Avatar land coming to Animal Kingdom!!

[mmay60046]

My e-mail to Disney...

9-20-11

I just learned that Disney is teaming up with James Cameron to bring an "Avatar Land" to the Animal Kingdom Park. My first reaction is "Are you NUTS!!??"

I would like to take this opportunity to let you know that the movie Avatar makes me sick to my stomach and I found it offensive as an American. The movie does nothing but make the American military out to be murderous thugs. I'm shocked that Disney would want to affiliate itself with a brand that promotes such abhorrent anti-Americanism and desecrates the good men and women that make up our armed services and put their lives on the line everyday defending this great country. I know I am not the only person that feels this way, in fact I know people who love the movie BECAUSE of the way it presents the American military as brutal savages. Those people hate the American military and take joy in seeing it humiliated on the big screen and now Disney has decided to cater to those who would spit on an American soldier if he/she were to walk by. Shameful!

I am a DVC member at 2 resorts and am now going to take a step back and see what Disney decides from here. Will you retract from your announcement to partner with a hideous film and brand or will you scoff at those who take personal offense to the disgusting display of disrespect shown by James Cameron and Avatar. Your decision will affect mine.

I think what they should do to make you feel better is make a Seal Team Six land. It would even be based on something that's real life, while Avatar is fiction. Or at least I thought it was.

In Seal Team Six Land guests could be helicoptered into a life-like terrorist compound and splatter the guts and brains of the cast members dressed up like real Taliban and Al Qaeda inside. This would surely make any gung-ho American proud of the homage being paid to the elite commando units of our great military!!

Maybe they could even combine Avatar Land and Seal Team Six Land, only this time it's up to the guests to determine the outcome. The hardcore conservative patriots on the Seal Team Six side, and the soft, blue eco-terrorist loving liberals on the Avatar side. Now that's a Disney vacation!!!


Edit: You might want to skip seeing Wall-E. It might offend your fragile sensibilities.

 

[pilferk]

They also get a very nice cut of Universal's merch sales and licensing fees, and let Universal's marketing budget pay to advertise the Marvel properties.

There are also rumors that Universal may need to give Disney access to it's books in relation to sales due to clauses about percentages of sales and/or park admission.

The contract does state Marvel (now Disney) can ask for a full accounting of all the merch sales. They wouldn't get to see the entirety of the books, but they would get to see some of their financials.

I'm going to see if I can track down that contract....

 

[Invisable89]

I really don't understand the attitude that you and several other posters have when it comes to the bolded. Is all you want simply an expansion regardless of the details? You may be happy with this particular one, but that doesn't mean everyone is. Just because AK needs work doesn't mean I'm going to be happy with anything and everything they do to it.

If they decided to throw in 2 entirely unthemed roller coasters as an expansion, should people not complain because it's technically an expansion?

No i'm not saying any expansion is a good expansion regardless of the details. That's why i think AVATAR is a good idea because it really fits in with what DAK was originally about.

But i don't think we should all pre-judge when we don't actually know what they're going to do yet, AVATAR has so many aspects to it, we've no idea what they're going to concentrate on.

& yes i completely understand that everyone has their own opinions & not everybody is going to like everything but i think people should just be a little more open-minded, that is all.

 

[nytimez]

I think a better expansion would have been a Studio Ghibli-themed Beastly Kingdom, but I'm not a big fan of the white savior trope in movies. Princess Mononoke handles environmentalism way better than Avatar either way.

As much as I like Miyazaki's films, they haven't really found an audience here. "Spirited Away" won an Oscar -- yet did almost no box office.

So as much as I love the Ghibli films, I can certainly understand why Disney won't sink half a billion dollars into developing a theme park land around it.

 

[greenkai3000]

Hmm... Let me see if I've captured the sentiment of those in absolute shock and disbelief and totally against by the idea of Avatar land being added to DAK:

Option #1 - "When I go see movies it has to fit with my perceived preconceptions or else it is an evil travesty. So either I hated this movie or I will never see it and have therefore classified it as godawful."

Option #2 - "How dare Disney use a movie that may or may not be interpreted by hardcore anti-environmentalists as a "preachy" (something 99% of the world population apparently didn't even think about) for a Land?!?!? Travesty!"

Are you folk being serious? The movie made BILLIONS. And the visuals were stunning, to say the least. The general message "environment = good" is what DAK is ALL about. Or did you miss that?

Heck, the Navi's faces already look a bit rodent-like...

This!!! RIGHT ON!!!

 

[greenkai3000]

I think what they should do to make you feel better is make a Seal Team Six land. It would even be based on something that's real life, while Avatar is fiction. Or at least I thought it was.

In Seal Team Six Land guests could be helicoptered into a life-like terrorist compound and splatter the guts and brains of the cast members dressed up like real Taliban and Al Qaeda inside. This would surely make any gung-ho American proud of the homage being paid to the elite commando units of our great military!!

