Does anyone have an Avatarland update??

[DRDISNEYMD]

I think Disney got excited by the fact that a third party was willing to throw in tons of money and ideas and give imagineering full control of it. Kind of like what happens in the Asian Parks. However, I think James Cameron's creative process which includes doing nothing for years can be a little daunting to WDI. Even though it doesn't appear like it, Disney sets a very tight schedule and usully abides by it. So waiting for JC and fox may become very frustrating. One of the first things they had to think of was the relocation of festival and the meet and greet locations. The new location for festival behind the dawa bar and the new pathway heading back down to the camp minnie mickey area is perfect and fits disneys needs for guest flow whether or not they build Avatar. They have gotten lots of feedback over the years about how inconvient festivals location is. So putting it in the middle of everything and freeing up that back corner of the park for anything in the future makes sense.

If I had to guess, If Avatar is going to happen, we are going to see the full expansion of DHS and some new additons at EPCOT before anything moves foward. Dont expect Avatar this Decade.

~Disney confirmed Avatarland about a few months ago, so I'll have to disagree.

~Unrelated to the above quote, it really doesn't matter whether it's a land or an attraction -- it's the quality that counts -- one fabulous attraction is much better than three mediocre attractions, regardless of the IP. Actually, a land is even better than an attraction because it creates a more immersive environment! Gosh, the more I think about it, the more excited I get! I just wish Disney would give us more details!!!

 

[StarWarsJez]

That's a moot point since Disney has already confirmed its Avatar LAND. So it's looking like 2 possibly 3 rides within that land with all the necessary theming etc.

Disney has said its the next 'big' park investment after the Fantasyland upgrade, however when you look at the plans they have it could end up costing more than that.

However the concern many have is that (when compared with other options) is a risky option given the unproven nature of the Avatar brand (one movie isn't a franchise) - and the licensing costs (which wouldn't have been there if Disney had gone for an asset they owned themselves). However the deal was instigated many years ago and they probably felt they'd gone too far to turn back.

I'm sure it'll be great when it opens in 2017, however many question it's ability to drive attendance in the longer-term, since so much will depend on the ongoing success of the currently unproven Avatar brand.

 

[DanBoris]

~Disney confirmed Avatarland about a few months ago, so I'll have to disagree.

Disney confirmed Hyperion Wharf, showed concept art, and even started some preliminary construction work, yet it ended up not happening. Just because Disney says something is going to happen, it doesn't mean it actually will.

 

[rteetz]

I strongly believe Avatarland is a go and they are working very hard on it as already stated by Tom Staggs. Avatarland is a stretch and they will need to work very closely with James Cameron as two of three movies aren't even out yet and keep getting pushed back. That I think is what makes disney frustrated because they want to get moving on this but they are not moving on the trilogy at all. So with that being said i believe if James Cameron continues to push this back and makes it harder for disney to work with him Avatarland will be a goner. But for now and it seems to be going okay Avatarland is a go and that is that.

I believe if Avatarland doesn't end up working out as planned they will first do something in DHS before going back to AK but in the next 10 years we will definitely see something new and very exciting in both of these parks.

 

[ChrisnKim913]

Comparing AvatarLand and Hyperion Wharf is off based. AvatarLand is being collaborated with a major player in James Cameron. Avatar is his creation. They have a model/plans already drawn up which they showed with a picture with Cameron/Rhode/Staggs looking at it. This wouldnt have been released if it didnt have a green light. The FotLK is already being moved. They learned their lesson with Hyperion Wharf. This is happening

 

[umichigan10]

Disney confirmed Hyperion Wharf, showed concept art, and even started some preliminary construction work, yet it ended up not happening. Just because Disney says something is going to happen, it doesn't mean it actually will.

and let's not forget all those countries Epcot was supposed to get over the years

 

[lockedoutlogic]

and let's not forget all those countries Epcot was supposed to get over the years

I gotta agree here...

Not that I don't think that they aren't planning, working on the concept...but they do that with hundreds of ideas that the suits know damn well will never see the light of day.

It's a way of keeping the kids occupied while dad watches the game...so to speak.

I wouldn't doubt for a second that Disney could reverse and pull the plug on the turn of a dime.

Which brings me back to my original point: TRUST ONLY THE SHOVELS!

 

[twebber55]

I gotta agree here...

Not that I don't think that they aren't planning, working on the concept...but they do that with hundreds of ideas that the suits know damn well will never see the light of day.

It's a way of keeping the kids occupied while dad watches the game...so to speak.

I wouldn't doubt for a second that Disney could reverse and pull the plug on the turn of a dime.

Which brings me back to my original point: TRUST ONLY THR SHOVELS!

I just dont see them moving FOTLK just to move. They ve always said construction 2013 and they always mention it when given the chance.

Rasulo also mentioned it to stock holders a couple months ago a out it and i dont think he would say that unless its happening

Just my stinky opinion

 

[umichigan10]

I gotta agree here...

Not that I don't think that they aren't planning, working on the concept...but they do that with hundreds of ideas that the suits know damn well will never see the light of day.

It's a way of keeping the kids occupied while dad watches the game...so to speak.

I wouldn't doubt for a second that Disney could reverse and pull the plug on the turn of a dime.

Which brings me back to my original point: TRUST ONLY THR SHOVELS!

