Rumor: Disney Possibly Re-Thinking Avatar for AK

[doconeill]

Flamingo Crossing...Hyperion Wharf...Eagle Pines DVC...Pixie Hollow...

Until it opens to guests, it hasn't happened.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

I'm glad to hear that this may happen. I was not a fan of the Avatar scenario at AK. I think it'd be a big mistake. Avatar is dead, in my eyes, and doesn't exactly fit the dream of AK.

I do hope that one day Beastly Kingdom comes to fruition though.

I have the same thoughts on the subject. Avatar--NO.
Beastly Kingdom--YES.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Sorry to burst you bubble but beastly kingdom is dead, as imaganering just couldn't figure out how to work it into the parks. The problems with it was apparently that all of it was based on fantasy and there was nothing in Disney's collection that could back it up (like how the fanatsyland rides re all based on movies).

The reason we may not have heard anything about Avatr land is there may not be anything yet as they said construction would begin in 2014 or 2015 still a few years off. They didn't announce the changes at DCA until they were ready to put shovels in the ground.

Also avatr was a very good movie, don't judge it until you have seen it.

 

[MamaJessie]

As for WWOHP, the castle is cool but you have to wait in a line to see it (and of course, not dilly dally or the person behind you gets antsy). That's it - I thought WWOHP at Universal (and Universal in general) was a waste of money. And what a HORRIBLE ride! Oh wait, that is really

I would be happy if this rumor turned out to be true. I wouldn't mind seeing an avatar attraction at AK, but I don't like this idea of theming full lands after one movie. It's too restrictive, IMO. I think you could revisit the Beastly Kingdom idea and still include Avatar in that land.

 

[doconeill]

Sorry to burst you bubble but beastly kingdom is dead, as imaganering just couldn't figure out how to work it into the parks. The problems with it was apparently that all of it was based on fantasy and there was nothing in Disney's collection that could back it up (like how the fanatsyland rides re all based on movies).

Everything I've heard was that it was a budget issue. It was the easiest thing to cut. Epcot didn't need the backing of movies, and not much else in AK had such backing.

And I don't think anything is truly dead...it just gets filed away.

I say let Imagineering run wild like they used to.

The reason we may not have heard anything about Avatr land is there may not be anything yet as they said construction would begin in 2014 or 2015 still a few years off. They didn't announce the changes at DCA until they were ready to put shovels in the ground.

Yet, they announced this one 3 years before even starting on it? Then again, Disney has announced as "done deals" a number of projects that either never got the first shovel, or was just a bunch of dirt pushed around for a while until they finally gave up.

Putting off construction for 2-3 years, which means opening in 3-5, would likely put it well beyond the final movie's release, when the natural excitement of the movies will have died down already. Again, Disney doesn't seem to take advantage of those situations when it would be ideal anyways.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Sorry to burst you bubble but beastly kingdom is dead, as imaganering just couldn't figure out how to work it into the parks. The problems with it was apparently that all of it was based on fantasy and there was nothing in Disney's collection that could back it up (like how the fanatsyland rides re all based on movies).

The reason we may not have heard anything about Avatr land is there may not be anything yet as they said construction would begin in 2014 or 2015 still a few years off. They didn't announce the changes at DCA until they were ready to put shovels in the ground.

Also avatr was a very good movie, don't judge it until you have seen it.

I have never heard Imagineering couldn't find a way to fit Beastly Kingdom into the parks. Things I have read said once they started building AK it cost alot more than originally thought and something had to be cut and it was Beastly Kingdom.

The problem was that is was based on fantasy??? Like most of WDW? Not all Disney rides are based on movies. Small World in Fantasyland for one. Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean. (movie came much later)
I think Beastly Kingdom could come back and it could be amazing.

 

[raidermatt]

Flamingo Crossings isn't dead, just comatose. The problem is/was that Disney hasn't been able to find any tenants. They finally found their first, Walgreen's. I believe they signed in December, so there maybe some movement in the area in the reasonably near future.

Not that I think it's a great idea mind you, clearly the demand Disney thought existed was not there. Just passing on the info.

I'm of the firm belief that Avatarland is a mistake, so if it goes the way of other abandoned Disney projects I won't mind.

Everything I've heard was that it was a budget issue. It was the easiest thing to cut. Epcot didn't need the backing of movies, and not much else in AK had such backing.

