Avatar coming to Animal Kingdom

[nytimez]

While i applaud ALL capital investment somewhere where they expect people to pay close to 100 bucks a day to pass through a gate...

...I don't know if this is the right way to go.

Avatar...beyond a vastly underwhelming movie for the pricetag and its box office gross...doesn't seem to have the staying power that would warrant this kind of committment and investment.

I mean...can anyone really (other than sci-fi/ tech geeks...i know you will defend anything that is pure ridicululous fantasy)...say that avatar is still at the front of their minds...

It reminds me of - ironically - titanic. A "huge" movie that got everyone to the theater and took the money out of their pockets....but was pushed outta most of the minds the minutes the credits rolled.

Maybe i'm wrong...but i don't think about that movie...ever. And that doesn't mean lots of other movies don't pop into my mind often....
That one doesn't.

I know they feel like they need a top of the line product and have to try to draw global interest...but i don't see this as the right horse to ride.

And unless this a big expansion to AK...its not denting the problem at AK. They need a large expansion - not "a thing" like they pulled with everest.

I would be more open to this if it were more definitive...and if it was part of a larger plan.

lots of doubts

Not sure how much you caught/missed while you were away, but this is to be a major expansion to AK -- a "land" with multiple attractions, at least in part overseen by James Cameron who -- along with the Imagineers -- will have $500 million to play with.

Sorry, but I'm drinking the Kool-Aid on this one. Avatar isn't a movie I think about either -- but the idea of being able to step into that world strikes me as an incredible theme part experience... IF they do it right.

So, as I said earlier in the thread, I am cautiously optimistic. And also ready to eat my hat because I never would have expected them to do anything on this scale.

 

[twebber55]

I just read through this whole post & am pretty shocked how negative many of the reactions are...

This announcement is probably one of the best things I've heard for the Florida parks in years! I am not a huge Avatar fan by any means - I enjoyed the visuals, but thought the story was predictable & pretty bland. That said...

The possibilities for a Pandora land addition to AK is tremendous! The best part of the park (which I've only gone a few times, the last being about 5 years ago), is the lush surroundings & the feeling you get of being in places that many people will never get the opportunity to visit (Asia, Africa, etc.) I really wasn't that blown away with any of the existing rides (I enjoy the safari, the rapids ride is fun, the 3D & Dinosaur ride as well), but I could spend HOURS just walking around and letting myself be visually immersed in the beautiful landscape that Disney absolutely nailed! It's more then just a "theme park" - it's an experience...

Bringing an "out of this world" experience that has a heavy "nature" feel will fit in PERFECTLY at AK. No matter what you think of the movie itself, James Cameron made a truly outstanding new world from his imagination that is next to none. If you don't think so, watch the movie with the volume off...it's visually STUNNING.

Throw into the mix an E-Ticket ride that he has his hand in (T2 3D at Universal WAS pretty amazing when it first came out) this will be good - and I'd bet it will be damn good...

Stop hating on this, and enjoy the fact that Disney is putting 500 million into a park that most agree "needs it" (and I agree it could use a couple more cool rides to make it a more "all day" park) This announcement is indeed GREAT news...and I hope they don't listen to all the backlash & just concentrate on putting a Disney spin on bringing this new world to life in a way that hasn't been done before.

I for one am truly excited by this news, and hope to live long enough to see it come to fruition.

Stop *****ing & celebrate this! I got a feeling it will blow people's minds.

this is exactly how i feel...no matter what you think about the movie im giving this project a chance...i cant wait to see what WDI and James Cameron come up with at a park that definitely needed it

 

[skier_pete]

I just read through this whole post & am pretty shocked how negative many of the reactions are...

Stop *****ing & celebrate this! I got a feeling it will blow people's minds.

Oh it doesn't surprise me at all...I've replied to folks on this "Rumors and News" boards saying that their level of expectation is so high that Disney can never satisfy you no matter what they do. This just provees it...a $500 million investment into a park that most would agree needs to be expanded with an established property that obviously could make for very entertaining theme park attraction...and still people are saying "Nope, dumb idea!"

