Avatarland - NY Times

[MikeandReneePlus5]

The article is more broad than just Disney but a good read I thought.

Say what you will about the idea of Avatarland...it certainly is a gutsy move and I'm glad they are taking the risk. It could wind up being extraordinary. AK always was envisioned with a mythical element to it...just look at the dragon in the logo.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/16/business/media/fox-expects-3-avatar-sequels-to-be-worth-the-wait.html?_r=0

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I know I just wish that the mythic element had not ended up being based on a technically majestic but otherwise mediocre film that had nothing whatsoever to do with Disney.

 

[metzgardesign]

I just hope they do a better job of making those floating island thingies than they did with the Tree of Life.

Having an artificial tree limb falling off is one thing.....can you imagine an entire island landing on you?

I would reckon a guess that would maybe hurt a bit.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

I know I just wish that the mythic element had not ended up being based on a technically majestic but otherwise mediocre film that had nothing whatsoever to do with Disney.

It's funny, when I saw Avatar the first time I was blown away. Second time...not so much.

But that's the thing...it really isn't about that movie...it's about the next 3.

Stakes are high.

 

[mcconnellfam96]

I was not a huge Avatar fan either.....but I am certainly looking forward to how it will translate in to Animal Kingdom.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I have no desire to see 1 more movie based on those characters, much less three. The characters themselves are not going to reach any legendary status like some characters. It's going to be all about how the movies look. Same with the land at AK, it's going to be about how it looks and what kind of rides there are.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Love the idea and can't wait to see what it translates to in WDW.

 

[GlennN]

I am not a big Avatar fan either, so I suppose the "magic" will not be as great for me as an Avatar fan in any circumstance. I hope there are entertaining attractions at least. Kind of feels like the Harry Potter thing with Universal - certainly does not make me want to go there, but if I go, I'll check it out.

 

[Tonyz]

I know I just wish that the mythic element had not ended up being based on a technically majestic but otherwise mediocre film.

Very good point. And it's funny because well, doesn't that description fit for, like... every single ride at Universal/IoA??

 

[Tonyz]

“They’ll walk under floating mountains higher than three Staples Centers stacked on top of each other,” said Mr. Landau"

Ok, well now I'm pumped!!

 

[BrianL]

Very good point. And it's funny because well, doesn't that description fit for, like... every single ride at Universal/IoA??

Kinda true, isn't it? Disney is getting so much grief for Avatar, but Uni is lauded for building Transformers (and so quickly)! Does anyone like those movies either?

I am admittedly a fan of Avatar and James Cameron in general.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

That may be because Disney has such a wide spectrum of its own material to choose from, much of it pretty high quaility, and they pick...Avatar.

I'm assuming it's going to look good though.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Im not a huge Avatar fan, but I liked the movie well enough. I am excited to see what Disney will do with it... it will be really cool, Disney has always been amazing with themeing

 

[PSUGuy]

I just don't see 'Avatar' sustaining 30 years out like 'Star Wars' and the prequels/sequels from that franchise have. I'm sure the park and attractions will have a Wow Factor but I suspect my grand-kids and their kids will have no idea where the theme came from.

Bill From PA

 

[BrianL]

I just don't see 'Avatar' sustaining 30 years out like 'Star Wars' and the prequels/sequels from that franchise have. I'm sure the park and attractions will have a Wow Factor but I suspect my grand-kids and their kids will have no idea where the theme came from.

Bill From PA

But does it matter? Not many kids today know where Splash Mountain came from, yet it's pretty popular. Most kids probably think that POTC is based on the movies, and not the other way around.

 

[BrittyRo]

Maybe because Avatar has the same plot as Pocahontas they think it's a good fit :haha:

 

[PSUGuy]

Maybe because Avatar has the same plot as Pocahontas they think it's a good fit :haha:

My take is that the plot was lifted from 'Dances With Wolves'.

Bill From PA

 

[Davey Jones II]

But does it matter? Not many kids today know where Splash Mountain came from, yet it's pretty popular. Most kids probably think that POTC is based on the movies, and not the other way around.

True. For the theme park land, the only thing that really matters is the quality of the overall execution and rides. The Avatar name brings extra cache and curiosity. But, if the theming and attractions are not well done, it won't come close to the popularity of Cars Land, for example.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

maybe this will be the place they put that thrill coaster that's been discussed on this board a bunch

maybe someday you actually be able to control your own avatar within that land.

If not exactly the way it's portrayed in the movie, then perhaps with the Oculus VR tech the article mentioned that Facebook purchased for $2b.

That Oculus VR is supposedly a real game changer. "Time" did a cover story a few months back.

What better place for Cameron to explore that tech than a theme park?

 

[Otter49]

“They’ll walk under floating mountains higher than three Staples Centers stacked on top of each other,” said Mr. Landau"

Ok, well now I'm pumped!!

So color me skeptical on this point. Three Staples Centers would be 450 feet high.

That would make a show building for Pandora the tallest building in Orlando. It would be taller than the max height of Characters in Flight and just 75 feet shy of the VAB over at KSC.

No matter how cool the effects might be on the inside, a building like this would be a blight on the landscape for miles around.

And if you want to argue this won't be done in a building, that it will be out in the open, I just don't see how this would be possible for a project like this.