Am I the only one puzzled by Pandora?

[tinkerdorabelle]

I LOVED Avatar. So happy they are doing this land. It was a very cool beautiful movie. Very different than the norm, teaching us to respect our earth also, so what is not to love. I am really into seeing this land. I love that there is a boat ride which some here are complaining about, I would assume making it more about the special effects. I'm going to totally disagree and wish they named it Avatar instead of Pandora but who cares. Looks really neat.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Here's an Orlando Sentinel article that was recently posted by @rteetz:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-bz-disney-world-why-avatar-20170317-story.html

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Here's an Orlando Sentinel article that was recently posted by @rteetz:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-bz-disney-world-why-avatar-20170317-story.html

I posted in another thread... glad to hear they KNOW they might have some challenges!

But as I've said a bunch... I have no doubt it will be packed, just because it's something new from Disney. I just don't think Avatar is IP that would be a super strong draw on its own.

 

[Donna3271]

we literally just saw the movie for the first time this past weekend and loved it - so excited to see it come to life @ Disney.

LOL! Us too! We just saw it for the first time. It was on cable. We are visiting over Labor Day, and decided to check out the hubub so we know what we are looking at. I am stunned it was such a high grossing film. I am however, ALWAYS excited to see new stuff at Disney!

 

[waffleking]

I remember very well seeing Avatar in IMAX 3D when it came out. While the story wasn't very deep (bordering on silly at times...unobtanium anyone???) and the characters about as interesting as the majority of the team in Rogue One, after walking out of the theater I had a blast and told everyone that it felt like I had just ridden a two hour theme park ride. As far as environments and experiences, my family is much more excited for this land then they are for Toy Story Land, even though we love the Toy Story movies much much more. I'm not a huge fan of the Cars franchise but stepping into Radiator Springs is a blast and I'm expecting the same for Pandora. (Just don't get me started on the embarrassing A Bug's Land! I won't miss that if it ever goes away!)

As an IP to build a land around, Star Wars cannot be beat. But Disney could have done worse than Avatar.

 

[cigar95]

I think the events of the last few days confirm that whatever one might think about the original movie and the forthcoming (someday!) sequels, this theme park attraction clearly has lots of interest, at least among the DISers!

 

[BrianL]

For those who scoff at "unobtanium," that's a word that has its origins in engineering as a term for hypothetical, extremely rare materials that would be needed to actually create a theoretical design. It dates back to the 1950s.

Here's some information about it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unobtainium

I thought it's use in Avatar was clever.

 

[Twende]

I will tell you all about it soon as we just received an invite to the Pre-view on May 16th!

 

[HopperFan]

I think the events of the last few days confirm that whatever one might think about the original movie and the forthcoming (someday!) sequels, this theme park attraction clearly has lots of interest, at least among the DISers!

But I think there is a difference in being excited about a new land, new attractions, new creativity and imagineering ........... and being excited about Avatar. I'm excited, I got my AP Preview Day, I'm driving 8 hours for it ............ never seen movie, don't have any real interest in movie and still don't think there will be a steady stream of Avatar fans making a pilgrimage to AK.

As far as rides, the boat ride looks beautiful and one that I'd want to ride over and over to take in all the incredible details and effects. Flight ...... ehhh ......... another screen ride ......... hate to see Disney go that route.

 

[Twende]

But I think there is a difference in being excited about a new land, new attractions, new creativity and imagineering ........... and being excited about Avatar. I'm excited, I got my AP Preview Day, I'm driving 8 hours for it ............ never seen movie, don't have any real interest in movie and still don't think there will be a steady stream of Avatar fans making a pilgrimage to AK.

As far as rides, the boat ride looks beautiful and one that I'd want to ride over and over to take in all the incredible details and effects. Flight ...... ehhh ......... another screen ride ......... hate to see Disney go that route.

We are driving 8+ hours to be there for a preview too! On one hand I am excited and on the other hand I am shaking my head a bit that we are driving to do this! LOL!

 

[HopperFan]

We are driving 8+ hours to be there for a preview too! On one hand I am excited and on the other hand I am shaking my head a bit that we are driving to do this! LOL!

We do it because we can .....

And I hate WDW in summer, I certainly won't stand in lines in summer and I don't see these lines dying down for awhile. So if I can virtually walk on it, worth the drive.

 

[patrokls]

I liked Avatar. If you have trouble with it just imagine that this land is something new created by Imagineering. Forget it was ever a movie.

 

[cigar95]

But I think there is a difference in being excited about a new land, new attractions, new creativity and imagineering ........... and being excited about Avatar. I'm excited, I got my AP Preview Day, I'm driving 8 hours for it ............ never seen movie, don't have any real interest in movie and still don't think there will be a steady stream of Avatar fans making a pilgrimage to AK.

I think we're in agreement here. There were scoffers that claimed that a general ambivalence toward the movie franchise meant that this would not be a good addition to the parks. And I think what we're seeing is not that the movie will draw folks to the new area, but the fact that it looks *really cool* will be enough.

Having said all that, I still think watching the movie once before you come, and just ignoring all the "industrial stormtrooper" storyline, would still give you some backstory that might enhance your experience. (And it may even give you a few hints of things that one might see in Pandora Phase II.)

