Avatarland Worst idea ever?

[GovieMom]

...Avatar is the highest grossing film of all time and there are two sequels scheduled. I think there is potential for it to be great and understand their motivation in doing it.

Speaking for my 23-year old son, this is the BEST idea they've come up with, not the worst.

 

[reiella]

Nope. It diversifies Animal Kingdom and possibly lets them expand operating hours past the day cycle, hopefully addressing some of the big issues that make DAK's Gate not as well performing as the other parks. And perhaps help the overall footprint by being rather blatantly not Disney in order to attract folks who are turned off by just assuming Magic Kingdom represents all of Disney World.

I'm not one much in love with the franchise, but the general aspect does work with the theming of DAK.

Now, perhaps it's not as awesome of an idea as having Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers running around your park, but I think it's worth giving a chance.

Avatar Land, I think, would be about as timeless as the Pearl Harbor segment over at Studio Backlot Tour. I don't mean to insult Avatar fans (cause I enjoyed the movie!) I just don't see the film as anything other than a technological/special effects marvel. Where after the AL expansion is finally here what made that movie what it is will probably be a common place in films with a budget shortly after.

Though I guess we'll have to see what the Avatar franchise has in store.

More unobtanium! You have a very fair point, although, I will say the Pearl Harbor segment at the backlot tour is still pretty valid even if folks have never seen the Michael Bay movie. A boat being attacked at sea is a classic bit of cinematography. Avatarland wouldn't get the same benefit, and it remains to be seen how difficult it would be for Disney to retheme the area to a new theme should the Avatar franchise fizzle.

I don't think that Avatar was the worst retelling of the "colonist goes native" story. Certainly not in the same way that Ice Pirates was the worst retelling of The Seven Samurai. But I don't think that "Avatarland" is so much about the movie or the story, as it is about Pandora -- the world. At least, I hope not. If I can walk/ride through the forests of Pandora, at night, I'll be tickled.

NOOoooOOOOO, you had to mention Ice Pirates. Noooo .

What makes me sad about this is that there are SO many DISNEY films / characters that are barely represented in the parks... So why go get something else? There are characters we already love but I can't name a single character from Avatar. Wall-E, Nightmare Before Xmas, Jungle Book, The Rescuers, 101 Dalmatians, Brother Bear.... I could go on.

Why not give me Disney at Disney??!

Why can't they do both? FLE and Carsland are definitely more Disney. Would I like a Tailspin themed area? Sure, but it won't happen since it's an older property that won't draw as much attention.

 

[DISHoppy]

Tough crowd. Others have nominated the ones that came to mind (like the Stitch Dance Party), which lasted about a month. A stage with no seating and no shade. I would add the Test Track singers they rolled out when TT went down for the refurb back in April (plus not properly listing to closure dates on the park calendar).

As for the mention of Carsland in DHS, you obviously haven't been to DCA. Carsland is fantastic. RSR is in my top five of favorite rides. Hopefully they won't repeat the mistakes with LFT. Not that the ride is bad, it was just poorly executed. Our last night in DCA, LFT was the last ride we took. The wait time listed was like 20 minutes, but it took ~45 minutes because the CM crew insisted on gathering the balls (since removed) and distributing them to each tire. Basically doubling the load time for the ride. Then they managed to screw up the collection of the triangles that are given to the guest like the Dumbo chits for one load. The CM running the ride board also managed to stop the ride for no apparent reason in the middle of one load, and the ride had to reboot to run again. Oh, and on another time we rode it, one of the beach balls struck the CM running the ride, so the ride stopped and again had to reset to run again (which takes 5-10 minutes).

Also, while I don't like the thought of losing LMA (our DD6 loves the show), the backlot attraction is useless in its current state after LMA took over a good portion of the backlot.

Lastly, I'm not sure if Narnia was mentioned, but that attraction was a waste of space and time.

