Pandora- World of Avatar 2017 Really?

[DisneySunPrincess]

My understanding is that the project is on schedule. My spy in Imagineering is trying to find more specifics.

The most recent thing I heard from a DAK employee this weekend is that the project is running behind. Unfortunately, by how much no one is saying.

 

[rteetz]

The most recent thing I heard from a DAK employee this weekend is that the project is running behind. Unfortunately, by how much no one is saying.

Was this a front line CM? Often they don't know anything more than we do. Everything I've heard seems to point to mid 2017 which is still on schedule for the most part.

 

[twebber55]

Was this a front line CM? Often they don't know anything more than we do. Everything I've heard seems to point to mid 2017 which is still on schedule for the most part.

i ve heard earlier but we will see

 

[Amanda S.]

Except unobtanium is an ACTUAL scientific term that well predates Avatar, as opposed to Vibranium or Adamantium which are just made up comic-book materials.

I get that, but it still sounds stupid and sounds made up. People actually snickered in the movie theater when I saw it. Hell even the Looney Toon's version "Eludium" (or is it Illudium?) sounds better.

 

[mikepizzo]

Except unobtanium is an ACTUAL scientific term that well predates Avatar, as opposed to Vibranium or Adamantium which are just made up comic-book materials.

I get that, but it still sounds stupid and sounds made up. People actually snickered in the movie theater when I saw it. Hell even the Looney Toon's version "Eludium" (or is it Illudium?) sounds better.

Pete - True, but my interpretation of the definition is that the word "unobtainium" is basically just a placeholder. It's a word used to define an expensive, rare, or impossible material to complete a design or application. So when speaking in hypotheticals "unobtainium" is fine, but when it's what you actually name what your are trying to mine, then it's just eye-rolling and unimaginative. "Unobtainium" should really be used when you don't have knowledge of an actual material. Because then it wouldn't be "unobtainable" anymore when you know where it is and how to get it.

Amanda - completely agree. I'm still stoked about the land even if I'm not a fan of the IP. Hell...the fact that it's ANYTHING new gets me at least a little excited.

 

[skier_pete]

OK - i agree it sounds dumb in the movie. However, I think Cameron (or whoever) was trying to be somewhat scientific. This is a material/compound that makes mountains float. You can easily see where it might have been first discovered in a science lab and deemed "unobtanium", only to later be found to exist in mass quantities on another planet. The name would've undoubtably stuck.

I realize that I shouldn't defend the movie for it's "science", but I just don't see it as a big deal. (I honestly shouldn't defend the movie at all. I saw it once when it first came out and haven't seen it since. I enjoyed it OK at the time...more bothered by the generic "Cameron-ness" of it than that it ripped off Dances with Wolves or Pocahontas.

 

[mikepizzo]

OK - i agree it sounds dumb in the movie. However, I think Cameron (or whoever) was trying to be somewhat scientific. This is a material/compound that makes mountains float. You can easily see where it might have been first discovered in a science lab and deemed "unobtanium", only to later be found to exist in mass quantities on another planet. The name would've undoubtably stuck.

I realize that I shouldn't defend the movie for it's "science", but I just don't see it as a big deal. (I honestly shouldn't defend the movie at all. I saw it once when it first came out and haven't seen it since. I enjoyed it OK at the time...more bothered by the generic "Cameron-ness" of it than that it ripped off Dances with Wolves or Pocahontas.

I completely see where you are coming from and I think we agree on most points.

I wouldn't say I think it's a big deal...just kind of "scoff-able" (if that's even a word). Like, I think we can agree that the general audience wouldn't know that was a real word. So now they are hearing a word they think is made up, and in that logic, how unoriginal would "unobtainium" sound?

But I'm right there with you. Saw it in theaters and was blown away visually, but that's pretty much it.

 

[jaxonp]

I've heard...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Except unobtanium is an ACTUAL scientific term that well predates Avatar, as opposed to Vibranium or Adamantium which are just made up comic-book materials.

Whoop! Whoop!...geek alert!

I was talking "main stream"...not comic bookdom. Disney parks are designed to cast a net around the mainstream...not niche. That's why a avatar is a Hail Mary.

Star Wars, you say? That IS main stream - which is what has always made it so damn unique.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Apparently the three years that imagineering existed before hands no longer count then

Point taken...I was just using when people could actually see what they built and if it worked as a benchmark.

But technically..."imagineering" didn't exist back then. WED has a more interesting story/cast of characters.

 

[Flyerjab]

Might as well paste this here too. Someone posted this on the wdwmagic board. I have never seen this before and it gives a good idea of how the land beneath and around the floating mountains will come together. The detail on the model really reflects the real-life version coming to life before our eyes in DAK.

 

[rungoofy]

Notice of Commencement filed for Metal PowderCoated Ceilings, Corrugated Metal Trim, Faux Ductwork. Address is 561 W. Savannah Circle. Work to be done by Randall Tilt Structures. Expiration Date is 12/31/2018.

 

[DanBoris]

Notice of Commencement filed for Metal PowderCoated Ceilings, Corrugated Metal Trim, Faux Ductwork. Address is 561 W. Savannah Circle. Work to be done by Randall Tilt Structures. Expiration Date is 12/31/2018.

Probably for the mess hall building.

 

[rungoofy]

Notice of commencement filed to "install and fabricate kiosk" at 513 W. Savannah Circle. Expiration Date is 12/31/2018 (like the other Pandora notices). Work to be done by Icarus Exhibits, Inc.

 

[toonaspie]

I'm sure Avatarland would be a hit regardless, but I'm still bummed about the whole thing. A dull IP choice that's not even owned by Disney and the death of Beastly Kingdom. Two things that just make this whole situation depressing, IMO.

 

[DanBoris]

I'm sure Avatarland would be a hit regardless, but I'm still bummed about the whole thing. A dull IP choice that's not even owned by Disney and the death of Beastly Kingdom. Two things that just make this whole situation depressing, IMO.

Avatar has nothing to do with the death of Beastly Kingdom, that idea died a long time ago, and if they still want to build it they have plenty of land to do it.

 

[skier_pete]

I'm sure Avatarland would be a hit regardless, but I'm still bummed about the whole thing. A dull IP choice that's not even owned by Disney and the death of Beastly Kingdom. Two things that just make this whole situation depressing, IMO.

Beastly Kingdom died when it was cut from the budget and the imagineers ran off to Universal and took their plans and built Dueling Dragons.

 

[rungoofy]

Notice of commencement for "Graphics Install" at three locations in Pandora. Expiration Data is 12/31/2018

 

[twebber55]

Notice of commencement for "Graphics Install" at three locations in Pandora. Expiration Data is 12/31/2018

does this mean signs are going up for the rides?

 

[rteetz]

does this mean signs are going up for the rides?

I'd assume maybe. This could be for any graphics though.