AVATAR - Coming to Disney Parks

[lintman]

Wow! I would be amazed if they developed all that at one time. My horrible measurements put that at over 17 acres. It would probably feel a lot smaller with a show building or two taking up some of the land.

[HawkeyeVinyl]

Wow! I would be amazed if they developed all that at one time. My horrible measurements put that at over 17 acres. It would probably feel a lot smaller with a show building or two taking up some of the land.

Yeah, I'm not sure they would use that entire area, but it's possible. The pictures are zoomed differently, but by my estimate, it seems to be the same size as Asia (or maybe somewhere in the middle between asia-size and africa-size. Either way, that's a pretty big spot. But, it sounds like they're looking to do several attractions, one being a thrill ride. I'm excited to see concept art whether good or bad.

---------- Post added at 01:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:20 PM ----------

I'm pretty sure that octagon shaped building on the left side of the Avatar-land area is the theater where they show Festival of the Lion King. So hopefully they wouldn't replace that, I love that show! I'm not sure whether they're planning to replace CM-M or add on behind it though

---------- Post added at 01:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:23 PM ----------

They raise some good points about placement and logistics as well:

So obviously there is room in the spot for the new Avatar Land, and I think that it would make sense to have this new area up towards the front of the park, because something tells me with this new land, the Animal Kingdom park as a whole, will have to have later hours. I believe now-a-days the park closes around 5, 6 PM at the latest. I think with all of the cool plants and animals that we saw in the Avatar movie, there will have to be extended hours to really take advantage of all the lighting effects the movie had to offer.

Not to mention, since the Kilimanjaro Safari Tours will not be open at night (can't see animals in the dark!) then I suspect all of Africa will be shut down after 5PM. And it probably wouldn't make sense to put a new land, that will most likely be open late, out next to the Savanah.

Again, this is not an official source or anything, just one person's opinion; I just think it's good info and a probable scenario.

---------- Post added at 01:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:26 PM ----------

Also Apparently Cameron and his production partner toured Animal Kingdom yesterday scouting out the area for Avatar-Land. Here's a short article about it from WESH-NBC Orlando: http://www.wesh.com/r/29517365/detail.html

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

Too late



I guess I'm on the side of trusting Disney to get it right. I feel like this is a big deal they're not going to take lightly, and I'm with you in hoping it blows us away. I'm sure there were people opposed to them adding Star Wars and Indiana Jones, and look how well that turned out! I'm favoring optimism, I suppose.

Plus we haven't seen the second or third movie, maybe they will improve on the first (that's a big maybe, but still worth mentioning). I actually liked the first movie a lot, and I'm usually hyper-critical. Sure the plot was a little thin and Ferngully-esque, but I think they pulled it off in a good way.

But the thing with Star Wars and Indiana Jones in the parks, at least for DHS, they were there when the park opened or shortly thereafter so it's completely different. It's easier to accept something that's been there from the beginning than to accept something 15 years after the park opens.

[lintman]

I'm pretty sure that octagon shaped building on the left side of the Avatar-land area is the theater where they show Festival of the Lion King. So hopefully they wouldn't replace that, I love that show! I'm not sure whether they're planning to replace CM-M or add on behind it though

I would imagine that if they take out Camp Minnie Mickey the Festival of the Lion King would be gone. I don't know if I would miss it. I used to really like it but I didn't care for it the last time we were there.

---------- Post added at 12:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:53 PM ----------

But the thing with Star Wars and Indiana Jones in the parks, at least for DHS, they were there when the park opened or shortly thereafter so it's completely different. It's easier to accept something that's been there from the beginning than to accept something 15 years after the park opens.

I still wish they would add a whole Star Wars land to DHS. That would have me as excited about a Disney project as I have ever been.

[HawkeyeVinyl]

I would imagine that if they take out Camp Minnie Mickey the Festival of the Lion King would be gone. I don't know if I would miss it. I used to really like it but I didn't care for it the last time we were there.

Saw it for the first time in July and loved it, very fun and entertaining. The acrobatics were really fun, especially the monkeys

But the thing with Star Wars and Indiana Jones in the parks, at least for DHS, they were there when the park opened or shortly thereafter so it's completely different. It's easier to accept something that's been there from the beginning than to accept something 15 years after the park opens.

That's a good point. I'm sure there were still some that were against it, though probably not nearly as many (come on, it's Star Wars and Indiana Jones). We'll just have to see how they move forward with it and what the concept art looks like.

[SenorMickey]

Can someone please explain to me where a less than spectacular movie about another planet fits in to Animal Kingdom of all places? Let alone the fact it's not even Disney...

[HawkeyeVinyl]

Can someone please explain to me where a less than spectacular movie about another planet fits in to Animal Kingdom of all places? Let alone the fact it's not even Disney...

