'Avatar,' 'Coco' attractions are coming to Disneyland — and other big news from D23

[OlliePop27]

I think Disney tries to make sure attractions ARE accessible, but it's hard to know until we see the ride vehicles in real life.

I can't imagine Grizzly River Run being replaced by Avatar. Aside from the logistical issues around a gigantic construction project right outside the Grand Californian for literally years, GRR is the closest thing DCA has to an iconic ride. As in, it's been there from opening and is still extremely popular. Plus the bear is like the DCA mascot if you know what I mean.

I like the idea of Avatar being across Harbor!

I still have my original shirt from DCA's opening in 2001 with Grizzly Peak as the park icon!

 

[StarlitNight05]

So do I! A ride...ok, if they insist. But a whole land? No thanks.

Agreed. I get that Avatar is a highly (or is it the highest?) grossing film, but are the hardcore Disney fans really the biggest fans of the franchise? It's possible, but I have my doubts. I suppose it appeals to a wide range of visitors too (not just the hardcore fans), so eh...I get it.

Just please, Disney, leave Grizzly Peak alone!

 

[Pluto468]

I still have my original shirt from DCA's opening in 2001 with Grizzly Peak as the park icon!

I was there that day, too It was so exciting.

 

[LKing]

I was at the AP Preview Day.

 

[dina444444]

I was at the AP Preview Day.

I went to one of the pre DCA opening AP preview days as well. I was 10 at the time, I just remember all the ride lines were super long. We went back in May of that year when they were offering a multi day ticket option that I think had a park hopper. We must have let our passes expire. I remember the weather wasn’t great that day so DCA was basically empty and we road GRR several times in row. We had bought those blue ponchos that had the grizzly peak on them.

 

[StormyCA]

I think we need to put nothing beyond Disney's capabilities when it comes to either shoehorning a new attraction into an existing space/attraction OR wanting to make money.

Will TPTB really care about the DVC owners wrt Avatar or the Coco ride? Nope. They got their money already when they bought in and as far as I know the only recourse would be for the owners to book their stays 'elsewhere' or to sell their timeshare. If they book elsewhere, Disney still gets their money anyway. If they sell, a new owner starts giving money to the Mouse. So I don't think that DVCers will stop Disney from plunking AvatarLand or Coco right under their windows. I also don't think guests of the Grand will factor into it if the plan is to convert GRR. I think the main draw of the Grand is the inside decor and location, location, location.

The thing is, TPTB know that we (as Disney Fans) will still come no matter what, we always do. And they know that if we don't, there are still people lined up behind us who will.

I think @twitch may be right in his predictions. But time will tell. I know we were told 'this WILL happen'. But we've been told that before and then a year or two later it either just 'fades away' or we're told 'Sorry, we can't exactly do THAT, so we're doing this (scaled down or totally different thing) instead'.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I like the idea of Avatar remaining in Animal Kingdom

Seriously, I thought it was really cheap looking there…was not impressed with the boat ride and I couldn’t do the FOP. But I just thought it wasn’t attractive overall. So I definitely don’t think they would put it right outside their premium hotel. I think it will go over in Hollywood and that corner will be totally revamped. As someone previously pointed out, construction in the GRR/Redwood area would be disastrous.

But, it’s Disney…so who knows?

Agreed. I finally saw the Avatar land in Animal Kingdom this year and I thought it was a huge dud! Not very pretty to walk around. (I heard it's better at night but they are rarely open very late.) The boat ride was pretty for a few seconds and then it was just the same thing the whole ride. (Also, the 1 animatronic wasn't even working.)

Where ever they end up putting the Avatar crap at DCA....it will hopefully be more visually appealing that the crap pile in Florida!

 

[BrianL]

Agreed. I finally saw the Avatar land in Animal Kingdom this year and I thought it was a huge dud! Not very pretty to walk around. (I heard it's better at night but they are rarely open very late.) The boat ride was pretty for a few seconds and then it was just the same thing the whole ride. (Also, the 1 animatronic wasn't even working.)

Where ever they end up putting the Avatar crap at DCA....it will hopefully be more visually appealing that the crap pile in Florida!

While I don't think that Pandora is awful during the day, it was really made to be seen at night. I am fortunate enough to have seen it. Unfortuantely, they basically backed off kepeing AK open later, so they never run it. Na'vi River Journey is a pretty underwhemling ride - pretty, but there's not much to it and it's short. The animatronic Shaman is the best part - and impressive - but if it was out when you rode, that's too bad. Flight of Passage though remains a very excellent ride!

 

[limace]

I don’t love the Avatar movie but I think the land-and FOP-are incredibly well done. One of the top rides in Orlando for us. I own at VGC and sure hope they keep GRR and the challenge trail but I’m excited to see what they do with Avatar.

 

[dina444444]

While I don't think that PAndora is awful during the day, it was really made to be seen at night. I am fortunate enough to have seen it. Unfortuantely, they basically backed off kepeing AK open later, so they never run it. Na'vi River Journey is a pretty underwhemling ride - pretty, but there's not much to it and it's short. The animatronic Shaman is the best part - and impressive - but it it was out when you rode, that's too bad. Flight of Passage though remains a very excellent ride!

