Avatar coming to Animal Kingdom

[emkrueger]

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/09/avatar-coming-to-disney-parks/

wow. just wow.

 

[ThurlFan]

Being as I never bothered to see the movie, all I can think is...

*This* is their answer to WWoHP?

 

[Jedi]

well conservation is a big theme of the movie...so it does sort of tie in....I'm fine with it if its an addition in one of the empty spots that never got developed (BK area etc) and not a replacement for something else

 

[skiingfast]

I'm surprised Avatar took so long to get into a theme park. It was a humungous movie.

 

[thebigdisneydaddy]

Wow ... never saw that coming

 

[umichigan10]

surprised but...

FINALLY!!! There will be something new to hear on the bus spiel instead of "our newest ride Expedition Everest, which isn't really new but five years old"

About time AK got some love

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

surprised but...

FINALLY!!! There will be something new to hear on the bus spiel instead of "our newest ride Expedition Everest, which isn't really new but five years old"

About time AK got some love

 

[jlewisinsyr]

This was out of left field, I haven't seen any rumors surrounding this, and it's exciting to see. It also seems to be a pretty big investment if its going to take 5 years to full construct.

 

[skiingfast]

FINALLY!!! There will be something new to hear on the bus spiel instead of "our newest ride Expedition Everest, which isn't really new but five years old"

not doubt.

But now for 5 years we will be hearing "And coming soon Avatar".

 

[jsmutny]

This seems like a short sighted move to revive the park to me. Avatar appeals to a specific group, certainly not everyone who goes to Disney Parks, which will leave a large portion of guests disinterested in this "land". I feel that WWoHP is the same thing--limited. Also, whenever you base a large area on a pop-culture movie or show, it will become dated very quickly. In 15-20 years, Disney will be scrambling to re-theme a large portion of the park so that they don't look like has-beens. Universal will have the same problem with their park. Imagine was DHS would be like if Eisner had succeeded in theming a large portion of the park after Roger Rabbit. It would be very long in the tooth by now. I can't say that I'm excited at all by Avaland, but perhaps the Imagineers will surprise me. They typically do.

 

[brownielq]

Just saw this on Facebook

"We've got breaking news to share today: An "AVATAR" project has just been announced for Walt Disney World! The Disney Parks blog has details and images."

Source: fb.disneyparks.com

 

[DizCaptain]

I was initially feeling like this is terrible but it has potential to be great really. Imagine using Camerons animation/3D with a ride using new ride tech. The potential is grand. I don't think Disney needs an answer to Hp, Hp was an answer to Disney after many years IMHO. I look forward to what they do with this partnership, especially since there's a sequel for Avatar in the works, the world of Pandora is open to so many different things for both movie and potential rides alike. After an impulsive "What are they thinking?!" I now look forward to what may be a spectacular addition.

 

[mrsklamc]

Bummed by this. I think this movie was so over hyped and I don't want it invading my happy place...guess I'll just avoid that section.

 

[umichigan10]

not doubt.

But now for 5 years we will be hearing "And coming soon Avatar".

true

I posted this on another thread that the one thing that puzzles me is why a "collaboration" with George Lucas and a Star Wars land hasn't occured yet

 

[nytimez]

Holy Blank!

I am cautiously optimistic. An entire Avatar themed land could be spectacular -- and also bring back elements of Beastly Kingdom into the park, although in a way no one could have anticipated.

I'd love to see the concepts for the rides and attractions -- I'm sure everyone here does -- but this has the potential to be something truly exciting, AND help give AK the boost it needs.

And finally... who says you can't keep secrets in the Internet age? Find me one person who leaked this rumor!

 

[DCTooTall]

Wow! Does this mean that Animal Kingdom may actually get some love and maybe be worth spending an entire day in??

 

[thebigdisneydaddy]

I was surprised by this announcement, but even more surprised by the negative responses everywhere. On the blog and facebook people are really blasting this project already.

 

[skiingfast]

This seems like a short sighted move to revive the park to me. Avatar appeals to a specific group, certainly not everyone who goes to Disney Parks, which will leave a large portion of guests disinterested in this "land". I feel that WWoHP is the same thing--limited. Also, whenever you base a large area on a pop-culture movie or show, it will become dated very quickly. In 15-20 years, Disney will be scrambling to re-theme a large portion of the park so that they don't look like has-beens. Universal will have the same problem with their park. Imagine was DHS would be like if Eisner had succeeded in theming a large portion of the park after Roger Rabbit. It would be very long in the tooth by now. I can't say that I'm excited at all by Avaland, but perhaps the Imagineers will surprise me. They typically do.

I know, when are they going to get rid of Cinderella's Castle. Nobody watched that movie anymore.

Then they make areas themed after Cars, Bugs, Toy Story...It's not going to stop.

 

[nytimez]

Wow! Does this mean that Animal Kingdom may actually get some love and maybe be worth spending an entire day in??

I already spend an entire day there -- hopefully this means AK will be open into the evening, even if they have to close the Safari and animal trails.

My only fear is that this place is going to be filled with 3D junk and more screens. I really hope that's not the case, but it's a fear.

On another board, they're saying the budget for this is $400M-$500M... and that sounds like the kind of money/commitment really needed to knock this thing out of the park. Pun intended.

 

[Kazooie01]

Good for Disney, getting a hot franchise like Avatar in their parks is a home run if done correctly. The movie is the highest grossing ever (albeit with today’s ridiculously high ticket prices), love it or hate it, it will draw people. And with two new movies coming in 2014 and 2015 should be relevant for the foreseeable future. A perfect fit in Animal Kingdom with its conservation undertones too. Cool deal.