Pandora opening- what are they working on?

[TheMaxRebo]

Right? My folks almost didn't let us ride Splash when we were little because of the bad feelings around that movie, which I had never heard of, and still haven't seen, nor would. We rode it, and obviously, it's an adorable, lovely ride, with a cute story minus the racism If they can make something so iconic out of a movie that no one wants to acknowledge Disney ever made, they can do anything with Avatar/Pandora. I'm really excited about the new land, despite merely thinking that Avatar was pretty, but the story no more than Fern Gully. I think I'm going to be there for the opening and the week before, so I know I'll hop over there every evening for a bit and will check my phone as much as possible in case they are doing soft openings week of.

Crazy - I didn't think they produced that movie anymore?

They don't as far as I know but I'm sure you can find it online.

It's not currently produced - though comes up often at shareholder meetings asking if/when it will be re-released. Iger has said "now is not the time" or something to that effect

Side note, if you are more interested in the backstory of the movie and the issues post release I highly recommend the book "Who's Afraid of the Song of the South"

 

[amberpi]

It's not currently produced - though comes up often at shareholder meetings asking if/when it will be re-released. Iger has said "now is not the time" or something to that effect

Side note, if you are more interested in the backstory of the movie and the issues post release I highly recommend the book "Who's Afraid of the Song of the South"

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm currently recovering from some health issues (getting better every day!) so I have time. Just looked it up on Amazon, I'm not sure I'm going to agree with his conclusions, but I'd love a study and information on the history and backlash and since its on unlimited, whatever he concludes, its no loss for me. Regardless, I'm super stoked about the other "forbidden Disney stories." It'll be a nice respite from the scifi I've been binge reading

 

[jknezek]

I'm pretty sure the original Song of the South will never be released again except possibly as a retrospective on changing American attitudes. I could actually see them remake the movie instead, attempting to fit it in with more modern views and values. Though of course that would present its own problems and detractors, possibly making it more trouble than it is worth.

I completely understand the argument that "this is just how it was in those days and we should expose and learn from it." And if it was an adult or at least a teenage movie I think that argument works really well. Certainly as an academic pursuit, like Huckleberry Finn tends to be, it can be justified as a legitimate learning opportunity. But as a simple child's movie, Song of the South simply isn't appropriate to watch anymore. Little kids just don't have the life experience and knowledge to understand what and why it can be so cringe worthy.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm currently recovering from some health issues (getting better every day!) so I have time. Just looked it up on Amazon, I'm not sure I'm going to agree with his conclusions, but I'd love a study and information on the history and backlash and since its on unlimited, whatever he concludes, its no loss for me. Regardless, I'm super stoked about the other "forbidden Disney stories." It'll be a nice respite from the scifi I've been binge reading

I'm pretty sure the original Song of the South will never be released again except possibly as a retrospective on changing American attitudes. I could actually see them remake the movie instead, attempting to fit it in with more modern views and values. Though of course that would present its own problems and detractors, possibly making it more trouble than it is worth.

I completely understand the argument that "this is just how it was in those days and we should expose and learn from it." And if it was an adult or at least a teenage movie I think that argument works really well. Certainly as an academic pursuit, like Huckleberry Finn tends to be, it can be justified as a legitimate learning opportunity. But as a simple child's movie, Song of the South simply isn't appropriate to watch anymore. Little kids just don't have the life experience and knowledge to understand what and why it can be so cringe worthy.

Well, the impression I got from the book was that the movie got a bit mis-interpreted in that it was supposed to take place after slavery was over and the workers were being paid and not slaves - so they weren't happy and signing about being slaves, etc. - but that didn't come through as there were a ton of re-writes and different writers, etc. so the time period got messed up and marketing was off, etc.

but at the same time I think Walt and others misjudged things as well and definitely get it could only be re-released for educational purposes, not as like a family movie in the theater

 

[amberpi]

It's not currently produced - though comes up often at shareholder meetings asking if/when it will be re-released. Iger has said "now is not the time" or something to that effect

Side note, if you are more interested in the backstory of the movie and the issues post release I highly recommend the book "Who's Afraid of the Song of the South"

This book is great. Not sure I'm agreeing with him, but the history is fantastic!

 

[ChloeChipper]

Do you guys think they'll have some soft openings towards the end of April/early May? I'd like to see it!

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

Crazy - I didn't think they produced that movie anymore?

