Festival of the Lion King to close in January

[TinaLala]

To close FOTLK for Avatar is stupid!! The teenagers that are going to Disney right now don't even know what Avatar is because most of them were too young to see it!!! FOTLK they know because it came out when they were kids!! I understand Avatar was a big hit a few years ago, but people have forgotten about it and aren't interested in it now. CRAZY!

 

[MJMcBride]

To close FOTLK for Avatar is stupid!! The teenagers that are going to Disney right now don't even know what Avatar is because most of them were too young to see it!!! FOTLK they know because it came out when they were kids!! I understand Avatar was a big hit a few years ago, but people have forgotten about it and aren't interested in it now. CRAZY!

That is essentially the problem. Avatar is not the long standing world building hit that potter or star wars is or that middle earth is.

10 years from now people will still talk about potter and likely the Tolkien stuff like that have been talking about star wars for 35 years

Avatar unless I'm wrong won't have the staying power. Disney seems to think avatar will be like star wars or potter. I think its more like the matrix

 

[yitbos96bb]

That is essentially the problem. Avatar is not the long standing world building hit that potter or star wars is or that middle earth is.

10 years from now people will still talk about potter and likely the Tolkien stuff like that have been talking about star wars for 35 years

Avatar unless I'm wrong won't have the staying power. Disney seems to think avatar will be like star wars or potter. I think its more like the matrix

Given that at least two more films will be coming out (plus possibly a third film as a prequel) With the first released in 2015, I'm going to say you are most likely wrong that no one will be talking about it 10 years from now. Ignoring the impact of the release dates on this 10 year span, I'll point out a film like the Matrix is still a heavy Pop culture hitter (albeit not as heavy as the aforementioned big 3) and that film was 14 years ago and never did the box office Avatar did.

Now whether it has the pop culture standing of Potter, Rings or Star Wars is another question. Still, there is a large geek culture fandom for the first film (not as heavy as the Big 3 of course), people dressed as characters at comicons, Sci fi cons, etc. Whether it is a fit is a different debate, but to say the popularity isn't or won't be there ignores a lot of evidence to the contrary.

 

[Fantasmiss]

This is my least favourite Disney show (although I LOVE Lion King The Musical!), but I wish they'd replace it with somrthing more interesting and that they'd cancel the ehole Avatar thing.

As someone else here said: I haven't heard anyone ever talk about Avatar unless they''ve just seen the movie.

Avatar is just a film (yes, will be films), Harry Potter is a legend.

 

[MJMcBride]

Given that at least two more films will be coming out (plus possibly a third film as a prequel) With the first released in 2015, I'm going to say you are most likely wrong that no one will be talking about it 10 years from now. Ignoring the impact of the release dates on this 10 year span, I'll point out a film like the Matrix is still a heavy Pop culture hitter (albeit not as heavy as the aforementioned big 3) and that film was 14 years ago and never did the box office Avatar did.

Now whether it has the pop culture standing of Potter, Rings or Star Wars is another question. Still, there is a large geek culture fandom for the first film (not as heavy as the Big 3 of course), people dressed as characters at comicons, Sci fi cons, etc. Whether it is a fit is a different debate, but to say the popularity isn't or won't be there ignores a lot of evidence to the contrary.

I just dont see it as long lasting. Much of the revenue stemmed from the fact it was 3D. There is no question it was a big hit. As far as I know, for example, Avatar is not one of the biggest DVDs of all time unlike star wars, LOTR, or potter.

I think there is evidence that Avatar is more of a "flash in the pan" stemming from the visual and 3D innovations then a beloved movie

 

[bellenbuzz]

Uugggg, I hope it never happens

 

[Fantasmiss]

Personally I'm glad if FotLK is closing down, we didn't like it at all. But to replace it with Avatar??

Don't the big powerful suits at Disney, or any of their minions, ever read the Disney forums?? They should do, it's free market research.

Hardly anyone seem to actually want Avatar land at all, which means there probably isn't a good idea to build it, or to make an Avatar stage show.

Such a shame Disney failed to get Potter and also that Tolkien didn't like Disney.

But why don't they use what they already have? I'd love to see an inventive Toy Story 3 show, or UP.

Also I want the lantern scene from Tangled to be added to Fantasmic.

Why can't I decide everything?? Boohoooo

 

[Fantasmiss]

I just dont see it as long lasting. Much of the revenue stemmed from the fact it was 3D. There is no question it was a big hit. As far as I know, for example, Avatar is not one of the biggest DVDs of all time unlike star wars, LOTR, or potter.

