Avatar Land

[martin33]

Hi there,

Does anyone have any insight as to when in 2017 Avatar will open at AK? I have searched the web and seen everything from "early 2017" all the way to "by the end of 2017-early 2018". I know its not much more than pure speculation but maybe someone knows a target Disney has set? We go each March and have to book DVC by the September prior (7 months out). For the first time I am contemplating postponing our trip until the fall of 2017.

 

[Flyerjab]

Hi there,

Does anyone have any insight as to when in 2017 Avatar will open at AK? I have searched the web and seen everything from "early 2017" all the way to "by the end of 2017-early 2018". I know its not much more than pure speculation but maybe someone knows a target Disney has set? We go each March and have to book DVC by the September prior (7 months out). For the first time I am contemplating postponing our trip until the fall of 2017.

Most people will tell you that it is dangerous to plan a trip around the opening date of an attraction/expansion/etc. The plan has always been Spring of 2017. However, with their track record as of late, I would not assume Spring anymore (unless things change).

Recent examples:

Rivers of Light - first was 22nd of April, now July 4th or later.
STK Orlando in Disney Springs - late 2015 and it still has not opened.
The Edison in Disney Springs - Fall of 2016, now Spring of 2017.
Frozen Ever After - some will tell you that it is already late to open.
Shanghai Disneyland - months and months and months late.

If you play it safe, I would say later in 2017. If you are a gambling individual, late Spring or early Summer.

 

[rteetz]

Hi there,

Does anyone have any insight as to when in 2017 Avatar will open at AK? I have searched the web and seen everything from "early 2017" all the way to "by the end of 2017-early 2018". I know its not much more than pure speculation but maybe someone knows a target Disney has set? We go each March and have to book DVC by the September prior (7 months out). For the first time I am contemplating postponing our trip until the fall of 2017.

Avatar is on pace to be open by spring 2017 if there are no delays. As flyerjab said though I wouldn't book your vacation around a new attraction. To be safe I would book towards later in 2017 as avatar should be open by then but it's not a guarantee.

 

[Lee Matthews]

I'd book it for March 2018 to be safe

 

[Josh Hendy]

I'd book it for March 2018 to be safe

Disney is going to have to raise prices again to make up revenues for these delayed bookings.



And then offer more discounts as incentives!

 

[NuttyDisneyDad]

Id book it for spring 2028. Disneys track record of building new stuff is atrocious. They should grab a notepad and take some notes from Universal

 

[NuttyDisneyDad]

And Im kidding about 2028.....prob closer to 2026

 

[DisneyLovingPreacher]

I would guess it will be closer to 2018 and Star Wars land closer to 2028

 

[rteetz]

I would guess it will be closer to 2018 and Star Wars land closer to 2028

Lots not confuse people please. Yes Disney is slow at building things but 2017 for avatar and likely 2019-20 for Star Wars.

 

[NuttyDisneyDad]

My bad moderator!!

 

[BrianL]

It should be mid-2017 but you never know. They've run into delays this year on some of the "Spring 2016" attractions. Also, you certainly don't want to go the first few weeks (months?) it opens. It'll be a madhouse!

 

[DisneyLovingPreacher]

It should be mid-2017 but you never know. They've run into delays this year on some of the "Spring 2016" attractions. Also, you certainly don't want to go the first few weeks (months?) it opens. It'll be a madhouse!

That's right you never know!

 

[bhyer]

I'm so glad this thread popped up. My daughter and I have been to Disney World only once and are wanting to go back again but want to wait until Avatar is open. We were discussing May 2017 (I was trying to decide if I could take the heat...). Now after seeing these posts I'm thinking we should plan for October. My daughter can't get time off in November or December. Do the parks typically have a lot of closures in October?

 

[rteetz]

I'm so glad this thread popped up. My daughter and I have been to Disney World only once and are wanting to go back again but want to wait until Avatar is open. We were discussing May 2017 (I was trying to decide if I could take the heat...). Now after seeing these posts I'm thinking we should plan for October. My daughter can't get time off in November or December. Do the parks typically have a lot of closures in October?

Not always. This year the only big one is big thunder mountain.

 

[sndral]

We are planning 12/17 partly in hopes that construction will finally be finished in AK. W/ the years of walls at MK, the closures in Epcot, the DTD/DS work and the AK walls we have construction fatigue and are giving WDW a break. DHS will be under construction when we return, but hopefully it'll be the only location impacted.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Disney is going to have to raise prices again to make up revenues for these delayed bookings.



And then offer more discounts as incentives!

Rides don't increase revenues

 

[martin33]

Thanks everyone. A long time ago (2006) my soon to be wife and I were pleasantly surprised to arrive at AK to find a soft opening for Expedition Everest in February (official opening was April)! My how times have changed! We have been going to Disney every year now for the past 5 years to escape the Canadian winter in March. I guess the real decision I have is do we go again this March knowing full well that Avatar wont be open, and if we do, will I be able to wait until 2018 to go again or are we going to spend more $ and go again late 2017- I guess Disney has us right where they want us! It really comes down to how much we would miss being there if we skip a year- there are worse decisions to make. My own personal decision would be is Frozen, Rivers of Light, and the New Soarin (and I suppose a finally completed Disney Springs) enough to justify our trip. At this point its the Magic of watching a 3 and 5 yr old enjoy all there is to offer

 

[bhyer]

I'm thinking it's "possible" it could be open by May of 2017......

 

[ShinyRedGloss]

Here is hoping it'll be open late fall 2017 (Nov/Dec)

 

[Accident]

I suspect at D23 we'll get another vague possible season but at destination D in november we'll get a firm date if they know it. This thread is a good example on how people are going to delay vacations so they can come to see it after it's opened. Unfortunately it also means they can't really say the target date if it looks firm because it impacts business and they aren't going to impact the summer or fall to say it now.