Avatar land coming to Animal Kingdom!!

[CAStevens218]

I am feeling extremely mixed emotions on this topic. Aside from it being pretty to look at, which entertained me for about 30 minutes, I did not like the movie at all. I went to sleep about an hour in.

However, if done properly, this land could have amazing visual appeal and I'm sure they could come up with some amazing rides.

I guess my overall opinion is that Disney could have come up with their own world of fantasy creatures that could have spawned plenty of great stories and films. They could have made it just as visually appealing and it would have been much more imaginative because it wouldn't be limited by a film that has already been created.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens!

 

[vickalamode]

OK, where's Ashton Kutcher? I think we are being Punk'd...

 

[budafam]

My thoughts exactly. I am sure Disney will make the new land look great. I am sure we will all be saying "Wow! It is so much more then I expected, why did I doubt".....

But HP was a popular book series, then a popular movie series. Millions of kids followed the saga for their entire childhood. It is in our culture, much like Star Wars and to a lesser extent Indiana Jones. Avatar was one movie. Who knows if the next two movies will be any good? Not to mention, lots of people did not even like the first one.

I can see this land being built and then renamed/rethemed in a few years because no one cares about Avatar. This decision seems short sighted and shallow.

You can compare till the cows come home. I'm sure this will be nothing like Harry Potter World. The visuals are complete opposites. Everything in HP is dark & Avatar is bright.

I can't believe the harshness so many people are conveying at this idea. If you don't like it, don't go.. more room for us in Avatar Land

 

[Invisable89]

I think many myopic DISers tend to forget that the VAST majority of folks who go to WDW are not diehard Disney nuts who go multiple times per year. Avatar was a hugely successful movie (3 Oscars, many, many other awards) and the general public will flock to an Avatar-themed land at WDW. The only catch will be if James Cameron falls and hits his head and forgets how to make blockbuster movies out of the sequels.

I think a bigger problem will be how Cameron and WDW work together. Cameron's not known for being a penny-pincher and WDW lately is doing nothing BUT penny-pinching. That should make for an interesting marriage. It's probably 60-40 as to whether or not it will actually happen. It's one thing to be super creative in the digital world, it's another to do it in real life when engineering and physics are in control.

THIS!

I really can't figure out an ideal alternative, i suppose people are miffed because AVATAR isn't a Disney creation but nor was Star Wars & look how well that's done? Just because AVATAR doesn't have a massive fanbase behind it doesn't mean it's not worthy of having it's own themed land. There's so much potential it's unreal.

 

[fairyprincess88]

You have to adjust for inflation. Star Wars was released in 1977 and a movie was like $4.

See this list. All 6 Star Wars movies are in the top 100 and 5 of them are ahead of the only HP movie there (in slot #67). Avatar is 14 btw I know you are a self professed nerd and I mean no disrespect....but you can't compare Potter to Star Wars....

http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm

I am also a fan of Star Wars. But the fact is that as of Aug 2011 Potter is listed as the most profitable film franchise. It was announced all over the place. It doesn't make one franchise better than the other and yes, inflation has to be taken into effect. As does the fact that 3 Star Wars films were released in moder current inflation times, and the fact that the original 3 films were also re-released in modern times and the re-release of those films are figured into the totals.

In the end, both series are massive pop-culture phenoms with dedicated fan bases that span all ages. Avatar is not yet into that playing field and I honestly don't think it will be. Potter and Star Wars are not just "profitable movies" there are books and a sub-culture involved with them that expands well past making a couple of billion as a flashy 3D movie.

 

[FrankieDplus3]

I also thought of Beastly Kingdom when I heard of this...DAK already has a dragon in their logo.

I just hope that when they incorporate the Avatar Land into DAK, the rest of the park isn't overrun with Avatar blue.

I'll wait until I see the concept drawing before passing judgement.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

I am also a fan of Star Wars. But the fact is that as of Aug 2011 Potter is listed as the most profitable film franchise. It was announced all over the place. It doesn't make one franchise better than the other and yes, inflation has to be taken into effect. As does the fact that 3 Star Wars films were released in moder current inflation times, and the fact that the original 3 films were also re-released in modern times and the re-release of those films are figured into the totals.

