Ground was broken this week for Avatarland

[NavyDad]

I get it, you're a fan of Star Wars and disappointed it didn't get its own land, yet. However, a lot of guests do come from foreign countries. In fact, last year international guest growth outpaced domestic guest growth, so international gross DOES matter. I wouldn't rule out Disney having some kind of Avatar themed characters in an AK parade yet either. Star Wars would never have fit the them of AK anyway, why does that matter?

I am a much bigger Star Wars fan than Avatar. I liked the Avatar film and I will at least be interested to see the new movies. You know who loved Avatar and is looking forward to possibly three more movies over the next 5 years? Teenage kids and 20 somethings (5 years ago when the movie came out) who will be in their 20's and into their 30's as the sequels are released and will continue to be mega popular movies both in the USA and internationally.

This is the target market Disney is going for as well making a major expansion (long awaited) to AK that will make it a night time park.

Also, expansion is not a zero sum game. AK has real estate and needs a night theme. DHS does not have a ton of empty space but areas of the park(possibly Back-lot and areas on that side of the park) could be easily transformed into Star Wars themed rides, shows, shopping and dining areas. The classic trilogy especially fits into the current theming of the park.

There is no reason whatsoever that Disney couldn't build their Avatar expansion at AK while in the near future expanding their Star Wars footprint at DHS. The logistics of expanding the park and working with Cameron would necessitate a much longer time fame. Conversely the fact that Disney owns and has complete control over Star Wars combined with the easier logistics of converting sections at DHS to Star Wars theming would likely translate into a much quicker turnaround from announcement to completion of a "Star Wars Land" at DHS.

 

[NavyDad]

I frankly don't care about Star Wars, I just question the idiots who thought an Avatar themed land was a good idea. Avatar is the 13th highest grossing film in N. America. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_films_in_Canada_and_the_United_States. Almost a half billion dollars behind a single Star Wars film. And there's little chance anyone cares about the next Avatar. Hell, Transformers land would have been a better idea. "Foreign countries" is a bit misleading. What foreign countries? South American countries? Asian countries? Are you the guy who came up with the awful idea that Disney should create an Avatar land?

Never mind…….

 

[NavyDad]

Foreign would be anything non-domestic, outside of the USA, it's quite simple. International travelers make up over 20% of the visitors annually to Disney World and the rate is growing. How would Transformers be a better idea for a land in AK than Avatar?

Also, AVATAR 2, 3, & 4 are still in the works to come out in 2016, 2017, and 2018 respectively.

You are wasting your time

 

[mom2rtk]

There is no reason whatsoever that Disney couldn't build their Avatar expansion at AK while in the near future expanding their Star Wars footprint at DHS.

Then everyone with a magic band needs to pony up and spend more money. Because until they recoup some of that $1.5B it's questionable when the next big park addition will be.

 

[3Gsandme]

Then everyone with a magic band needs to pony up and spend more money. Because until they recoup some of that $1.5B it's questionable when the next big park addition will be.

I also think that considering the amount of complaints construction generates having two parks with major construction projects at the same time wouldn't be in Disney's best interest.

 

[NavyDad]

Then everyone with a magic band needs to pony up and spend more money. Because until they recoup some of that $1.5B it's questionable when the next big park addition will be.

Well, anything in business is questionable because there is no guarantee when the next recession will hit.

However since 2009 Disney Parks have given zero indication that there will be a slow-down in investment in the parks anytime soon. The huge investment in Fantasyland rolling right into a huge investment in MM+ rolling right into a huge investment into Avatar Land. Most of these projects have overlapped each other. Disney also has made a huge investment buying the Star Wars Brand in it's entirety. This investment was actually about 3X the cost of the entire MDE project. It remains to be seen the extent of how they will leverage the strength of that brand in the parks(Disney Parks is about 20% of the company) in the future but big companies like Disney usually like when their investments produce results across multiple platforms.

 

[mom2rtk]

Well, anything in business is questionable because there is no guarantee when the next recession will hit.

However since 2009 Disney Parks have given zero indication that there will be a slow-down in investment in the parks anytime soon. The huge investment in Fantasyland rolling right into a huge investment in MM+ rolling right into a huge investment into Avatar Land. Most of these projects have overlapped each other. Disney also has made a huge investment buying the Star Wars Brand in it's entirety. This investment was actually about 3X the cost of the entire MDE project. It remains to be seen the extent of how they will leverage the strength of that brand in the parks(Disney Parks is about 20% of the company) in the future but big companies like Disney usually like when their investments produce results across multiple platforms.

Meh.

For the non-Avatar fan, New Fantasyland is really all there is on that list to be excited about. And while we enjoyed New Fantasyland, the only net new rides were Ariel and 7DMT. Ariel was OK, nothing to write home about though. No way to know yet if the 7DMT will be a homerun or not.

I don't give a flying fig if Disney bought SW until it shows up in the parks in some new meaningful way.

I don't care about new DVC construction. I don't care about them redoing DTD. I don't care about MM+. I don't care about Starbucks. I don't care about new walkways in the hub.

I'm not evaluating the Disney corporation as a potential investment. I'm considering whether to schedule a vacation to the parks.

YMMV.

 

[vcgirl925]

Ugg. I can't tell you un-excited i am about this. They could have chosen so many ways to go. Villains area? Star wars? Frozen? Cars? But no, they pick Avatar, a movie that came out so long ago and no one cares about. Plus, at the rate Disney is going it will open in 2000 and never.

 

[prudence64]

Meh.

For the non-Avatar fan, New Fantasyland is really all there is on that list to be excited about. And while we enjoyed New Fantasyland, the only net new rides were Ariel and 7DMT. Ariel was OK, nothing to write home yet. No way to know yet if the 7DMT will be a homerun or not.

