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

[smitch425]

I can tell you that my kids will have ZERO interest in this. They have kept every McDonald's happy meal toy they have ever gotten except for Air Bender and Avatar. They think the people are "creepy looking" (their exact words). I get that the film was visually beautiful, but that type of attraction would be best suited at DHS. Animal Kingdom should stay focused on nature-- REAL nature. To my knowledge, their are no real blue people. I think the whole idea is terrible, but I respect those who think the idea is great. Only time will tell if it becomes successful, but I highly doubt my family will take the time to see it. Never got into the Narnia stuff either and now it's gone. Can't say it bothers me, but I'm sure some people will really miss it. To each his own, right?

 

[jimpossible87]

I'd rather have a Titanic ride at the Magic Kingdom.

OMG that made me laugh Mike

I had to come over to the boards too to see what everyone thought after seeing this pop up on fb...I really was not a big fan of Avatar. great effects but really booooring and corny IMO. I think it wuold def play well to becoming theme park attractions but I dont think I am a big fan of the idea of it being part of AK. I get how they could fit it in but Id rather not go to tomorrowland in the AK.
Some ppl were saying about star wars not being Disney and I agree its fine for them to acquire the big properties and good for business but I think the movie themed things seem to belong at the Studios.
Im back and forth on this only because I know it will be spectacular and I love AK already but I just really dont like Avatar. It will be exciting to get the details as they come. I just hope they arent counting on Avatar to be some timeless classic. i know i have no interest in going to see sequels to that movie.
I prefer Disney to be more Disney....you know do something more with Tarzan the lion king, the jungle book, the jungle cruise even...IDK it makes me nervous, sounds like a hasty plan to try and outdo Harry potter.
(This avatar stuff was supp to be at Universal before right?)
Love hearing what everyone else thinks...very exciting

 

[jeanigor]

I can tell you that my kids will have ZERO interest in this. They have kept every McDonald's happy meal toy they have ever gotten except for Air Bender and Avatar. They think the people are "creepy looking" (their exact words). I get that the film was visually beautiful, but that type of attraction would be best suited at DHS. Animal Kingdom should stay focused on nature-- REAL nature. To my knowledge, their are no real blue people. I think the whole idea is terrible, but I respect those who think the idea is great. Only time will tell if it becomes successful, but I highly doubt my family will take the time to see it. Never got into the Narnia stuff either and now it's gone. Can't say it bothers me, but I'm sure some people will really miss it. To each his own, right?

I think that the Narnia series would have made a better mythical backdrop than Avatar. If only they hadn't sold their share off....

 

[jimpossible87]

Hahaha...That is one of the first things I thought of when I absorbed this announcement.

LOL if I could spell blasphemy id say that!!

 

[disneysteve]

I suppose this means we'll actually have to see the movie. None of us have seen it or had any interest in seeing it.

Since I know little to nothing about the film, I really can't comment about whether or not it could fit in AK but it sure isn't my idea of AK. I know there was supposed to be a beastly kingdom with mythical creatures but I'm not sure if this fits that description.

I love AK the way it is, or at least the way it used to be. As they've made more and more changes to appeal to the folks who just didn't get it, it has gradually changed what AK was meant to be. I guess this is just one more step in that process. Kind of sad.

 

[jcb]

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

But the times on the standby line would never be accurate.

 

[jimpossible87]

I do definitely think AKs ideas of conservation fit in very well with Avatars whole green save the environment message...but still doesnt make me want to go see blue people rides or fly on ugly lizard bird things. or look at floating light up jellyfish. IDK can I be honest and say I hate Avatar? I just really LOVE AK and Im gald its getting new stuff but I just dont want to see blue people on stilts walking around all day in there. I was trying to be nice b4 but I dont like it. there...I said it. Im sure in 5 years when it opens I will be saying wow what an incredible place that was supposed to be from Avatar and is now whatever they change it to by then.

 

[ADP]

Here's a question. Who thinks the Avatar brand/franchise will have enough longevity even after the 2nd and 3rd films to maintain a themed land for 20 or 30 years down the road? The Star Wars and probably Potter films certainly have, but will Avatar be able to maintain a presence that far in the future? Will guests walk into Avatar "Land" 25 years from now and say..."What was this movie about?" I think this is the risk of jumping in early to create a land based on the film. I know this is way forward-thinking, but was just curious what others thought.