-Kevin

 

[reiella]

Tough crowd. Others have nominated the ones that came to mind (like the Stitch Dance Party), which lasted about a month. A stage with no seating and no shade. I would add the Test Track singers they rolled out when TT went down for the refurb back in April (plus not properly listing to closure dates on the park calendar).

As for the mention of Carsland in DHS, you obviously haven't been to DCA. Carsland is fantastic. RSR is in my top five of favorite rides. Hopefully they won't repeat the mistakes with LFT. Not that the ride is bad, it was just poorly executed. Our last night in DCA, LFT was the last ride we took. The wait time listed was like 20 minutes, but it took ~45 minutes because the CM crew insisted on gathering the balls (since removed) and distributing them to each tire. Basically doubling the load time for the ride. Then they managed to screw up the collection of the triangles that are given to the guest like the Dumbo chits for one load. The CM running the ride board also managed to stop the ride for no apparent reason in the middle of one load, and the ride had to reboot to run again. Oh, and on another time we rode it, one of the beach balls struck the CM running the ride, so the ride stopped and again had to reset to run again (which takes 5-10 minutes).

Also, while I don't like the thought of losing LMA (our DD6 loves the show), the backlot attraction is useless in its current state after LMA took over a good portion of the backlot.

Lastly, I'm not sure if Narnia was mentioned, but that attraction was a waste of space and time.

-Kevin

My only big concern is that the headliner ride with Carsland is height restricted and will not help with the TSM situation. It may even make the situation with TSM worse as it is removing two height unrestricted attractions. At least the other rides that may come along with Carsland may pull some off, but the Mater Tea Cups and Flying Tires may pull some off, if they come over.

Well, I guess I'm also concerned with DHS becoming more Pixar and less 'Hollywood'. I'm hoping the AFI exhibit will stay at the park, but I'm doubtful :/.

 

[ghertz]

maybe not the worst idea but I can't say it interests me

 

[xipotec]

So a project that no one has seen or knows anything about, other than a few supposed B/W drawings on the internet, is being written off and labled as the worst WDW idea ever. Sort of like watching your team losing their first game and wanting the coach fired, GM fired, players traded, etc.

We are not condemning the project ad you have pointed out , no one has seen it'

The post says worst IDEA not project. As the fellow DIS board members have already proven , as far as ideas go, there are far more sensible and desired one than Avatarland . Me thinks WDW is looking to compete with the scar faced kid for teen money.

What makes me sad about this is that there are SO many DISNEY films / characters that are barely represented in the parks... So why go get something else? There are characters we already love but I can't name a single character from Avatar. Wall-E, Nightmare Before Xmas, Jungle Book, The Rescuers, 101 Dalmatians, Brother Bear.... I could go on.

Why not give me Disney at Disney??!

This i agree with totally!!

I LOVE Ice Pirates.

This too!!! So bad its good!!!

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

There are many stories with the same plot as Avatar. Of course a lot of movies recycle the same elements but Avatar was just lame in its attempt.

We called it blue Fern Gully

 

[MJMcBride]

I have posted a few times on the topic on www.jamboeveryone.com

Basically, my view is this. Beastly Kingdom would be much better. I would prefer even Australia or South America. Another preference, import Mysterious Island plussed up from Tokyo Disney Sea

Having said that, I am not prepared to dismiss Avatar. The design of the attractions themselves very well may be impressive. But here's the problems as I see it

1. The story depicts the US army as evil. Disney wont do that

2. Avatar while very popular, I feel did so well more on gimmick (3D Imax effects) then plot or cinema making. Ultimately, I dont think Avatar will last as a cultural phenomen like Potter or Star Wars. I think the sequels will more like be Matrix 2 then anything else

3. There are so many other ideas that I prefer (see above)

4. Disney almost always does best when not pigeon holed into another concept. Like Expedition Everest

5. I want dragons at DAK!

 

[KellyNY]

Me thinks WDW is looking to compete with the scar faced kid for teen money.