I expect that once the dinoland transformation to tropical America’s is compete we will see later park hours at DAK again. I also hope they can finally figure out a show that works for the lake.

 

[BrianL]

I expect that once the dinoland transformation to tropical America’s is compete we will see later park hours at DAK again. I also hope they can finally figure out a show that works for the lake.

I really liked Rivers of Light, but I guess I am in the minority. They need something there though!

 

[Aladora]

I don’t love the Avatar movie but I think the land-and FOP-are incredibly well done. One of the top rides in Orlando for us. I own at VGC and sure hope they keep GRR and the challenge trail but I’m excited to see what they do with Avatar.

I could not agree more except I actually hated the movie, so much so that I have zero interest in seeing any of the others in the series. But, I still think Pandora is one of the most amazing parts of any park and FOP is by far my favourite ride...and this is coming from someone who is a die hard Disneyland person!

I really hope they keep GRR, it is a ride I really enjoy and when DS was little the challenge trail was a great place to take him to blow off steam and let him get away from the big crowds. However, as an adult who has a now-adult child, I am less passionate about that area although I have said for a while that DCA could really use more little kid friendly spaces now that Bug's Land is gone.

 

[irlandaise]

I really hope they keep GRR, it is a ride I really enjoy and when DS was little the challenge trail was a great place to take him to blow off steam and let him get away from the big crowds. However, as an adult who has a now-adult child, I am less passionate about that area although I have said for a while that DCA could really use more little kid friendly spaces now that Bug's Land is gone.

Redwood Creek is really the only place that kids can run around in DCA, right?

 

[ClaraOswald]

Redwood Creek is really the only place that kids can run around in DCA, right?

Yes. And there's some actual shade in this area of the park.

 

[OlliePop27]

Redwood Creek is really the only place that kids can run around in DCA, right?

Yes, and desperately needed. DLR needs more kids spaces in general. Toontown is overwhelmed because kids need more play areas!

Legoland puts DLR to shame in this respect. They have excellent playgrounds and play areas there. I know it's a different demographic, but the disparity is stark if you visit DLR and Legoland a few days apart.

 

[disney-inspired]

I do not see them getting rid of Grizzly River Run at all. Redwood that is not happening or going away. I think Goofy's Sky School may go.

That's what I was thinking. Expanding that area toward the back and connecting Plaza de la Familia to the Coco ride would make sense.

I just wanted to add an image to overview the area. Look at how much wasted space is in Hollywoodland (red lines). All but Monsters. Inc. in the middle is empty. Phillarmagic, as much as I love the show, plays to mostly empty crowds all day. The yellow area is open space if the buses are moved. The blue area on the right is where the new parking garage is likely to go, along with bus loop and security. There will be some kind of bridge over Harbor in the blue area shown, just north of Tropicana. Exactly how this looks, I don't know and they will need to maintain some separation between DL and DCA so people can walk in from the east side to the Esplanade. They will also incorporate some kind of access for people staying on Harbor and to get to restaurants on Harbor.
View attachment 885318

I was so mad when they got rid of the Muppets 3D for Philharmagic. but honestly so much wasted space in Hollywoodland.

I feel so bad for WDW, losing Rivers of America. I would be beyond upset if they did that at Disneyland.

The Coco ride looks really cool but I can't imagine where they'll put it. I'm bummed about Avatar land because it doesn't seem to fit in with the park and I'm worried it will take over something great like Redwood Creek.

I'm surprised they need to expand Avengers campus to fit the new rides in. That area seems to have alot of empty space where they could fit at least 1 attraction.

I don't think they'd remove the Rivers of America at DL. They use that area for Fantasmic. Also, I'm also thinking they'd be more interested in keeping original items from the original park that were there on opening day.

 

[LKing]

I don't think they'd remove the Rivers of America at DL. They use that area for Fantasmic. Also, I'm also thinking they'd be more interested in keeping original items from the original park that were there on opening day.

Maybe at Disneyland, but not at DCA. They've revamped DCA multiple times.

 

[Aladora]

Maybe at Disneyland, but not at DCA. They've revamped DCA multiple times.

True but that was because DCA was pretty...lackluster when it first opened.

 

[dina444444]

I just don’t see them doing anything to grizzly peak. They would have to block off the main walkway artery if they removed it because of all the drainage that runs underneath it over to San Francisokyo where the retention pond is for the water.

 

[BrianL]

I was so mad when they got rid of the Muppets 3D for Philharmagic. but honestly so much wasted space in Hollywoodland.

They didn't exactly get rid of MuppetVision for Philharmagic. They closed it and let it sit for years, only using it for movie previews and, briefly, the Frozen sing-along. Eventually they brought in Philharmagic as a permanent show, which was better than nothing being in there at all. That said, I prefer Muppets too.