywood Studios!!

 

[steve76]

Wow, I did not see this coming! I think it's great that AK is getting some attention, however I did not expect it to be Avatar!

They've got some really interesting design challenges, though. I've never seen Avatar (and to be honest, have never had the desire to). With most Disney properties you don't really need to have seen the film to 'get' the attraction - for example, I've never seen Cars, but I know it's about a bunch of talking cars so I'm still excited for Carsland. With Avatar, all I know is it's about a bunch of blue creatures (animals? aliens?) so making it appeal to people who haven't seen it may be a challenge.

Secondly, where to put it? It seems that the only obvious place would be Camp Minnie-Mickey, in which case there would have to be some other serious changes at AK to allow this to happen. Alternatively, between Camp Minnie-Mickey and Africa, on the left-hand side. But that would be a weird transition...

For Avatar, the ride that anchors the land would have to be an 'E' ticket - I'm not sure they could get away with anything less. I just hope it's not a 3d film. Was there any aspect of the film that lent itself to a ride concept?

Finally, how to make it fit in with AK? At first sight, it seems like it's not an obvious fit - DHS or Universal, maybe, but AK? How do you bring in such a big property without compromising the theme of the whole park?

Finally, I wonder where the other lands would be? I can't see it in DL or DCA, so I'm guessing maybe Shaghai? Anyone know if Avatar was a hit over there?

I'm optimistic that Disney will make this work... all I'm saying is that it's going to be really interesting to see what they do!

 

[jdb in AZ]

If we aren't careful, the next rumor will be about an Angelina Jolie action movie being the next land at AK, right next to the Festival of the Lion King.

I'd rather see that than Ellen's Energy Adventure. oh wait. That's in EPCOT. So why is something as futuristic as Avatar not in the world of tomorrow area?

Meanwhile, back at Animal Kingdom, I wouldn't mind at all if they got rid of Primeval Whirl or the Triceratop Spin.

I too wondered if the $$$ brought in by the Avatar land would be used to fix the Yeti.

 

[ADP]

Secondly, where to put it? It seems that the only obvious place would be Camp Minnie-Mickey, in which case there would have to be some other serious changes at AK to allow this to happen. Alternatively, between Camp Minnie-Mickey and Africa, on the left-hand side. But that would be a weird transition...

There's also a clear plot of land just north of Asia. It's been cleared off for quite some time. If you ever look at an overhead map of DAK it's very noticeable and just waiting for some sort of expansion.