Was Avatarland really the best idea?

[rteetz]

I think the you guys are missing the point.

When disney decided to go with avatar there was no choice between Star Wars or avatar because disney didn't own Star Wars yet.

Avatar is much more perfectly suited for AK it wouldn't fit well in DHS. Star Wars already has a presence in DHS so when and if Star Wars attractions come they will go to DHS. James Cameron is an innovator like walt was, Cameron isn't going to settle for nothing but the best. The overall storyline of avatar wasn't the best it was just okay. But avatar is suited perfectly for a themed land. The technology aspect and the rides you could make out of this movie are great. Disney has floating mountains planned, a flying banshee ride, and a boat ride through the bioluminescent forest.

Also don't forget avatar is making AK a nighttime park as well and in my opinion AK is disneys most beautiful night time park. They are now going to have night time safaris, a new nighttime spectacular and more that hasn't even been announced yet.

 

[rteetz]

Like some of the previous posters, I don't understand what Avatar has to do with animals? I think Avatarland is a bizarre concept for Animal Kingdom.

Avatar had a underlying save the planet message. In the movie the government came in and wanted to take the resources of Pandora and the military was going to brutally attack the Navi. The message was to help the environment and save nature. This message goes right along with AK with saving animals and nature.

 

[amg35]

I think the you guys are missing the point.

When disney decided to go with avatar there was no choice between Star Wars or avatar because disney didn't own Star Wars yet.

Avatar is much more perfectly suited for AK it wouldn't fit well in DHS. Star Wars already has a presence in DHS so when and if Star Wars attractions come they will go to DHS. James Cameron is an innovator like walt was, Cameron isn't going to settle for nothing but the best. The overall storyline of avatar wasn't the best it was just okay. But avatar is suited perfectly for a themed land. The technology aspect and the rides you could make out of this movie are great. Disney has floating mountains planned, a flying banshee ride, and a boat ride through the bioluminescent forest.

Also don't forget avatar is making AK a nighttime park as well and in my opinion AK is disneys most beautiful night time park. They are now going to have night time safaris, a new nighttime spectacular and more that hasn't even been announced yet.

You made me even more excited!

I wonder if there wasn't a movie to attach it to....would people find this land more exciting then?

 

[over50visits]

It was a huge movie and I'm sure the sequels will do well. However, I'm not
certain that it has the draw and iconic status to pull this move. It is a huge risk by Disney, IMO. Was it a knee jerk reaction to Harry Potter over at Universal? I know at the time this decision was made Disney did not own Star Wars, but a Star Wars section at HS (not just Star Tours but an entire "land")?or even a whole stand alone Star Wars theme park seems a more viable option to compete
with Harry Potter. Thoughts?

I would so, so much rather they had spent their 2 billion on a Star Wars theme park rather than a magic band and readers. I can't image how wonderful that would be - it could blow away all other theme parks with ease give the Disney imagineering talent they have.

It could have been wonderful, and it was within their reach.

 

[rteetz]

You made me even more excited! I wonder if there wasn't a movie to attach it to....would people find this land more exciting then?

Thats a good question. Either way I think this new land has great potential in boosting attendance and the overall feel of AK.

 

[rteetz]

I would so, so much rather they had spent their 2 billion on a Star Wars theme park rather than a magic band and readers. I can't image how wonderful that would be - it could blow away all other theme parks with ease give the Disney imagineering talent they have. It could have been wonderful, and it was within their reach.

Again disney would never in a million years build a separate theme park on one movie franchise no theme park of disneys, universals, of any major brand has a movie franchise that has its own theme park it doesn't work like that.

 

[Kingdome8]

I'm excited for it. Maybe not the best movie ever but definitely cool to watch
I think disney will do a great job on avatar land. They haven't dissapointed me yet
I think it will be cool to see how they do it and I'm expecting to be blown away.

It definitely belongs in animal kingdom.
The whole movie was about the people living in perfect peace with all of nature
Until man came and ruined it.

 

[cigar95]

I don't care about the movie at all, but the plans make it sound pretty awesome. (Pandora, water ride, glow in the dark plants)

I am really looking forward to see how they're going to pull off the floating mountains. And yes, they really *are* part of the plan.

Very much looking forward to Pandora. (Remember, the "Avatar" movie story line will play very little role in the new area.)

 

[EEPETEZ]

Avatar land does not seem like a "destination" to me, just like a new cool ride. My kids don't even know what Avatar is so it will have no appeal to them. Now a Star Wars land-that is a destination-there would be tons of people willing to make a special trip only for that, just like they do for Harry Potter. While Avatarland may be cool, it's just not that exciting.

 

[cigar95]

Think back to 1968 - no one was going to be drawn in by 'Pirates of the Caribbean', as it was not an existing franchise. It had to create its own interest by being really well done.

