Avatarland Project

[DisnIse]

I personally still don't like the idea, but.....

Update 5/21/12: James Cameron has revealed that "Avatar Land" will include a ride that simulates flight. This is the first specific detail of the project that has been announced.
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The popular film AVATAR will be coming to life at Disney's Animal Kingdom in 2015. Disney Parks' newest venturewill happen in cooperation with James Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox Filmed Entertainment.

Lightstorm Entertainment and Walt Disney Imagineers will work together to bring the fantasy world to the parks, as construction on the first AVATAR-themed land will begin by 2013. The project is currently in the design phase. Disney says "Animal Kingdom is a great fit for this project because it was created to give guests the opportunity to experience the worlds of animals and nature - real and mythical - in new ways. Disney's Animal Kingdom also celebrates adventure, living in harmony with nature and environmental stewardship - themes that are deeply rooted in the story of AVATAR."

There are currently two sequels to the film being planned, so the AVATAR world will only have more opportunities to grow as more characters and stories are developed.

[IamBelle]

I heard somewhere that Avatarland was not going to happen?? But with this information, it looks like whoever told me that was wrong...hmm I'm not sure about Avatarland's popularity after all the movies are done and everyone forget's about it...it would sort of become irrelevant like Kim Possible in the World Showcase when that show hasn't been on television in years.

[Wolf]

I love the idea!! I can't wait to see Avatar Land!!! I think Pandora was such a beautiful place I hope the Land looks like it did, it would be amazing if they lit the paths with black lights at night and made the plants UV. I'm stoked about all of it as well as the next movies!!

[shadowden]

...hmm I'm not sure about Avatarland's popularity after all the movies are done and everyone forget's about it...it would sort of become irrelevant like Kim Possible in the World Showcase when that show hasn't been on television in years.

Although I agree with you, one could have made the same argument with Indiana Jones or Toy Story in DHS or Buzz Lightyear in MK.

Sounds like they're banking on the success of the first film and the anticipated successes of the 2nd and 3rd installments...

[Stu29573]

A flight simulator linked to a movie....Hmmmm, where have I heard this before....and before that....

[Lizzy]

The whole concept of Avatarland makes my blood boil. Disney needs to stop copying other parks ideas and come up with their own ideas for better attractions.

I'm just coming back from a trip to the MK where I saw a lot of run down attractions and out of date attractions that need to be replaced before building something like this.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Avatar is going to take over CMM... Lion King would be moved closer to Harambe...

[ChipNDale79]

The whole concept of Avatarland makes my blood boil. Disney needs to stop copying other parks ideas and come up with their own ideas for better attractions.

I'm just coming back from a trip to the MK where I saw a lot of run down attractions and out of date attractions that need to be replaced before building something like this.

Disney has to have an answer to Harry Potter, I think it has to be more than the fantasyland expansion and I think Avatarland is what they need.

When Harry Potter opened I personally was like ehhh, who cares? However, I hadnt read any of the books nor seen any of the movies. I started reading the books and now I'm nearly done with the 6th book and I totally get why people want to go to Universal, I cant wait to go myself. Disney has to have an answer to it.

[Stu29573]

Disney has to have an answer to Harry Potter, I think it has to be more than the fantasyland expansion and I think Avatarland is what they need.

When Harry Potter opened I personally was like ehhh, who cares? However, I hadnt read any of the books nor seen any of the movies. I started reading the books and now I'm nearly done with the 6th book and I totally get why people want to go to Universal, I cant wait to go myself. Disney has to have an answer to it.

Ok, I can see your point. The problem is that they seem to be countering a cutural phenomenon with a pretty good movie that made lots of money. Its kind of like countering the Taj Mahal with a White Castle. Sure White Castles make tons of money for what they are, but, really, couldn't we have done a little better here?

[Lizzy]

The Avatar movie itself was not that good in my opinion. The Harry Potter franchise was huge but to me now, it's just another area of Universal's parks. Sure it's neat to have a whole section themed to a huge movie franchise but just because Universal did it doesn't mean it will work for Disney.

Disney has so many of it's own styles and characters movies that if it really wanted to put a whole themed area in- it could use something more "Disney" then Avatar. Avatar was not Magical to me at all.

[Quadstriker]

The Avatar movie was a special effects film with zero charm. It's an anti-disney movie whose only redeeming quality was that it "looked pretty". The fact that Disney picked this to latch on to is sad imo. It's the opposite of what Disney is all about.

Proof: Go up to anyone who saw the film and ask them to give you one character's name without looking it up. I have yet to meet anyone who can. They can't because nobody gave a flip about any of the characters - they were all uninteresting stereotypes with no personality or creativity. (That said, I'm sure there is someone here who can and will, but the percentage is incredibly minuscule from my experience.)

[Stu29573]

I agree that Avatar fails as a Disney property because it is weak in the one area that Disney always excelled at.....story telling. If I was a Disney exec, before I plunked down a bazillion bucks on something, I had better be real sure people give a rip about the characters.....

[CuteAsMinnie]

Zero interest.

And I don't think it can even compete with Harry Potter. No comparison. Harry Potter appealed to a generation. Avatar was "just a movie."

[PirateLover]

Another reason why I don't see Avatar having the staying power that other franchises have had, is that it can't be marketed very well. I mean, what kind of Avatar themed toy would you buy? (Other than figurines maybe of those characters you can't name). Most of these franchises have great tie ins and appeal more to children.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Disney has to have an answer to Harry Potter, I think it has to be more than the fantasyland expansion and I think Avatarland is what they need.

Fantasyland is not the response to Potter people think it is.. It was a necessity... And even with that, TDO had to have it shoved down their throat...

Imagineering HAS Potter swatters all designed and planned... The WE CANNOT SPEND MONEY OR ELSE OUR BONUSES MAY BE LESS MAFIA refused to green light any of them...

[Butters]

In a way this is a perfect fit since Avatar is pretty much Pocahauntis story done with CGI

[Tink#64]

Zero interest.

And I don't think it can even compete with Harry Potter. No comparison. Harry Potter appealed to a generation. Avatar was "just a movie."

I agree 100%!

[BrerGnat]

Seeing as how the Avengers is setting up to be the biggest box office success of all time, me thinks this Avatarland is a baaaaad idea.

[Wolf]

The Avatar movie was a special effects film with zero charm. It's an anti-disney movie whose only redeeming quality was that it "looked pretty". The fact that Disney picked this to latch on to is sad imo. It's the opposite of what Disney is all about.

Proof: Go up to anyone who saw the film and ask them to give you one character's name without looking it up. I have yet to meet anyone who can. They can't because nobody gave a flip about any of the characters - they were all uninteresting stereotypes with no personality or creativity. (That said, I'm sure there is someone here who can and will, but the percentage is incredibly minuscule from my experience.)

Neytri, Jake Sully, Grace. Scouts honor I didn't look em up.

[Wolf]

Worst thing is that I'm a die hard HP fan and still don't see any appeal to the HP universal park..I read all the books as they came out, same with movies, every one midnight premiers in full costume, I've still never had a ounce of desire to go...I don't know it just doesn't look that awesome at all..