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

If you have trouble with it just imagine that this land is something new created by Imagineering. Forget it was ever a movie.

Yup! That's pretty much what we're doing.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Having said all that, I still think watching the movie once before you come, and just ignoring all the "industrial stormtrooper" storyline, would still give you some backstory that might enhance your experience. (And it may even give you a few hints of things that one might see in Pandora Phase II.)

I'm going to say that the bold part would NOT be true for our family.

I disliked EVERYTHING about the movie EXCEPT the visuals. Disney has clearly nailed the visuals. That's all that matters to us.

And Disney is wisely telling people they DO NOT need to be familiar with the movie to enjoy Pandora. I think they know what they're dealing with wrt this IP at this stage.

I think the movie only ENHANCES an experience if you like the movie.

 

[HopperFan]

I think we're in agreement here. There were scoffers that claimed that a general ambivalence toward the movie franchise meant that this would not be a good addition to the parks. And I think what we're seeing is not that the movie will draw folks to the new area, but the fact that it looks *really cool* will be enough.

Having said all that, I still think watching the movie once before you come, and just ignoring all the "industrial stormtrooper" storyline, would still give you some backstory that might enhance your experience. (And it may even give you a few hints of things that one might see in Pandora Phase II.)

Oh I will for sure will watch the movie before as I want to know the story behind the details. We've had it for years but just never felt drawn to watch it. Now I actually have a reason. I remember when DS went to theater he said "It's beautiful, visually stunning on big screen, not sure that will transfer to tv though. Also the story is unoriginal and just another Fern Gully."

I do think the broader discussion continues to be that Disney announced this basically as their counter to Harry Potter. I still laugh at the article after announcement that said Disney will battle HP with giant blue monkeys. It is apples and oranges. Star Wars Land, if done well and fully committed to, will be their counter. I think Pandora will even out and just be another land and not sure in the end will be worth it's exorbitant price tag. As a stockholder I hope that folks who appreciate creativity, Rohde art and imagination will continue to fill it .... but sadly so many just don't appreciate AK. Hoping that changes, if it doesn't ... will we see Phase II?

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Oh I will for sure will watch the movie before as I want to know the story behind the details. We've had it for years but just never felt drawn to watch it. Now I actually have a reason. I remember when DS went to theater he said "It's beautiful, visually stunning on big screen, not sure that will transfer to tv though. Also the story is unoriginal and just another Fern Gully."

I think your DS nailed it. I would only add that much of the dialogue was horrible -- rivals a really bad soap opera, IMO. And the "messages" hitting me over the head... ouch.

I will say this, though: if your expectations are REALLY LOW, that might add to your enjoyment of the movie at this point!!

 

[cigar95]

I disliked EVERYTHING about the movie EXCEPT the visuals. Disney has clearly nailed the visuals. That's all that matters to us.

OK, I should reword it the way I originally thought of it, rather than what I actually typed.

"Seeing the movie will provide some context and visual cues for what you'll see in the new area, which ought to enhance your experience."

Some of the nay-sayer threads early on seemed to insist that when guests came to Avatar, they were going to see Stephen Lang trying to destroy the tree and Michelle Rodriguez kicking *** in her small transport while Sigourney Weaver tries to protect the various avatars for the sake of the science.

And I don't know how many times I said in the threads that "Pandora" and "Avatar" are two very different concepts. Disney is doing the former while only tangentially (if that) touching the latter. In that vein, @patrokls comment a few posts up nails what I tried to say for months.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

OK, I should reword it the way I originally thought of it, rather than what I actually typed.

"Seeing the movie will provide some context and visual cues for what you'll see in the new area, which ought to enhance your experience."

Some of the nay-sayer threads early on seemed to insist that when guests came to Avatar, they were going to see Stephen Lang trying to destroy the tree and Michelle Rodriguez kicking *** in her small transport while Sigourney Weaver tries to protect the various avatars for the sake of the science.

And I don't know how many times I said in the threads that "Pandora" and "Avatar" are two very different concepts. Disney is doing the former while only tangentially (if that) touching the latter. In that vein, @patrokls comment a few posts up nails what I tried to say for months.

I've always thought Disney would do something AMAZING with this, since the visuals were solid.

Honestly, I had faith from the getgo that Disney would NOT effectively remake the movie here (like they did with Frozen, Little Mermaid, etc.). DISNEY KNOWS A GOOD STORY AND GREAT CHARACTERS! They HAVE TO know that's not what Avatar served up!

Thus the MASSIVE disntiction they themselves are making between Avatar and Pandora.

Would I have preferred they find or better yet CREATE better IP for this? Sure! But I still think Pandora will be incredible.

I would not get too attached to a Phase II at this point, though...

 

[BrianL]

They HAVE TO know that's not what Avatar served up!

I don't know that they HAVE TO know that. There are some people who rather liked Avatar and feel that it had a very strong story (probably many more than the Internet would suggest). By my estimate the narrative is much stronger than Frozen. It felt big and important and presented conflict and growth. Sure, it's a bit cliche, but if that's such a cardinal sin, almost every movie ever made has committed it to some extent.

The idea that Avatar got where it is solely because of the visuals doesn't hold water. If that were the case, plenty of other really great looking movies wouldn't have failed.