Rumor: Disney Possibly Re-Thinking Avatar for AK

[WaltD4Me]

I just read a rumor that there are whispers that Disney is re-thinking Avatar for AK. It's funny too because just the other day I was thinking that is seemed a little strange that we haven't heard anything new about Avatarland since it was announced. According to the rumor, Disney still has the rights to it, but are talking about maybe doing something with it at Shanghai or possibly at Aulani rather than AK. Again, totally a rumor, but I thought it was an interesting one.

 

[OKW Lover]

Your post got me to thinking about several other projects that Disney announced in the past that have just not come to fruition. It wouldn't surprise me if the whole Avatar-land thing morphs into something else...or even into nothing.

 

[DisneyKevin]

We were just talking about this yesterday.....

Anyone remember "Flamingo Crossing"?

 

[auroralark]

Maybe it's horrible, but I hope nothing comes from it. I didn't like the idea from the start.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I can't imagine they won't do anything with Avatar because they bought the theme park rights, but I'd be pretty happy if it wound up in Shanghai...somewhere I know I'll never go. I know alot of people were excited, but I thought it was a dumb idea. The rumor I read also said there is some talk of putting in Australia area in AK instead. Or at least that it would be a better fit for AK than Avatarland.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

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.

 

[ADP]

I hope it isn't true. I want to see something go into AK. It really needs it. Avatar may not be the fit, but please do something in AK.

Also on the rumor front - Hyperian Wharf (sp) is rumored to be redone or rethemed into something else. Rumors say it will be more of a Mardi Gras theme. Still shops and restaurants as planned, but the theme would be Mardi Gras. Apparently, Hyperian Wharf was too closely themed to the Boardwalk district and Disney did not want to closely duplicate themes at WDW.

 

[MainStreetFireman]

I was disappointed that Disney did not get WWOHP, because I think that they would have done a better job with the breadth capable within it. Why? Because first and foremost, it is a well-constructed and extensive storyline. And, even after the ultimate victory of good over evil in that storyline, there is plenty of room for discovery, open to guests in the worlds of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade alone.

Avatar, by comparison. is a storyline that, once played out, leaves nothing in that world for discovery by ensuing guests, other than beautiful foliage and visuals. There are simply not enough interesting milemarkers in the journey of that story to warrant guests to revisit it, or for Disney to commit to it for a whole "world".

The Harry Potter books will continue to be re-discovered by future generations. Avatar, which is only a movie, is already on the discount racks.

IMO, Avatar is simply a more expensive version of Dinotopia. They'd be better off trying to buy the rights to The Hobbit/LOTR world.

 

[tink576]

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

I agree, I think the Beastly Kingdom would be a much better fit for an addition to Animal Kingdom but I'm afraid that since they've waited this long to not build it that it'll never happen.

 

[DWGal210]

I was disappointed that Disney did not get WWOHP, because I think that they would have done a better job with the breadth capable within it. Why? Because first and foremost, it is a well-constructed and extensive storyline. And, even after the ultimate victory of good over evil in that storyline, there is plenty of room for discovery, open to guests in the worlds of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade alone.

Avatar, by comparison. is a storyline that, once played out, leaves nothing in that world for discovery by ensuing guests, other than beautiful foliage and visuals. There are simply not enough interesting milemarkers in the journey of that story to warrant guests to revisit it, or for Disney to commit to it for a whole "world".

The Harry Potter books will continue to be re-discovered by future generations. Avatar, which is only a movie, is already on the discount racks.

IMO, Avatar is simply a more expensive version of Dinotopia. They'd be better off trying to buy the rights to The Hobbit/LOTR world.

I totally agree, I think you hit the nail on the head. Maybe it's because I'm not a huge Avatar fan, but it doesn't seem to have to fan base like Disney or Harry Potter. I could be wrong, it's happened a few times before (ha! ) but I don't see it really drawing people in.

 

[sayhello]

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

 

[Winnie the Goof]

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[sjsjbrook]

Remember the announcement of the African Pavillion at Epcot????

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Interesting rumor. I hope they do SOMETHING with Animal Kingdom though. I didn't mind the Avatar theme at all and I think it fits well.

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

 

[diamondpixienc]

I am glad to hear that it may be in Shanghai but the mention of a possible placement in Aulani? I do agree that AK needs a little help in the attraction department but what about HS? When the rumor was first floating around about an Avatar land I thought "movie" so "movie" type attractions should be in an entire world that is already dedicated to "movies"? Anywho, any new attraction is always great at the world for me and my fam.

 

[auroralark]

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

Me too! That would fit in so much better and there's so much cool, original stuff that could be done with mythical animals.

 

[k5jm]

We were just talking about this yesterday.....

Anyone remember "Flamingo Crossing"?

Their website is still there, but it has not been updated since 2009.

http://www.flamingocrossingsfl.com/index.html

 

[Angel Ariel]

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.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I was disappointed that Disney did not get WWOHP, because I think that they would have done a better job with the breadth capable within it. Why? Because first and foremost, it is a well-constructed and extensive storyline. And, even after the ultimate victory of good over evil in that storyline, there is plenty of room for discovery, open to guests in the worlds of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade alone.

Avatar, by comparison. is a storyline that, once played out, leaves nothing in that world for discovery by ensuing guests, other than beautiful foliage and visuals. There are simply not enough interesting milemarkers in the journey of that story to warrant guests to revisit it, or for Disney to commit to it for a whole "world".

The Harry Potter books will continue to be re-discovered by future generations. Avatar, which is only a movie, is already on the discount racks.

IMO, Avatar is simply a more expensive version of Dinotopia. They'd be better off trying to buy the rights to The Hobbit/LOTR world.

I know alot of people feel this way about WWoHP, but I was glad it went to Universal. Don't get me wrong, I love Harry Potter and Disney might have done a better job with it, but to me it doesn't really fit at Disney. Just because a property is massively popular doesn't mean it would fit in well at Disney IMHO. Marvel characters springs to mind. I remember hearing one of the reasons Disney didn't go with WWoHP was because JK Rowling wanted total control, so I was surprised at Avatar since James Cameron is even more of a control freak and known to be very hard to work with. Maybe they had a falling out already?

I would also love to see Beastly Kingdom at AK. I thought the concept was awesome. The Imagineers could really run creatively wild with Beastly Kingdom and they wouldn't have to pay anyone for the priviledge or get their approval for anything either.

 

[GAN]

We were just talking about this yesterday.....

Anyone remember "Flamingo Crossing"?

My ...how did I ever miss it????

Avatar, which is only a movie, is already on the discount racks.

Have you tried to find it in 3D? Hardly on the "discount" rack!