More Avatar News....

[DisneyKevin]

From Perez Hilton.....

James Cameron visited Disney's Animal Kingdom last week (above), and he had the following to say about moving forward with an Avatar EXPERIENCE:

"Getting the chance to roll up my sleeves and explore Disney’s Animal Kingdom from the inside out was a phenomenal experience. As I walked through the park, I kept imagining Pandora coming to life all around me and found my mind racing with all the possibilities of what we will be able to create in the years ahead. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is truly a remarkable place and I can’t think of a better home for our first AVATAR experience."

More from Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Tom Staggs:

"We do a significant amount of work at the beginning of our projects to ensure that the final experience has the attention to detail, theme and uniqueness for which Disney is known. Today’s visit is an important step in the creative process and we are excited about getting started on what will be a spectacular addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom."

And more from Imagineer Joe Rohde:

"AVATAR and Disney’s Animal Kingdom share a common bond in that they both focus on adventures that will radically change your perspective. They call you to take action on behalf of nature wherever it may be found. This is a rare opportunity to collaborate with Jim, who has an incredible eye for detail and a passion for doing things that haven’t been done before."

 

[dansyr2514]

Ok, this avatar idea is starting to grow on me. I hope they do it well!

 

[WaltD4Me]

Wouldn't you think James Cameron would have wanted to tour Animal Kingdom before signing the deal? What if he hated it?

I know I'll probably be accused of being a Negative Nelly and I know it's a long way off, but the more I hear about Avatarland the less I like it.

 

[freaksloan]

I don't get the whole Avatar thing.

Pass on Harry Potter and now you are going to try and compete with HP with Avatar? By the time it is built, most people will not even remember Avatar.

I think they need to forget about Avatar and come up with something better for AK.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

From Perez Hilton.....

James Cameron visited Disney's Animal Kingdom last week (above), and he had the following to say about moving forward with an Avatar EXPERIENCE:

"Getting the chance to roll up my sleeves and explore Disney’s Animal Kingdom from the inside out was a phenomenal experience. As I walked through the park, I kept imagining Pandora coming to life all around me and found my mind racing with all the possibilities of what we will be able to create in the years ahead. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is truly a remarkable place and I can’t think of a better home for our first AVATAR experience."

More from Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Tom Staggs:

"We do a significant amount of work at the beginning of our projects to ensure that the final experience has the attention to detail, theme and uniqueness for which Disney is known. Today’s visit is an important step in the creative process and we are excited about getting started on what will be a spectacular addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom."

And more from Imagineer Joe Rohde:

"AVATAR and Disney’s Animal Kingdom share a common bond in that they both focus on adventures that will radically change your perspective. They call you to take action on behalf of nature wherever it may be found. This is a rare opportunity to collaborate with Jim, who has an incredible eye for detail and a passion for doing things that haven’t been done before."

All those quotes were taken directly from the DisneyParks blog article that was posted last week.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/10/james-cameron-explores-disneys-animal-kingdom-as-development-of-first-avatar-themed-land-continues/

 

[DisneyKevin]

All those quotes were taken directly from the DisneyParks blog article that was posted last week.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/10/james-cameron-explores-disneys-animal-kingdom-as-development-of-first-avatar-themed-land-continues/

Sorry Dave.

Didn't read the Disney Park Blog, but I did read it on Perez Hilton and thought I'd share it.

 

[GenieCat]

The concept has long term potential, although perhaps not on the level of Star Wars or Pirates. My biggest fear is that they won't do more traffic studies, and address the problem of the already too narrow walkways. The Animal Kingdom would quite easily become gridlocked.

 

[disneydad78]

I cant wait to see what and how it will turn out!

 

[Michele]

By the time it is built, most people will not even remember Avatar.

Is Avatar going to be a series? Aren't there supposed to be more Avatar movies coming out? I'm not sure, I didn't even see it, just thought I heard that somewhere.

 

[UndercoverMama]

Michele - I read that there will be two more movies.

I agree with the dansyr2514, it is growing on me.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Sorry Dave.

Didn't read the Disney Park Blog, but I did read it on Perez Hilton and thought I'd share it.

No worries, I was more surprised Perez Hilton was using the DisneyParks blog so heavily, but I didn't read it so maybe the did reference them.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Have they said any sort of time frame? Like when they would like to have it finished by. If they would open it up in parts, or as a whole. Will they have to close the park, or leave it open under heavy construction like DCA? These are the details I'm interested in but I guess it's probably too early to know these things. Our first visit to WDW will be in 2014 and I'm just curious what it will be like by then. I seem to have misplaced my crystal ball...

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

Pandora will be awesome at Disney.

Avatar FTW!

 

[Golf4food]

There are two more Avatar movies that will be released in the two years preceeding the opening of Avatarland at AK. It is likely that Avatarland will also include references or themes from those two new movies that we haven't even seen yet.

I think this particular tour of the park was just for the public - no doubt they all walked around after hours there before signing the deal. This was just for publicity and to get pictures taken, etc. A PR move.

 

[Cherinva]

It could be interesting....

 

[TammyA]

Soarin' over Pandora....maybe? Since this is going to be a "land" rather than just an attraction, is it possible that Disney is looking for more attractions to keep the park open later - more like the other parks? I know attractions directly related to animals would have to close earlier, but maybe.....

 

[KimStaR]

I read Perez too Kevin . He is actually a big Disney Parks Fan.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

By the time it is built, most people will not even remember Avatar.

People won't remember the highest grossing movie of all time that has a sequel coming? People may not like it, but they will remember it. Who remembers Song of the South? Isn't Splash Mountain very popular? Indiana Jones in Ca is a great ride from what I hear? How old is that movie? When was the last time most people saw a Dumbo movie? Toy Story Midway Mania was opened before Toy Story 3 was released, yet it was immensely popular from Day 1. Why? Because it is a great attraction, not because people like the movie. Disney doesn't need Harry Potter or Avatar for that matter to keep people coming, but I believe they will do a good job with it because Splash Mountain is my favorite ride and I've never seen Song of the South.

 

[elainesj]

I'm excited about Avatarland coming. Like PP said, Avatar is the highest grossing movie of all time. That said, I don't think it really got a hugely passionate following here in North America....but I know in other parts of the world, people went nuts over it. It appeals to folks of all ages...and the world it imagined is fantastical...and amazingly beautiful. As a land, it would be astounding if they could recreate that sense of wonder and awe. (I do agree that the movie lacked substance. Hopefully # 2 and #3 get better)

 

[PeterPan09]

At first, I was underwhelmed-but after listening to someone whose opinion on theme parks I respect (Pete Werner)-I'm viewing it with cautious optimism. IF and this is a big IF-they can keep themselves from trying to do this on the cheap, it could be amazing. Mostly they need to keep Ms Crofton's budget cutting mitts off of it.