Ground was broken this week for Avatarland

[metzgardesign]

As someone who has visited at least once every year (except 2005 and 2001) since 1997, I personally disagree with this. Yes prices have risen, but so have prices for everything so no, I am not going to be that mad at Disney for that. For me, the quality and services have not gotten worse at all. I think they are still top of the line and that is part of the reason why I will keep going back. That's just my opinion on the matter compared to yours, good thing we are each entitled to our own

Actually, statistical, WDW price increases (and to be fair....many luxury-relative, entertainment and leisure outlays) have FAR exceeded comparable cost-of-living, inflationary increases.

Far exceeded.....

 

[mom2rtk]

The single biggest complaint about AK is running out of things to do there, not that they have poor attractions. AK needs more of the kinds of things that make AK appealing to those who DO love it. In the 15 years its been open, there's been very little in the way of expansion. Time for more of what works.

And really, the point of having four distinct parks is to provide four distinct experiences. When all four begin to feel the same, I believe it will be a bad thing.

I totally agree.

Stepping away from the "animal thing" at Animal Kingdom is not what I would have suggested the park needs.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Actually, statistical, WDW price increases (and to be fair....many luxury-relative, entertainment and leisure outlays) have FAR exceeded comparable cost-of-living, inflationary increases.

Far exceeded.....

Actually, here is an interesting little article that states just that.

http://disneybiz.com/2010/tickets-walt-disney-world-overpriced/

It's only through 2010 so it's actually worse than stated in that article.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Gotta love the irony of a mega corporation building and profiting from a theme park addition when the movie is based on a mega corporation brought down by a holistic, grass roots movement.

Maybe it's just me....

 

[wendybeth75]

I personally don't get the whole Avatar thing, but it will be nice for Animal Kingdom to get some new rides. Not thrilled with the theme, but optimistic for the new rides!

My feelings EXACTLY. I have not watched the movie or read the books. Heck, I don't even know if there are books!! I couldn't identify an Avatar in a line up. But it's Disney, so I have high expectations and high hopes.

 

[metzgardesign]

Actually, here is an interesting little article that states just that.

http://disneybiz.com/2010/tickets-walt-disney-world-overpriced/

It's only through 2010 so it's actually worse than stated in that article.

One evening, I actually sat down and ran some comparable trip costs. It is really, REALLY, shocking what our rooms costs were, say 15 years ago, relative to what we paid on our last trip. Actually, all WDW costs, compared on that trip to this last one.

 

[Jennasis]

How about this, my dad has gone to WDW every year since it first opened. His first trip was two months after MK opened and he has been going back every since. He foots the bills for my family's vacations and owns DVC. He has NO plans to stop going to WDW anytime soon and does not think the value is shrinking. He likes MB and FP+ and thinks WDW is better than ever.

Yes, I know. Now I will just be a kid that agrees with my dad. Whatever it takes to prove me wrong.

THERE'S your problem (or non-problem LOL). When you start shelling out a couple thousand bucks for your family's vacations perhaps you will start questioning what you're getting for those couple of thousand dollars.

Or not. I really don't care.

 

[leebee]

I liked Avatar, it was OK as movies go, and there were some cool effects that I think could translate well into a Disney attraction, so while it might not be the new addition I was hoping for, I'm interested in seeing how it turns out. I'm not even totally opposed to it being located in AK, as the original AK concept was to highlight animals, from dinosaurs to "mythical beasties." Avatar could qualify as mythical beasties, sort-of. My biggest problem with this new land is the snail's pace of construction. HOW long have we been waiting for the new FantasyLand extension, and it's STILL not finished? I understand that building "lands" takes time and won't happen overnight, but taking almost a decade to build a "land?" I also think that opening in stages takes away some of the excitement of a new "land." I just get tired of waiting.

 

[bcrook]

I liked Avatar, it was OK as movies go, and there were some cool effects that I think could translate well into a Disney attraction, so while it might not be the new addition I was hoping for, I'm interested in seeing how it turns out. I'm not even totally opposed to it being located in AK, as the original AK concept was to highlight animals, from dinosaurs to "mythical beasties." Avatar could qualify as mythical beasties, sort-of. My biggest problem with this new land is the snail's pace of construction. HOW long have we been waiting for the new FantasyLand extension, and it's STILL not finished? I understand that building "lands" takes time and won't happen overnight, but taking almost a decade to build a "land?" I also think that opening in stages takes away some of the excitement of a new "land." I just get tired of waiting.

The clock started with this announcement two and a half years ago.

Let's see how long it takes to wrap it up. Fall 2017 maybe spring 2018?

Although - it looks like the additions would be less intensive or less difficult to build than new fantasyland.

The soarin type ride won't need a lot of theming work. The tough part there is creating the ride mechanism and technology. It should be fun.

