Avatar land- when will it open?

[justme0729]

I think I read that Rivers of Light and the Nighttime Safari will open this year, correct? When do we think the entire Avatar land be complete including the Avatar ride? I have read sometime in 2017 but I'm wondering if it is early 2017 or late 2017... Anyone have any guesses? We won't plan our trip around it but it would be nice to know whether it is likely to be open.

 

[BrianL]

I would guess Summer of 2017...IF they are still going to meet the 2017 date at all.

There will actually be two rides in Pandora, one flying type thrill ride and one more gentle boat ride.

 

[PatMcDuck]

If possible I would guess they would love to have it for Earth day next year, then it would be in place for the summer crowds. But, no word, and it looks far from completion.

 

[rteetz]

I would guess Summer of 2017...IF they are still going to meet the 2017 date at all.

There will actually be two rides in Pandora, one flying type thrill ride and one more gentle boat ride.

Why wouldn't they make 2017?

I've heard April 22nd 2017 is the target date.

 

[BrianL]

Why wouldn't they make 2017?

I've heard April 22nd 2017 is the target date.

Oh, you know, just being cynical about Disney construction schedules. Plus with the Avatar film sequels being delayed and the construction in the state it's in it just doesn't feel like they're ready (and they could wait to have synergy with the films). They probably will be.

 

[rteetz]

Oh, you know, just being cynical about Disney construction schedules. Plus with the Avatar film sequels being delayed and the construction in the state it's in it just doesn't feel like they're ready (and they could wait to have synergy with the films). They probably will be.

The avatar films have nothing to do with this. The land is actually at the same stage carsland was about 12 months out. So if they are aiming for April 22nd 2017 then they are right on target.

 

[tinkerhon]

I think I read that Rivers of Light and the Nighttime Safari will open this year, correct? When do we think the entire Avatar land be complete including the Avatar ride? I have read sometime in 2017 but I'm wondering if it is early 2017 or late 2017... Anyone have any guesses? We won't plan our trip around it but it would be nice to know whether it is likely to be open.

At this point, I would say sometime in 2025

 

[rteetz]

At this point, I would say sometime in 2025

I understand the sarcasm but why can't we be more optimistic. Construction started in January 2014. If it opens April 2017 it will be three years and about 4 months. Personally for the amount of rock work they are doing that seems reasonable at Disney standards.

 

[BrianL]

The avatar films have nothing to do with this. The land is actually at the same stage carsland was about 12 months out. So if they are aiming for April 22nd 2017 then they are right on target.

No, I know the films don't have any real bearing on it, but I could totally see Disney thinking that if the films got delayed they just got extra time to work on stuff, because the original plan was to open the land the same year as the Avatar sequel came out.

It's just because I'm cynical and jaded at this point. I used to not be, but, they just make it so easy. It'll still probably be mid-2017 sometime, and this way I'll actually be impressed when they make it instead of surprised if they don't.

 

[HopperFan]

Oh, you know, just being cynical about Disney construction schedules. Plus with the Avatar film sequels being delayed and the construction in the state it's in it just doesn't feel like they're ready (and they could wait to have synergy with the films). They probably will be.

And maybe some permits with completion dates of December 2018...

 

[rteetz]

And maybe some permits with completion dates of December 2018...

That's something that has been really strange to me. Pretty much every permit has that date but there is nothing to lead me to believe it will take that long.

 

[abnihon]

We're planning a trip for first week of May 2017 and really hoping it's open by then!!

 

[HopperFan]

That's something that has been really strange to me. Pretty much every permit has that date but there is nothing to lead me to believe it will take that long.

If they are going to complete that specific part of the permit within a year they don't have to fill in anything. They have purposely inserted that date - giving them the ability to have that much time to finish that portion. It tells me that they are not sure they can get it done within a year of filing and they somehow have determined they should be good with that date. It's just a red flag to me to not hold my breath until they stop filing permits. While I hope it's not December 2018, I wouldn't be surprised if it were in 2018.

 

[rteetz]

If they are going to complete that specific part of the permit within a year they don't have to fill in anything. They have purposely inserted that date - giving them the ability to have that much time to finish that portion. It tells me that they are not sure they can get it done within a year of filing and they somehow have determined they should be good with that date. It's just a red flag to me to not hold my breath until they stop filing permits. While I hope it's not December 2018, I wouldn't be surprised if it were in 2018.

I understand but I still don't see any reason to believe that this will open in 2018. As I said before they are at about the same stage carsland was 12 months out which makes sense for an April 2017 opening.

 

[BrianL]

It would also not shock me if they were to partially open in 2017, say with just the flying ride, then open the boat ride and whatever additional areas they have planned at a later date.

 

[rteetz]

It would also not shock me if they were to partially open in 2017, say with just the flying ride, then open the boat ride and whatever additional areas they have planned at a later date.

The boat ride is connected to the flying ride building.

 

[BrianL]

The bait ride is connected to the flying ride building.

Yeah, but that doesn't mean they have to complete all the scenery for one ride before operating the other.

 

[rteetz]

Yeah, but that doesn't mean they have to complete all the scenery for one ride before operating the other.

From everything I've heard/seen I can't see them not opening together.

 

[tinkerhon]

I understand the sarcasm but why can't we be more optimistic. Construction started in January 2014. If it opens April 2017 it will be three years and about 4 months. Personally for the amount of rock work they are doing that seems reasonable at Disney standards.

I have to be honest, I was waiting for your response --- if you read the "ROL Lounge" thread, you might realize that
( at least in MY case --- I won't speak for others) sarcasm is not the intent - it's said more "tongue-in-cheek" as a joke. I understand ( as I am sure that everyone else does as well) the amount of hard work that goes into even the smallest project -

We all understand that this is a huge project. As far as optimism-- I am kind of ambivalent -- not negative or positive.
Honestly, our family will have a great vacation regardless of any of these projects.

So, again, it was a joke --- which ( no pun intended) is meant to shed some light on the topic. Really no reason to comstantly jump to their defense.

 

[pa. dad]

I think it does sound very interesting. I think the movie was pretty good but moreso than the quality of the movie, I thought it was very colorful and exotic. That should translate well into a theme park then.
I'm not so sure how it relates to animals though as aren't the characters in Avatar like aliens who are part man and part something else?