In the end, both series are massive pop-culture phenoms with dedicated fan bases that span all ages. Avatar is not yet into that playing field and I honestly don't think it will be. Potter and Star Wars are not just "profitable movies" there are books and a sub-culture involved with them that expands well past making a couple of billion as a flashy 3D movie.

oh, all right fine...I agree both are huge.

Avatar isn't there yet....I guess we'll see in coming years....

 

[Brocktoon]

I'm really excited about a Cameron / WDI collaboration. Cameron helped found Digital Domain, developed a lot of the newer 3D Fusion system, and supported numerous advances in other remote and camera technology. If anyone can give WDI a kick in the butt and get the park technology back to what it should be, it would be Cameron.

I just don't know what he was thinking though. As previously mentioned, Cameron loves to spend $$$, and I can't see Disney writing a blank check.

And don't get me started on AVATAR. Amazing special effects paired with a boring in-your-face tree hugger plotline.

I'd much rather see Cameron and WDI work on ORIGINAL projects, but I have a feeling the Avatar based projects are what got him to sign on

 

[krb2g]

I'm definitely intrigued by the possibility. I agree with the DisneyDaddy blog that speculates that this announcement was originally meant for D23, but they hadn't gotten the deals worked out yet. As far as the timing goes, it doesn't surprise me that it's 2 years in (there's no way that they could have the land ready for the release of the first movie, or even quick enough to catch the buzz of the first movie, and now that they have the contracts for 2 sequels in place, they can capitalize on timing with the sequels), if anything, I'm surprised they're moving so quickly.

Yes, I would be more excited about another country (with a ride!) in World Showcase, or a Star Wars show in Sounds Dangerous, or actually doing *something* (anything!) with Wonders of Life, or a Monsters Inc dark ride in DHS, but I am definitely willing to see the plans as they come out (and to visit Avatar land once it's open) before rushing to snap judgments.

I'm not sure how possible nighttime entertainment is at AK (my understanding of why they don't have some sort of fireworks/show is because it would disturb the animals), but if they could work some kind of nighttime event into this land and extend park hours, it would be a nice change of pace.

 

[jerivera]

Hmm... Let me see if I've captured the sentiment of those in absolute shock and disbelief and totally against by the idea of Avatar land being added to DAK:

Option #1 - "When I go see movies it has to fit with my perceived preconceptions or else it is an evil travesty. So either I hated this movie or I will never see it and have therefore classified it as godawful."

Option #2 - "How dare Disney use a movie that may or may not be interpreted by hardcore anti-environmentalists as a "preachy" (something 99% of the world population apparently didn't even think about) for a Land?!?!? Travesty!"

Are you folk being serious? The movie made BILLIONS. And the visuals were stunning, to say the least. The general message "environment = good" is what DAK is ALL about. Or did you miss that?

Heck, the Navi's faces already look a bit rodent-like...

 

[DrDoofenshmirtz]

I have seen "Avatar", and, IMHO, I don't think it was about conservation. If anything, I think that was a minor theme. I felt the movie was about the evils of industrialized people colonizing (conquering) native populations. It was more "Pocahontas: Redux" than anything else to me.

Whichever, the movie didn't really keep my interest. I thought it was boring. Then again, outside of Terminator, T2 and the first 2 Alien movies, I think all of Cameron's movies are dull. To each his own, right?

That said, if this actually happens, I'll give it a go, with an open mind. Still, I'd rather WDW went with a LOTR themed land (not necessarily at AK). I'm not a big Tolkien fan, but that's closer to my interests.

 

[kmk1180]

I am also a fan of Star Wars. But the fact is that as of Aug 2011 Potter is listed as the most profitable film franchise. It was announced all over the place. It doesn't make one franchise better than the other and yes, inflation has to be taken into effect. As does the fact that 3 Star Wars films were released in moder current inflation times, and the fact that the original 3 films were also re-released in modern times and the re-release of those films are figured into the totals.

In the end, both series are massive pop-culture phenoms with dedicated fan bases that span all ages. Avatar is not yet into that playing field and I honestly don't think it will be. Potter and Star Wars are not just "profitable movies" there are books and a sub-culture involved with them that expands well past making a couple of billion as a flashy 3D movie.

ya when prices were from $8-$12 during a release.
Compared to what $2-$3 a ticket in 77' to a whole $5? in 84'.
A whole lot easier to make to $100million these days.
Apples to orange. To boost it's the most profitable is blinder vision at best.
If you consider the money that SW has brought in and continues to do so over 35yrs, I doubt HP will be doing half that in 25yrs.

heck if it matters, Gone with the Wind STILL holds the record for most tickets sold..by along shot. Like 10 to 1 over even the closest film.