But even the shovels lie! Look at the Asian Resort!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

But even the shovels lie! Look at the Asian Resort!

"Preliminary site work"...

For water table integrity

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I just dont see them moving FOTLK just to move. They ve always said construction 2013 and they always mention it when given the chance.

Rasulo also mentioned it to stock holders a couple months ago a out it and i dont think he would say that unless its happening

Just my stinky opinion

Certainly legitimate...by all accounts they are gonna build. I just think that lying for financial purposes is "predictably unpredictable".

As far as lion king goes...that could just be a way of erasing a mistake.

It never made sense there...it was a Hail Mary to save face that just happened to work.
Like Chester and Hester and Everest...

...which of course didnt work.

 

[monorailrabbit]

I have decided Avatarland may benefit me... I didn't care for the movie, to me it was a grown-up version of Ferngully, but I figure, while everyone else goes there, that gives me access to shorter lines to ride Dinosaur & KS I don't think Avatartland Belongs in AK, I think something DISNEY based like, Pocahontas, Jungle Book, etc would have been better, but I'm not going to get into that. I just know I won't be heading over there, I want to enjoy the animals and other stuff. I am kind of secretly hoping this will fall through but it not, oh well. I agree AK needs something shiny and new, but not sure if this is it.

 

[MJMcBride]

Certainly legitimate...by all accounts they are gonna build. I just think that lying for financial purposes is "predictably unpredictable".

As far as lion king goes...that could just be a way of erasing a mistake.

It never made sense there...it was a Hail Mary to save face that just happened to work.
Like Chester and Hester and Everest...

...which of course didnt work.

Everest didn't work?

 

[twebber55]

I have decided Avatarland may benefit me... I didn't care for the movie, to me it was a grown-up version of Ferngully, but I figure, while everyone else goes there, that gives me access to shorter lines to ride Dinosaur & KS I don't think Avatartland Belongs in AK, I think something DISNEY based like, Pocahontas, Jungle Book, etc would have been better, but I'm not going to get into that. I just know I won't be heading over there, I want to enjoy the animals and other stuff. I am kind of secretly hoping this will fall through but it not, oh well. I agree AK needs something shiny and new, but not sure if this is it.

your saying you wont go into pandora/avatarland? wont even give it a try?

 

[monorailrabbit]

your saying you wont go into pandora/avatarland? wont even give it a try?

Yes, I actually am. I know that sounds really lame and stubborn, but I really couldn't stand the movie. I really don't want to waste my Disney time in a land dedicated to it. I really hope everyone else likes it though, you won't have to worry about me taking up places in line! (Also, I am NOT knocking anyone who is excited about this, I promise!)

 

[twebber55]

Yes, I actually am. I know that sounds really lame and stubborn, but I really couldn't stand the movie. I really don't want to waste my Disney time in a land dedicated to it. I really hope everyone else likes it though, you won't have to worry about me taking up places in line! (Also, I am NOT knocking anyone who is excited about this, I promise!)

Cool good response

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Everest didn't work?

Nope...not from where I sit.

Did not generate additional attendance ( not to any significance)...it actually doesn't work because a significant portion of the ride failed from an engineering perspective...it took a long time to build, and cost a fortune. Those resources could have been diverted for better use.

I think that animal kingdom has been mismanaged from the start...including Everest.

 

[twebber55]

Nope...not from where I sit.

Did not generate additional attendance ( not to any significance)...it actually doesn't work because a significant portion of the ride failed from an engineering perspective...it took a long time to build, and cost a fortune. Those resources could have been diverted for better use.

I think that animal kingdom has been mismanaged from the start...including Everest.

pretty sure it generated an extra 1 million people

i got that from WDW fan boys

 

[lockedoutlogic]

pretty sure it generated an extra 1 million people

i got that from WDW fan boys

In the first year? 2005?

I wouldn't doubt that. Remember it was laid out as the biggest thrill ride they had constructed in WDW...a cross of space mountain and splash mountain on steroids...Disney taking legitimate coaster elements and crossing it with animatronics...

But chart how attendance has gone since. It's been up but relatively flat when compared to the growth of the other parks in Orlando.

Just blah...

So really...i look at Everest as a slightly meatier big thunder. With a really overpriced/elaborate queue.

He'll, if the yeti doesn't work it doesn't even fit the park...the Matterhorn is more related to animals at this point.

Maybe if they put a goat in there or something...

Rocknroller coaster probably legitimately cost 1/3 as much and it is far superior as far as achieving its goals. A launch/loop system built by vekoma with a sound system that is laid out well together.
Everest is just an ok ride...that's all. It doesn't meet the thrill standard nor the Disney standard.

 

[fuzzlekins]

Maybe if they put a goat in there or something...

That just cracked me up. Thanks for the chuckle.

I think Everest is cool, even though I'll never ride it again b/c I can't do backwards, and the Yeti wasn't working when I was there - just the shadow and I think some red eyes or something. It was a couple of years ago. But just as a counterpoint, I don't think it's fair to judge attendance pull on a roller coaster years after it's been built b/c there's not a roller coaster in the world that can do that. Much like computers, they become out of date or "old hat" not long after they're built. There's always something bigger and better coming out. It's still "THE ride" at AK. And it's one of the few roller coasters out there that actually immerses you in something other that just a themed car and the track. Kudos to Disney for that - they're all about the details and the story. Well, other than that whole yeti not working thing.