Avatar land coming to Animal Kingdom!!

[JasonDVC]

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

Politics was not mentioned in the post. Only support for our troops

 

[BrytEydBelle]

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.

Not necessarily...there was a lot of ruckus about Harry Potter back in the day. Some southern towns literally burned it and it was banned in many schools and libraries because of its "evil" due to witchcraft, etc. It hasn't hurt the Potter franchise, IMO. And with Avatar, for the people who hate it, at least an equal amount love it, and much more are probably fairly indifferent. The vocal minority just tends to have a loud voice I think.

 

[NLD]

I think I'd feel better about a single ride/attraction being added to a more rounded expansion of Animal Kingdom.

Yes, this.

Someone asked if "Pandora land" would be better (IMO)... and the answer is yes, but it's still very movie-specific to call it "Pandora Land."

I'm hoping that they actually name the land something else, something more broad, so that it retains potential for including other non-Avatar specific things. And then if they want to make the bulk of it, or ALL of it initially, Avatar-focused, fine.

Really I expect to like the area a whole lot and to find it visually stunning.

Just hung-up on the "one movie" approach. And it's not just that it's Avatar, either... wouldn't be in favor of any entire land based on any one movie--even classic Disney--it's just not in keeping with overall design of the Florida parks.

 

[JasonDVC]

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.

Interesting discussion this evening on the subject. I'll leave it that I am a Disney fan and I hope it works out for the best. I will visit with low expectations but an open mind. Good night!

 

[Cat0727]

Yikes. Isn't this Avatar land going to ruin the charm of AK? How is it going to fit together?

 

[JenM]

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...

Well, since that's an actual scientific term that's been used since the 1950s...I would say yes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unobtainium

Also, there are two sequels coming. At least one is rumored to take place in the oceans of Pandora, so there's lots more world to discover in two movies. And it sounds ideal for a theme park, especially one like DAK, which has such a strong environmentalist theme to it.

Patience is a virtue, everyone.

 

[Sweettears]

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

I'm with you to a point. While I think the possibilities are promising, to compare it to Terminator reduces the impact for me. Saw it at US and thought it was lame. Good effects but bad story line. Not a fan.

 

[miprender]

After reading all these posts I really need to see this movie before I can make a decision on how I feel.

 

[KellyNY]

Politics was not mentioned in the post. Only support for our troops

then I do not know what you call a political discussion. If you can really see our army in this movie, not just any army, not just any colonization but actually us, then it is political.

 

[MAD4EEYORE]

I am a fan of James Cameron. I don't think of Disney when someone mentions Avatar. The Twillight Saga would be a bigger crowd draw than Avatar JMHO. Disney could have come up with a ton more ideas than this.

It will be interesting to see what they come up with. It's Disney after all.

 

[AmyBeth68]

Isn't the movie FICTION??? I mean seriously people need to chill out. I simply sit here in shock (with a side of mild humor) at how a fictional movie, with undertones of environmentalism and, well, anti-bullying for lack of a better word, can p*$$ people off so much. Geesh. This is probably one of the more shocking degradations of a thread I've seen on the Dis in my many years and that is saying a LOT....just.freakin.wow. Soooo....Pocahontas didn't paint the early settlers, our American ancestors, in the best light? Beauty & The Beast AND Bambi is anti-hunter am I right, please alert the NRA? I mean COME ON!?!?! Where does it end?! I like the concept of AK being a land with undertones of conservation which fits well with Avatar. Beyond that, I don't think it's an evil liberal conspiracy. It is an opportunity for the Imagineers to have a blast creating unique rides and venues that will offer a new "land" within AK that will, in fact, draw a heck of a lot of people to WDW. Which I do believe is the point.

 

[everythingALICE]

I really dislike this idea...I'm all for adding new rides, etc...but not this.

 

[Sweettears]

Isn't the movie FICTION??? I mean seriously people need to chill out. I simply sit here in shock (with a side of mild humor) at how a fictional movie, with undertones of environmentalism and, well, anti-bullying for lack of a better word, can p*$$ people off so much. Geesh. This is probably one of the more shocking degradations of a thread I've seen on the Dis in my many years and that is saying a LOT....just.freakin.wow. Soooo....Pocahontas didn't paint the early settlers, our American ancestors, in the best light? Beauty & The Beast AND Bambi is anti-hunter am I right, please alert the NRA? I mean COME ON!?!?! Where does it end?! I like the concept of AK being a land with undertones of conservation which fits well with Avatar. Beyond that, I don't think it's an evil liberal conspiracy. It is an opportunity for the Imagineers to have a blast creating unique rides and venues that will offer a new "land" within AK that will, in fact, draw a heck of a lot of people to WDW. Which I do believe is the point.

With a little less vitriol.

 

[ScoJo15]

I think it's very obvious that a LOT of people did not see the movie!!

This thread is FULL of misinformation about the film LOL!

 

[humboldthny]

Well, since that's an actual scientific term that's been used since the 1950s...I would say yes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unobtainium

It doesn't change the fact that it sounds ridiculous....and just proves that there really was nothing original in Avatar.

 

[drysdaleo]

I actually LOL when I saw this pic I sat through the Avatar movie once with my family and none of us were impressed.

 

[nytimez]

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.

Yeah, Disney should stick to the things it created, like Winnie the Pooh, Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Davy Crockett, Br'er Rabbit and the Muppets!

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.

C'mon, this isn't Fahrenheit 9/11 -- it's a Sci Fi flick that happens to be the highest grossing movie of all time. Despite what you've read here, there's not much divisiveness over this. It's a well-loved movie, and I don't think it's going out on a limb to predict now -- years before they even break ground -- that it'll bring big numbers into Animal Kingdom.

 

[ftballfan7]

I think this concept has alot of potential. The possibilities for different rides/shows etc is almost limitless. Perhaps some more attractions aimed towards teens and young adults.

For those who say you won't be visiting this land if they build it, I flat out don't believe you. Although, if you don't that is fine with me.

 

[MaxsDad]

I saw avatar and I didn't like it, well I did like it the first time I saw it and it was called dances with wolves. I am also not a fan of james cameron. That being said, this was obviously a great business move for disney and it will be nice to have another major project, and area to visit, even if I didn't like the movie.

 

[Claudia1]

I guess I'm in the minority here but my first thought was "what about the nearly naked Na'vi"? Disney execs spend hours and hours discussing whether or not Donald Duck needs to wear pants. He is not similar to a human, he is an animal. Mowgli, Kokoum (Pocohantas), and Peter Pan's Indians all wear more. I can't think of any humanoid Disney character in the parks with costuming similar to the Na'vi.

Yes, I know that costumes can be made with body suits and the CMs will be fully covered, however the illusion will still be there. I looked up the reason for the PG-13 movie rating and sensuality was one of them. Yes, I understand there is a short, sensual scene in the movie but the very minimal costumes apparently also played a part in the movie rating.

In a G/PG theme park with rules for no thongs in the swimming pools, I don't know how they can make the Na'vi G/PG without altering the original character concept.

I liked the movie. I agree that making Pandora the Disney-way could be incredible. The beastly characters could make fantastic attractions. I just don't want to take my pre-teen grandkids for pics with a Na'vi or go thru a land with those images.

BTW, for those of you that want a nightime Pandora attraction...... this is the AK. They close at dusk 6 days out of 7.