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

Look for Carsland coming to a Backlot Tour near you!

I was listening to a press conference with Tony Baxter that took place back in the late 80's. In there he referred to Toontown being built in the Studios, and I was like, "That is a brilliant idea". That is what I'd like to see where the Backlot Tour is. A really awesome Toontown like the one they have at Disneyland.
 
I think I'm just going to take a "wait and see" approach. I'm with some of the others in the fact that I just don't see the longevity of this series. I thought the movie was good........but I think a lot of movies are good, it doesn't mean I think that we need to add a land to a park because the movie was good. I just don't know.......Disney HAS to know something we don't. :confused3
 
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.

Ahhhh, my mistake. I retract. I had actually forgotten about that attraction. Wow. Still though, this idea should be taken with a wait and see approach. Too many people killing it before the shovel even hits the ground. I can't wait to see the comments from people when the artist renderings come out.
 


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?

In 1928, if Walt had said after Steamboat Willie, I am going to build a theme park around this little guy - what do you think people would have said?

He had a hard enough time convincing people in the fifties that Disneyland would be a success - didn't people think of it as Walt's Folly?
 
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! :thumbsup2

Avatar had a VERY strong environmental and conservation theme, with lends itself very well to fitting into the existing AK themes.

As for a concept that could lend itself easily to a E Ticket attraction? I could see possibly a nice coaster themed to the flying creatures in the movie. Considering this land is scheduled to open after the next 2 sequels, I'm sure they could find other good things to incorporate into the land from those films.

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

There was never anything officially linking Avatar to Universal. Most of the rumors and speculation came from people's assumption that since universal had Terminator, it would end up working with Cameron again with Avatar.


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

Worse yet, The line would seem so short when you saw it going into the building, But as soon as you stepped into that little area you'd find the line was SO MUCH BIGGER on the inside.

:lmao:

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.

If done right, who really cares if the films could maintain a good themed land? If Disney does things properly, in 20-30years even if the films may be forgotten, the theme park section and attractions could survive on their own merit. Think about the love Mr. Toad's Wild Ride maintains or even Splash Mountain have? How many people can name the films either attraction was based on? (Without resorting to your Disney Park trivia)

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.

From what's I've seen mentioned in the numerous other threads, apparently it was hinted at during D23 that they had other news they wanted to share/announce, but couldn't for some reason. Considering the timing of this announcement so close to the end of D23, It's likely that the contracts weren't signed or finalized to the point that Disney could say anything until now.
 
it's hard to base stuff off of anything that isnt a "classic" see universal's attractions like twister. who wants to buy that merchandise 10-20 years later..nobody! disney doesnt make a ride off of every succesfull movie they have, so i think it is strange they would make a whole land off of a francise that isnt fully out yet..... i want a wall e or up ride .....(whining, i know)
 


I was listening to a press conference with Tony Baxter that took place back in the late 80's. In there he referred to Toontown being built in the Studios, and I was like, "That is a brilliant idea". That is what I'd like to see where the Backlot Tour is. A really awesome Toontown like the one they have at Disneyland.

It's my understanding from an Imagineer I spoke with that the Phase II of the Fantasyland expansion at WDW would possibly include replacing the area of "temporary" circus tents with a Toontown similar to Disneyland's. Of course, that may change over time as new ideas are born.
 
Disney already had Pocahontas.

Now they have Pocahontas in Space.

Perfect fit. All about the synergy now.

If Universal had made this announcement:

a) I'd have said, meh, that's nice, but makes sense for them

b) everyone here would be complaining that Disney let US "steal" Avatar from them and posting "how cool would a Disney Avatar ride be? But the cheapskates at Disney didn't want to pony up the money to get it."

Darned if you do. Darned if you don't.
 
Avatar is NOT going to make me visit Animal Kingdom more often, I would rather have the Beastly Kingdom over this. This smells of "we need to get something to counter harry potter". They have Star Wars, why won't they build a "land" from that over at hollywood studios?:confused3
 
This is a bit of a head scratcher for me. My initial reaction was that I thought it was a joke and then I moved on to the thought that this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

Now I guess that I just don't get it? Why bring in a franchise that has already run it's course. I know they are counting on the next two movies to push the exciment factor but IMHO this is a very big gamble.

I think this is a brilliant move by Cameron because it will really boost interest in the next two movies. I guess only time will tell if it was the right move for Disney.
 
Is this for real?

I saw the movie, I liked it...not enough to want a theme park land based around it.

I never liked the idea of the "beastly" kingdom area anyway :eek:, I was picturing unicorn and dragon tackiness. Why can't they just leave it about real animals? They could put in a section with Northern animals, bears, cougars, forest critters etc..? The poor bears would get overheated in Florida I guess.
 
I have not seen the movie, and I don't plan to. I understand the concepts the movie hints at but I think there could have been a better way for Disney to bring those concepts into the parks. Now I haven't been to AK since before there was Expedition Everest, but an Avatar themed land is not going to make me want to visit the park. I'd much rather spend time in Epcot checking out Mission Space (it still under construction when I was there last) or wait for the new Fantasyland to open at MK and visit that.
 
They could put in a section with Northern animals, bears, cougars, forest critters etc..? The poor bears would get overheated in Florida I guess.

Just to clarify, there are actually a good number of black bears who live year round in Florida. Corey has several photos of one.
 
I thought Avatar was mildly entertaining, but James Cameron worked so hard to make a message movie, something profound, that it came across cloying and preachy. Taking a molehill and blowing it up to the size of an Alp, and firing howitzers at it, doesn't appeal to me. Was it Jack Warner who said, "If I want to send a message, I'll call Western Union"?

Avatar just doesn't have the "legs" to build a major attraction around.

Anyway. I've long been an advocate for the Beastly Kingdom idea, and wish they'd develop the idea of a land of mythical creatures instead. Probably the safest route is for me to wait for more details come forth.

Funny. We were just at AK last week and I was wondering aloud about what was next. Avatar sure wasn't on my radar.
 
I think this is a GREAT idea. I'm glad Disney isn't just resting on what they have. The parks are getting stale for teens and this could be a big traffic driver. I could see a 3d ride like Star Tours, an indoor roller coaster like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and eco-learning opportunities. Very excited that they're expanding AK, which I think it currently the weakest of the four theme parks. Plus it can stay open past 5pm now.
 
To those folks who think Walt would hate this...

"In this volatile business of ours, we can ill afford to rest on our laurels, even to pause in retrospect. Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future."

"I can never stand still. I must explore and experiment. I am never satisfied with my work. I resent the limitations of my own imagination."

"Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."
 
Well, I never knew Walt, but I have read everything I can get my hands on, and I am pretty sure he would love this.

In fact, I think he would have already been on it!!
 
It'll be interesting to see what the concept art looks like. Who knows, I sort of hate the renderings of the Fantasyland expansion but I'll probably end up liking it...I love AK, but it really does need some attention, I guess it could be worse than Avatar...I just hope there is some real thought put into whatever it is they do, and it isn't some slapdash reaction to all the folks visiting HP at Universal.

It's funny but I would like the idea of Avatar at DHS, another park that could use some attention...
 

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