The jungle cruise type experience should be easier to create than the mine coaster.

I would imagine they will include a premium dining venue, a quick service location, and a meet and greet area.

Even though the glowing plant landscaping should be beautiful, I can't imagine why that would take more than a couple of years to finish.

I guess that leaves the floating mountains. That could take a decade.

 

[DisneyNDecember]

Wow, that looks like so much fun !!
I am glad Animal Kingdom will now have nighttime fun & the new Avatar area looks VERY fun & exciting..... can't wait !!!!!!!!

 

[clsteve]

The clock started with this announcement two and a half years ago.

Let's see how long it takes to wrap it up. Fall 2017 maybe spring 2018?

Although - it looks like the additions would be less intensive or less difficult to build than new fantasyland.

The soarin type ride won't need a lot of theming work. The tough part there is creating the ride mechanism and technology. It should be fun.

The jungle cruise type experience should be easier to create than the mine coaster.

I would imagine they will include a premium dining venue, a quick service location, and a meet and greet area.

Even though the glowing plant landscaping should be beautiful, I can't imagine why that would take more than a couple of years to finish.

I guess that leaves the floating mountains. That could take a decade.

It's probably safe to assume they're waiting a bit for some of the artwork, plot-line, theming, etc., for the next movie (or two) to be finalized and close to production so that can be incorporated to some extent. Just to make sure AvatarLand has some attachment and is up-to-date with what's out in 2017 for the franchise.

It would seem to make sense....

 

[glamdring269]

Looking forward to this and honestly don't understand why there is so much negativity.

 

[ShannonMB]

While I agree with some PPs that Avatar as a franchise may not be a huge draw, I still think what the imagineers will be able to do with it will be totally awesome! I, for one, can't wait. I'm not a huge "Song of the South" fan, but I LOVE Splash Mountain. Most people who DO love the ride never even SAW the movie. Same concept in my eyes. What Disney creates will probably trump the movie experience and hopefully wow us all!

 

[bcrook]

It's probably safe to assume they're waiting a bit for some of the artwork, plot-line, theming, etc., for the next movie (or two) to be finalized and close to production so that can be incorporated to some extent. Just to make sure AvatarLand has some attachment and is up-to-date with what's out in 2017 for the franchise.

It would seem to make sense....

They might be able to open in phases. Although, I haven't read about a BOG type of dining experience it seems like a no brainer to get something like that in Pandora (and a Star Wars restaurant in DHS) as soon as possible. Something could be open early 2017, but I bet you are right the movie tie in will be important.

 

[bcrook]

While I agree with some PPs that Avatar as a franchise may not be a huge draw, I still think what the imagineers will be able to do with it will be totally awesome! I, for one, can't wait. I'm not a huge "Song of the South" fan, but I LOVE Splash Mountain. Most people who DO love the ride never even SAW the movie. Same concept in my eyes. What Disney creates will probably trump the movie experience and hopefully wow us all!

Honestly, I don't think people would care too much if original material came to wdw on a regular basis. But with the long delays in between new and innovative technologies people feel like these things are once in a decade events, and if Disney doesn't provide something appealing to everyone, it's a long wait until the next thing.

If the fantasyland had more universal appeal or was built quicker, and pandora was being built, and Star Wars land was in the design mode, and Epcot was getting a grand renovation in the imagination Pavilion and adding something to replace wonders of life, then people would be able to "relax" a little more.

Adding Avatar would be a nice addition, there is plenty of space at animal kingdom. But, because it is "the" long awaited addition to fill in a gigantic hole in the park, I think people have the right to evaluate this long awaited decision.

Regardless it will beautiful.

 

[Planogirl]

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.

 

[bcrook]

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.

My co worker believes this. And I can't convince her that the solar panels on universe of energy is enough to show that Disney is green!

 

[kangaroodle]

it's gonna be a failure

BIG Mistake, Huge waste of money

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......

 

[kangaroodle]

There could also be an interesting nocturnal area with bats, foxes, armadillos, possums, raccoons, etc.

I could go in my backyard to see that! (well except the Armadillos)

 

[mom2rtk]

Honestly, I don't think people would care too much if original material came to wdw on a regular basis. But with the long delays in between new and innovative technologies people feel like these things are once in a decade events, and if Disney doesn't provide something appealing to everyone, it's a long wait until the next thing.

If the fantasyland had more universal appeal or was built quicker, and pandora was being built, and Star Wars land was in the design mode, and Epcot was getting a grand renovation in the imagination Pavilion and adding something to replace wonders of life, then people would be able to "relax" a little more.

Adding Avatar would be a nice addition, there is plenty of space at animal kingdom. But, because it is "the" long awaited addition to fill in a gigantic hole in the park, I think people have the right to evaluate this long awaited decision.

Regardless it will beautiful.

This is precisely it for me.