Maybe they could even combine Avatar Land and Seal Team Six Land, only this time it's up to the guests to determine the outcome. The hardcore conservative patriots on the Seal Team Six side, and the soft, blue eco-terrorist loving liberals on the Avatar side. Now that's a Disney vacation!!!


Edit: You might want to skip seeing Wall-E. It might offend your fragile sensibilities.

You hit that right on the nail.

 

[picktails]

Wow, the judgments based on the political nature of the film amaze me.

Don't the Disney-lovers pay attention? The company has long been liberal-minded (hiring policies, movie messages, et al.) That's why I love them!

I'm consistently surprised when people rail against Disney's progressive stance and claim to be true fans. And no, disapproving of our military policies does not equal hatred toward America. Not even close.

 

[Tinkh]

I am so excited! What a plush and beautiful environment this is going to be. I personally love the message of AK. I resent those that act like only one side of the political spectrum enjoy having concerns for the environment. The air my child breathes, the water my child drinks, the sustainability of our land and preservation of natural resources are concerns that both sides of the aisle agree upon. I have no idea when it became one side over the other. Yay for Disney and forward thinking.

I have no interest in an Indiana Jones land at AK. How would that coincide with the message of AK? I think Avatar is a huge blockbuster that has the potential to have many more blockbusters built upon its brand. If it doesn't turn out to be so, then Disney will still be able to have a land that can be used in many different ways. Star Wars land would have and could be amazing at DHS. I still hope that comes to fruition.

Yay Disney Yay!

 

[lucyanna girl]

I am on the fence. Maybe good, maybe not....

But what I hjave been wondering is - what will the rides be?

Penny

 

[carolinagirl]

Also want to add - environmentalism shouldn't be polarizing! Saving the planet so our descendants have a place to live should be a priority to all humans. I really don't understand how any body can be of any other mind set. And to the person that said liberals on the left don't go to Disney anyway, I'll be happy to prove you wrong - in myself. This liberal has been going to Disney for 26 years. I also love going to other places too! Wow! How amazing! Let's not make this a political attack thread.

The issue with the movie is not that it is environmentalist. I think most people want to leave our kids with clean water and air and generally want to do what is good for our planet. These issues are not polarizing. What IS polarizing is the blantant anti-military, anti-business, anti-capilalist & ultimately anti-American slant that the movie took on. Sure, I suppose it is possible to watch the movie for the entertainment value alone, but the political overtures in the movie are so "slap-you-in-the-face" it is hard to see past them. The fact that this thread has turned into a political thread is PRECISELY why Disney should re-think this decision. Why would they want to bring this into their parks? I go to Disney to escape reality - politics and all. I don't want this in my beloved Disney parks. If I can take any solace at all it is that this will be added to the Animal Kingdom, which I don't mind skipping.

Having said all that - if they do go ahead with this - my HOPE is that they will find some way to make this work & keep it "Disney" - although I'm doubtful. Hope they prove me wrong.

 

[morethananyonex]

No i'm not saying any expansion is a good expansion regardless of the details. That's why i think AVATAR is a good idea because it really fits in with what DAK was originally about.

But i don't think we should all pre-judge when we don't actually know what they're going to do yet, AVATAR has so many aspects to it, we've no idea what they're going to concentrate on.

& yes i completely understand that everyone has their own opinions & not everybody is going to like everything but i think people should just be a little more open-minded, that is all.

In your previous post, I read what you were saying as any expansion would be good regardless of the details. I mean, because some people don't like the idea of this one there's "no pleasing some people"? I haven't seen anyone post that they want an AK expansion regardless of what it is. After all, I don't think a Dinoland expansion would go over well .

Since we don't know what they're going to do (other then a land), don't you think jumping to conclusions about how awesome it's going to be is the same thing as being disappointed already?

My disappointment is nothing against Avatar. I would feel the same way if they made an entire land focusing on Jungle Book, Nemo, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Beauty and the Beast, etc. IMO none of the Disney Parks (aside from DHS, maybe) are the kind where an entire land should be based around a movie. I much prefer the broader lands they currently have.

 

[lugnut33]

My e-mail to Disney...

9-20-11

I just learned that Disney is teaming up with James Cameron to bring an "Avatar Land" to the Animal Kingdom Park. My first reaction is "Are you NUTS!!??"

I would like to take this opportunity to let you know that the movie Avatar makes me sick to my stomach and I found it offensive as an American. The movie does nothing but make the American military out to be murderous thugs. I'm shocked that Disney would want to affiliate itself with a brand that promotes such abhorrent anti-Americanism and desecrates the good men and women that make up our armed services and put their lives on the line everyday defending this great country. I know I am not the only person that feels this way, in fact I know people who love the movie BECAUSE of the way it presents the American military as brutal savages. Those people hate the American military and take joy in seeing it humiliated on the big screen and now Disney has decided to cater to those who would spit on an American soldier if he/she were to walk by. Shameful!