And Pandora may need to do the same thing. While there are millions who are familiar with the name, if Pandora is really well done, it will generate its own interest. The ride on the back of the flying "personal dragon" creatures will be the main draw, but multiple attractions adds more opportunities to do something that will grab folks' attention.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

It was a huge movie and I'm sure the sequels will do well. However, I'm not certain that it has the draw and iconic status to pull this move. It is a huge risk by Disney, IMO. Was it a knee jerk reaction to Harry Potter over at Universal? I know at the time this decision was made Disney did not own Star Wars, but a Star Wars section at HS (not just Star Tours but an entire "land")?or even a whole stand alone Star Wars theme park seems a more viable option to compete with Harry Potter. Thoughts?

~The fabulous addition of Avatar in Animal Kingom is Disney's way of simply levering established paradigms against a more modernistic synergism, thus enabling a forward thinking lattice structured organization. The addition of Avatarland patterns into a more vertically integrated, organic & transparent entity, especially when embraced with fresh eyes.

~Imagined, mythical creatures have long been part of Animal Kingdom's developing strategy to establish a "kingdom of balance, harmony and survival."

~The Avatar Navi are humanoid, somewhat similar to the Yeti. The Navi collective have a strong sense of nature and live in synonymous "harmony" with their planet. Collectively, the Navi are vehemently against destructive practices such as drilling, mining, and the deforestation of their planet.

~As such, we can be inspired by the Navi to take better care of our planet by adopting greener measures to encourage the reduction of our carbon footprint and further enhance our preservation and conservation efforts.

~The presence of Star Wars has long existed in DHS. It definitely has a commanding presence but not much else has materialized from this. George Lucus would not budge and had no real incentive to work any farther with Disney on expanding the lucrative Star Wars IP in the parks.

~If it weren't for Avatarland there would be no chance for a Star Wars Land. Disney -- specifically Iger was able to leverage Avatar against Star Wars as a bargaining tool, forcing Lucas down to a negotiable price. Lucas would have never sold Star Wars at that low figure if it weren't for Avatarland.

~James Cameron is a perfectionist. He is not a cheap man by any means and he does not do cheap stuff. Budget is a four letter word to this guy and he will not confined to such restrictions.

~You can guarantee that anything James Cameron puts his name on will be of exceptional quality. Cameron's genius coupled with Disney Imagineers will create one of the most amazing theme park experiences known to man!

~Everything in Avatarland is going to be brand new -- utilizing the latest technical innovations and applied aesthetics. It's not going to be old recycled rethemed rides slapped with an IP overlay! All new!

~I cannot wait to see the fabulous World of Pandora!

 

[DOOM1001]

I literally fell asleep watching Avatar in the movie theater,it was 2 hours of blue aliens frolicking in neon woods with some war stuff thrown in,I'll see the sequels on cable.With that said I'm the kind of person who doesn't need to be a fan of the movie to enjoy a theme park attraction based on it.If they make a good attraction I'll enjoy it.A lot of people are not like me so an Avatar attraction will never match a Star Wars or Harry Potter ride,I'm no huge Potter fan either but enjoy the area and attraction at Universal.I can't see Disney building a new theme park completely based on Star Wars,they would need to spend a minimum of 10-15 billion dollars to create what a park like that would require.I know they have to at least build a new area at DHS for Star Wars but I just hope it's a worthwhile,good sized area even if they have to expand the park,this is Disney and the Star Wars brand merging,a new park is too ambitious but a real land is necessary.Avatar at AK will be a draw but just not a big a brand,and yes I feel it was a response from Universal getting Potter,and thankfully they did as Disney would have never have done anywhere near what they did with it at Universal.

 

[BrianL]

You made me even more excited!

I wonder if there wasn't a movie to attach it to....would people find this land more exciting then?

Good point. I think a lot of the negativity comes from those who didn't like the movie. The movie gets a lot of hate for being the highest grossing film of all time. Personally, I thought it was a magnificent peice of filmmaking, and approve of the Avatarland idea. I suppose if WDI came up with a world of
"alien animals in a gowing forrest" as an original concept, people wouldn't be so apprehansive.

 

[aVASTGrl]

Avatar was a terrible film. I mean, actually bad. The story was awful, the script was abominable, and the acting was horrendous. Visually nice, I guess? But I wish I could get those 3 hours back

My only hope is that the crowds will congregate over at Avatarland making wait times for everything else shorter.

 

[TillyMarigold]

I hate lands that are themed after one specific movie. Hate them. I feel like it detracts from the magic of Disney World. I like the lands to have a theme all their own, and then sure, you can do allusions to the movies as appropriate, but I hate it when the whole land is themed around one movie. (Even though Disneyland's Cars land is amazing. But it's in California Adventure and Cars doesn't even take place there!) I hate the Nemo rooms at CBR for the same reason--they're adorable, but they don't fit in!