I have a European copy. They were still selling it there ~10 years ago. No idea about nowadays. Frankly, I don't know they don't sell it here in the States again. It's a great movie with a beautiful message. The only bigotry displayed in the film is from folks who are "bad guys."

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

Right? My folks almost didn't let us ride Splash when we were little because of the bad feelings around that movie, which I had never heard of, and still haven't seen, nor would. We rode it, and obviously, it's an adorable, lovely ride, with a cute story minus the racism If they can make something so iconic out of a movie that no one wants to acknowledge Disney ever made, they can do anything with Avatar/Pandora. I'm really excited about the new land, despite merely thinking that Avatar was pretty, but the story no more than Fern Gully. I think I'm going to be there for the opening and the week before, so I know I'll hop over there every evening for a bit and will check my phone as much as possible in case they are doing soft openings week of.

You should see it. It's a great film; one of Disney's five best, I think. ...and if when you watch it, you'll see that the charges of racism flung against it are largely unfounded. Disney is just too afraid to rock the boat with all the Chicken Little hysteria it would cause.

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

I just looked on Amazon; Song of the South is available there from "3rd party vendors" for $20. Cheaper than I paid! Go get it! Great movie...

 

[amberpi]

I just looked on Amazon; Song of the South is available there from "3rd party vendors" for $20. Cheaper than I paid! Go get it! Great movie...

Interesting that it still exists. Not for me though.

 

[mgsquared]

We'll be in Disney the first week of April and knew we were booking before the opening of Pandora (booked a good deal last minute) and figured, "meh." I haven't seen Avatar, hubby didn't like it. Yet now I saw the preview on The View and now I'm really really sad we are missing it!

 

[PuppyJonathan]

We'll be in Disney the first week of April and knew we were booking before the opening of Pandora (booked a good deal last minute) and figured, "meh." I haven't seen Avatar, hubby didn't like it. Yet now I saw the preview on The View and now I'm really really sad we are missing it!

Do what I'm doing and pray for softs. Seeing how far along it is it's plausible but the only thing stopping it from a guarentee soft opening is the past couple softs have been extremely close to grand opening

 

[andyw715]

I think the sequels matter a great deal for the relevance of this new "Pandora" land to the general public, especially youth. My kids (16, 13) have never seen Avatar. It means nothing to them. ...and it's waaaaay out of relevance to my everyday life...

I think it's the other way around, Pandora means more to the sequels than the sequels mean to Pandora, for the reasons you mention. Out of sight, out of mind. Avatar is mentioned now only in box office revenues. I think after Pandora opens there will be a great interest in the sequel 4 movies.

 

[twebber55]

I think it's the other way around, Pandora means more to the sequels than the sequels mean to Pandora, for the reasons you mention. Out of sight, out of mind. Avatar is mentioned now only in box office revenues. I think after Pandora opens there will be a great interest in the sequel 4 movies.

are you saying the only way the sequels will be successful will be because of the land?
i find that extremely hard to believe

 

[andyw715]

are you saying the only way the sequels will be successful will be because of the land?
i find that extremely hard to believe

Not I but I don't think the upcoming sequels will have much impact on the immediate success of Pandora.
i think Pandora might create a renewed interest in the original movie which will help with the sequels.

Avatar's success was realized in its groundbreaking cinematography/GG/3D. It's commonplace now so the sequels have quite large shoes to fill. Although nostalgia (on a smaller scale than SW) will also drive people to see the movies.

I think after Pandora opens, there'll be an increase in Avatar BD/DVD sales in prep for the sequels.

A small sample, but many people here at work have heard of Pandora via the recent uptick in advertisement. But not many know of 4 sequels being produced.


I still don't see it as a 'destination', an entire reason to visit WDW, unlike say Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as I don't think Avatar has such a cult following.
Although the 2 lands are similar in execution. i,e taking an existing story/movie/book (ala Harry Potter) and movie (Avatar) and replicating it in real life.
The one difference is Pandora is set after the movies, so WDW has more freedom in portrayal and story. Cost-wise, WDW invested almost 3 times as much in Pandora than Universal did for WWHP, for a much smaller franchise.

I hope it works out for them. It looks pretty cool, but is that enough to draw sustaining crowds until SWL is finished?

 

[rteetz]

Not I but I don't think the upcoming sequels will have much impact on the immediate success of Pandora.
i think Pandora might create a renewed interest in the original movie which will help with the sequels.

