Avatarland at Ak?

[DRDISNEYMD]

I've never seen the movie. I guess I will watch to form my own opinion. I think this is going to be good! James Cameron is so over the top -- I think this kind of collaboration is just going to wow us. I don't know, but after reading this, I am expecting something big for Epcot and HS in the future as well. I guess the war is on.... Disney is not taking Universal's Harry Potter as lightly as I thought.

 

[RachaelA]

Remember, this movie is Cameron's baby. He has been working on this for years. It was also one of the highest grossing movies of all time.

There is NO way things will be skimped on this "land." So, like or hate the movie, I think the addition will be something that will make people "oooh and ahhh" and put a spark into visiting the AK.

I'm sure they won't skimp on it, but I still don't think it has anything to do with AK.

 

[Invisable89]

I agree. Visually, Avatar was stunning...and if this is planned after we get the two sequels (and I think one is supposed to take place underwater?), it could be a pretty wild addition to the park, even if you're not a big fan of the movie.

Pretty surprised to hear this news. I'm still waiting for any news on a much-needed DHS update, but I'll be curious to see how this turns out. My dad will definitely enjoy it - he loves Avatar!

Exactly - the possibilities are endless. Imagine an attraction like 'Soarin' but on Flying Banshee's? That would be so cool! The film is all about nature, conservation etc just like DAK is! Peeerfect!

 

[kaligal]

The movie was horrible. The ONLY thing it had going for it were special effects. Big whup.

Why on Earth can't Disney do anything creative?

Avatar.

Ugh.

 

[Cafeen]

Wow.. i'm intrigued! I really liked 'Avatar'.. the story was a bit meh but the graphics/visuals (whatever they call it ) were stunning! Definitely a welcome addition - lets just hope Cameron & WDI do it justice.

This is actually what worries me. I'm not a big fan of the movie (ok, I've only seen the last hour when I caught it on HBO, and the first bit when I snagged it from OnDemand after that, before I fell asleep...), but story is what is supposed to drive everything in Disney. The fact that the overall story does not seem too intriguing even to the fans (maybe not the die-hard ones, but average) is a bit worrisome.

While I don't know what the future holds for the franchise or anything, it does make me wonder if it's going to be a story first, visuals second like the Disney way is supposed to be, or visuals first, fill in the story later type of thing.

All said, I really don't care either way .

 

[budafam]

I'm sure they won't skimp on it, but I still don't think it has anything to do with AK.

The movie is very environmentally based. There aren't many animals (unless you call the alien type people in it) I think they're going to take the environmental issues and run with it which is nice. AK is already so "zoo"ed out in my opinion that they could use something different.

I can't believe how many people think this isn't going to be good. Really? It's Disney. Everything is good!

 

[SaraJayne]

I'm sure they won't skimp on it, but I still don't think it has anything to do with AK.

Me either.

Some of the more recent Disney "decisions" really have me shaking my head.

 

[dimndgal1]

But I definitely am interested to see how they handle a themed area.

I know AK originally was hoping for a mythical aspect and I think this would be a great way to feed into it. Not to mention, as stated before, it would definitely be visually appealing and I think could make or some great attractions and fit along with the preservation feel of AK.


... So, while we're doing new things and incorporating new aspects, how about Pixar relaunching the original Journey Into Imagination???

 

[kaligal]

The movie is very environmentally based. There aren't many animals (unless you call the alien type people in it) I think they're going to take the environmental issues and run with it which is nice. AK is already so "zoo"ed out in my opinion that they could use something different.

I can't believe how many people think this isn't going to be good. Really? It's Disney. Everything is good!

No, everything at Disney isn't good.

I have now pretty much lost all faith in them and their future.

Stick Avatar in a hole and bring back the Lights of Winter that they cut out.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I've never seen Avatar (although now, I kinda want to go rent it ) but I'm excited that DAK is getting some love. Now, can we please get DHS some new rides??

 

[RBrooksC]

I'm sure they won't skimp on it, but I still don't think it has anything to do with AK.

WDW always talked about a "Mythical Beasts" area for AK. This could be a substitute for that.

