It's Official: AVATAR breaks ground at Disney's Animal Kingdom

[twebber55]

I have to be honest, I've never seen Avatar and probably never will but since Joe Rohde is involved with this project I'm setting my expectations very low.

Not a fan of Rohde huh?
my thoughts are simple if it looks like the concept art/model it will be a home run for disney

 

[emilyindisney]

I'm not really into Avatar but I think any addition to DAK is good news so I'm trying to keep an open mind as I see things coming together.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

At the very *least* it's turning AK into a "nighttime" Park. That, in and of itself, is reason to celebrate. Everything else will be a glorious icing on the cake!

 

[Borishack]

Not a fan of Rohde huh?

Frankly, no, and we are not alone

my thoughts are simple if it looks like the concept art/model it will be a home run for disney

Problem is, the Avatar advocates are assuming the deliverable will look exactly like the concept art.

And history would argue that is a risky proposition. The Disney archives are chock full of glorious concept pieces for attractions. The imagineers love producing them. Problem is, most are for attractions that are either never built or which ended up being executed in different (and often much less elaborate) form than the conceptual piece implied.

Some examples:

 

[twebber55]

Frankly, no, and we are not alone



Problem is, the Avatar advocates are assuming the deliverable will look exactly like the concept art.

And history would argue that is a risky proposition. The Disney archives are chock full of glorious concept pieces for attractions. The imagineers love producing them. Problem is, most are for attractions that are either never built or which ended up being executed in different (and often much less elaborate) form than the conceptual piece implied.

Some examples:

agree but thats also why i mentioned the model..because the model looked great as well

i do think we Pandora get a similar level of themeing that Cars land received totally my opinion

 

[Borishack]

agree but thats also why i mentioned the model..because the model looked great as well

Disney also made incredible models for the aborted "Disney's America" project in VA.

i do think we Pandora get a similar level of themeing that Cars land received totally my opinion

This statement codifies my sense that the Avatar fans are obsessed with style vs. substance.

The reason the theming for Carsland works isn't because of the finish on the fake rocks, the huge vistas or the scale of everything. It's because the "Route 66 nostalgia" environment Disney created resonates with people . It takes visitors to a different and lost place in time many have an emotional attachment to.

All we hear about from the Avatar advocates is about how great the effects will be ("floating mountains and bioluminescent plants, oh my..."). Yeah, they'll look really neat, but what narrative or emotional connection are they going to link to?

Oh, I know, here we have Navi village, look how they celebrate harvest day..... and by the way, in Avatarland, where are Rohde and the imagineers going to get the inspiration for their shops and restaurants? Pandora, as I vaguely remember it, wasn't overly populated with interesting curio shops and eateries. It was a jungle with cat people in it. Are the paying public really going to be queueing up outside the park for their first taste of 'Unobtanium Beer' (tm)?

 

[twebber55]

Disney also made incredible models for the aborted "Disney's America" project in VA.

This statement codifies my sense that the Avatar fans are obsessed with style vs. substance.

The reason the theming for Carsland works isn't because of the finish on the fake rocks, the huge vistas or the scale of everything. It's because the "Route 66 nostalgia" environment Disney created resonates with people . It takes visitors to a different and lost place in time many have an emotional attachment to.

All we hear about from the Avatar advocates is about how great the effects will be ("floating mountains and bioluminescent plants, oh my..."). Yeah, they'll look really neat, but what narrative or emotional connection are they going to link to?

Oh, I know, here we have Navi village, look how they celebrate harvest day..... and by the way, in Avatarland, where are Rohde and the imagineers going to get the inspiration for their shops and restaurants? Pandora, as I vaguely remember it, wasn't overly populated with interesting curio shops and eateries. It was a jungle with cat people in it. Are the paying public really going to be queueing up outside the park for their first taste of 'Unobtanium Beer' (tm)?

im willing to bet 99% of the people who go to Cars land dont go for the route 66 nostalgia again just my opinion
people want to have a certain escapism and this certainly fits the bill...people will certainly connect to the environment and feel of the new land...its a theme park land...most people who go to the parks are not like us theme board folk...
Toy Story (one of the great pixar franchises) has to me the best story line of any pixar movie, yet the land bombed at hong kong..why? my guess it wasnt done properly and given the budget...this DAK makeover has an 800 million budget..it will be incredible

Transformers is a huge franchise with a weak storyline yet has boomed universal attendance.....by the way im going to universal friday while im in Florida so i cant wait to ride transformers for the first time...just so you know im not a pixie duster

 

[beer dave]

~LOL.