This is correct, it had nothing to do with anything other than budget cutting. Disney got scared when AK's initial results were so far below expectations. Their view was that continuing with the plans they had would be throwing good money after bad, so they instead went with Dinorama, which was a quick fix meant to address some of the complaints on guest surveys (not enough to do for little kids and teens).

 

[WorldWacky]

I think it would be really sad if it didn't happen at Animal Kingdom. Avatar, and the whole world it inhabits is a rich, gorgeous world, that has a wonderful conservation lesson built in. I think the potential for an Avatar land extends well beyond the actual movie itself. I think it could be phenomenal.

I guess time will tell.

Sayhello

I agree. I also think there may be more of an audience for this than a lot of big Disney fanatics think. My son was thrilled to hear about it. And my husband, who enjoys Disney once we're there, but could also do without it, asked when Avatarland would be ready because he wanted to make sure we booked a trip to see it! I think that if anyone can do this well, it will be Imagineering.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Also avatr was a very good movie, don't judge it until you have seen it.

I have seen it. It was a good movie...just not one worthy of an entire land to itself IMO. An attraction, sure..but an entire land that has no connection to anything else in the park? At least carsland in DCA has the whole route 66 history and connection

 

[Hibino]

I enjoyed Avatar but I just can't see it having the pulling power of the Harry Potter franchise.

http://www.google.com/trends/?q=avatar

They've left it way too long to start doing something about it.

There's plenty they could do with it but they should have seized the opportunity earlier.

 

[hockeymomNS]

I am on team "just one movie is not enough to carry a land".....not this movie

 

[limace]

While I agree that Avatar doesn't have the pulling attraction of Harry Potter (to be honest, I don't think there is ANY other franchise that has the attraction of Harry Potter-it's pretty unique), and I'm not a big fan of the movie (I am a huge sci fi fan, but thought this was a pretty weak movie), I do think this is a good addition to AK.

First, it was a gorgeous movie, and had such an immersive, beautiful, unusual landscape-there's so many ways this can easily translate to rides and to theming.

Second, it was an incredibly popular movie-it made 2.8 BILLION dollars, more than any other movie. Ever. Cameron is working on a sequel, allegedly for 2016 (nice timing for the resort, if they stick to what's predicted).

Third, I think AK really needs something like this. They need another thrill ride, and they need a land with more saturated color and popular appeal-something vibrant and different and a good contrast to the look of the other areas. I picture this as similar to the Bugs' Life theming at Disneyland, and I love that area. Nothing else in AK is really themed to a popular movie in a way that might make people drawn to the park. Don't get me wrong-I actually am a big fan of the park, and think lots of people sell it short.

 

[skilesare]

One thing to keep in mind is that there are currently 2 more avatar movies in production. There is a lot more story to tell.

 

[lugnut33]

One thing to keep in mind is that there are currently 2 more avatar movies in production. There is a lot more story to tell.

Plus if it flops would Disney want to still build that land?

 

[SkaGoat]

Another reason we haven't heard much is possibly because it's story and characters have a lot to do with the new movies currently in production, and I'm sure James Cameron and Co. don't want possible plot points being leaked to the general public at such an early stage of production.

 

[Cherinva]

I was surprised that I wound up liking Avitar, but I don't think it would be a fit for AK....maybe in DHS....

 

[bigmoonmullen]

I hope they go forward with Avitar.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Just read that James Cameron is now involved in a one man sub and doing research in the deepest part of the ocean....the Mariana Trench.

May he has attention deficit disorder.....or he's a really good multi-tasker.

 

[doconeill]

Just read that James Cameron is now involved in a one man sub and doing research in the deepest part of the ocean....the Mariana Trench.

May he has attention deficit disorder.....or he's a really good multi-tasker.

He's looking for the Heart of the Ocean.

There's some rumors that although he's filming a documentary, he may also be filming some for potential use in the film.

The original announced release date for the second movie was December 2014, and rumors swirled some time ago that it really will be pushed back another year, and Jon Landau reportedly said in January it could be 2016...so they'd still be pretty much in pre-production, and probably still working on a script more than anything. Although Cameron is supposed to be the one writing it. Maybe he has writer's block.

So...we could still possibly see Avatarland before the next movie...

 

[DeltaDiamond001]

I would not be disappointed in the least if the Avatar idea was scrapped altogether.

I thought the movie was beautiful, but unbelievably boring. I actually fell asleep halfway through seeing it on opening night.

I'm much more interested in seeing the Harry Potter expansion at Universal than going to Animal Kingdom, with or without Avatar.