I don't care what you thought of the movie, it has a LOT of fans. The biggest fans tend to be a younger demographic than is generally hanging out on these boards though. (15-25 year old males) That demographic might not be the target audience just yet, but as they get older, they'll be bringing their families to Disney.

Another response I find interesting..."Science Fiction doesn't belong in Animal Kingdom", however, apparently FANTASY FICTION is OK...a la Beastly Kingdom. I have always found it interesting how much the general public (and media) confuses Sci-fi and fantasy. Science Fiction is by definition stories that a based on scientific possibilties. The example I've often used is that Star Trek is science fiction (for the most part - a few fantasy elements are incorporated) while Star Wars is more FANTASY - by it's very opening of "A Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far Far Away".

The fact is, Avatar is called SciFi because it is set with humans going into space and their are aspects of Sci-Fi (the whole concept of Avatars for instance) it really is more Fantasy Fiction. Take the "humans invading pandora" aspect out and the world of Pandora IS Fantasy.

The irony of any argument of one versus the other is that AK already has major rides that represent BOTH concepts. Expedition Everest is a "Fantasy" ride, but DINOSAUR! is in fact a "Science Fiction" ride. (Man creates a device that allows us to go back in time to see Dinosaurs.)

OK - I'll get down from my soapbox for now...we'll clearly be arguing over this for the next 5 years.

The only thing from a negative is I hope it doesn't mean we won't be getting anything new at Epcot and DHS for the next 5 years. Those parks need some love too.

 

[ASteelersMidget]

Oh it doesn't surprise me at all...I've replied to folks on this "Rumors and News" boards saying that their level of expectation is so high that Disney can never satisfy you no matter what they do. This just provees it...a $500 million investment into a park that most would agree needs to be expanded with an established property that obviously could make for very entertaining theme park attraction...and still people are saying "Nope, dumb idea!"

I don't care what you thought of the movie, it has a LOT of fans. The biggest fans tend to be a younger demographic than is generally hanging out on these boards though. (15-25 year old males) That demographic might not be the target audience just yet, but as they get older, they'll be bringing their families to Disney.

Another response I find interesting..."Science Fiction doesn't belong in Animal Kingdom", however, apparently FANTASY FICTION is OK...a la Beastly Kingdom. I have always found it interesting how much the general public (and media) confuses Sci-fi and fantasy. Science Fiction is by definition stories that a based on scientific possibilties. The example I've often used is that Star Trek is science fiction (for the most part - a few fantasy elements are incorporated) while Star Wars is more FANTASY - by it's very opening of "A Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far Far Away".

The fact is, Avatar is called SciFi because it is set with humans going into space and their are aspects of Sci-Fi (the whole concept of Avatars for instance) it really is more Fantasy Fiction. Take the "humans invading pandora" aspect out and the world of Pandora IS Fantasy.

The irony of any argument of one versus the other is that AK already has major rides that represent BOTH concepts. Expedition Everest is a "Fantasy" ride, but DINOSAUR! is in fact a "Science Fiction" ride. (Man creates a device that allows us to go back in time to see Dinosaurs.)

OK - I'll get down from my soapbox for now...we'll clearly be arguing over this for the next 5 years.

The only thing from a negative is I hope it doesn't mean we won't be getting anything new at Epcot and DHS for the next 5 years. Those parks need some love too.

For me personally I'm super excited Disney is spending money to update AK. I just HATE Avatar. It really makes me mad it is the highest grossing film of all time. Any other movie I would've been fine with. No movie I would've been fine with. Just Not Avatar!

 

[nytimez]

Oh it doesn't surprise me at all...I've replied to folks on this "Rumors and News" boards saying that their level of expectation is so high that Disney can never satisfy you no matter what they do. This just provees it...a $500 million investment into a park that most would agree needs to be expanded with an established property that obviously could make for very entertaining theme park attraction...and still people are saying "Nope, dumb idea!"

Actually, I think some of the biggest nay-sayers on this one have been the people who usually drink the Kool-Aid.