I am a DVC member at 2 resorts and am now going to take a step back and see what Disney decides from here. Will you retract from your announcement to partner with a hideous film and brand or will you scoff at those who take personal offense to the disgusting display of disrespect shown by James Cameron and Avatar. Your decision will affect mine.

Why didn't you mention the good things Disney does for the military, like Shades of Green (I know, owned by DOD, but still a great facility nearby), military discounts, flag retreat daily, etc. No, I suppose just like all Americans we are just going to complain and threaten a boycott. It's the American way.

Also, weren't the soldiers in Avatar actually part of a corporation and not the military? Some might have ben ex-military and in real life there are a lot of ex-military in mercinary roles. Just ask Blackwater.

Dude, I'm disgusted by your letter to Disney and I'm also a DVC owner. Maybe I'll buy more points if you sell, just to offset it.

 

[JenM]

Coming soon... Twilight Land, complete with sparkly vampires, werewolves, and a show where you experience the birth of Reneseme in 3D.

(If all Disney is going to do is chase hot movie franchises, I can see that's where this is headed.)

Ew.

Can you imagine that stunt show? The "Breaking Dawn: Vampires and Werewolves Stand Around and Talk It Out Final Battle Show".

Or worse...Bella as a Disney princess.

 

[ChefMickey123]

Somewhere, deep in the bowels of the Disney merchandising think-tank, there is an intern designing blue Mickey ears with beaded braids hanging off of them.

Somewhere, in a test kitchen, hidden far from view, foods that were never meant to be blue are receiving a makeover...

Somewhere, there is a person figuring out how to facepaint your children like their favorite Avatar character for around $50

And all the while, Disney is doing what it knows how to do the best: make us smile and forget about reality while they extract every last dime of our vacation dollars from our wallets.

 

[ToddyLu]

Granted AVATAR wasn't STAR WARS, but it was wonderful. I mean I am not impressed with Star Tours at all. DH and I haven't riden it in years. But I do appreciate the fact that it is represented at DHS. A ride, a giftshop a 1/4 size AT-AT...I think AVATAR could be represented in a similar light.

However, I do think it would work at AK, too. I haven't been to Rafiki's Planet Watch in years. I wonder how much longer Bug's Life will work. THey could put an AVATAR something under the Tree---like the Tree in the movie, kinda sorta....similar....maybe...

Or they could scare the hell out of me by putting a huge AVATAR monster in Stitch's Great Escape. Now that was a monronic move--taking the alien away...I mean Stitch and a bad burp....give me a break. But they didn't ask me, did they.

Hey, at least they are considering new ideas.

I wonder if there will be a new animatronic coming to the Hall of Presidents in 2013?

 

[morethananyonex]

Ew.

Can you imagine that stunt show? The "Breaking Dawn: Vampires and Werewolves Stand Around and Talk It Out Final Battle Show".

Or worse...Bella as a Disney princess.

Ew is right. I guess that perspective is one way to make Avatar Land look awesome!

 

[JenM]

Why didn't you mention the good things Disney does for the military, like Shades of Green (I know, owned by DOD, but still a great facility nearby), military discounts, flag retreat daily, etc. No, I suppose just like all Americans we are just going to complain and threaten a boycott. It's the American way.

Also, weren't the soldiers in Avatar actually part of a corporation and not the military? Some might have ben ex-military and in real life there are a lot of ex-military in mercinary roles. Just ask Blackwater.

Dude, I'm disgusted by your letter to Disney and I'm also a DVC owner.

Yes, the soldiers were mercenaries. It wasn't a military operation, it was a corporation that came to Pandora.

And also keep in mind that Jake Sully, the hero of the film, was US soldier.

 

[Tinkh]

Why didn't you mention the good things Disney does for the military, like Shades of Green (I know, owned by DOD, but still a great facility nearby), military discounts, flag retreat daily, etc. No, I suppose just like all Americans we are just going to complain and threaten a boycott. It's the American way.

Also, weren't the soldiers in Avatar actually part of a corporation and not the military? Some might have ben ex-military and in real life there are a lot of ex-military in mercinary roles. Just ask Blackwater.

Dude, I'm disgusted by your letter to Disney and I'm also a DVC owner.

ICAM! You hit the major points on the head. Apparently, the fact that Disney celebrates the birth of Christ and honors many religions, honors the military on a daily basis, and also tries to share the message of environmental responsibility makes them some far-left America hating entity.

 

[Nature Mom]

Ew.

Can you imagine that stunt show? The "Breaking Dawn: Vampires and Werewolves Stand Around and Talk It Out Final Battle Show".

Or worse...Bella as a Disney princess.

I think I just threw up a little in my mouth! lol

Ew is right. I guess that perspective is one way to make Avatar Land look awesome!

Here, here!

 

[Tinkh]

Yes, the soldiers were mercenaries. It wasn't a military operation, it was a corporation that came to Pandora.

And also keep in mind that Jake Sully, the hero of the film, was US soldier.

Exactly!! How dare you make so much sense haha