I don't give a flying fig if Disney bought SW until it shows up in the parks in some new meaningful way.

I don't care about new DVC construction. I don't care about them redoing DTD. I don't care about MM+. I don't care about Starbucks. I don't care about new walkways in the hub.

I'm not evaluating the Disney corporation as a potential investment. I'm considering whether to schedule a vacation to the parks.

YMMV.

I've not seen avatar and have no interest in doing so, but the new attractions do sound fun and interesting to me so I don't mind that I don't care about the inspiration behind it. I've never seen song of the south but want to ride splash mountain.

 

[mom2rtk]

I've not seen avatar and have no interest in doing so, but the new attractions do sound fun and interesting to me so I don't mind that I don't care about the inspiration behind it. I've never seen song of the south but want to ride splash mountain.

I see your point in the SOTS argument. But really what I love most about visiting the Disney parks is the merging of great attractions with great movies. I know I can enjoy the attractions in Avatarland, but I'll never love it the way I would if it tied into a movie I loved. I was really excited about seeing Belle's Village come to life. All I can muster for Avatarland is "Meh". It's not even close to the same. I could completely skip the park and not lose sleep over it. I might very well do just that since I'm not a fan of big crowds anyway.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I've not seen avatar and have no interest in doing so, but the new attractions do sound fun and interesting to me so I don't mind that I don't care about the inspiration behind it. I've never seen song of the south but want to ride splash mountain.

BINGO!

If the rides and theming are fantastic...*that's* what will ultimately count. Most of the young kids today know nothing about The Twilight Zone or even Aerosmith and yet TOT and RRC are two of the most popular attractions throughout WDW with the teens.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Plus...it's turning AK into a nighttime park!!! That alone gets me jazzed even if there were no new attractions. A nighttime safari?!?!

That's awesome!

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I see your point in the SOTS argument. But really what I love most about visiting the Disney parks is the merging of great attractions with great movies. I know I can enjoy the attractions in Avatarland, but I'll never love it the way I would if it tied into a movie I loved. I was really excited about seeing Belle's Village come to life. All I can muster for Avatarland is "Meh". It's not even close to the same. I could completely skip the park and not lose sleep over it. I might very well do just that since I'm not a fan of big crowds anyway.

Actually, your particular mind-set is the best to have concerning Avatarland. With your excitement/expectation level on *low* you have the best opportunity to be pleasantly blown away by all of it. That is...if you bother to check it out.

 

[mom2rtk]

Actually, your particular mind-set is the best to have concerning Avatarland. With your excitement/expectation level on *low* you have the best opportunity to be pleasantly blown away by all of it. That is...if you bother to check it out.

You guys will have to check it out for me. By the time it opens, my daughter will be in high school and our week-long Disney trips will be a thing of the past. We'll be down to squeezing in a 3 or 4 day weekend once a year. And I've already decided AK and Epcot would get the boot in that scenario.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

However since 2009 Disney Parks have given zero indication that there will be a slow-down in investment in the parks anytime soon. The huge investment in Fantasyland rolling right into a huge investment in MM+ rolling right into a huge investment into Avatar Land. Most of these projects have overlapped each other. Disney also has made a huge investment buying the Star Wars Brand in it's entirety. This investment was actually about 3X the cost of the entire MDE project. It remains to be seen the extent of how they will leverage the strength of that brand in the parks(Disney Parks is about 20% of the company) in the future but big companies like Disney usually like when their investments produce results across multiple platforms.

I was thinking the same thing, they have been on a spending spree the last few years unlike anything I can remember. In addition to all you mentioned you left out the Disney Springs expansion, Art of Animation resort, Disney Shanghai, the California Adventure overhaul, the hub redesign, all the new DVC properties, etc, etc. They are spending billions a year right now and I don't see any end in sight, after Pandora I think Star Wars at HS is very likely, and then I really hope they show Epcot some serious love.

I won't say I agree with everything they are doing but after a lot of neglect the parks are getting a lot of attention right now.

I always get a chuckle out of the DIS because it seems 1/4 of the threads are about how Disney doesn't reinvest in the parks, 1/4 are about there being to much construction in the parks, 1/4 are about how the parks are so expensive no one can afford to go, and the last 1/4 are about how packed the parks are.

 

[JennyMP03]

It makes me sad when they talk about there being a nighttime safari. While I'm sure it'd be interesting, it sounds stressful for the animals. I thought the whole point of AK closing early and avoiding nighttime shows was to let the animals rest away from the crowds.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

It makes me sad when they talk about there being a nighttime safari. While I'm sure it'd be interesting, it sounds stressful for the animals. I thought the whole point of AK closing early and avoiding nighttime shows was to let the animals rest away from the crowds.

Well I've heard that what they are going to do is not going to be harmful/stressful to the animals. We shall see what the plan is to address that that. DAK has been very humane and go above and beyond what your average zoo does to make sure that their animals live well.

Another exciting development is EE at night. It's a never to be forgotten experience...as is the whole park at night. Simply breathtaking. And then you think about the digital projections that are planned for the Tree Of Life and I get geeked!

 

[jade1]

And then you think about the digital projections that are planned for the Tree Of Life and I get geeked!

100,000 new digital leaves, should be something to see for sure.

 

[JeremyGNJ]

I think the answer here is obvious. Disney should have made "Gone with the Wind" land.

 

[prudence64]

It makes me sad when they talk about there being a nighttime safari. While I'm sure it'd be interesting, it sounds stressful for the animals. I thought the whole point of AK closing early and avoiding nighttime shows was to let the animals rest away from the crowds.

I read somewhere that it would be a different experience focusing on nocturnal animals, but I don't know if that was just soeculation