Avatar land coming to Animal Kingdom!!

[cigar95]

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

George Carlin said it almost 40 years ago - there is *no* . . . *blue* . . . *food*.

And if you're about to respond, his very next line was "blueberries are purple."

 

[jesswindsor]

I always thought that AK needed some expansion....but Avatar?? Hopefully it will work out.

 

[aprestwich]

I think most of us DIS fans know that what is announced and what is actually built are two different things entirely. Have a look at the current Fantasyland construction and compare that to the original plans that were released.

I can honestly see this ending up as an Avatar attraction and surrounding merchendise/food in a section of Animal Kingdom that will eventually be slated for further development of the "fantasy" genre. I think about the themeing in the immediate area around PotC for example. Themed for Pirates in a very small area and as soon as you head towards Jungle Cruise, it all changes, same land, different themes.

Shovels aren't going in the ground until 2013, let's wait and see.....


Andrew

 

[Eeyore98]

...I'm not a big fan of the white savior trope in movies.

EXACTLY. A lot of the right-leaning folks here didn't like the movie because it was anti-military and anti-capitalist. I'm pretty far left, and I didn't like it for the time-worn racist narrative of "white dude meets the natives, quickly excels at everything important to them, then leads them against his people." Gag.

Well, honestly, I wasn't thrilled with the anti-military and anti-capitalist bits either, just because they were SO over the top. And "unobtanium"? Really?

There are so many better options for Disney to expand than this garbage movie. How about adding a South America and/or Australia areas to AK? You could add the Crush coaster from DLRP to Australia and make some sort of ride based on Emperor's New Groove to S. America. Plus, kangaroos and capybaras!

Or to take it to another park, why not a Star Wars land in DHS similar to IOA's Potter area? This seems like such a no-brainer. Who wouldn't want to order a drink at the Mos Eisley cantina! Come on!

 

[twokids0204]

Looking forward to it...

 

[BEANTOWNDR7]

usually I'm not negative about Disney but this I have to say;

I had no desire to see Avatar and the sequels (as everyone knows are never better than the original) but with Disney creating a whole area (not Disney themed like Cars or Bugs Life land) it really looks like Disney is "jumping the shark."

It looks like a knee jerk reaction to Harry Potter world at Universal.

I have to say I will definitely not visit that area of Animal Kingdom when it opens; that is one park that they should not re-invent

 

[wasabi girl]

Or to take it to another park, why not a Star Wars land in DHS similar to IOA's Potter area? This seems like such a no-brainer. Who wouldn't want to order a drink at the Mos Eisley cantina! Come on!

I'd have a drink at the cantina!

 

[brandanobash]

When I 1st heard about this, my thought was "Finally the people at the DIS will be happy because so many people there want more from AK" and it looks like I was wrong again lol.

I for one am very excited! I liked the movie (not a die hard fan) but I do see the potential for amazingly immersive experiences that will stand alone, regardless of the films future success. An example of this (for me) is Indiana Jones. I have never seen any of the movies, yet the ride at DL is my all time fave ride anywhere!

I have no doubt that this will be amazingly popular and will be done "right" by the Imagineers. So far I have yet to be disappointed, and growth at the parks is a good thing for everyone. Heck, even if you don't like it, it leaves other areas less crowded for you!

I do think this is an excellent fit for Disney, with the environmental tones and respecting the earth.Very similar to Pocahontas, which of course is a classic Disney movie!

Anyhow, I am so shocked by the reaction, which I expected to be overwhelmingly popular...and this is from someone who liked but wasn't bsessed with Avatar!

I think once it is open it will wow everyone!

totally agree with everything you said! People are just being negative

 

[donaldandpirates]

I would like to see a behind the scenes hands-on thing with the special effects, that would be very cool.
Hmmm..... I have a sudden urge to watch Pocahontas.

 

[nytimez]

EXACTLY. A lot of the right-leaning folks here didn't like the movie because it was anti-military and anti-capitalist. I'm pretty far left, and I didn't like it for the time-worn racist narrative of "white dude meets the natives, quickly excels at everything important to them, then leads them against his people." Gag.

Well, honestly, I wasn't thrilled with the anti-military and anti-capitalist bits either, just because they were SO over the top. And "unobtanium"? Really?

There are so many better options for Disney to expand than this garbage movie. How about adding a South America and/or Australia areas to AK? You could add the Crush coaster from DLRP to Australia and make some sort of ride based on Emperor's New Groove to S. America. Plus, kangaroos and capybaras!

Or to take it to another park, why not a Star Wars land in DHS similar to IOA's Potter area? This seems like such a no-brainer. Who wouldn't want to order a drink at the Mos Eisley cantina! Come on!

The movie was over the top in many ways, but I think the rich world he created made up for the simplistic plot.

I also thought it played to the opposite of the "white savior" cliche. He had to abandon everything that made him human (white) to become one of them -- including, ultimately, his body. He didn't tame the savages and teach them his ways -- the savages made them one of him, and it was his strengths as both a human (former military) AND a newly made Navi that he was able to lead them.

FWIW, I'd also love to see a Star Wars Land at DHS. But really, the franchise in the end is secondary to what they do with it. Epcot was for the longest time largely devoid of franchises and it was still a great park (and it's hardly a franchise-fest today, despite the presence of Nemo, Donald Duck, etc.). Six Flags licenses names everyone knows, and it's still... well... Six Flags.

 

[NLD]

I'm torn. Didn't like the movie, just thought it was really poor writing, cliche, and all about the special effects.