Avatar's success was realized in its groundbreaking cinematography/GG/3D. It's commonplace now so the sequels have quite large shoes to fill. Although nostalgia (on a smaller scale than SW) will also drive people to see the movies.

I think after Pandora opens, there'll be an increase in Avatar BD/DVD sales in prep for the sequels.

A small sample, but many people here at work have heard of Pandora via the recent uptick in advertisement. But not many know of 4 sequels being produced.


I still don't see it as a 'destination', an entire reason to visit WDW, unlike say Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as I don't think Avatar has such a cult following.
Although the 2 lands are similar in execution. i,e taking an existing story/movie/book (ala Harry Potter) and movie (Avatar) and replicating it in real life.
The one difference is Pandora is set after the movies, so WDW has more freedom in portrayal and story. Cost-wise, WDW invested almost 3 times as much in Pandora than Universal did for WWHP, for a much smaller franchise.

I hope it works out for them. It looks pretty cool, but is that enough to draw sustaining crowds until SWL is finished?

I agree with most of this. Avatar definitely won't be the draw Potter is/was. Avatar will for sure help Animal Kingdom attendance though. It's also going to help with the night time aspect of Animal Kingdom. Both this and Potter are extremely well themed and will be some of the best experiences found anywhere.

Now as for cost, Potter was one major new attraction (talking about Hogsmeade only right now) with some supplementary attractions one of which was already there just renamed. Rock work which Disney loves costs a pretty penny especially when you look at the amount of work with the floating mountains. Now for sure this could have been done for less than it has been but no matter what I still think it should have cost more than potter for what has been done.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Not I but I don't think the upcoming sequels will have much impact on the immediate success of Pandora.
i think Pandora might create a renewed interest in the original movie which will help with the sequels.

Avatar's success was realized in its groundbreaking cinematography/GG/3D. It's commonplace now so the sequels have quite large shoes to fill. Although nostalgia (on a smaller scale than SW) will also drive people to see the movies.

I think after Pandora opens, there'll be an increase in Avatar BD/DVD sales in prep for the sequels.

A small sample, but many people here at work have heard of Pandora via the recent uptick in advertisement. But not many know of 4 sequels being produced.


I still don't see it as a 'destination', an entire reason to visit WDW, unlike say Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as I don't think Avatar has such a cult following.
Although the 2 lands are similar in execution. i,e taking an existing story/movie/book (ala Harry Potter) and movie (Avatar) and replicating it in real life.
The one difference is Pandora is set after the movies, so WDW has more freedom in portrayal and story. Cost-wise, WDW invested almost 3 times as much in Pandora than Universal did for WWHP, for a much smaller franchise.

I hope it works out for them. It looks pretty cool, but is that enough to draw sustaining crowds until SWL is finished?

I have heard of some people (granted more anecdotal) that are huge Avatar fans and previously never had an interest in visiting Disney park that are now planning to come to WDW for Pandora. Definitely less than with the Wizarding World, but there are some.

And this land was also about being the major piece to making Animal Kingdom a night time park as well - if this wasn't coming not sure if they would have pushed for the evenings at AK. So that adds to the impact of the new land as well

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

I have heard of some people (granted more anecdotal) that are huge Avatar fans and previously never had an interest in visiting Disney park that are now planning to come to WDW for Pandora. Definitely less than with the Wizarding World, but there are some.

And this land was also about being the major piece to making Animal Kingdom a night time park as well - if this wasn't coming not sure if they would have pushed for the evenings at AK. So that adds to the impact of the new land as well

REALLY??

The only plus I can see for Pandora is that it will stretch AK to a 3/4 day park. Meaning, I can show up at 10am and spend the day there, leaving that night. Before, I could show up at 10am and be done by 2 or 3...

 

[rteetz]

REALLY??

The only plus I can see for Pandora is that it will stretch AK to a 3/4 day park. Meaning, I can show up at 10am and spend the day there, leaving that night. Before, I could show up at 10am and be done by 2 or 3...

I find that a bit harsh. I don't see how this doesn't make it a full day park. Personally I felt even before Pandora I could spend a full day there.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

REALLY??

The only plus I can see for Pandora is that it will stretch AK to a 3/4 day park. Meaning, I can show up at 10am and spend the day there, leaving that night. Before, I could show up at 10am and be done by 2 or 3...

Guess different strokes for different folks, why there are 31 flavors of ice cream, etc. We always did at least one full day at AK already (usually with a break mid day depending on the temperature) to Pandora probably pushes AK to being a 2-day park for us each trip but we shall see