I've been stunned by the reaction, especially among some of the folks who are usually the biggest cheerleaders.

 

[Figment632]

Actually, I think some of the biggest nay-sayers on this one have been the people who usually drink the Kool-Aid.

I've been stunned by the reaction, especially among some of the folks who are usually the biggest cheerleaders.

And Doom and Glomers like me that support and are excited about this!

 

[Chernab0g]

At a press conference at Walt Disney Imagineering earlier today, Disney executives Bob Iger and Tom Staggs announced a long-term creative partnership with James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the epic fantasy world of AVATAR to life at Disney parks, beginning with Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in Orlando. With its spectacular settings, intriguing characters, imaginative creatures and strong themes of family and loyalty, AVATAR is a great fit for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Construction on our first AVATAR-themed land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park should begin in 2013.

Seems like the plan is far bigger than just Animal Kingdom. Maybe spin offs elsewhere?

Frankly, Avatar was not really that "imaginative". It was an anti-Capitalism rant by James Cameron with very poor writing and worse acting. It Pocohantas in space.

 

[Chernab0g]

Walt is spinning in his grave.

 

[ChrisFL]

Frankly, Avatar was not really that "imaginative". It was an anti-Capitalism rant by James Cameron with very poor writing and worse acting. It Pocohantas in space.

anti-capitalism??

 

[nytimez]

Frankly, Avatar was not really that "imaginative". It was an anti-Capitalism rant by James Cameron with very poor writing and worse acting. It Pocohantas in space.

Walt is spinning in his grave.

This is hysterical.

So, by extension, Pocahontas (let's spell it right if we love it so much, ok?) is an "anti-capitalism" rant too? And I guess that film would also have Walt spinning in his grave, by extension.

(Walt can't be spinning in his grave anyway. He was cremated. Or frozen and placed under Pirates of the Caribbean.)

 

[Figment632]

Frankly, Avatar was not really that "imaginative". It was an anti-Capitalism rant by James Cameron with very poor writing and worse acting. It Pocohantas in space.

Not anti-Capitalism it was crazy left wing enviromental nonsense but its just a movie.

 

[ASteelersMidget]

This is hysterical.

So, by extension, Pocahontas (let's spell it right if we love it so much, ok?) is an "anti-capitalism" rant too? And I guess that film would also have Walt spinning in his grave, by extension.

(Walt can't be spinning in his grave anyway. He was cremated. Or frozen and placed under Pirates of the Caribbean.)

Not anti-Capitalism it was crazy left wing enviromental nonsense but its just a movie.

Lets Not turn Disney into politics Please. I HATE politics

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The "anti-capitalist" nature made the most sense of any part of the movie

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Not anti-Capitalism it was crazy left wing enviromental nonsense but its just a movie.

Pilot to gunner: hold your fire!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

For me personally I'm super excited Disney is spending money to update AK. I just HATE Avatar. It really makes me mad it is the highest grossing film of all time. Any other movie I would've been fine with. No movie I would've been fine with. Just Not Avatar!

I think I'm right with you overall

 

[Max Rebo]

My apologies if this has already been discussed, but has there been any talk/speculation about WHERE in AK the new Avatar-Land will be? I'm picturing it in the Camp Minnie-Mickey area, but there's also a whole lot of space available between Africa and Asia. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Figment632]

My apologies if this has already been discussed, but has there been any talk/speculation about WHERE in AK the new Avatar-Land will be? I'm picturing it in the Camp Minnie-Mickey area, but there's also a whole lot of space available between Africa and Asia. Anyone have any thoughts?

Its going where camp M&M was.

 

[nytimez]

Nothing's official... Camp Minnie-Mickey seems like the obvious spot since that was the original spot for Beastly Kingdom, but there's also talk that it could go at the back of the park, on the large empty plot of land behind Everest.

 

[ASteelersMidget]

My hope is that it goes where Camp MM is and they move festival of the lion king to Africa.

 

[MJMcBride]

My hope is that it goes where Camp MM is and they move festival of the lion king to Africa.

I was hoping they would move FOTLK to africa and build an arena for the Wonderful World of Color