Finally saw Avatar - What is Disney thinking?

[Jafar30]

Exactly!!

Only thing is a kinda enjoyed Avatar, but I also really liked John Carter.....not sure what this says about me. Lol

John Carter is very underrated

 

[DisneyDaddy-O]

John Carter is very underrated

Unfortunately, I don't think we will ever see any more of them...

 

[maryandtyson]

Avatar is just Pocahontas in space.

Precisely. I am not a James Cameron fan. For sure would rather see Disney pull from their own arsenal when adding attractions. If I want schlock, I'll go to Universal.

 

[Friendly Frog]

Not sure about the "un-Disney" part. While Pixar is pretty mellow, Disney movies were not shy about violence or death...even of innocent little animals. Heck Avatar seems pretty child friendly to me compared to Bambi.

What was Disney thinking? Hopefully about a beautiful glowing night time attraction for what was a day time park, and maybe a message or two about conservation and "living in harmony with the land"?

 

[mill4023]

The first movie made 2 billion worldwide. The next two will make close to that. That's what they were thinking

It made that much because the visuals were groundbreaking. It got lots of hype because of that, so it became something everyone wanted to see to find out what all the hype was about.

Regardless of the box office sales, it doesn't have anything close to the kind of enthusiastic fan base that you see with HP or Star Wars.

If Pandora is a success for Disney, it will be because they do a fantastic job. Not because of a passionate fan base.

 

[dpic]

Avatar is just Pocahontas in space.

Actually, it's Dances With Wolves. However, since it's the highest grossing film of all-time, I doubt people really care where the idea originated.

 

[dpic]

I don't see Disney building a 5th gate on one single movie franchise none of the other parks are that way so I wouldn't expect that. I would definitely see a section in a park but I highly doubt a only Star Wars park on its own.

I can see Disney bull-dozing the entire back part of DHS--so long Muppets, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Lights/Motor/Boredom, and Backlot Tour. Indiana Jones could go, too. While I'm sure each has their dedicated fans, these attractions are long in the tooth and DHS is in need of a major overhaul.

 

[chirurgeon]

I can see Disney bull-dozing the entire back part of DHS--so long Muppets, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Lights/Motor/Boredom, and Backlot Tour. Indiana Jones could go, too. While I'm sure each has their dedicated fans, these attractions are long in the tooth and DHS is in need of a major overhaul.

Don't you touch my Muppets!!!!!!!! The rest can go.

Kim

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I'm still not convinced that there will be 3 more Avatar movies. I know that is the story but do we really think that after 7 years (2009 Avatar to a December 2016 Avatar 2) people are really going to want to see it? Maybe I was just not that into the original movie myself to have any interest after so much time goes by. And I wonder if Cameron's perfectionism will allow these movies to come out on time and on schedule with the Avatarland to open (which seems integral for Disney to properly sell its new land).

 

[disneysteve]

I'm still not convinced that there will be 3 more Avatar movies. I know that is the story but do we really think that after 7 years (2009 Avatar to a December 2016 Avatar 2) people are really going to want to see it? Maybe I was just not that into the original movie myself to have any interest after so much time goes by. And I wonder if Cameron's perfectionism will allow these movies to come out on time and on schedule with the Avatarland to open (which seems integral for Disney to properly sell its new land).

I really don't care if there are more movies as I don't think the first one was that great. We certainly wouldn't watch any sequels.

Of course, one of the worst movies I have ever seen was Transformers and that was also a huge hit and spawned sequels and a very popular theme park attraction so perhaps I'm not the best judge of these things.

 

[DisneyKentucky]

The first movie made 2 billion worldwide. The next two will make close to that. That's what they were thinking

Exactly. It has world wide appeal and the park is very much a world destination.

That said, I thought the movie was a bore. Doesn't mean I won't have fun in the new expansion.

 

[sonofanarchy]

The first movie made 2 billion worldwide. The next two will make close to that. That's what they were thinking

Says who?

