Ground was broken this week for Avatarland

[grossmansr]

I don't understand the negativity either. Even though I've never seen Avatar I'm happy for any expansion that promises more rides and attractions. I'm not into Star Wars either, but I would still enjoy a Star Wars land, or any new land that Disney decides to create. There are so many good ideas out there (many of you posters have mentioned some great ones) and I hope Disney continues to expand well into the future. I'm truly hoping for the success of this project because if it turns out well then Disney will be more inclined towards future park expansion.

 

[bcrook]

I don't understand the negativity either. Even though I've never seen Avatar I'm happy for any expansion that promises more rides and attractions. I'm not into Star Wars either, but I would still enjoy a Star Wars land, or any new land that Disney decides to create. There are so many good ideas out there (many of you posters have mentioned some great ones) and I hope Disney continues to expand well into the future. I'm truly hoping for the success of this project because if it turns out well then Disney will be more inclined towards future park expansion.

I wonder what "turns out well" would look like?

Obviously higher attendance at DAK, but that wouldn't be enough if it came from the other parks. So it would have to be higher overall attendance at wdw.

I wonder how many "new" customers will decide to go to WDW now because of Pandora? I don't know about that, and I wouldn't think that would the drive behind this. Also this leads to part of the criticism.

So the next possibility would be adding to the number days visiting because DAK has more to do. That also seems unlikely. Two more rides is probably not going to push this park into a two day park.

Next, possible success - people stay longer and spend more in the park. Once again, will souvenir expenses go up that much? Meals? Would people have eaten onsite somewhere else?

I think the big success will be making people happier and absorbing more of the crowds. Keeping people in DAK later might keep the masses out of the Magic Kingdom at Wishes time making the experience there better for everyone.

And Publicity! Maybe this will be a big deal. SeaWorld saw a huge bump in attendance because of their Antarctica experience. I wonder if Avatar will be equally effective. And that leads back to the first point.

 

[Carl Aird]

I'm completely against this
It doesn't make sense!

The other 2 movies haven't even been released yet!
Suppose they tank!?!

They made this deal before they acquired Star Wars, a proven license with a much higher penetration than Avatar

It seems like a HUGE waste (of land and $)

I think the negativity comes from people feeling their experience is ruined by another "Non Disney" property in the area

I would have preferred Star Wars but some people wished for more of a Disney theme experience like a Villains area or a Beast area

The BEST comment I've read was
"Can't wait to see how they re-theme it after it fails"

 

[bcrook]

I'm completely against this
It doesn't make sense!

The other 2 movies haven't even been released yet!
Suppose they tank!?!

They made this deal before they acquired Star Wars, a proven license with a much higher penetration than Avatar

It seems like a HUGE waste (of land and $)

I think the negativity comes from people feeling their experience is ruined by another "Non Disney" property in the area

I would have preferred Star Wars but some people wished for more of a Disney theme experience like a Villains area or a Beast area

The BEST comment I've read was
"Can't wait to see how they re-theme it after it fails"

Can Avatar save Disney? Check out this article it comes from the exact opposite direction you are coming from. I found it interesting.

 

[leebee]

I think this is what people said about the original DISNEYLAND project!

Honestly, I was excited about the new Fantasyland, and when I experienced it last year, I was thinking, "That's it?" The Ariel ride is pretty lame and the Storytime with Belle, while kind of cute, not worth the wait (and we were the 2nd show of the day!). The theming is beautiful but they could have done so much more......

Somewhat ff topic: but I agree about the new Fantasyland. That's it? Double Dumbo, the Barnstormer, and a games tent; a See-the-Princesses site; lame Ariel ride, pre-existing Belle attraction, and a castle restaurant (interesting to see, but it's still a restaurant). Oh yes, the 7DMT; is that going to be an indoor coaster, like BTMRR? Mostly I feel like, instead of expanding FL, they have gutted it, with it all spread out and the wall-like thing down the middle where Dumbo used to be.

 

[Carl Aird]

Can Avatar save Disney? Check out this article it comes from the exact opposite direction you are coming from. I found it interesting.

It's gonna take more than 1 attraction to Save AK

It's too far
and too confusing, poorly marked
and just a zoo to me

The article doesn't answer the conundrum of what happens if the next 2 film flop

and the percentage of penetration VS other properties like Star Wars

It doesn't look like HP is saving Universal nor did their Jurassic Park land so maybe movie themed lands are not the answer

 

[Micca]

I'd be a lot more excited about this if I had like the first Avatar movie. OTOH, maybe the subsequent movies will be better--(although the track record for sequels is rocky). Even if the movies aren't great, the attraction could be really cool(hey, that Haunted Mansion movie was...slight).

However, Cameron has done some truly incredible movies. Maybe this is a relationship thing. Disney says "We'll build Avatarland if you crank out a movie as good as Titanic and let us create an attraction around it."

Disney has to look ahead 10-25 years, though the creation of Star Wars land sounds like a sure bet.

 

[clsteve]

I never get the negative attitudes about the Avatar addition. It's only the number one movie in the world and Disney could do some amazing things with the theming. Many of Disney's best attractions don't even have a movie associated or have some movie that no one remembers.

As for the irony of a mega-corporation building this, maybe if said mega-corporation was destroying the environment in a violent way then we would all feel differently.

Disney got that out of the way in the mid-late 60's to early 70's.......


And I truly mean that tongue in cheek with a double wink....

