Avatar-Pandora demand

[GeorgiaHoo]

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

I feel like there's a disconnect here. The Harry Potter books were released to midnight openings at bookstores with folks waiting in line for hours in costumes to get a copy. Avatar, regardless of how well it did at the theater, was a one off. And while the technology for Avatar was cool and the movie made a ton of money, I imagine there are very few people who can name the main characters, of who are wrapped up in the story.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I feel like there's a disconnect here. The Harry Potter books were released to midnight openings at bookstores with folks waiting in line for hours in costumes to get a copy. Avatar, regardless of how well it did at the theater, was a one off. And while the technology for Avatar was cool and the movie made a ton of money, I imagine there are very few people who can name the main characters, of who are wrapped up in the story.

Harry Potter, after one book, was just another popular kids book. It grew as the characters continued to develop, along with the world in which they "lived". It was aimed at children and their parents. It was as much about growing up as it was about magic and conflict. Almost everyone could connect to someone in the series. Like Star Wars, it is a "generational" event. I have no problem with any of that. But when people start revising history by claiming that there was a "clamor" for a Harry Potter amusement park before the project was announced, I have to laugh. It just isn't true.

Once word leaked that Rowling was considering selling her rights to the story for an amusement park ride the clamor began - but not until.

 

[MJ6987]

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.

That's only because it was the first movie to do the proper 3D that is now commonplace. I have literally never heard anyone mention Avatar since the movie left Theaters apart from in relation to this project.

 

[missbrooke06]

Harry Potter, after one book, was just another popular kids book. It grew as the characters continued to develop, along with the world in which they "lived". It was aimed at children and their parents. It was as much about growing up as it was about magic and conflict. Almost everyone could connect to someone in the series. Like Star Wars, it is a "generational" event. I have no problem with any of that. But when people start revising history by claiming that there was a "clamor" for a Harry Potter amusement park before the project was announced, I have to laugh. It just isn't true.

Once word leaked that Rowling was considering selling her rights to the story for an amusement park ride the clamor began - but not until.

So your theory is that no one had any interest in being submersed in a magical world until Universal told us we wanted to? I'm sorry, that's absolutely insane.

 

[Kimly]

Avatar doesn't have much of a fan base because James Cameron takes decades to make a movie. They are amazing movies, but we forget all about them. Harry Potter (only because people compare the lands) released amazing movies pretty quickly. ETA- HP also had books coming out too, side books and even now a new series. All keeping HP relative and in the forefront. But Also, merchandise, there was hardly any for Avatar. And any Star Wars geek not only loves the movies but also the merchandise. It's what holds people over until a new movie comes out. Once the 2nd one comes out, I'm sure there will be another big Avatar craze, just it will be short.

 

[Fuhnuh]

Cars is my least favorite Pixar movie.

Cars Land... is amazing.

Edit: removed probably, it is my least favorite.

I agree with this sentiment. I love cars land, but barely watched the first one once. I haven't even seen Avatar, but I think Avatarland has a chance to fit right in AK. I've tempered my expectations, but there is a good possibility that it will be one of my favorite themed lands.

 

[fairyprincess88]

Harry Potter, after one book, was just another popular kids book. It grew as the characters continued to develop, along with the world in which they "lived". It was aimed at children and their parents. It was as much about growing up as it was about magic and conflict. Almost everyone could connect to someone in the series. Like Star Wars, it is a "generational" event. I have no problem with any of that. But when people start revising history by claiming that there was a "clamor" for a Harry Potter amusement park before the project was announced, I have to laugh. It just isn't true.

Once word leaked that Rowling was considering selling her rights to the story for an amusement park ride the clamor began - but not until.

I have not revised any history. Fans wanted a Potter theme park long before there was even a glimmer of hope of getting it. There used to be seminars about it at the yearly conventions like Silver Moon and the WRock Week Music Festival, heck there was even a petition started through Mugglenet that had well over 10 million signatures on it to present to JKR requesting a theme park or official event which was the catalyst for her OK'ing the traveling exhibit. I don't doubt you read the books and even stood in midnight release lines but how involved were you in the conventions and festivals and the like because I can't see how you'd rudely think I was "revising history"? As others have said on this thread, there was plenty of clamoring for a theme park well before Universal or JKR even hinted it was possible.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

So your theory is that no one had any interest in being submersed in a magical world until Universal told us we wanted to? I'm sorry, that's absolutely insane.

No, I am sure that some did - but there was no public clamor. Huge difference.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I have not revised any history. Fans wanted a Potter theme park long before there was even a glimmer of hope of getting it. There used to be seminars about it at the yearly conventions like Silver Moon and the WRock Week Music Festival, heck there was even a petition started through Mugglenet that had well over 10 million signatures on it to present to JKR requesting a theme park or official event which was the catalyst for her OK'ing the traveling exhibit. I don't doubt you read the books and even stood in midnight release lines but how involved were you in the conventions and festivals and the like because I can't see how you'd rudely think I was "revising history"? As others have said on this thread, there was plenty of clamoring for a theme park well before Universal or JKR even hinted it was possible.

Universal Studios was on this long before the public was. They wanted to add Harry Potter to their kingdom before the 3rd book was released and before the first movie was made, but the rights were owned by Warner Brothers. In fact, Warner Brothers opened a Harry Potter attraction in Movie World the year that they released The Sorcerer's Stone and it was a horrible flop, closing after less than 2 years. Show me evidence that this "clamoring" was taking place before then.