The biggest difference between Avatar and other huge blockbusters that have inspired theme park attractions is that most everyone enjoyed those films A LOT. A very small percentage of people were absolutely ga-ga over Avatar.

Harry Potter had a built in audience and released a new movie every year. Same goes for Lord of the Rings. And Twilight. And Hunger Games. It's been 5 years since Avatar was released. And though it made a ton of money, it's all kind of relative. Avatar was the first major release in IMAX and 3D. If you take the extra money those tickets cost into consideration, more tickets were sold for MANY more movies.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

While there were many opinions about the films storyline, I think its easy to say that visually the movie was beautiful. So with that Disney can do a lot. The concept of Animal Kingdom and Pandora are the same Preserving life.

 

[kbelle8995]

I think that if the imagineers are allowed to do what they want it will be great regardless of whether one likes the movie or not.

I'm just saying that I would rather have Star Wars Land at the Studios before anything Avatar. And that's my Star Wars Bitter town stance.

 

[Dreams0308]

I am excited to see what Disney does with the overall environment of Pandora and taking the ideas created in the movie and translating it into an immersive experience.

Here's my opinion (so don't freak out on me because it's my opinion):
I really did not enjoy the Cars movie (and I didn't even watch the sequel). It was ok, but I am not a huge fan at all. However, I think that Carsland (Radiator Springs) in California looks amazing!!! I would love to visit and see it and just expeience being immersed in that environment. Based on the pictures I've seen and reviews from other people I think that I would really enjoy it. I am a big Imagineering fan and I find everything they do is just so unique and creative, I love it!

I think people should start thinking of Avatarland (Pandora) in the same way. Just because people might not enjoy the movie itself, doesn't mean that Disney won't bring people in and win them over. A totally immersive land and experience will attract Imagineering fans like myself AND the everyday guest who can appreciate what Disney has done. I think that's what is happening at Carsland as well. What Disney does best is to create unique and appealing theming and lands that don't require someone to be a hardcore fan of any movie to enjoy their theme parks.

Everything's going to be fine! Disney is going to create a beautiful new land using techniques like they used in Carsland to make it immersive. Then it will have its grand opening and we will all be tuning in like CRAZY to see every little detail and all the new things they come up with (or new ways to apply old things). Of course it's going to be covered by the DIS and will be talked about all over the fan communities. We will all be talking about all the different things they did and the details and the new stuff, and I don't think anyone is going to be sitting there sulking saying "but I don't like the movie..."


I just don't really see Disney totally blowing it on this one...

 

[wiigirl]

I think that if the imagineers are allowed to do what they want it will be great regardless of whether one likes the movie or not.

I'm just saying that I would rather have Star Wars Land at the Studios before anything Avatar. And that's my Star Wars Bitter town stance.

Me too, but I am curious how Avatar Land comes out.

 

[WizardLarz]

There are more movies coming out the next is due to be released about the time of the scheduled opening of the new land at AK. Maybe these next films will be more about the Ecology of Pandora.

Other posters are right in pointing out the violence in Star Wars, but there is some violence, in a lot of Disney movies. The list is rather larger once you start looking close for some sort of violence.

Beauty & the Beast, Snow White, Cars 2, Monsters Inc.

 

[ougrad86]

There is a lot at Disney not based on films, so kids may not necessarily feel the need to see the film if they visit the park. I really enjoyed Avatar, but like a pp Cars not so much. But if they build a Carsland I will be there (they should do Indiana Jones The Ride- that will keep me in the park). SW is violent, although impersonal about some of it. But the fun, happy parts of Avatar will be brought in, and I hope the rumors of a dragon ride are true!

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I heard someone say on another podcast that essentially disney got the rights to Avatar so universal couldn't.

 

[mill4023]

I heard someone say on another podcast that essentially disney got the rights to Avatar so universal couldn't.

I kind of doubt Universal was interested. They already had a home run with HP.