I think so too, although HP got a lot of fans, and Avatar,.. I just not aware of them. To be a good competition Disney have to invest in a lot of technology. Just fiber optics will not work. Having Cameron on this project however, while guarantees a huge pain also warrants success.

 

[shalom]

Not an Avatar fan and think it a stupid idea, but even if it's a flop, it won't cost them as much as not picking up the land around Disneyland when it was cheap the way Walt wanted to did.

But I'm not going to get too wound up until I see what Disney does with it. Few people who ride Splash Mountain have seen the movie -- doesn't hurt the ride any.

 

[shalom]

Basically, my view is this. Beastly Kingdom would be much better. I would prefer even Australia or South America.

Agreed with this whole post, but particularly this and "where are the dragons at the AK!"

 

[UConnFan]

I'm not as thrilled about this as I was for Harry Potter, but I trust the imagineers. Assuming James Cameron and Disney give them the freedom they had for Cars Land, Avatarland could knock it out of the park. I do worry about the sustainability of the Avatar franchise, but I think it's too early to really know what to expect. I think Disney announced this too early.

 

[kennythepirate]

What say you DIS? Is the rumored avatarland the worst idea WDW has come up with???

Can you name another that comes close???

Dinoland State Fair is the dumbest and worst executed idea in WDW history imo.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

Dinoland State Fair is the dumbest and worst executed idea in WDW history imo.

aint that the truth!

On the actual topic

- we loved the movie Avatar and are looking forward to the land...

I would however LOVE to see Beastly Kingdom

I am staying away from any talk of plans as I looked at the early FLE plans and am now disappointed by a lot of the changes they made.

 

[Cyrano]

Moving as this is speculative and not related to trip planning.

 

[MJMcBride]

Dinoland State Fair is the dumbest and worst executed idea in WDW history imo.

It may be dumb. But its well executed

 

[Pixie Princess]

We called it blue Fern Gully

Same here! I don't think as a franchise it has the lasting power of Star Wars or Harry Potter. Look at Titanic. That was once the highest grossing movie, and I will admit to being in LOVE with the film. But, like Avatar, it was a recycled story (star crossed lovers) told with cutting edge technology. Frankly if Avatar is coming to the parks, I'm far more interested in the technology and how the film is put together than exploring Pandora.

I'm sure Avatarland is not the worst idea WDW ever had. I wasn't around for it, but the turning THE icon for the complex into a gigantic pink monstrosity of a cake, not the best bit of thinking from the halls of WDW.

I agree with other posters who would prefer to have Beastly Kingdom be built to represent fictional creatures. More opportunity for creativity and seems that that land would have a wider appeal.

 

[Darcy03231]

Well DH who has been to WDW once, about 22 years ago (didn't like it and has refused to go back) is waiting for Avatar Land to be realized so he can go. He's a huge fan of the movie. My kids (all young adults) are also looking forward to it. They all think it's a great idea! For me, if it will get DH back to WDW I think its a great idea too!

 

[dacky041208]

I'm not too keen on the idea of Avatarland....I saw the movie once, when it was on cable. I found it ok; I don't see why they need to make a land based on the movie...I honestly think they are just trying to have something to compete with Harry Potter.

I agree. Aliens in AK does not make sense. Neither does a "Star Wars Land" in AK like so many have suggested. AK definitely needs something more, but not either of those.

Are you sure people have suggested Star Wars Land in AK and not DHS? I remember reading posts about it being a good addition to DHS. I am not quite into the whole Star Wars things however I think a land dedicated to this series would be a smart choice as SW has such a huge following and is one thing that continues to bring in more fans with different generations of families.

 

[reiella]

1. The story depicts the US army as evil. Disney wont do that

Going to clarify something here . While a number of the staff were former military, it was a private security force, like Blackwater/Xe/Academi. And generally, I don't see Disney really having a problem with showing a private security force in a negative light .