Disney's Animal Kingdom May Need More Help Than Avatar

[ErinTwinmom]

I agree with all those calling for dark rides. Im thinking lion king, tarzan and jungle book are most fitting but you could make robinhood and princess and the frog work. I like the hundred acre wood idea but I don't think you need to kill dinoland to do it. There is so much wasted space to use. The dining situation is also a problem. I would love them to put in some sort of direct transit (monerail,train, WED) from the inside of the park to the lodge. To me that would help the dining situation immensly.

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

I agree with all those calling for dark rides. Im thinking lion king, tarzan and jungle book are most fitting but you could make robinhood and princess and the frog work. I like the hundred acre wood idea but I don't think you need to kill dinoland to do it. There is so much wasted space to use. The dining situation is also a problem. I would love them to put in some sort of direct transit (monerail,train, WED) from the inside of the park to the lodge. To me that would help the dining situation immensly.

This is right on. WHY is Disney bringing in Cameron and a forgotten movie, when they have the "inventory" to more than take care of the problem that is AK. GIVE ME MORE DISNEY RIDES!!! Not Dances With Wolves in blacklight paint.

 

[rteetz]

This is right on. WHY is Disney bringing in Cameron and a forgotten movie, when they have the "inventory" to more than take care of the problem that is AK. GIVE ME MORE DISNEY RIDES!!! Not Dances With Wolves in blacklight paint.

they want to create a technologically advanced immersive land that can bring something new and exciting. Jungle book and those movies are older yes great movies but they are good for just a ride not a land AK needs more than that. Avatar is not forgotten it was the most watched movie of all time. They are coming out with three more movies one in 2016,2017,2018. Cameron is a tech buff he won't stand for something thats not advanced. Cameron is a guy who has the capability to do great things especially with disney imagineers.

 

[Odelay]

they want to create a technologically advanced immersive land that can bring something new and exciting. Jungle book and those movies are older yes great movies but they are good for just a ride not a land AK needs more than that. Avatar is not forgotten it was the most watched movie of all time. They are coming out with three more movies one in 2016,2017,2018. Cameron is a tech buff he won't stand for something thats not advanced. Cameron is a guy who has the capability to do great things especially with disney imagineers.

You are confusing highest grossing movie of all time with most watched movie of all time. They absolutely do not mean the same thing.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

You are confusing highest grossing movie of all time with most watched movie of all time. They absolutely do not mean the same thing.

Good point...

There's no way to measure that...but avatar isn't close. It's not even on cable...if you'll notice...and nowhere near high in terms is sales rank in digital stores...recently

I really wish Disney did have the rights to some of the "most watched" movies though to use in parks...too bad there's no way they could buy say...oh...half a dozen of those...

Too bad...wait a minute...

 

[Borishack]

they want to create a technologically advanced immersive land that can bring something new and exciting.

Using -- as a prior poster so eloquently put it -- a forgotten film that was bascially a Kevin Costner ripoff as executed by Spencer Gifts.

Jungle book and those movies are older yes great movies but they are good for just a ride not a land

Oh, one couldn't take Rudyard Kipling and one of Disney's greatest animated films with a soundtrack by Elton John and create a land dedicated to jungle and savanna fantasy? That sounds like the tone deaf logic from those who think mp3s are higher fildelity than a good LP on an audiophile turntable.

Avatar is not forgotten

It is outside the handful of blacklight addicts here. Google all you want - there are no fan forums for the movie, it sold squat in terms of toys yada yada yada

it was the most watched movie of all time.

As has been pointed out repeatedly, that is flat out incorrect. For the umpteenth time, Gone With The Wind holds that honor, read the facts below:

http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm

Note Avatar is actually way down the list.

They are coming out with three more movies one in 2016,2017,2018.

Sure, sure....back in 2009 Cameron said a sequel would be released by 2012.

Didn't happen.

Then he said the first sequel was going to start filming in 2013:

http://www.totalfilm.com/news/james-cameron-to-begin-filming-avatar-2-in-2013

Didn't happen.

So any timetables he or his cheerleaders put out....are pretty much worthless.

Cameron is a tech buff he won't stand for something thats not advanced.

Just because something is "advanced" doesn't mean it's substantive or meaningful. As was said before, there is more to a great theme park attraction than CPU cycles. Ever heard of storyline and narrative? Have you ever even read any Rudyard Kilpling?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Okay...boris if off on another entertaining tangent...

BUT...it did flip a light on for me.

Cameron cant sell this swill to Fox to get the money for production of more movies...by all media accounts. They don't believe in it...they're not waiting because they "aren't interested in making all those gobs of money yet"

so...the disney development is something he can use against Fox for his IP. "all those millions that go to this thing in the swamp are gonna line YOUR pockets, rupert!"

that makes alot of sense...which means its user/usee.

I still think he's providing financing or royalties to Disney so they have less risk in construction here...and that's its being buried somewhere in the language. I know that i've been shot down on that...but honestly its the only way this thing ever made sense.

Disney won't build attractions based on near rock solid properties...why in the hell would they play daddy warbucks and supply this nut a blank check to build in a park that is already "delicate" to say the least.

people see the smoke but are ignoring the fire...my opinion. but we'll see how it goes.

