Festival of the Lion King to close in January

[pilferk]

Wow.... talk about a Meta.... A rumor influencing another Rumor, thereby starting a Rumor.


WDWMagic's report that the Avatar project is delayed, is based off a report on another website saying that it's been delayed, which is turn is based off another blog site saying they think it's "been delayed due to creative differences" for the SOLE reason that no concept art has been released yet.

In other words.... It's an EXTREMELY flimsy rumor based purely on speculation and nothing even remotely fact or source based. To be perfectly honest, considering from what I recall hearing Imagineering was surprised by the announcement almost as much as everyone else was, I'm not in the least bit surprised we haven't seen any concept art. A year really isn't that long of a time to go from signing the agreement papers, to getting the creative people together, deciding on a direction to go creatively, working out details as far as a look/feel, getting the concept art of those ideas drawn up and agreed upon, and then releasing said concept art to the public.

And, while we haven't seen concept art, we HAVE seen the "light up plant" tech...and relatively recently.

 

[Reddog1134]

A year really isn't that long of a time to go from signing the agreement papers, to getting the creative people together, deciding on a direction to go creatively, working out details as far as a look/feel, getting the concept art of those ideas drawn up and agreed upon, and then releasing said concept art to the public.

Usually when Disney announces something, it's accompanied with concept art. From what I read, Disney announced Avatarland MUCH earlier then they normally would have. The reason? They didn't want their announcement trumped by a leak like the situation with the Fantasyland expansion. Blueprints for the expansion were all over the web weeks (months?) before the official announcement.

So it sounds like they made a proposal to Cameron, signed the deal and immediately made an announcement without anything to show the public. And since someone outside the company is involved so closely, the design process is taking longer and they still don't yet have anything to show the public.

Of course, I could be completely wrong and Avatarland might actually be shelved.

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

Read this today which is what sent me here looking for information:

http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-festival-lion-king-ending-22066/

REPORT: ‘FESTIVAL OF THE LION KING’ AT DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM WON’T SEE 2013

I'm sad if this is so. To keep Nemo and remove this is just depressing.

IMO, of course.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Very disappointing

 

[EEs*Mommy]

That really breaks my heart we will be there 2/8 it is the thing I wanted my 4 little ones to see most

 

[Mad Hattered]

Just reminding Cyrano to move this back over to the real part of the board when Disney decides to officially anounce this by putting a sign in front of the FOTLK building stated it's officially closing the day before they close it.

U would think they would have learned by the TT debacle.

See it in early January.

 

[collegeprogram01]

is this 100% true and confirmed? That show is a classic...they cant just not have it anymore!

 

[skier_pete]

is this 100% true and confirmed? That show is a classic...they cant just not have it anymore!

Looks like the StichKingdom report indicates that the show is closing for a time, so that part seems at least 80-90 % confirmed. Whether its closing to move or closing for good there is zero indication either way.

As others have pointed out, Disney will likely wait until the last possible moment to say it is closing. However, it is quite likely that when/if that announcement comes out, they will ALSO announce whether it is a permanent or temporary close.

 

[Sandmanswife9]

Just heard that they are postponing the plans for Avatar and I am wondering if they will allow Lion King to stay open? I sure hope so. That is the highlight of my trip. I love the Lion King and will be sad to see it removed.

 

[Redbudlover]

I like Lion King but I have to tell youo my 6 year old DGD is thrilled with the hope Avatar will open at Disney!!!

 

[DCTooTall]

Just heard that they are postponing the plans for Avatar and I am wondering if they will allow Lion King to stay open? I sure hope so. That is the highlight of my trip. I love the Lion King and will be sad to see it removed.

The rumors of Avatar/Pandora being delayed are just that.... Rumors. All the rumors are being fed from the simple fact Disney hasn't announced or shown any sort of progress on the plans directly, such as Concept art. There are no actual factual or concrete bits of information.... leaked or freely offered... that the plans are on hold. Considering the lack of enthusiasm that appears to be present by many 'hardcore' Disney fans, this lack of Disney saying "It's coming. Look at these pretty pictures" is being turned into a lot of wishful speculation that it means it's not actually happening.