Either way, who cares?
HP has nothing to do with Disney plans.
Only ego's try to make it be.
Disney has been and is still the high bar for theme park entertainment.
(If anything HP is a reaction to Disney)

As for this.. I'm not a huge fan of the film.
But can see this being a really cool area to visit.

Amazes me how many people so quickly jump on the bandwagon of hating something even before you know anything about it.
I'll reverse judgment till I see it.
(same with HP. Won't judge till I see it. So far not enough new there to draw me to make another visit to IoA but maybe sometime there will be, then I'll decide.)

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

I have seen "Avatar", and, IMHO, I don't think it was about conservation. If anything, I think that was a minor theme. I felt the movie was about the evils of industrialized people colonizing (conquering) native populations. It was more "Pocahontas: Redux" than anything else to me.

I was just going to post this. I don't know why people see it as a preachy environmental movie. Did y'all sde with the dudes blowing up the Home Tree?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Sounds good, a good fit in AK.

 

[DCTooTall]

I'm not sure how possible nighttime entertainment is at AK (my understanding of why they don't have some sort of fireworks/show is because it would disturb the animals), but if they could work some kind of nighttime event into this land and extend park hours, it would be a nice change of pace.

Hmmmm....

You know, I wonder if a World of Color-Esque show would be doable at AK? I could almost see something like that fitting into the whole Avatar at night vibe.... and with a water fountain type show they would be able to avoid the pyrotechnics that would be more likely to spook the animals.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I heard the announcement just minutes ago and already I'm sick of the comparision to WWOHP at Universal. I went to WWOHP and it was not worth it - neither was it worth it with the rest of Universal. The castle was cool looking inside but the rides were awful. So I don't want WWOHP at Disney.

I love the classics that Disney ALREADY has used but this is new and fun and exciting! Kudos to Disney for adding to their parks and enriching them rather than keeping to the same ole' thing over and over again (of course, I like those same ole' things too!)

 

[AmyBeth68]

I'm not sure how possible nighttime entertainment is at AK (my understanding of why they don't have some sort of fireworks/show is because it would disturb the animals), but if they could work some kind of nighttime event into this land and extend park hours, it would be a nice change of pace.

My initial thought is that if this land is built far enough away from the animals, within reason of course, a nigh time show or parade are more likely feasable, might be really cool with fantastical creatures, lights etc. The thing that I feel everyone is forgetting is that just because it's based on the movies doesn't mean they aren't planning to employ some creative license. I don't think you have to be a fan of the movie to be a fan of the land with what I'd imagine to be gorgeous theming and cool rides. You also have to believe that the Disney execs have seen storyboards, casting etc to make a good business decision in this joint venture. Look....from what I hear the new Avatar settings are going to be different than the first movie incorporating ocean (water rides!) and things like volcanoes etc.

I guess I don't understand the disdain for taking care of the planet.

 

[TDC Nala]

Not sure I want a theme park where the main theme is the evils of industrialized civilization either. Just let me look at some cool stuff. and have a restaurant.

 

[SaraJayne]

Hmm... Let me see if I've captured the sentiment of those in absolute shock and disbelief and totally against by the idea of Avatar land being added to DAK:

Option #1 - "When I go see movies it has to fit with my perceived preconceptions or else it is an evil travesty. So either I hated this movie or I will never see it and have therefore classified it as godawful."

Option #2 - "How dare Disney use a movie that may or may not be interpreted by hardcore anti-environmentalists as a "preachy" (something 99% of the world population apparently didn't even think about) for a Land?!?!? Travesty!"

Are you folk being serious? The movie made BILLIONS. And the visuals were stunning, to say the least. The general message "environment = good" is what DAK is ALL about. Or did you miss that?

Heck, the Navi's faces already look a bit rodent-like...

You forgot option #3 ~ Disney really needs to come up with some original, creative ideas.

They have some of the most creative and brilliant Imagineers working for them and THIS is what they come up with?

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Also another thread on the News & Rumors board
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2803360