 

[fishacura]

REUTERS article on it:

Disney, Cameron to re-imagine a theme-park Avatar

09/20/2011 02:20 PM EDT
Copyright 2011 Reuters
LOS ANGELES, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Moviegoers pining for a return to the lush moon of Pandora in James Cameron's "Avatar" will finally get their chance -- first-hand.
Walt Disney Co , teaming with the Oscar-winning director and News Corp unit Fox Filmed Entertainment, will begin building from 2013 a section at its Orlando theme park that will mimic the thriving green landscape depicted in the highest-grossing movie of all time.
Under their agreement, Disney -- which typically sticks to its own franchises and properties in designing rides -- won exclusive global theme park rights to the Avatar franchise. It will eventually take Avatar "lands" beyond Orlando's Disney World.
"Our goal is to go beyond current boundaries of technical innovation and experiential storytelling, and give park-goers the chance to see, hear, and touch the world of 'Avatar' with an unprecedented sense of reality," Cameron said in a statement.
"Avatar," which chronicled the struggle of the alien Na'vi against marauding resource-ravenous humans, grossed almost $3 billion worldwide and triggered the current renaissance in 3D-film making. Cameron is planning sequels to the blockbuster hit, which surpassed his own "Titanic" as the highest-grossing movie in history. (Reporting by Lisa Richwine and Edwin Chan; editing by Gunna Dickson)

 

[disEAR]

exreme dislike! is all i have to say about this.

 

[Invisable89]

This is actually what worries me. I'm not a big fan of the movie (ok, I've only seen the last hour when I caught it on HBO, and the first bit when I snagged it from OnDemand after that, before I fell asleep...), but story is what is supposed to drive everything in Disney. The fact that the overall story does not seem too intriguing even to the fans (maybe not the die-hard ones, but average) is a bit worrisome.

While I don't know what the future holds for the franchise or anything, it does make me wonder if it's going to be a story first, visuals second like the Disney way is supposed to be, or visuals first, fill in the story later type of thing.

All said, I really don't care either way .

I get the impression that Disney & Cameron will be concentrating on the 'other' story of the film that is about nature, conservation etc - not the love story. Which is fine by me! Cameron is so in-depth will it all & we haven't even heard half of it yet! The message behind the film is fantastic & like i've already said it fits perfectly with the original concept of DAK!

I'm really looking forward to hearing more about it.

 

[princess_ariel_85]

I personally liked the film & if done right I think it could be good for AK. I'm happy and excited that AK is getting some love.

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

No, everything at Disney isn't good.

I have now pretty much lost all faith in them and their future.

Stick Avatar in a hole and bring back the Lights of Winter that they cut out.

LOL! This is funny. They are going to do Avatarland which will need to bs very technical and advanced, but they couldn't keep the lights because of the technology. :rotfl

 

[brookmey]

Ugh...not too crazy about that at all. I thought the movie was WAY overhyped and not that great, imo.

Agreed, but I'll keep an open mind. Just not something for me to get too excited over.

 

[Jabali]

I liked the movie a lot......I just don't see it belonging in a Disney park

 

[Disneefun]

Movie was okay to me, not great, but not the worst. But making a whole land out of this? When I think of lands at Disney parks, I tend to think of something that will appeal to people for many many years or at least that can be updated to reflect changing trends (think Tomorrowland).

I can see that in Harry Potter or in a mythical beasts type land. Those are the kinds of things that will endure. I can't see that with Avatar. I just don't think it will stand the test of time. I think a few years after the last movie comes out it'll be, "Avatar what?" People will have moved on to the next thing and Disney will be stuck with this land made from a movie that has long since passed from the cultural consciousness.

Maybe make a ride out of it, but not a whole land. Make the ride and then stick it in a themed land that will endure. Then, when avatar falls out of favor, all you have to do is dump the ride.

 

[WI_DisneyFan]

Meh. Don't love it, don't hate it. I figure, if they put it sort of "out of the way" like the Conservation Station or even the Dinoland, I can easily avoid it without it affecting the rest of my park experience.