To give you an idea, We didn't even get concept art for the Test Track Refurb until after it was closed to begin the refurb. Disney didn't announce it's closing for a refurb until a very short time prior to it's closure. That was on a simple Refurb of an existing attraction, which because of it's status as a sponsored attraction, you know the plans and ideas where available for months/years prior due to all the legal and contractual issues that would've been involved.

Even Universal with it's rumored Harry Potter phase 2 didn't announce the closure of the Amity Section of their park (including the Jaws Attraction) until about a month prior to it's closure. They have yet to officially announce/acknowledge what's going into that spot, let alone release Concept art.


As such.... to assume that the lack of information from Disney is a sign that the entire project is dead or running into problems without any real rumblings of proof that something is up, Is just silly. (Even Hyperion Wharf had rumblings from multiple sources that it was dead before they officially announced the cancelation of the plans.....And that was AFTER they started site prep.)

 

[Keenan5]

Never saw Avatar movie. Won't go on any ride that has to do with it. Love Lion King. For those of us that can't afford to go to Broadway and see the real show, it is a little taste of a wonderful show.

 

[JamboEveryone]

Most info was pointing to FOTLK being closed and moved to make room for Avatar. If this closing occurs, I think that may be the first indication that reports of Avatar's demise may have been premature

 

[Mad Hattered]

Looks like the StichKingdom report indicates that the show is closing for a time, so that part seems at least 80-90 % confirmed. Whether its closing to move or closing for good there is zero indication either way.

Unless, of course, you read the title of the article. The whole "won't see 2013" sorta slants it in one direction.....don't ya think?

 

[skier_pete]

Unless, of course, you read the title of the article. The whole "won't see 2013" sorta slants it in one direction.....don't ya think?

The hardest thing to separate on the internet is conjecture from fact. The only "fact" I've seen is that the contracts weren't renewed, which is an indication that the show will close. Everything else is conjecture, except the part that is opinion on top of conjecture.

 

[JamboEveryone]

The hardest thing to separate on the internet is conjecture from fact. The only "fact" I've seen is that the contracts weren't renewed, which is an indication that the show will close. Everything else is conjecture, except the part that is opinion on top of conjecture.

But from what I can see there is very little info here at all. The quote is...

"A reliable insider has advised us that the gymnasts performing at the popular ‘Festival of the Lion King’ show located at Camp Minnie-Mickey have been put on six month notice (as of last month) and — to date — there have been no changes or amendments made to said job loss notification"

I mean, this can simply be a change in personnel. Aren't extrapolating a lot from very little?

 

[Reddog1134]

Just reminding Cyrano to move this back over to the real part of the board when Disney decides to officially anounce this by putting a sign in front of the FOTLK building stated it's officially closing the day before they close it.

U would think they would have learned by the TT debacle.

See it in early January.

Wouldn't it still belong here since this is "Rumors" AND "News"?

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

I realize that this could mean nothing as I have never received this particular type of mail before. But, after reading this thread, I wondered if this was just a strange misprint or meant something else.

The map in my mail says that Camp Minnie-Mickey still contains character greeting trails, has the FoTLK icon in its customary place on the map, but lists FoTLK as part of DinoLand USA.

 

[HockeyMomNH]

Anyone heard any more about this recently? I noticed that in the WDWFanboy release about Carsland at DHS they mentioned FOTLK will be a six month closing. Wonder if they know something more?

My DS is planning to take his GF to WDW for her first trip next spring. This show is his favorite and he will be really bummed if it is closed. I told him they may want to move the trip up to the beginning of Jan. I wish we had a more solid close date... and that we knew if it was going to reopen eventually.

 

[MJMcBride]

I realize that this could mean nothing as I have never received this particular type of mail before. But, after reading this thread, I wondered if this was just a strange misprint or meant something else.

The map in my mail says that Camp Minnie-Mickey still contains character greeting trails, has the FoTLK icon in its customary place on the map, but lists FoTLK as part of DinoLand USA.

If it does move it wont be to Dinoland it would be africa or rafiki's so i would think that is a mere misprint/error