I think there is evidence that Avatar is more of a "flash in the pan" stemming from his visual and 3D innovations then a beloved movie

Exactly! That's just what my husband & I have been talking about.

 

[MJMcBride]

Don't the big powerful suits at Disney, or any of their minions, ever read the Disney forums?? They should do, it's free market research.

Its not really good market research. The people on these boards hardly represents the average WDW visitor. The average one goes every 5 years, doesnt do much if any research on the topic, and wouldnt even know avatar was at DAK until they go to DAK

 

[Fantasmiss]

Its not really good market research. The people on these boards hardly represents the average WDW visitor. The average one goes every 5 years, doesnt do much if any research on the topic, and wouldnt even know avatar was at DAK until they go to DAK

I have a business which in part is very similar to WDW, although obviously a lot smaller. If Avatar was a project we planned and I read the sort of feedback I've been reading here, I would delay the project to do more market research, but I know that ultimately we would end up canceling the project.

This board consists of almost all sorts of potential WDW guests: single, married, with/without kids and of all ages, high/low education, high/average/fairly low income, from all around US and the rest of the world etc etc. Most of WDW guests will be represented here, the only difference between us and other guests is that we are more than averagely interested in WDW and most of us are repeat visitors. But there is nothing that suggests that Avatar should be less popular with us than with other guests.*

Especially as the trends on this board are so crystal clear, the idea of an Avatar land is not popular, the overwhelming majority thinks it's a bad idea and that Disney should cancel it. WDW are obviously building Avatarland to draw more people to WDW, and will definitely use it in their promos, so potential visitors will be aware of it's existence. But it seems equally crystal clear that if WDW choose to instead spend their money on a project that more people are excited about and wish to see/experience, they'll get more visitors, more business, and more money back from their investments, which pretty much is the whole point of investments.

I don't at all mean to start a discussion here, I just thought I'd explain what I was hinting at with my previous message!

 

[MJMcBride]

I do not know your business but I suspect it does not have a small very very vocal community on websites.

DIS and other communities make up a very small percentage of guests. Disney will not base thier strategies on what we say here

 

[Fantasmiss]

I do not know your business but I suspect it does not have a small very very vocal community on websites.

DIS and other communities make up a very small percentage of guests. Disney will not base thier strategies on what we say here

Not anything like Disboards, but I wish! What a goldmine of customer feedback....

No, not base it in of course, but take into consideration. I know that some of them used to read the forums not long ago, and I can't see why they would've stopped.

Anyhow, it doesn't matter what we think. Avatarland being delayed is hopefully a hint, but time will show

 

[Reddog1134]

I think doing market research from a fandom website is a bad idea from a business perspective.

Even though we are a diverse group as far as sex, race, age, etc are concerned, we are very similar in the sense that we all sought out a Disney fan website to talk about our love of Disney. So, for the most part, our responses are going to be skewed in a common direction.

 

[MJMcBride]

Not anything like Disboards, but I wish! What a goldmine of customer feedback....

No, not base it in of course, but take into consideration. I know that some of them used to read the forums not long ago, and I can't see why they would've stopped.

Anyhow, it doesn't matter what we think. Avatarland being delayed is hopefully a hint, but time will show

If avatar land gets delayed it will be because James Cameron is difficult not what we say here

 

[Fantasmiss]

If avatar land gets delayed it will be because James Cameron is difficult not what we say here

You sound strangely sure, why? Do you know him or do you have some other kind of inside info?

 

[DCTooTall]

Not anything like Disboards, but I wish! What a goldmine of customer feedback....

No, not base it in of course, but take into consideration. I know that some of them used to read the forums not long ago, and I can't see why they would've stopped.

Anyhow, it doesn't matter what we think. Avatarland being delayed is hopefully a hint, but time will show

It's worth noting... Nothing even remotely official is hinting that the Avatar project has been delayed.

The latest rumors were based off a single fansite deciding that since Disney has not released any official concept art, that the project must have been delayed. More mainstream news sites then picked up that story and reported it as fact.

From a purely logical standpoint, It is not surprising in the least that concept art has not been released. First off, According to reports, Imagineering didn't get much lead time before the official announcement about a year ago that Disney had secured the Theme Park rights to the Avatar franchise. A year is a VERY short time to go from blue sky, to cohesive plan, to concept art depicting that plan, to legal and PR approving the release of that concept art to the public.

From a practical standpoint, Universal has been constructing what is generally regarded as Harry Potter Phase 2 since the beginning of the year, and we have yet to see any official Concept art, let alone official confirmation.