It has been discussed throughout the thread. Disney partners up with other companies from time to time, like Lucasfilms for Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

As for stuff from other planets; there was always meant to be a mythological component to Animal Kingdom, it just hasn't been realized. Take a look at the logo:



You've got three living animals, a dinosaur, and a dragon in the middle to represent the mythological beasts. They've decided to partner with James Cameron for Avatar stuff probably to fulfill that original idea

[lily0805]

i don't see how they can bring avatar to animal kingdom. isn't animal kingdom suppose to be about animals.

[Tinker]

Avatar has no place at Disney in my opinion, and especially not at Animal Park

Hmmm interesting though I suppose...

[hedbanger]

Looks like the rumor has become a reality. Don't know how to feel about this. I absolutely hated Avatar. An overhyped mess of a movie. On one hand, I'm glad Disney was able to nab something big. On the other hand, adding 'Avatar Land' to Animal Kingdom just cheapens what is a beautiful and classy park. If you're gonna make an entire themed land out of something do it with Star Wars in Hollywood Studios!

I have to agree that it appears forced but on the bright side I think it will make Animal Kingdom better. I think theyll come up with some pretty cool rides and I think that they will do it right. I also agree that a Star Wars land or Endor would have been a better choice that would have appealed to a greater audience. I know most people are divided on whether or not they liked Avatar, but most people including me love Star Wars.

[Vinyl Chaser]

to be honest i dont like this... it wasnt a disney movie and there are so many things we could explore at animal kingdom instead of this, i mean really?? its pocahantus with blue monkeys... not to mention when they origionally built animal kingdom they were gonna have a "mythical" section of the park (hence the dragon and unicorn on the sign thats still there!) but then decided to keep it strictly real animals, they sold there 2 rides that were suppose to be in animal kingdom to universal studios (ever heard of the dueling dragons/ flying unicorn?? look em up they have hidden mickeys on them) and now they r gonna try to grab more of our money by doing this? sry im ranting a little but seriously?

[Soapdish83]

Look how popular Wizarding World is. Disney have taken the biggest (not best) Movie of all time to try and get similar success.

[Vinyl Chaser]

Look how popular Wizarding World is. Disney have taken the biggest (not best) Movie of all time to try and get similar success.

I dunno... i just think disney should stick to there own stuff, and stop trying to copy universal, theres no need to be like them, disney kicks there butt!

[Soapdish83]

I dunno... i just think disney should stick to there own stuff, and stop trying to copy universal, theres no need to be like them, disney kicks there butt!

I completely agree. But with USF adding a 2nd part to WWHP the heat is on. WDW is my number one destination. But I know people who are not so keen on all things Disney and will go to Florida just to see Harry Potter! :-O

I'd rather see Tron rides/area in MK or DHS then Avatar

[spujol26]

I personally love the idea of them recreating Pangea even if it's not Disney. For those of you who don't like, don't have to go. Also, admission won't go up, so in reality I'm paying the same for more and since it's Disney I'm sure they will go above and beyond and make it look great.

[Vinyl Chaser]

I personally love the idea of them recreating Pangea even if it's not Disney. For those of you who don't like, don't have to go. Also, admission won't go up, so in reality I'm paying the same for more and since it's Disney I'm sure they will go above and beyond and make it look great.

o no dont get me wrong i agree disney will go above and beyond, i just think theres so many things disney could do with the area instead

[spujol26]

Well lucky for us, Disney is here to stay. So let's see what's next.

[Vinyl Chaser]

im woundering what kinda rides they are gonna include in this... hopefully a new rollercoaster or something featuring those bird/terradactyl things... or another jungle cruise like ride featuring the creatures...

[Rust This World]

Also, admission won't go up, so in reality I'm paying the same for more and since it's Disney I'm sure they will go above and beyond and make it look great.

It actually probably will go up. Disney raises admission prices almost yearly anyway, and I'm sure they'll bump Animal Kingdom up if they think it will be Harry Potter popular.

[Princess Ariel]

I luv this idea. The Animal Kingdom park needed something extra and a mythical park may be just what is needed to make this park a full day adventure.

[traaisham]

With disneys ablity and creativity it will be intersting to see how they will pull this off. I will be looking forward to to it as it was a pretty cool movie.

[Vinyl Chaser]

With disneys ablity and creativity it will be intersting to see how they will pull this off. I will be looking forward to to it as it was a pretty cool movie.

It was a pretty cool movie... and id love to fly on one of those bird things... i dunno, hopefully itll have some good rides

[figgyfan]

I was quite surprised to hear this announcement...I'm curious to see how they manage to tie Avatar in and make it flow well in AK.

[buzzcoleman14]

I'd rather see Tron rides/area in MK or DHS then Avatar

They really should do a Tron ride. This would be a great fit at DHS.

As far as the AVATAR area is concerned, I feel like it is a direct response to the success of WWOHP. I wish they had just bought WWOHP though, for as nice and fun as it is now, Disney could have done a better job with it.

[nephilimz]

Personally I would have rather had beasts kingdom with mythical creatures.....Yeah Avatar was huge and ok there will be a couple more movies but I think they are taking a huge risk with AVATAR the scenery was beautiful but I wasn't a fan of the movie.