 

[old lady]

A story on Daily Finance.com on how Animal Kingdom may need more help than Avatar land can give. It also mentions at the end that it's actually the Studios which is the least-visited WDW park. Is this true?


http://www.dailyfinance.com/2014/01/17/disney-animal-kingdom-avatar-theme-park-analysis/

I find it weird that Hollywood studios is the least visited park because of the aerosmith ride, tower of terror and star tours? Maybe they need more rides based on movies like Iron man or avengers?
They should have made animal kingdom, part of Epcot world showcase since it features Africa, Asia and north america.

 

[jon18uk]

Originally Posted by FlightlessDuck
Not enough rides to be a park, and too few animals to be a zoo. Besides EE, it's very disappointing.


Once you finally get to Africa or Asia, you get herded into an area with ONE ride. In Africa your choices are to sit on a jeep and see animals or walk 5 miles and see animals. The rapids are fun, but really not something you do first thing in the morning because it will take the rest of the day to dry off.

In Asia, you have EE, what else is there? A bird show? Another 5 mile trek to see animals?

A 5 mile walk to see some animals? What do you think a zoo is! You (and others) say there isn't enough animals to make it a zoo, but then you don't want to walk around to see the animals. The two animal trails never feel like a 5 mile trek to me as I always stop to watch the animals, on a good day I could spend 15 minutes just watching the gorillas or the tigers.

I think each animal trail can take around 45 minutes, the safari takes around 45 minutes once you have waited to board, you can fill around an hour at Rafiki's and on the train to get there. Plus rapids, EE, Nemo, Lion King, Flights of Wonder, Dinosaur, Character meets I think there is plenty to fill the current day at AK. Once they have some night-time entertainment then can fill a longer day and stay for dinner. I don't get people who say AK is a half day, take some time to look at the animals, watch the shows and discover the character meets!

 

[Lolsmum]

Honestly, I bought into the "AK is only worth half a day" idea here before we took our first trip so I only planned one day there. My kids were just turned 5 and 6 1/2 and the older one is afraid of big rides, so we didn't even do EE or dinosaur. We were there from before opening with reservations at TH for breakfast to close and wished we had longer to spend there. We took the time to actually see the animals, saw the shows, let the kids spend plenty of time playing in the boneyard, met characters I was excited to meet (Jungle Book was the first Disney movie I saw and I still love it) and generally had a blast.

I do get that AK is not the ideal park for everyone, but it isn't a horrible park either. It's a different experience to MK, but that's not bad. I'm not sure I'm in love with the Avatar idea, but adding more things and extending the hours doesn't seem at all like a bad idea.

[And I know there are issues with it, but if Disney could get the Marvel heroes into DHS, especially with more Star Wars too, it would be amazing. More for the boys (yes, I know girls, including my daughter, like them too) would be great. My son was thrilled just to see the monorail with the Avengers on the car. He would flip for an Avengers character meal.]

 

[Yellowstonetim]

You are confusing highest grossing movie of all time with most watched movie of all time. They absolutely do not mean the same thing.

Name one of the handful of movies that had higher attendance that would be a better fit for Animal Kingdom.

And remember: Some of those movies like Gone with the Wind had no competition when they were in theaters. The town had one movie theater with one screen and it played GWTW only for a long time.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Good point...

There's no way to measure that...but avatar isn't close. It's not even on cable...if you'll notice...and nowhere near high in terms is sales rank in digital stores...recently

I really wish Disney did have the rights to some of the "most watched" movies though to use in parks...too bad there's no way they could buy say...oh...half a dozen of those...

Too bad...wait a minute...

Yes it was on cable all this past fall. And Avatar is close, it is 13, I believe. Name one above it that is a fit for AK. And as mentioned, others were hits in a different time when only one or a few movies played on less and bigger screens.

And that was all domestic. $2.7 bill was worldwide.

 

[twebber55]

Yes it was on cable all this past fall. And Avatar is close, it is 13, I believe. Name one above it that is a fit for AK. And as mentioned, others were hits in a different time when only one or a few movies played on less and bigger screens.

And that was all domestic. $2.7 bill was worldwide.

hey Yellow
Avatar is number two all time in world wide gross after inflation..those numbers are only domestic off of boxofficemojo

Also its the most watched movie in the past 20 years so....yet amazingly no body liked it

the biggest problem we will have when this opens is the mobs of people trying to get in the place and whether or not DAK's infrastructure can handle it

this is a perfect match for DAK and what DAK needs, which is people to stay longer in the park

and yes i agree star wars will /would be great for DHS....

 

[scholastica]

At MK you have 15 rides and 4 or 5 character meets in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland alone. Avatarland is desperately needed, but what I'd say they need more are multiple dark rides in every area. A Tarzan ride in Africa. A Jungle Book / Mulan experience in Asia. They could also keep kids in the park all day if they tore down Dinoland and turned it in to the 100 acre woods. My kids love Pooh as much as Mickey and I'm sure many others do as well. There are no other areas for little ones outside of fantasyland in all the parks, but a 100 acre woods area with a play area, 3 or 4 rides geared to the under 44 inch crowd and meet and greets would keep families here for hours.

