D23 2015

[SalutemyShorts]

So, are they building that big blue moon from the Avatar model? Perhaps something that could house a future ride?

 

[skier_pete]

Another look at the avatar model. The two big mountains in the middle are what we are currently seeing being built in construction updates. The vines between them are the large reddish curved steel.

http://thedisneyblog.com/2015/08/13/d23-expo-first-look-at-avatar-land-model/

They mention the question of two entrances, but I'm pretty sure that was the plan all along. It would be a cool model to see in person, but not sure it's much difference from the picture that's been floating around (pardon the pun) for more than a year with Cameron and Rhode.

When do you think they will talk about DHS and new name?

Maybe Saturday, maybe sometime in the next 5 years.

I would bet money we are going to hear something Saturday. I've pointed this out before, two years ago they leaked out exactly what was going to be discussed at the Parks and Resorts conference, because they knew nothing was really coming. This year - nothings leaked out about what will be presented. And it's a 90 minute presentation. They aren't going to spend 90 minutes on Avatar and Shanghai. I think you'll get the new name announcement, and you'll get an overview with very few details. I expect the phrases "re-imagining of Hollywood Studios" as well as "the biggest park expansion in the history of Disney Parks" to be used. I think you'll also get something going in at DLR as well. (Maybe Star Wars - but who knows.) All we can say for sure is so far they are keeping it VERY close to the vest.

 

[rteetz]

Nah, not in any meaningful way. He retired a couple years back, received a window on Main Street, and then wrote a book. He may still be a consultant, but like Tony Baxter lacks very much real control (if any).

Not to slam this pillar of Imagineering for decades, but he was said to be in large part to blame for Imagineering loosing its way during the late Eisner Era, and also for breeding a culture of fierce competition within WDI. So while still a good face to see, I'm glad he finally headed for the door. I am curious about what he's seen though...

Tony is more active than Marty is in imagineering as far as I know.

 

[rteetz]

Today is doth the day, tis not?

Today we should find out movie and studios news. Tomorrow is the big parks day.

 

[rteetz]

Model of Avatarland sure does look nice and a great fit for animal kingdom although i do wonder just how much appeal it will actually have to the wider market. Im not a fan of the franchise myself

When is the Parks and Resorts conference on?

Tomorrow at 3 pm pacific time

 

[DDLand]

Tony is more active than Marty is in imagineering as far as I know.

I did see someone discuss Tony was working with Universal, but he never backed it up.

Tony became a celebrity. Either to due to jealousy or competition they took him out. While he does continue to be a strong force in the community, he's no project lead.

A shame really for all the Jules Verne fans...

 

[rteetz]

I did see someone discuss Tony was working with Universal, but he never backed it up.

Tony became a celebrity. Either to due to jealousy or competition they took him out. While he does continue to be a strong force in the community, he's no project lead.

A shame really for all the Jules Verne fans...

Yes exactly. Tony is used as a consultant and I would suspect that Tony knows more about anything going on currently in imagineering than Marty does.

 

[rteetz]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...displays-avatar-project-model-at-d23-expo.htm

 

[mcjaco]

Model of Avatarland sure does look nice and a great fit for animal kingdom although i do wonder just how much appeal it will actually have to the wider market. Im not a fan of the franchise myself

Same.

I've never seen the movie, so this land does make me very excited, much like USF's (and USH's) Potterland. Franchise's I have not a care for, so they're totally lost on me.

 

[rteetz]

Micechats look at the Disneyland archives exhibits

http://micechat.com/108957-d23-expo-walt-disney-archives/

 

[rteetz]

 

[aribelle]

I noticed in their guide that people can start to line up at 10:00 PM the day before the Expo session opens the following day. Wow! Do people really line up that far in advance?

Yes, the die hard fans do. For Star Wars Convention at the Anaheim Convention Center in April, people were lining up at 4pm the day before. They spent the night, and Disney sent in Pizza. It was a small percentage of the crowds that arrived at 3am the next morning (like my daughters) but they filled an entire que room and started on another. I worked the Convention and it was insanely crowded.

 

[rteetz]

Some very good close up shots of the avatar model here

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2015/08/these...ing-pavilion-at-d23-expo-will-blow-your-mind/

 

[rteetz]

Disneyland 60th photo ops are on hand

https://twitter.com/wdwnt/status/632195434270752768

 

[rteetz]

Buzz is outside the convention center

https://twitter.com/laughing_place/status/632193374578081792

 

[rteetz]

Some other avatar pieces

https://twitter.com/wdwnt/status/632192274496012288

 

[rteetz]

Upcoming Pixar movies including incredibles 2 and cars 3

https://twitter.com/wdwnt/status/632191267091312640

 

[Alice Royal]

I'm guessing we won't get a live stream of P+R tomorrow, correct? Plenty of people on hand to live-tweet, though.

 

[Reddog1134]

Some other avatar pieces

https://twitter.com/wdwnt/status/632192274496012288

The one poster shows the boat ride (which is good because some people are again speculating that it was cancelled) and mentions "Bioluminescence". I wonder is the glowing plants will be all over the area or strictly a feature of the boat ride.

 

[Kimosabe]

It is looking cooler by the day. James Cameron's stuff, except older movies, tends to annoy me, so we haven't even seen Avatar. I wasn't really looking forward to it; however, I don't have to like the iP to appreciate how cool the technology is and how cool it looks. ...

This has been my thought all along on Avatar. People can hate or ignore the movie all they want -- fair enough -- but I am just hoping and expecting that the new land will be cool enough to stand on its own, regardless of any connection to a movie. Nice to see someone (i.e., you) who hasn't seen the movie but is still looking forward to seeing what they do with the new land. Have seen lots of comments from others over the last year or so like "I refuse to see the movie and will never visit the new land." That argument makes no sense to me whatsoever...while Disney certainly seems to make some decisions that don't always make sense to those of us who are big fans of the parks [translation for most people: Disney isn't putting in new rides and attractions based exclusively on my personal favorite movies and ride types...how dare they not ask for my input?!], we've still got to give them at least a little credit. Can't fathom that they are putting this much time and attention (and money) into a non-Disney IP if they don't think it will be ridiculously incredible. Let's hope for the best.