Avatar-Pandora demand

[jknc]

This project came online before my becoming a DISBoards user.

Was their really a genuine clamoring from the public for Avatarland?

It looks fantastic and is a welcome addition IMO, but is there really an audience that's overwhelmingly excited for its arrival?

 

[Delirium]

It's new. It will be unique. It's part of making Animal Kingdom, a park I really enjoy, an even better one. Frankly, I'm looking forward to it more than I am Star Wars and Toy Story at HS.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

For Avatar itself? No. Many viewers liked Avatar but it's not like Star Wars or Harry Potter as a franchise Most persons who've seen it probably can't give you the name of even one character (and the only actor I remember is Sigourney Weaver) . For something new in the park, yes. If it's well done it will not be just a flash in the pan, because it should look good and be unusual. but there won't be Avatar fan weekends or anything like that. Waiting to see how it turns out.

 

[tlmadden73]

It's definitely not Harry Potter or Star Wars ...

 

[Dan Murphy]

Was their really a genuine clamoring from the public for Avatarland?

I think the actual public demand for that specific land was probably close to zero. I think they are building it and hoping they will come. (think Field of Dreams) I personally am looking forward to it.

 

[JimmyV]

The age old question. People like to think that Avatar has no fan base, and yet, it still sits on top of even the highest grossing Star Wars movie of all time, not even adjusted for inflation. By a wide margin. ($2.78B to $2.06B) Somebody out there liked what they saw.

In the end, it all comes down to execution. A really cool ride with great theming and special effects will be well received by the Disney audience regardless of the IP it is based on. Was anyone clamoring for a Twilight Zone ride or an Aerosmith roller coaster or a Song of The South ride? They seem to be doing pretty well.

 

[jknc]

It's new. It will be unique. It's part of making Animal Kingdom, a park I really enjoy, an even better one. Frankly, I'm looking forward to it more than I am Star Wars and Toy Story at HS.

Interesting. I'll be interested to see how many share your same opinion.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

The age old question. People like to think that Avatar has no fan base, and yet, it still sits on top of even the highest grossing Star Wars movie of all time, not even adjusted for inflation. By a wide margin. ($2.78B to $2.06B) Somebody out there liked what they saw.

In the end, it all comes down to execution. A really cool ride with great theming and special effects will be well received by the Disney audience regardless of the IP it is based on. Was anyone clamoring for a Twilight Zone ride or an Aerosmith roller coaster or a Song of The South ride? They seem to be doing pretty well.

No dispute it is the highest grossing movie but the movie quickly lost its popularity (I think). I've read stories here and there about a sequel but nobody seems particularly interested and I imagine you'd be hard-pressed to find any Avatar-themed anything at stores. Much more excited about Toy Story and Star Wars additions to DHS.

That said, I'm hoping that the new area at Animal Kingdom will have some really neat rides. Not a real fan of 7DMT.

 

[jknc]

The age old question. People like to think that Avatar has no fan base, and yet, it still sits on top of even the highest grossing Star Wars movie of all time, not even adjusted for inflation. By a wide margin. ($2.78B to $2.06B) Somebody out there liked what they saw.

In the end, it all comes down to execution. A really cool ride with great theming and special effects will be well received by the Disney audience regardless of the IP it is based on. Was anyone clamoring for a Twilight Zone ride or an Aerosmith roller coaster or a Song of The South ride? They seem to be doing pretty well.

I've never seen the film start to finish and subsequently neither have my kids. But to your point, my kids have no clue who Aerosmith is either.

I hope these rides are industry game-changers and not re-hashes of old favorites.

 

[Mac30188]

While Avatar itself was not a focus of discussion, there has been significant pushing to make Animal Kingdom more than a half day park. There has been pushing for more balanced parks so it is not MK and the rest. So in my opinion, while the theming of Avatar was not called out, the addition to AK has been one of the biggest public pushes from Disney fans. I really believe it will be a tremendous success. The movies will just help boost popularity at what in itself will be a fantastic addition.

It is kind of funny that people get caught up in the brand comparison of "Frozen" vs. "Avatar" and therefore more excited about Frozen. From a project scope perspective, Avatar land will blow Frozen Norway out of the water long term.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think people are over the Avatar shock and are back to just wanting something new in the parks.

 

[DisDadDVC]

I think they were better off just expanding Animal Kingdom and not calling it avatar land. The fact that it is based on Avatar will probably have very little appeal. But the expansion itself should be nice.

 

[JimmyV]

No dispute it is the highest grossing movie but the movie quickly lost its popularity (I think).

Number of weeks in the Box Office Top 10:
Avatar=14
Force Awakens=10
I don't know that it is fair to say that it quickly lost its popularity. It's just that the movie is 7 years old now. We can't pass any judgments on the Avatar franchise until the next movie comes out. It might do $2B. It might tank. We don't know. The Star Wars franchise was dead until the release of the latest movie. The previous three were received horribly by the viewing public. But the latest movie brought it all back to life. It is way too early to decide if the next Avatar movie will save the franchise or kill it.

I've never seen the film start to finish and subsequently neither have my kids.

And I saw Episode I of SW and hated it. Never bothered to see II or III. And yet, if Disney builds some cool stuff in DHS, I'll be excited.

 

[Mikie]

I think the choice of Avatar has a lot more to do with the stunning visuals and conservation theme of the movie than "people loved Avatar characters - lets build a land!"

As PPs have said, some beloved attractions are based on no movie at all, or on movies or music that havent been mainstream popular in quite some time.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

There wasn't a clamoring for a Harry Potter land, either. That worked out fine.

 

[intricatejewel]

I honestly enjoyed Avatar when I watched the movie. While I wasn't clamoring for an Avatar land, I'm embracing the addition to Animal Kingdom and can't wait to check it out. I expect it to be mindblowingly beautiful just like the movie but we'll see. I. Glad AK is getting some much needed additions like ROL and Avatar. IMO, Dinoland was an epic failure. I have never seen anyone playing the carnival games and the rest of the theming just doesn't have that wow factor that brings you back time and again.

 

[godders]

I think right now the problem is that Avatar was released a while ago (2009) and the deal to build Avatarland was announced in 2011. At the time it was released, Avatar was a state-of-the-art movie using the latest technology and was visually spectacular. As such it became one of the highest grossing films ever and at the time people definitely would've been excited for the land and Animal Kingdom is probably the place for it. The industry however has caught up with the technology and most films nowadays are released in 3D, especially if they are visual-affect/CGI heavy such as the latest Star Wars movie. I think this has dimmed just how much Avatar pushed the boundaries and lessened the demand for it as a specific theme. Once the promos for the next film/land start coming I'm sure interest will build again.

While personally I'm not that bothered by it as story, the technology being promised (which is arguably one of the reasons for the delays) is hopefully going to be amazing and be a good competitor for the amazingness that is WWoHP over at the Darkside

 

[EricInPA]

Cars is my least favorite Pixar movie.

Cars Land... is amazing.

Edit: removed probably, it is my least favorite.

 

[DisDadDVC]

I think the avatar themed merchandise will be a flop, but people will still enjoy the land. Not too many kids clamoring for a blue navi doll.

 

[jknc]

Cars is my least favorite Pixar movie.

Cars Land... is amazing.

Edit: removed probably, it is my least favorite.

Cars is awful IMO, it's one of the few movies we do not own.
However, Cars Land is fantastic.