Avatar Land

[TXWAC]

Am I the only one just not feeling the love for Avatar Land? Just seems like a mountain of money and property wrapped up in a movie that never really matched the hype for me.

When was the last time you dragged out you blue ray collection and re-watched it? Well there is no collection because the sequels are perpetually a few years away. I can get SW. Decades of content. Fans lined up to just throw cash on that fire. But Avatar? One movie.

Shanghai in the Everglades?

 

[Robo]

Am I the only one just not feeling the love for Avatar Land? Just seems like a mountain of money and property wrapped up in a movie that never really matched the hype for me.

Since it was first announced, it has never been a popular decision on these boards nor in the Disney fan base, elsewhere.
Just do a search to find dozens of opinions, most in the "why pick Avatar?" category.

Many are hoping for the best, of course.

There are multiple announced movie sequels in the pipeline.
Many are thinking the popularity will increase with subsequent releases.

 

[LinderInWonderland]

I really enjoyed 'Avatar', but haven't rewatched it as much as some other movies because it really is a big screen, 3D movie. My sister and I have always wished to go to the Phosphorescent Forest, now we will get to!

So to your point, I feel like I am in the minority of people who are VERY excited about Avatar Land.

 

[HM]

I liked the movie. Fits perfectly with the conservation theme of AK.
I also like the idea of an area that is designed to look like Pandora. That planet was wonderous. I'm looking forward to it.

 

[TXWAC]

Just watched the sneak peek video they just put out and it looks like Animal Kingdom is about to loose it's way. It really worked with the Lion King theme. It's like they are one step away from glueing wings on the elephants and teaching them to jump off a high dive.

 

[mm1971]

I think most are taking a wait and see approach. If they can accomplish what has been discussed, I think it will be a popular attraction area. If it looks even close to what the movie depicts at night, I think it will be successful. We'll see. My family thought the movie was decent and this has paved the way to AK being open after dark, which I can't wait to see. Package it with the new shows and night safari event and we are excited to see what the final result is. It certainly makes AK more of a full day park and should help spread out the crowds some.

 

[TXWAC]

"After dark". Didn't think about that. I can see why that would be a big draw for Disney.

I guess in the end I am just not a fan of Avatar.

Do hope it all works out.

 

[Ravensorrow]

Avatar is going into the area that was originally slated for Fantasy animals. Avatar also fits because of it's intense conservational themeing...Plus...There are 4 more movies slated in the next few years, so it will be relevant again.

 

[BrianL]

This thread again. I personally loved Avatar. It's a great film. James Cameron's demand for perfection is holding up the sequels quite a bit, but he's earned the right to do what he wants. I think Pandora fits in well with Animal Kingdom, and I expect the much-needed attractions will be top-notch, regardless of if one likes the movie or not. It's going to be a beautiful area of the park.

 

[HM]

Just watched the sneak peek video they just put out and it looks like Animal Kingdom is about to loose it's way. It really worked with the Lion King theme. It's like they are one step away from glueing wings on the elephants and teaching them to jump off a high dive.

Originally the park was to have an area with a more fantasy theme that included dragons. In fact when they first opened, as you went over the bridge if you looked left there was a rocky area where smoke and a roar would emerge occasionally. The park never did open all that was planned.

 

[CAS239]

It was a good movie and their planning on making 4 more movies. The first did amazing at the box office. The hype will grow again and the Pandora expansion will be popular.

I would only be angry at the decision if Harry Potter wasn't already taken

 

[Skywise]

I'm looking forward to seeing Aang and the Fire Nation temple...
[whisper, whisper]
Oh... uh... er.. yeah that Avatar... It'll be nice as something different to do but I'm not really that excited about. I just don't see it as having the staying power as other parks and putting it in Animal Kingdom is... odd... I know they had a fantasy beast world planned originally but that's still a different concept than a "not even Disney owned" movie for a park that's more of a natural museum/zoo. (Besides if they wanted to reflect alien lands they could've used their own Atlantis property)

Walt would've made up a movie series just for it.

 

[SeeDisney]

My four children and my husband absolutely LOVES this movie. I never seen it, not interested in any mytical movies type I am. i only know it as the movie with the blue people and have seen snippets of the movie when the kids are watching it on television. The movie, surprisingly, has made over 2.5 billion dollars, the record high. I didn't realize Disney produce the movie. I am excited about the land coming to WDW. Just to walk through the land and be part of a different world surroundings.

Yes, at first, i was surprised about WDW placing in a Avatar land, I was like "why?" "what for?".

 

[Robo]

I didn't realize Disney produce the movie.

They didn't.

Disney has entered into a contractual agreement with the company/producer/writer who DID create it.

There ARE countless popular Disney films which COULD have been chosen for a new "immersive land."
Another reason why so many people are scratching their heads over this decision.

 

[Skywise]

They didn't

They have entered into a contractual agreement with the company/producer/writer who DID create it.

Do they have any stake at all in the next 4 movies or is that all Fox? (Hmmm.. wonder if there's some sort of "gentleman's agreement" between that and Star Wars... "We'll build "Avatar - the ride where you'll get wetter than you've ever been" and pay you licensing fees in return you let use Star Wars too?)

 

[Robo]

Do they have any stake at all in the next 4 movies or is that all Fox? (Hmmm.. wonder if there's some sort of "gentleman's agreement" between that and Star Wars... "We'll build "Avatar - the ride where you'll get wetter than you've ever been" and pay you licensing fees in return you let use Star Wars too?)

At this level, there are no "gentlemen's agreements."

I'm not sure of your Star Wars reference.
Disney owns Star Wars.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

I love sci- fi movies and really enjoyed Avatar. Don't hate....DH and I saw Star Wars in '77 when it came out... We were not impressed and have not watched any of the sequels.

 

[Skywise]

At this level, there are no "gentlemen's agreements."

I'm not sure of your Star Wars reference.
Disney owns Star Wars.

Sure - Disney owns everything Lucasfilm did but 20th Century Fox still has some rights over some of the original movies (at least episode IV). Mainly dealing with distribution and publication I believe.

 

[hookedonears]

It was a good movie and their planning on making 4 more movies. The first did amazing at the box office. The hype will grow again and the Pandora expansion will be popular.

I would only be angry at the decision if Harry Potter wasn't already taken

It was a good movie (not great), because it broke new ground with its special affects, but its storyline was just average. Unless something incredible changes with the sequels, I don't expect the hype to grow that much. If the attractions are great, people may make special trips to the World to experience same. If they're not, they'll still come, because people have time on their hands and that's what they do when they come to Disney. I just want to know what happened to the planned seal and dauphin exhibits that were announced when they first announced the Avatarland expansion?

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Never seen the movie. Probably never going to see the movie. Just don't care.

3D Fern Gully in space. Whatever.