These idea actually seem reasonable and doable. I totally agree this park could use some more ride attractions. I love the shows there, but it is hard to keep a little kid still for more than 1-2 of these shows before they want to blow off some steam or ride something.

 

[Odelay]

Name one of the handful of movies that had higher attendance that would be a better fit for Animal Kingdom. And remember: Some of those movies like Gone with the Wind had no competition when they were in theaters. The town had one movie theater with one screen and it played GWTW only for a long time.

You seem to be confused. I pointed out that box office grosses do not necessarily equate to viewership. My comment had nothing to do with the appropriateness of Avatar in Animal Kingdom.

 

[ilovebassets]

Honestly, I bought into the "AK is only worth half a day" idea here before we took our first trip so I only planned one day there. My kids were just turned 5 and 6 1/2 and the older one is afraid of big rides, so we didn't even do EE or dinosaur. We were there from before opening with reservations at TH for breakfast to close and wished we had longer to spend there. We took the time to actually see the animals, saw the shows, let the kids spend plenty of time playing in the boneyard, met characters I was excited to meet (Jungle Book was the first Disney movie I saw and I still love it) and generally had a blast.

I do get that AK is not the ideal park for everyone, but it isn't a horrible park either. It's a different experience to MK, but that's not bad. I'm not sure I'm in love with the Avatar idea, but adding more things and extending the hours doesn't seem at all like a bad idea.

Completely agree. I never get the 1/2 day park thing. It's always at least a full day for us, and sometimes an extra 1/2 day on top of that. There are three great must-see shows for us: FOTLK, Nemo, and the bird show. Rafiki's station, if you slow down and actually take a look at all the things there, is an hour. The African and Asia treks are a good 1.5 hours between the two of them for our family. The safari is a long and amazing ride.

I do think this park needs more rides for young children since other than the safari and triceratop spin, you have height limitations for pretty much everything else.

I also think the eating situation is less than ideal in this park. It's not a great park for vegetarians ironically. Only two real sit down restaurants (I don't count Rainforest Cafe), one of which is an expensive and loud character meal.

I get more souvenirs from AK than anywhere else by far. The devils in the details in AK, and if you're just not that kind of person, then yes, it will seem like a 1/2 day park. But for people who've never been before, they should give it a full day the first time.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Animal kingdom just doesn't get more than 5 hours...ever...for me.

And I'm not a casual ADD fan... I've been extremely loyal over the years...and patronize the feel and scenery much more than rides.

There is just not enough physically there. Especially for repeat customers.

And frankly...the "I don't see why anyone thinks its not a full day park" sentiment is not gonna help the customer.

They got along way to go to make that place worth a flight, a $350 hotel
Room, and a $100 ticket...
It's not a traveling carnival ...

They have admitted publically over the years that the plans were cut and they were looking at ways to expand...the most notable Incident started just now...

As the skit on Saturday night love goes "FIX IT!!!"

Or charge $50 a ticket.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

You seem to be confused. I pointed out that box office grosses do not necessarily equate to viewership. My comment had nothing to do with the appropriateness of Avatar in Animal Kingdom.

In general $ do not directly relate to viewership. However, the adjusted numbers are adjusted for inflation of ticket prices so they $ fairly equate to viewership. Also the worldwide box office has grown tremendously the last few decades so Avatar has a worldwide audience where far older films did not.

You may not have been addressing Avatar's appropriateness, but that is part of the general discussion. There is no movie viewed worldwide more than Avatar that would be a fit for AK. It is a perfect match.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

hey Yellow
Avatar is number two all time in world wide gross after inflation..those numbers are only domestic off of boxofficemojo

Also its the most watched movie in the past 20 years so....yet amazingly no body liked it

the biggest problem we will have when this opens is the mobs of people trying to get in the place and whether or not DAK's infrastructure can handle it

this is a perfect match for DAK and what DAK needs, which is people to stay longer in the park

and yes i agree star wars will /would be great for DHS....

Haha. Yes, Avatar is a terrible stupid movie. Ignore all the media in 2009-2010, the awards, and the hundreds of millions of people that watched the movie. Obviously nobody liked it.


Yes, I was using domestic numbers. And you are right. If you go back and read news sources from the time, Avatar was a cultural phenomenon like nothing in many a decade.

 

[Sean1814]

I never understood the expansion of dino land. The play ground was cool, but to add all that carnival stuff just seems really kitsch and irrelevant to the theme of the park, even more so than Avatar land. They should move some of that stuff over to the boardwalk maybe. But to tear that stuff done and put in some dark rides for an old disney animated film like the Jungle Book or the Lion King seems like such a better and more appropriate use of that space. People LOVE this dark rides! I fall on the AK is a half day park. Some of my family could spend 2 days there. Everyone is different. I'm not crazy about the Avatar idea, but seeing the drawings is getting me excited and at least they are trying something innovative and something that will compete, if only slightly, with Harry Potter land. My biggest recommendation for AK would be to ditch