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I love Animal Kingdom - it remains my favorite park - I suppose it reminds me of my years living here and there overseas in a happy Disney way - plus I am a science teacher by training so perhaps its' just the perfect park for me. To each his own I suppose.

I lived in Orlando for about 8 months had an AP and visited the parks often. When I first saw Dinoland - I thought, "no way, I don't like it at all", but visit after visit, I have found I really do enjoy a stroll through Dinoland and have a turn through the games section, it is fun and quirky. I liked Avatar - though IMO the buzz for the film has subsided, I still think it could be a great addition to AK. I think I'll wait til I experience it and go from there. It might just grow on me. Honestly I think it could be a fit for the park.

Now I do hope Carsland and Star Wars Land come to the Studios!

 

[Yubbie]

Bottom line: The project is happening whether the negative Nancies here want it or not. I'm sure the project is in capable hands, that all the market research points to a successful profitable return, and that it will be a great addition to the park.

I really don't care for the Harry Potter movies, but I didn't go on the internet and spew toxic sludge because Universal decided to spend millions putting it in their parks. Actually, I'm very interested in trying it out one day.

Take a breath, turn off the caps lock, and just let the well-qualified professionals in charge of these things do their jobs and make magic for us.

That is all. Peace.

Yubbie

 

[metzgardesign]

Take a breath, turn off the caps lock, and just let the well-qualified professionals in charge of these things do their jobs and make magic for us.

Hopefully, it's the same well-qualified professionals in charge of the MB and FP+ roll-outs.

It will, for sure, be a success.

 

[Planogirl]

It's gonna take more than 1 attraction to Save AK

It's too far
and too confusing, poorly marked
and just a zoo to me

The article doesn't answer the conundrum of what happens if the next 2 film flop

and the percentage of penetration VS other properties like Star Wars

It doesn't look like HP is saving Universal nor did their Jurassic Park land so maybe movie themed lands are not the answer

Does Universal need saving? All I can see is that their attendance went up a lot and after that it becomes their responsibility to sell their park. Universal Studios is all about movies so that has to be their focus. I haven't heard that they needed saving.

Bottom line: The project is happening whether the negative Nancies here want it or not. I'm sure the project is in capable hands, that all the market research points to a successful profitable return, and that it will be a great addition to the park.

I really don't care for the Harry Potter movies, but I didn't go on the internet and spew toxic sludge because Universal decided to spend millions putting it in their parks. Actually, I'm very interested in trying it out one day.

Take a breath, turn off the caps lock, and just let the well-qualified professionals in charge of these things do their jobs and make magic for us.

That is all. Peace.

Yubbie

I agree.

James Cameron writes poorly but he is a visionary who knows how to make a buck. That is exactly what would lure Disney. If Disney doesn't try to cut corners (always a danger), I believe that Avatarland will be amazing.

 

[bcrook]

James Cameron writes poorly but he is a visionary who knows how to make a buck. That is exactly what would lure Disney. If Disney doesn't try to cut corners (always a danger), I believe that Avatarland will be amazing.

When you look at initial art work for the parks and see what got cut, you have to wonder about this development too. I love looking at the original plans for the world showcase with gondolas in Italy, the train ride in japan etc.

 

[Planogirl]

When you look at initial art work for the parks and see what got cut, you have to wonder about this development too. I love looking at the original plans for the world showcase with gondolas in Italy, the train ride in japan etc.

Exactly. The bean counters have been busy and having James Cameron involved might actually help with this. I have heard that he is very demanding and very fussy so trying to cut corners in his area might not go over well.

 

[clsteve]

Exactly. The bean counters have been busy and having James Cameron involved might actually help with this. I have heard that he is very demanding and very fussy so trying to cut corners in his area might not go over well.

JK Rowling set that bar with Universal by demanding oversight on HP. Hopefully, he did the same with Disney.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

Is it open now?

 

[think-like-tink]

Is it open now?

what about now? They have had enough time.

 

[Borishack]

I got to witness SOTS on The Wonderful World of Disney as a kid. I thought it was cool and that damn song has been stuck in my head ever since. Of course I was a kid and had no idea what it later came to represent.

I think you have it backwards. SOTS didn't "come to represent" anything. What "came" was a rigid contemporary revisionist mindset that decided any older film set in the old South must be inherently racist, irrespective of its storyline, characters or execution. That's unfortunate, because it has prevented several generations from experiencing the wonderful character of Uncle Remus and a production Walt Disney always counted as one of his best.

 

[WVParkfan]

It's too far
and too confusing, poorly marked
and just a zoo to me

Could not disagree more. Too far from what? The MK? Not everyone loves the MK.

The AK is our 2nd favorite park (after Epcot). It is meant for exploring, not chasing one ride to the next as you follow the stroller crowd through Fantasyland.

I've never seen Avatar, have no interest in the storyline, and have no opinion on whether this is good or not. But I do love the AK, and am happy that they are adding something else to enjoy.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

It's gonna take more than 1 attraction to Save AK

It's too far
and too confusing, poorly marked
and just a zoo to me

The article doesn't answer the conundrum of what happens if the next 2 film flop

and the percentage of penetration VS other properties like Star Wars

It doesn't look like HP is saving Universal nor did their Jurassic Park land so maybe movie themed lands are not the answer

I wasn't aware AK needed "saving". You do know it draws more guests than DHS, right (albeit, not many more)?