Disney's Avatar land cancelled?

[redshoepaul]

Just to add some more hard info before I get lost in this thread ... but when I talked to my source at WDI, said source pointed out the fact that Disney hasn't released one piece of generic artwork to get fanbois excited 'because they can't even agree on the basics' ... what you have are two diametrically opposite views on building the land (and I absolutely saw that coming). Cameron wants something groundbreaking. Disney wants to give you Soarin Over Around and Thru Pandora. Cameron wants to take that $500 million budget and add 'whatever it takes to do this right' ... Disney wants to trim $100-125 million from the budget (guess they need to cover the John Carter disaster).

Also want to make it clear that Avatarland isn't quite dead and you're dealing with another ego here -- Bob Iger's. And he really is burning about the work UNI is doing. In California, he can point to the DCA Makeover and crow. But at the 'flagship resort' that modest Fantasyland project isn't going to do it.

My point being this could stay alive just because of Iger's ego.

My gut tells me that I am hungry ... oh, and it also tells me that the chances of ever seeing construction are very, very, very slim.

 

[mesaboy2]

While I wouldn't be completely surprised, I'm not going to give this info any more credibility than wild-rumor status.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

But at the 'flagship resort' that modest Fantasyland project isn't going to do it.

First I was
Then just decided was a more appropriate response to the above.

 

[WDSearcher]

Maybe your source at WDI forgot that there's this place called "New Fantasyland" opening prior to Pandora and maybe the company wants people to focus on that while they're ironing out what's going to happen at DAK. Oh -- and a little place called Cars Land over there on the other coast.

Seriously, though ... when Fantasyland expansion came along, all sorts of renderings and artwork were released, only to be significantly changed a number of times, each time accompanied by hundreds of comments (mostly snarky ) about why Disney couldn't make up its mind or how Disney didn't properly measure its audience or how Disney messed up with Princesses, etc. etc. etc. Perhaps with Avatarland they're just waiting until things are a little more concrete before putting images out there.

Or ... maybe they're waiting until we're a little closer to the Avatar sequel to talk about the new Avatar land. Because I don't see a lot of chatter out there about Avatar to begin with -- why would Disney want to talk about something that's still so far off AND doesn't have a current film project to link it to in the media or peoples' minds?

It's also likely they're waiting to see what Universal is doing with Harry Potter World and the old JAWS location before they announce, since it's always nice to have something to counter with.

Or ... they're discovering that working with James Cameron is like working with JK Rowling, and it's JC who's not allowing anything to be released so early into the discussions on the project.

In other words ... I can see a whole lot of reasons why Disney may not want to start talking Pandora right now.

(And I think New Fantasyland is going to be way cooler and a much bigger draw than you're giving it credit for.)

 

[asianway]

One of the most spirited insiders on Magic has said exactly the same - definitely more than a wild rumor, more like take it to the bank

 

[redshoepaul]

Maybe your source at WDI forgot that there's this place called "New Fantasyland" opening prior to Pandora and maybe the company wants people to focus on that while they're ironing out what's going to happen at DAK. Oh -- and a little place called Cars Land over there on the other coast.
:

Dude I am so psyched for Cars Land.

 

[TDC Nala]

I didn't know there actually were Avatar fanbois.

 

[hookedonears]

Okay, the movie to many was good, but making a 100++ million dollar investment on this movie theme is crazy. While the movie did well with ground breaking special affects, this whole Avatar Land is a complete mystery to me. It's not like it's some classic novel that stayed on the NYT best sellers list for years. It's not like it's a best selling book and movie series like (Harry Potter). How many people can name the names of the 3 leading characters (without cheating and looking it up). People went completely nuts over HP, and many still do today. Avatar though? I just don't get it.

 

[magicbob]

Disney's Avatar land cancelled?

Please, please, please, PLEASE... let this turn out to be true!!!!

Okay, the movie to many was good, but making a 100++ million dollar investment on this movie theme is crazy. While the movie did well with ground breaking special affects, this whole Avatar Land is a complete mystery to me. It's not like it's some classic novel that stayed on the NYT best sellers list for years. It's not like it's a best selling book and movie series like (Harry Potter). How many people can name the names of the 3 leading characters (without cheating and looking it up). People went completely nuts over HP, and many still do today. Avatar though? I just don't get it.

Wow. I agree with hookedonears about something. Excuse me while I faint.

 

[FairydustyPrincesses]

Okay, the movie to many was good, but making a 100++ million dollar investment on this movie theme is crazy. While the movie did well with ground breaking special affects, this whole Avatar Land is a complete mystery to me. It's not like it's some classic novel that stayed on the NYT best sellers list for years. It's not like it's a best selling book and movie series like (Harry Potter). How many people can name the names of the 3 leading characters (without cheating and looking it up). People went completely nuts over HP, and many still do today. Avatar though? I just don't get it.

I don't understand an entire land dedicated to something that appeals to a marginal audience. I'm sure some will argue the princesses appeal to marginal audience but they are classic Disney and that brings a draw even to people who normally wouldn't be interested.