Beer!!! Where have you been???

~Now, hopefully all of the Avatarland are cancelled rumors will finally disappear! I told you (the collective you) who swore this project was cancelled, and then scaled back. It's not -- $800 million plus will be allocated for AK the expansion.

I'm still here-- just don't feel the drive to say the same thing over and over, every time there is a new person who dislikes avatar and doesn't read enough to realize everything they are saying has been already beaten to death.

However, It is nice to hear from you.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Problem is, the Avatar advocates are assuming the deliverable will look exactly like the concept art.

And history would argue that is a risky proposition. The Disney archives are chock full of glorious concept pieces for attractions. The imagineers love producing them. Problem is, most are for attractions that are either never built or which ended up being executed in different (and often much less elaborate) form than the conceptual piece implied.

Some examples:

That is patently ridiculous. Not one person said it would look exactly like the concept art. Concept art runs the gamut from relatively realistic to absolute fantasy like the above.

The models are much closer to the truth, but changes can still happen. But art, coupled with models, coupled with descriptions, make us very optimistic!

The model for Disney's America was more realistic to what it would have been, but the never broke ground.

This statement codifies my sense that the Avatar fans are obsessed with style vs. substance.

The reason the theming for Carsland works isn't because of the finish on the fake rocks, the huge vistas or the scale of everything. It's because the "Route 66 nostalgia" environment Disney created resonates with people . It takes visitors to a different and lost place in time many have an emotional attachment to.

Yeaaaaah... Righhhhht... I can see the 30 something parents walking through Cars Land with their children, going, this is so AWESOME because it represents something we only vaguely know about and have never seen. Grandpa mentioned it once.


People love Cars Land because the theming so done so well. Immersive is the word. Part of the reason it works is the mountains effectively limit the world.

It just cracks me up that people put their hands over their eyes and say, "Beautiful flying dragons and amazing floating mountains. How awful. This can't be any good or interesting."

Geesh. Can't you even grasp how this COULD or MIGHT work? Are you that blinded by hate of Disney?

And I did see people say that even though they broke ground it is just a ploy they won't build anything.

Come on! Give it a chance!

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

That is patently ridiculous. Not one person said it would look exactly like the concept art. Concept art runs the gamut from relatively realistic to absolute fantasy like the above.

The models are much closer to the truth, but changes can still happen. But art, coupled with models, coupled with descriptions, make us very optimistic!

The model for Disney's America was more realistic to what it would have been, but the never broke ground.



Yeaaaaah... Righhhhht... I can see the 30 something parents walking through Cars Land with their children, going, this is so AWESOME because it represents something we only vaguely know about and have never seen. Grandpa mentioned it once.


People love Cars Land because the theming so done so well. Immersive is the word. Part of the reason it works is the mountains effectively limit the world.

It just cracks me up that people put their hands over their eyes and say, "Beautiful flying dragons and amazing floating mountains. How awful. This can't be any good or interesting."

Geesh. Can't you even grasp how this COULD or MIGHT work? Are you that blinded by hate of Disney?

And I did see people say that even though they broke ground it is just a ploy they won't build anything.

Come on! Give it a chance!

Yellowstonetim...I agree with what you are saying. I'm super-stoked about Avatarland! And I'm not really even a fan of the movie(it was okay).

 

[twebber55]

I'm still here-- just don't feel the drive to say the same thing over and over, every time there is a new person who dislikes avatar and doesn't read enough to realize everything they are saying has been already beaten to death.

However, It is nice to hear from you.

you are so right..i should have quit months ago with the guy...

 

[Borishack]

Not one person said it would look exactly like the concept art.

No, they just frothed at the mouth endlessly, saying how incredible awe-inspiring etc. the concept art looked. Which in turn means they now have expectations permanently embedded in their heads based on those images.

I can see the 30 something parents walking through Cars Land with their children, going, this is so AWESOME because it represents something we only vaguely know about and have never seen.

