Avatar land coming to Animal Kingdom!!

[Invisable89]

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.

AVATAR is not just about the 'blue people' if you did remember the film you probably would know that. It's about Pandora - the planet the 'blue people' live on, they're called Na'vi. Pandora is beautiful - an incredible visual masterpiece. The film is all about nature & conservation which is also what DAK is about. The Na'vi people look after the animals, they connect with them - quite literally. I could go on & on for paragraphs but i won't, look it all up on Wiki.

 

[poohbear227]

Wow, I"m really surprised at all the negative reviews on here!

Avatar was a revolutionary movie, with regards to it's special effects. Disney is a revolutionary company with regards to theme park technology. I would think the pair would go hand in hand.

I, for one, am really excited for an Avatar Land. I think the alternative that they have for where their original "fantasy/mythological creatures land" is lame and pathetic (Camp Minnie Mickey-I just don't get it) It's nice to see them using that space for something substantial.

 

[Goofypop]

...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.

Like another poster said, what is planned and what is actually built are more often than not two totally different things. We could likely see this evolve into the mythical land of Beastly Kingdom, finally, with a single attraction dedicated to Avatar with all the glowing fauna and creatures (obviously aa figures) around the attraction. That would be pretty cool but the purists would still hate it.

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.

Well said. Most of the people that started thrashing Disney about this idea do this a lot for anything Disney does. Kinda makes you wonder why they even spend the money to go if they hate Disney parks so badly. No one that loves the parks would be as negative all the time. But as for them gushing... I doubt it. Even if they do like it they would never admit it. They'd ride it over and over and over but would bash it each time they had a chance. There are some things that I think Disney did wrong but I don't slam them for their ideas. Why? Because they have been running parks since 1955 and I've only been on this planet since 1972. I'm pretty sure they know what they're doing.

 

[disEAR]

Tom Staggs has answered (not really) various Questions regarding people''s concerns and curiosity of the new project over at the parksblog. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/09/answering-your-questions-about-avatar-at-disney-parks/

As someone not really too thrilled about this project. I think I'd feel better about a single ride/attraction being added to a more rounded expansion of Animal Kingdom. I'm opposed to a whole land dedicated to ONE property. I feel the same way about CarsLand, A Bugs Land and Toy Story Land in Paris and China too.

 

[ftballfan7]

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.

Now that is funny!

Being a Call of Duty fan, I would love this. Kinda like high tech paintball.

 

[disEAR]

Like another poster said, what is planned and what is actually built are more often than not two totally different things. We could likely see this evolve into the mythical land of Beastly Kingdom, finally, with a single attraction dedicated to Avatar with all the glowing fauna and creatures (obviously aa figures) around the attraction. That would be pretty cool but the purists would still hate it.

I don't really consider myself a purist. But I am against the idea of a whole land dedicated to Avatar. I'd feel better about a single attraction going into a more thoroughly themed land. aka, Beastly Kingdom..

 

[KellyNY]

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.

you cannot make everyone happy.

 

[jason10mm]

Man, most of you guys are nuts! Avatar was an awesome movie and should provide fodder for several top notch rides. Anyone remember the last Cameron collaborated ride? Terminator 3D, which was AWESOME! If this Pandoraland gets a couple like that it will be worthy of several visits per trip.

If you don't like it, then don't go to that part of the park. But even if the theme isn't to your tastes I suspect the rides will be FUN.

And for what it is worth, I am a right wing American soldier and didn't have an issue with the story. Remember that Earth was DYING and the humans were desperate. I rooted for them, stoopid tree

 

[humboldthny]

One word: LAME

While the look of the movie was novel (will it still be in another 4 years?) the rest of it was just flat out awful....seriously? "Unobtanium"? With all that supposed brainpower behind that movie that's the best they could come up with?

I hope Disney reconsiders this deal...

 

[freepixie]

The thing about Avatar, it made more money in China and Asia than it did over here - so can we just send this new Avatar-land to the new Shanghai Disneyland or even Hong Kong Disneyland? HK for sure needs help!!

 

[BrytEydBelle]

Not a big fan of Avatar here...while I am a firm believer in conservation and actually much of the message of the movie, I just found it over hyped to the extent that I couldn't really enjoy it.

That being said, I think Disney can do an amazing job with it. It is a visually stunning film with a rich world that I'm sure Disney can do something I will enjoy. I mean, I can't stand Goofy, but I loved Goofy's barnstormer. I loathe every Star Wars movie to the bottom of my heart, but I have a great time on Star Tours. People have been complaining a lot about Animal Kingdom needing more stuff (personally, I always tend to run out of time because I get lost looking at all the animals), so hopefully this will work. A ton of people love the movie, so I bet they'll turn out in droves, much like with Potter.

 

[Cheltenham]

Some see Avatar as a wonderful tribute to environmentalism. Others see it as hostile to the military and American business.
What is clear from these boards is that Avatar is divisive.
That cannot be good for Disney.

 

[Goofypop]

One word: LAME

While the look of the movie was novel (will it still be in another 4 years?) the rest of it was just flat out awful....seriously? "Unobtanium"? With all that supposed brainpower behind that movie that's the best they could come up with?

I hope Disney reconsiders this deal...

Not likely to happen since they seem to have already signed off on it.

 

[KellyNY]

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.

really, are we even allowed to have political discussions here on board.

 

[twinboysmom]

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.

You summed my thoughts perfectly! I will give Avatar land a chance. Should it prove to be political I will not return and take my money elsewhere.

 

[Tramp77]

I don't really consider myself a purist. But I am against the idea of a whole land dedicated to Avatar. I'd feel better about a single attraction going into a more thoroughly themed land. aka, Beastly Kingdom..

Do not like at all! I totally consider myself a purist. I'm 34 years old and grew up on Disney in the 80's. I fell in love with the Haunted Mansion, Pirates, EPCOT...you know, back when Disney used to create their own rides from THEIR imagination and their own properties. I can guarentee you I wouldn't be the Disney fan I am today if I was subjected to Ghostbusters land or a Goonies restaurant.

 

[JasonDVC]

Some see Avatar as a wonderful tribute to environmentalism. Others see it as hostile to the military and American business.
What is clear from these boards is that Avatar is divisive.
That cannot be good for Disney.

Ditto

 

[I_Heart_Disney_4_Lyf]

Haven't posted in ages but had to chime in on the big news. Love this idea. Loved the movie. For attractions I can see a ride similar to Soarin where you are actually flying through Pandora, and a ride similar to Dinosaur! where you are trying to get out of the way in time. But I'm sure Disney will come up with something new and amazing out of the "blue". Heh.


Can't wait to see the initial artwork.

 

[cjnix29]

I think it is ridiculous. I can't find classic Disney Bambi in the parks but on a mural or two, and now we get Avatar?! Not a fan. Another reason for us to skip Animal Kingdom on our trips.

 

[Goofypop]

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.

Wow. You're wearing American flag Underwear right now aren't you? Man, stop taking the movie so seriously. It was a SciFi movie. Not a documentary. And in case you didn't notice, several of the military were against the invasion. And where exactly does it say in the movie that it was the American military?? Maybe there was a Earth Defense Force that they were a part of. It was set in the future after all. And as a former member of the US military I can tell you I did not find this at all offensive.