 

[jimpossible87]

Here's a question. Who thinks the Avatar brand/franchise will have enough longevity even after the 2nd and 3rd films to maintain a themed land for 20 or 30 years down the road? The Star Wars and probably Potter films certainly have, but will Avatar be able to maintain a presence that far in the future? Will guests walk into Avatar "Land" 25 years from now and say..."What was this movie about?" I think this is the risk of jumping in early to create a land based on the film. I know this is way forward-thinking, but was just curious what others thought.

well IMO i dont think the 2nd and 3rd films are going to be as big as the 1st since the first was a snooze but maybe they know that?
I was saying the same thing tho. I dont think my nieces are going to grow up and say I want to go to Disney to remember Avatar

 

[lugnut33]

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?

You could pretend to put the guests into a form of hypersleep, and then when they wake up they have to fly a ship and land it. You could even simulate g-force effects.

 

[lugnut33]

I for one really liked Avatar, and so did my kids. It was a visually stunning movie.

That being said, I just don't know how you fit it into Animal Kingdom. Why not the Studios? They could get rid of the Backlot Tour.

WDW better hope the sequels to Avatar are huge or this will be a big waste of money.

 

[disneysteve]

Here's a question. Who thinks the Avatar brand/franchise will have enough longevity even after the 2nd and 3rd films to maintain a themed land for 20 or 30 years down the road?

Not at all. I don't see any evidence that interest in Avatar remains even today. I think it will be long out of people's memories by the time they open any Avatar-themed attractions.

 

[FireDancer]

As long as it gets the crowds out of line for the rides I want it's good with me.

I thought the movie was terrible. I made a point of watching it in 2D because I wanted to judge it on the story and not the 3D technology which I don't really like anyway. It was just not a good story. I plan on skipping any squeals.

 

[Merry Mousketeer]

When I first heard the announcement I thought it was a leftover April Fool's Day spoof. This is probably the first plan I have heard from Disney that has left me profoundly disappointed.

I do not understand why they seem to have abandoned the original Beastly Kingdomme concept which has a lot of possibilities for attractions and merchandising. Even Narnia would have provided a good mythological land for AK. Both of these would also provide educational opportunities, both different than Avatar of course. I don't see how a science fiction style mythological environment works as effectively. And will there be a second tree as a centerpiece in AK? But I do hope there will be a blue Mickey and Minnie in the meet-and-greet area!

And, of course, my biggest gripe is that this was not announced at the D23 Expo a few weeks ago where big announcements by the company were supposed to be made.

 

[wishspirit]

I will wait to judge. I have never seen Avatar, and I don't currently plan to, but a new land might tempt me to borrow a copy.

Harry Potter has been in the public concious since 1997, has 7 books and 8 films, and is still as big as ever. Avatar has been around since 2009, with one well received film. I don't really feel Avatar has firm enough ground to stand on.

 

[Merry Mousketeer]

I for one really liked Avatar, and so did my kids. It was a visually stunning movie.

That being said, I just don't know how you fit it into Animal Kingdom. Why not the Studios? They could get rid of the Backlot Tour.

WDW better hope the sequels to Avatar are huge or this will be a big waste of money.

Look for Carsland coming to a Backlot Tour near you!

 

[AllisonG]

I am hoping this is a giant hoax.
if not, ICK!

 

[Goofypop]

well IMO i dont think the 2nd and 3rd films are going to be as big as the 1st since the first was a snooze but maybe they know that?
I was saying the same thing tho. I dont think my nieces are going to grow up and say I want to go to Disney to remember Avatar

And Dinosaur was such a hit?


I say give it a chance. I think it will be awesome but who knows, I could be wrong and it could stink something fierce. But then others here could be wrong and it could be one of the biggest draws AK will ever have. The point is, right now, no one knows how successful this will be but there are a bunch of people here in this forum condemning it before it even happens. What ever happened to people thinking positively about Disney? I swear, a person can see so much negativity in the forums these days. Instead of being happy that they have a wonderful set of parks to go to they want to hate, gripe, and armchair engineer the parks.

While I think it will be very cool, this whole thing could blow up in Disney's face and then everyone can sit back and thrash Disney over it. Be honest, they could literally transport you to Pandora, for real, and there would still be people that have nothing good to say about it.

 

[wasabi girl]

I am also not an Avatar fan. I sort of hoped this was a joke. One of my daughters told me after seeing Avatar, "I liked this better when it was 90 minutes long and called Fern Gully"

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

That would be totally awesome!

 

[disneysteve]

And Dinosaur was such a hit?

That was just a weak marketing move when they changed the name of the ride after the movie came out. I suppose Dinosaur was easier for people to remember than Countdown to Extinction, the original name. And at least Dinosaur was a Disney movie.