Oh, please, the iconic Americana road trip theme Route 66 represents isn't one you need to be elderly to relate to. Per your logic, no one can possibly be able to relate to POC, because it represents 17th century culture that people "only vaguely know about and have never seen."

 

[tinkerpea]

I really don't see how people can complain about something that a theme park is doing!?
Is it your money they are spending on it? No... Do you have to go and visit,No again..

Nobody is forcing anyone to have to endure the rides or the scenery, I just can not imagine judging something that had nothing to do with me, and that isn't even built yet!

Personally it was one of our family's favourite films which includes 3 boys aged 11,9,9 so yes kids did enjoy it, and watch it often still!
I'm looking forward to seeing where Disney goes with this project,
And hey if no one else wants to go then great, I won't have to stand amongst hundreds when it opens

 

[twebber55]

I guess im the guy frothing at the mouth

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I really don't see how people can complain about something that a theme park is doing!?
Is it your money they are spending on it? No... Do you have to go and visit,No again..

Nobody is forcing anyone to have to endure the rides or the scenery, I just can not imagine judging something that had nothing to do with me, and that isn't even built yet!

Personally it was one of our family's favourite films which includes 3 boys aged 11,9,9 so yes kids did enjoy it, and watch it often still!
I'm looking forward to seeing where Disney goes with this project,
And hey if no one else wants to go then great, I won't have to stand amongst hundreds when it opens

Hahaha...I love this post! Thanks tinkerpea!

 

[ToyStoryMania1]

It is all about the theming and I think Disney is going about Avatarland the right way, same with Disney Springs. Unlike the disasters of California Adventure and Hollywood Studios, Disney has a good track record especially in the recent about creating a sense of escapism.

Sure maybe Avatar isn't everyone's cup of tea. Neither is Harry Potter for me and I couldn't help but fall in love with what Universal had done with it in Islands of Adventure.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Oh, please, the iconic Americana road trip theme Route 66 represents isn't one you need to be elderly to relate to. Per your logic, no one can possibly be able to relate to POC, because it represents 17th century culture that people "only vaguely know about and have never seen."

Poor analogy. Pirates have been a part of culture for some time. Books, movies, etc. Captain Hook, etc.. Route 66 is a part of the nostalgia of older baby boomers not younger people. I'm 53 and pirates seem far more culturally relevant to me than Route 66. Never seen anyone at a party dressed up in some 66 garb. Seen lots of pirates. The 70-something's at the old car club are really into route 66. Many people have heard "something" about route 66. Everyone knows about pirates.

What people love about Cars land is the really cool theming and the great ride.

 

[twebber55]

Poor analogy. Pirates have been a part of culture for some time. Books, movies, etc. Captain Hook, etc.. Route 66 is a part of the nostalgia of older baby boomers not younger people. I'm 53 and pirates seem far more culturally relevant to me than Route 66. Never seen anyone at a party dressed up in some 66 garb. Seen lots of pirates. The 70-something's at the old car club are really into route 66. Many people have heard "something" about route 66. Everyone knows about pirates.

What people love about Cars land is the really cool theming and the great ride.

yep
Great Themeing
Great E Ticket
unique environment
and you ve got yourself a great land ie cars land

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

I'm still here-- just don't feel the drive to say the same thing over and over, every time there is a new person who dislikes avatar and doesn't read enough to realize everything they are saying has been already beaten to death.

However, It is nice to hear from you.

~Beer!!! You're still here, yay!!! I was just asking in general, because I haven't seen you in a while. That's all. I totally agree with you, but how can we remain excited all the way until 2017 -- that's like, forever. I just need a cup of tea with some beer.

 

[beer dave]

~Beer!!! You're still here, yay!!! I was just asking in general, because I haven't seen you in a while. That's all. I totally agree with you, but how can we remain excited all the way until 2017 -- that's like, forever. I just need a cup of tea with some beer.

Its definitely difficult, especially when we frequent this place, because we think about it every day or so. Most people don't have this kind of exposure. I just enjoy the existing things. I can always seem to find something new to experience with every trip. We have become very happy with just the atmosphere and use our trips for relaxing breaks from reality. As I believe the park was intended to be.