Disney has been constructing the new restrooms and pathway in Fantasyland in the old Skyway station location, and they haven't released any concept art for it either despite construction already reaching the steel going up stage.

Even the Test Track refurb concept art wasn't released until AFTER they closed the attraction for the extended refurb.... Even though you know they had it in-house for MONTHS or even years prior due to the logistical needs of actually planning such a major refurb/construction project, let alone the legal and contractual obligations as it's a sponsored pavilion which would require the buy-in (and probable input from) GM.

My point is that it's not unheard of, or even really unexpected, for details such as concept art to be played close to the chest at this point. At the very least, I highly doubt we'll get any real updates or new information (including concept art) until after the Holiday season for 2 huge reasons. 1. The traditional excuse that Disney wouldn't want to influence people to postpone planned trips for the new attractions, and 2. With the opening of the Fantasyland Expansion so close, they will want to focus all their marketting and PR attention to the newly opened attractions and areas of their resort instead of stealing the focus away by releasing information about another project in the early stages of planning.

 

[Fantasmiss]

I'm basing it on the IGN article: http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/09/04/hold-your-horses-on-that-fourth-avatar

I'm not saying this is proof of anything of course, but here's to hoping. The truth is we can't know for sure, even if Disney actually make an official announcement. As we all know they've officially announced things before and then changed their minds.

It's worth noting... Nothing even remotely official is hinting that the Avatar project has been delayed.

The latest rumors were based off a single fansite deciding that since Disney has not released any official concept art, that the project must have been delayed. More mainstream news sites then picked up that story and reported it as fact.

From a purely logical standpoint, It is not surprising in the least that concept art has not been released. First off, According to reports, Imagineering didn't get much lead time before the official announcement about a year ago that Disney had secured the Theme Park rights to the Avatar franchise. A year is a VERY short time to go from blue sky, to cohesive plan, to concept art depicting that plan, to legal and PR approving the release of that concept art to the public.

From a practical standpoint, Universal has been constructing what is generally regarded as Harry Potter Phase 2 since the beginning of the year, and we have yet to see any official Concept art, let alone official confirmation.

Disney has been constructing the new restrooms and pathway in Fantasyland in the old Skyway station location, and they haven't released any concept art for it either despite construction already reaching the steel going up stage.

Even the Test Track refurb concept art wasn't released until AFTER they closed the attraction for the extended refurb.... Even though you know they had it in-house for MONTHS or even years prior due to the logistical needs of actually planning such a major refurb/construction project, let alone the legal and contractual obligations as it's a sponsored pavilion which would require the buy-in (and probable input from) GM.

My point is that it's not unheard of, or even really unexpected, for details such as concept art to be played close to the chest at this point. At the very least, I highly doubt we'll get any real updates or new information (including concept art) until after the Holiday season for 2 huge reasons. 1. The traditional excuse that Disney wouldn't want to influence people to postpone planned trips for the new attractions, and 2. With the opening of the Fantasyland Expansion so close, they will want to focus all their marketting and PR attention to the newly opened attractions and areas of their resort instead of stealing the focus away by releasing information about another project in the early stages of planning.

 

[DCTooTall]

I'm basing it on the IGN article: http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/09/04/hold-your-horses-on-that-fourth-avatar

I'm not saying this is proof of anything of course, but here's to hoping. The truth is we can't know for sure, even if Disney actually make an official announcement. As we all know they've officially announced things before and then changed their minds.

And if you check the source for the IGN article, it's a fansite hypothesis.


Most other "mainstream" news sites which reported it, sourced IGN as their information source, but if you backtrack IGN's source, it's just a case of wishful thinking by a Disney fan.

(I'm pretty sure someone posted the actual link to the original source earlier in this thread.)

 

[awoogala]

yuck. I have no interest in avatar...I have never even seen the movie. I know progress, new things, blah blah. I just want Disney, all the time. No interest in any blockbuster movies coming in to spoil my disney! (this includes any marvel characters.)

 

[Fantasmiss]

And if you check the source for the IGN article, it's a fansite hypothesis.


Most other "mainstream" news sites which reported it, sourced IGN as their information source, but if you backtrack IGN's source, it's just a case of wishful thinking by a Disney fan.

(I'm pretty sure someone posted the actual link to the original source earlier in this thread.)

As I said, I know it's not proof of anything. I'm another case of wishfull thinking by a Disney fan. I'm just hoping it won't happen and they'll do something else exciting instead. Like with part of the first announcement of new Fantasyland.