The "clamoring" was the result of the work of Universal to gain these rights, not the public waking up one day and demanding a ride.

Now, you may be asking, why no such "clamoring" over Avatar since it has been announced? The answer is simple - Avatar attracted adults, not children. Children "clamor" for things. Adults wait patiently.

 

[Jennasis]

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.

Amount of money made does not equal FAN BASE. I spent money to see the movie. I'm not a fan. You can't equate money made to people liking the movie. You spend before you watch and decide if you liked it.

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.

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.

SW hasn't been dead...EVER in its lifetime. The toys have always been popular. There have been cartoons, books, fan conventions etc. Episodes 1-3 blew big time. No argument there.

The stuff Disney is building has a better shot at generating interest in the Avatar franchise then the planned sequels do. IMO of course.

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

LOL. You go on believing that. Though perhaps the word "desire" might be more palatable to you than "clamor" since you seem so hung up on that word.

 

[JimmyV]

Amount of money made does not equal FAN BASE

That's only true up to about $300-$400 million. After that, the revenue depends heavily upon repeat viewings. In order to climb from $400m to $2b+, you need people coming back again and again. That's called a fan base.

 

[JimmyV]

I don't think there is anything to kill in the Avatar franchise -- it is already dead. I'm not even sure another Avatar movie is going to be made,

Somebody better tell James Cameron.
http://masterherald.com/avatar-2-pr...ll-time-alludes-director-james-cameron/37559/

 

[BuckeyeBama]

LOL. You go on believing that. Though perhaps the word "desire" might be more palatable to you than "clamor" since you seem so hung up on that word.

My problem isn't the word, but the chronology. What came first? It is clearly evidenced that Universal Studios got on board long before there was any public desire, clamor or anything else. Again, US got involved before the 3rd book was released. Harry Potter, as an "event", was in its infancy. US was that far ahead of everyone in this regard. They did not react to a public "anything" - they created it. Good for them, and good for everyone else. It helped US and created the competitive environment that now exists in Orlando.

 

[mellyf]

I would have rather had Beastly Kingdom than Pandora, but I have faith in Disney to make something amazing.

Sadly, I have more faith in James Cameron to push Disney to make something amazing, than in Disney themselves anymore. And believe me, it makes me very sad to say that.

I know I saw Avatar, although I don't remember much about it, but as long as the land/rides are well done, to me that's what's important.

 

[recmouse]

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?

I was shaking my head about Avatarland from day 1. I don't get it. Animal Kingdom needed something else and I hope it's good but I still don't get it!

 

[anneboleyn]

That's only true up to about $300-$400 million. After that, the revenue depends heavily upon repeat viewings. In order to climb from $400m to $2b+, you need people coming back again and again. That's called a fan base.

James Cameron, is that you??

I have honestly never seen someone defend such a crappy movie so vehemently.

 

[JimmyV]

I have honestly never seen someone defend such a crappy movie so vehemently.

I'm not defending the movie. I am defending the irrefutable economics that a movie that made $2.7b required repeat business. That is undeniable. And a movie that got more repeat business than Force Awakens had to have been enjoyed by somebody, even if it wasn't the people who repeatedly post here that they didn't like it. Personally, I thought it was a B- movie, but I will likely go see the sequel. It doesn't matter whether one likes or dislikes the movie. The economics are the economics.

So what are the folks here going to say if the sequel goes over $1.0b at the box office? Can they possibly continue to carp that the franchise is dead; that it has no fans; that no one cares about it anymore? I know that from my perspective (not "defending the movie" so much as defending the logic that somebody out there liked it), that if it tops out at $300m or less, I will wholeheartedly concede that the haters are right and the franchise is dead. But if it goes over $1b, will the skeptics admit that they were wrong? All of these proclamations that the franchise is dead are pointless until we see what the sequel does at the box office. That is the only metric that matters. But if you place the over/under at $300m, I know where I would place my bet.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

I don't think most people care about the Avatar aspect of the expansion, including me, but overall it will be new, and a cool and a great addition to AK. They could have built the same type of cool land and no put "Avatar" on it, but it makes better for themeing if you put a specific "character" or known franchise/movie with it. I've been getting more and more excited for it!

 

[LinderInWonderland]

I enjoyed Avatar. It was a visually stunning melodrama, just like Titanic. My sister, who falls asleep in almost every movie, also enjoyed it and said she would love to visit Pandora. I agree, and that is what's exciting about this new land at DAK.

Did anyone see the traveling Avatar museum exhibit? It was one of the coolest I have ever seen. You could learn to speak Nav'i. It was one of the first I'd experienced where you threw a disk on a touch screen and it opened a bunch of windows and you could throw images around like they did in the movie (or like in Minority Report or Iron Man). My artist nephew was entertained for ages by the "design your own Pandora plant" station. It reminded me of when the Imagination pavillion was fun to play in.

 

[CAS239]

The thing is..Disney is building it after the first movie. More movies are coming and they'll be big as well. Disney seems like so far what their doing in Pandora at AK will be a lot of fun for the whole family. So in the end, I think it'll be a big hit and might even make park goers like the Avatar series that much more. And it'll certainly make some people watch Avatar that haven't yet after visiting the park.

I also like that AK is getting a fantasy/scifi type of expansion. They originally were going to do that when they first starting making the park (hence the dragon in the logo that they never removed). So it's like it's coming full circle.

I thought the Avatar movie in 3D at the theater was visually stunning and had a pretty decent storyline. I'd pick a Harry Potter park over it any day of the week..but I'm excited to step foot in Pandora when it opens