Avatar just seems to not fit. I'm sure there are many ways to expand ak in a less pigeonholed theme. I'd say the whole general beastly kingdom would be a better move than avatar . It's just so out of place. It's very universal and I think that may be why they want it , but it's not Disney. I may be very wrong but I don't see it being well received.

 

[WDSearcher]

Okay, the movie to many was good, but making a 100++ million dollar investment on this movie theme is crazy. While the movie did well with ground breaking special affects, this whole Avatar Land is a complete mystery to me. It's not like it's some classic novel that stayed on the NYT best sellers list for years. It's not like it's a best selling book and movie series like (Harry Potter). How many people can name the names of the 3 leading characters (without cheating and looking it up). People went completely nuts over HP, and many still do today. Avatar though? I just don't get it.

I don't know. I never got why people were obsessed with "Star Trek", and look what happened there. I'm still trying to figure out what made it all so amazing that it warrants entire conventions, not to mention theme park attractions and traveling exhibits. Same with "Star Wars" -- just don't get it. The way you feel about Avatar, I feel about Clone Wars. When I heard about that, I couldn't imagine what people would see in an animated Star Wars series and the investment that went into that. All the money that goes into Star Trek/Wars every year? I do not understand.

So ... who's to say that there isn't that same market somewhere out there for Avatar? Although my gut says that the land at DAK will be far less literal than WWoHP. It'll be Pandora -- and play the "fantasy" / "environmental" card -- as opposed to trying to retell the Avatar story like WWoHP does. Kind of a jumping off point for a larger message, using the upcoming Avatar films to craft what that message is.

 

[Reddog1134]

Disney is counting on the popularity (ticket sales) of Avatar to translate to theme park attendance. From the responses I've seen since Avatarland was announced, it seems like it is having the opposite effect.

I think if there was no Avatar, and Disney announced a new land in Animal Kingdom called "Pandora" that featured "a lush alien landscape filled with strange creatures and a unique indigenous alien race", it would actually have been better received.

 

[brookmey]

Okay, the movie to many was good, but making a 100++ million dollar investment on this movie theme is crazy. While the movie did well with ground breaking special affects, this whole Avatar Land is a complete mystery to me. It's not like it's some classic novel that stayed on the NYT best sellers list for years. It's not like it's a best selling book and movie series like (Harry Potter). How many people can name the names of the 3 leading characters (without cheating and looking it up). People went completely nuts over HP, and many still do today. Avatar though? I just don't get it.

I agree. I'm really lost regarding why Avatar would be chosen for AK, too. I don't see it as something that will appeal to generations (like Star Wars) or the masses, like Harry Potter. I saw the movie and while the special effects were good, I'm still lost on the plot. It just didn't make much sense to me.

I may be going out on a limb here, but I think in 20-25 years kids will be going "huh?" to Avatarland the same way I did to the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride. I enjoyed the ride, but had no idea of its history and that it was from a movie. My dad had to explain it. I think the same thing will happen to Avatar that happened to 20,000 Leagues.

 

[magicbob]

...20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride. I enjoyed the ride, but had no idea of its history and that it was from a movie.

Jules Verne just rolled over in his grave!

 

[chartle]

I didn't know there actually were Avatar fanbois.

Avatards

https://www.google.com/search?ix=sea&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=avatards

 

[RMulieri]

Maybe Cameron should talk to Universal..I am sure they would consider accomodating him In any event, I am not a fan of Avatar but I think they need something big(besides Fantasyland).Someone wake me up when the Iger-Disney years are over

 

[brookmey]

Jules Verne just rolled over in his grave!

Oops! Meant to say book, not movie! My brain and my hands are not in sync today!

 

[magicbob]

Oops! Meant to say book, not movie! My brain and my hands are not in sync today!

Well, technically the ride is based specifically on Disney's film version, so you're ok.

 

[StarGirl11]

Maybe Cameron should talk to Universal..I am sure they would consider accomodating him In any event, I am not a fan of Avatar but I think they need something big(besides Fantasyland).Someone wake me up when the Iger-Disney years are over

Doubt it considering Universal has enough things on its plate since they are expanding WWOHP.

I had mixed feelings about Avatarland from the start. I thought Avatar was okay, I kind of liked some of its music but never really understood all of the hype honestly. Sure the graphics were great but to me it never screamed timeless classic.

 

[RMulieri]

Doubt it considering Universal has enough things on its plate since they are expanding WWOHP.

I had mixed feelings about Avatarland from the start. I thought Avatar was okay, I kind of liked some of its music but never really understood all of the hype honestly. Sure the graphics were great but to me it never screamed timeless classic.

Oh I know they are expanding Harry Potter, it hasn't been officially announced but some of the permit plans got leaked..I think that if they did accomodate Cameron,Iger would be really steaming mad then..LOL..I never got the appeal of Avatar either.I didn't care for the movie much