So, yeah. I wish they'd put in the "Fantasy Animals" land they were originally planning for that spot, and then put Avatar attractions *into* it. But there are so many other lands they could do--Arctic or Antarctica, North America, South America...

Edit: I thought the movie was okay. Not brilliant, but okay. But the parts of it that were most interesting--the made-up ecosystem and culture of the Navi--will fit in nicely in AK. So I don't object to there being Avatar attractions even though I didn't think the movie was great.

 

[rteetz]

Avatar was a terrible film. I mean, actually bad. The story was awful, the script was abominable, and the acting was horrendous. Visually nice, I guess? But I wish I could get those 3 hours back My only hope is that the crowds will congregate over at Avatarland making wait times for everything else shorter.

It was terrible in your opinion I'm not saying it was good but it's the highest grossing film of all time. Millions and millions of people saw it. Avatar has the potential to be one of the best lands disney has done in a long time. The movie doesn't have to be good to make a good theme park attraction or land.

 

[ttintagel]

On second thought, let's not go to Avatarland. It is a silly place.

 

[rteetz]

~The fabulous addition of Avatar in Animal Kingom is Disney's way of simply levering established paradigms against a more modernistic synergism, thus enabling a forward thinking lattice structured organization. The addition of Avatarland patterns into a more vertically integrated, organic & transparent entity, especially when embraced with fresh eyes. ~Imagined, mythical creatures have long been part of Animal Kingdom's developing strategy to establish a "kingdom of balance, harmony and survival." ~The Avatar Navi are humanoid, somewhat similar to the Yeti. The Navi collective have a strong sense of nature and live in synonymous "harmony" with their planet. Collectively, the Navi are vehemently against destructive practices such as drilling, mining, and the deforestation of their planet. ~As such, we can be inspired by the Navi to take better care of our planet by adopting greener measures to encourage the reduction of our carbon footprint and further enhance our preservation and conservation efforts. ~The presence of Star Wars has long existed in DHS. It definitely has a commanding presence but not much else has materialized from this. George Lucus would not budge and had no real incentive to work any farther with Disney on expanding the lucrative Star Wars IP in the parks. ~If it weren't for Avatarland there would be no chance for a Star Wars Land. Disney -- specifically Iger was able to leverage Avatar against Star Wars as a bargaining tool, forcing Lucas down to a negotiable price. Lucas would have never sold Star Wars at that low figure if it weren't for Avatarland. ~James Cameron is a perfectionist. He is not a cheap man by any means and he does not do cheap stuff. Budget is a four letter word to this guy and he will not confined to such restrictions. ~You can guarantee that anything James Cameron puts his name on will be of exceptional quality. Cameron's genius coupled with Disney Imagineers will create one of the most amazing theme park experiences known to man! ~Everything in Avatarland is going to be brand new -- utilizing the latest technical innovations and applied aesthetics. It's not going to be old recycled rethemed rides slapped with an IP overlay! All new! ~I cannot wait to see the fabulous World of Pandora!

I couldn't agree more with you!

 

[aVASTGrl]

It was terrible in your opinion I'm not saying it was good but it's the highest grossing film of all time. Millions and millions of people saw it. Avatar has the potential to be one of the best lands disney has done in a long time. The movie doesn't have to be good to make a good theme park attraction or land.

hahaha it may be the highest grossing film of all time, but that doesn't mean the average moviegoer has good taste!! I don't give a rat's patootie how much a film makes if it's still really really bad

 

[Reizo]

I think the you guys are missing the point.

The overall storyline of avatar wasn't the best it was just okay. But avatar is suited perfectly for a themed land. The technology aspect and the rides you could make out of this movie are great. Disney has floating mountains planned, a flying banshee ride, and a boat ride through the bioluminescent forest.

Also don't forget avatar is making AK a nighttime park as well and in my opinion AK is disneys most beautiful night time park. They are now going to have night time safaris, a new nighttime spectacular and more that hasn't even been announced yet.

This! I mean everyone knows that Avatar's story wasn't amazing! It's an alien version of Pocahontas but while everyone keeps bashing it, the beautiful visuals that were on screen being transported to real life will draw people.

Not in the same way that Harry Potter did, but by word of mouth, YouTube videos and photos galore, people are going to want to see AK glow in a nighttime setting that's never been done before and for all those people saying they want nothing to do with Avatarland.... I'll be seeing you there soon whenever it decides to open up for the masses.

P.S. I agree tho' that Star Wars Land at DHS is a must especially with new movies coming and the success of SWW. It's a no brainer.