But what really bugs me is the idea of an entire land based on ONE movie. Correct me if I'm overlooking something, but... this is entirely new for a Disney park, yes?

That said, it will be nice to see more to do at AK, and given how visually beautiful the movie was, I have NO doubt the Imagineers can do some amazing things with it at AK. It was certainly a whole world unto itself visually, with gorgeous colors and plenty of sparkles, which Disney can do well. And.. The conservation theme certainly fits at AK.

It's just... a whole land based on one movie? Really? REALLY? (Ok, done repeating myself.)

There's so much more that could be done, with real animals, without revolving around one forgettable movie, that could be built up over time and could incorporate perhaps multiple Disney movies... South America, the Arctic, the Pacific Rim, the Australian Outback (you know, in keeping with "Asia" and "Africa")...

 

[Jacie]

Bleh!

 

[Goofypop]

...why not a Star Wars land in DHS similar to IOA's Potter area? This seems like such a no-brainer. Who wouldn't want to order a drink at the Mos Eisley cantina! Come on!

It would take a team of Clydesdale horses to get me out of Star Wars Land. I'm just sayin....

 

[carrie1626]

a possible new spin on all this.............??

I just told my 18 yr old DS about the Avatar plans- he thought it was "Cool".

Me, personally, I love nostalgia.

But we have to rememeber- there is a generation out there who have experiences and ideas completely different from ours ( mine...now i feel old )

 

[ftballfan7]

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 you are perhaps being a little oversensitive and reading more into the movie than was there.

 

[DCTooTall]

But what really bugs me is the idea of an entire land based on ONE movie. Correct me if I'm overlooking something, but... this is entirely new for a Disney park, yes?

That said, it will be nice to see more to do at AK, and given how visually beautiful the movie was, I have NO doubt the Imagineers can do some amazing things with it at AK. It was certainly a whole world unto itself visually, with gorgeous colors and plenty of sparkles, which Disney can do well. And.. The conservation theme certainly fits at AK.

It's just... a whole land based on one movie? Really? REALLY? (Ok, done repeating myself.)

There's so much more that could be done, with real animals, without revolving around one forgettable movie, that could be built up over time and could incorporate perhaps multiple Disney movies... South America, the Arctic, the Pacific Rim, the Australian Outback (you know, in keeping with "Asia" and "Africa")...

What if instead of being called "AvatarLand", it was called "Pandora"? Same thing in a land based off the movie license, but presented totally different.

Instead of a land based off some big blue cat people, it's a land based on a fantasy enviroment full of wonderful creatures and sights. A land with trees that glow in the dark and have virtual waves of light moving thru them.

Ground that has glowing light patterns in fun and exciting patterns (think the sidewalk behind Spaceship Earth at night).


As others have pointed out in this and other threads about this, James Cameron did so much more than create a very pretty movie, He actually ended up creating an entire world and the plants/animals/creatures that inhabit that planet. A full ecosystem complete with natives who live within that environment in harmony. Disney Imagineers have a LOT to work with within the world they just licensed and would never even need to go near the actual movie narrative.

 

[DOOM1001]

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.)

I guarantee you that a Twilight Land at Disney would be as big a hit at Disney as Potter was at Universal,and this is coming from someone who's not a big fan of the Twilight movies,I've seen a couple and somewhat enjoyed them but I'm not rushing out to see the next one.Avatar aside from the special effects was a total dud,if Disney creates a themed area that matches what you saw on screen with flourescent glow and all along with an amazing ride then it'll be a success,but comparing Avatar to Twilight it's not even close how much more hyped a Twilight area would be.I think what Universal did with Potter was great,overhyped for most people but it definitely is drawing insane crowds,I think Twilight could come close to matching that,Avatar..not so much,with that said I don't see how a Twilight could fit in a Disney park,Disney purists probably wouldn't go for it just as they probably feel Avatar doesn't fit at AK,I actually welcome seeing something other than animals going in the park,my question what was wrong with Beastly Kingdom,I would be just as excited if not more if this was getting built instead if Avatar.

 

[magicbob]

I would prefer to see an expansion at AK include animals on this planet.

Like Australia, perhaps?

 

[leebee]

I saw Avatar, really liked it, and currently can't remember very much about it at all. That's the one with the blue "people" with feline/rodent features, right? Disney is going to do a whole land based on this movie? Really?

My comments about Potter vs. Avatar, SW, etc. I think people are missing the point with Potter: It was a generation-spanning book series before the first movie hit the theaters. Children, parents, and grandparents all had read and would talk about a book... the SAME book. When is the last time that happened? Families discussing plots, characters, possible plot lines, etc. What makes Potter great isn't the movies or the gross... it's the BOOKS that are unifying.

I'll go see Avatar-Land, but I wouldn't plan a trip to Florida just to see it (unlike WWoHP, some of which I found foolish, but some of which was totally captivating). Maybe it'll be more interesting for those of us who really don't care, and don't have any preconceived notions, one way or the other.

 

[Big Daddy Incredible]

Lump me in with the folks who are surprised by the negative reaction to Avatar. If I had a nickel for every time a Diser started a thread about what should be added to the parks (especially the infamous 12th country of World Showcase), I could build Avatarland in my backyard. Now Disney comes out with plans for a major addition and the initial reaction seems a little over the top negative to me.

I'm quite certain the executives at Disney are not going to invest millions of dollars only to see their new addition shunned by their guests. They know what they are doing. They already know the concepts/stories of the second and third movie - we don't. I would bet all the Debbie Downers who don't like this idea today will be the first people gushing about Disneyworld's new addition in 2015. The Imagineers must be licking their chops right now just waiting to get started.