Avatar Land

[tiggerbuddy]

HI Everybody,

I think Disney is making a major blunder on this one:

Avatar was not that great of a movie.
It came out years ago.
It was a violent movie.
It didn't have widespread appeal (Like ET for example)
Everyone I discussed this with had an attitude of "meh"...Not that excited.

Would Beastly Kingdom have been a better choice ?

[yankeesfan123]

This has been a big discussion multiple times.

I don't think many of your points are correct.

Highest grossing film of all time.

There are two sequels coming out, so it's irrelevant how old it is.

James Cameron is one of the most successful storytellers in the history of film.


All that being said, not everyone liked the movie.


I think the most important thing to remember is that this land will be imaginative and beautiful, giving new life and attractions to a park and finally making it a "full day park".

Would Beastly Kingdom have been better? Who knows. But whether it not you liked Avatar, this is going to be an awesome addition.

[tiggerbuddy]

The "full day park"is a definite plus..
Just think the $$$ could have been spent wiser..

Star Wars Land , perhaps?
Fix the mess Epcot has become ?

[Strmchsr]

Star Wars Land , perhaps? Fix the mess Epcot has become ?

Both of those things are in progress. Not sure how soon they'll be green-lit, but they're in the works and should be coming before too long. A Star Wars area is a definite and they've just brought in a new VP for Epcot to try and fix the mess. We'll have to wait and see what the vision becomes, but I'm at least hearing some positive rumblings from my friends in management at Disney.

[wellsm]

I suspect that if the Star Wars buyout had happened before the announcement of Avatar land, the plans may have been different.

Of course, getting both Avatar land and Star Wars land would be the best of all worlds. Oh, and bringing Cars land to DHS.

[WDWdriver]

I don't believe it matters much whether people have seen or liked/disliked the Avatar movie. The point is that there will be a new and much needed themed area at AK which will offer new attractions, experiences and visuals. AK after dark is beautiful, and the promised night shows will be spectacular.

[TheHD]

Yeah, even if you did not/do not like the Avatar movie(s), the conceptual drawings I've seen of Avatar Land in the Disney Files magazine look amazing and beautiful. Just walking through the land will be something special.

[yankeesfan123]

Star Wars/Lucas will happen. Either in a land or a 5th gate.

It would not have fit in AK.

As others have mentioned, the new management changes at Epcot also spell new life for that park.

So, luckily your two suggestions look like they're coming

Just hopefully you can wait 10-15 years.

Then again, Disney is always changing. There's a big change every ten years or so.. There's always something on the horizon.

[tiggerbuddy]

There's always something on the horizon.

Now that's something I really miss!!! (Horizons)

[2Epcot]

There is also reason to believe with the popularity of Avatar in China, something will be used there. One of most popular national parks, Zhangjiajie National Forest in China's Hunan province, was used as inspiration by the filmmakers. Later the Chinese renamed the Southern Sky Column in the park, "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain". I think it would be a safe bet that one or more attractions being developed for Avatar Land, will also appear in Shanghai Disneyland.

[DKA041177]

I actually loved the movie. It is interesting that it was the highest grossing movie of all time, but so many people have come out on the forums afterwards and say they didn't like it. I think maybe I need to go back and re-watch the movie to make sure I am remembering it correctly! But my thought is, whether you liked the movie or not, an addition to AK was needed. And whether or not Beastly Kingdom would have been better, I am just glad AK is getting a new area.

[Disneylovescompany]

I think the refurb of Fantasyland and the impending refurb to parts of tomorrowland at MK and the addition of Avatar to AK signify WDW is continuing to invest some serious bucks in all the parks over the next few years. Star Wars land and a move to bring more of the Pixar feel to the DS is going to dramatically change that park. And new management at Epcot should build on the success of Food & Wine and upgrade some of the WS pavillions and possibly add one or two, plus they have GOT to fix Future World. The Old Wonders of Life pavillion is a waste, Energy needs a serious upgrade, and Imagination needs an overhaul while keeping Figment in place. The people in charge of Epcot have the biggest job as they try to reimagine things while keeping Walts vision of the future in their minds.

[#1donaldfan]

I thought the movie was great and to see it come alive at AK will be incredible.

[Goes4FastPass]

IF there are Avatar sequels and IF they are popular that will propel this project,

And an after the animals are in for the night aspect added to AK would be a welcome addition.

[polarbear72834]

I loved the movie Avatar .. I can't wait till its all complete...Going to be fun...

[yankeesfan123]

IF there are Avatar sequels and IF they are popular that will propel this project,

And an after the animals are in for the night aspect added to AK would be a welcome addition.

There are sequels. No if.

[LittleDreamer]

There are sequels. No if.

While it is James Cameron and the sequels will probably get made eventually, he likes to take his time. Avatar was 4-15 years in developments. Until the filming starts we can't say anything with certainty. I believe the last update was fall 2014 for filming.

[yankeesfan123]

Scripts are finished. In pre-production. Yes, it takes a while, but there are going to be sequels.

[mcjaco]

While it is James Cameron and the sequels will probably get made eventually, he likes to take his time. Avatar was 4-15 years in developments. Until the filming starts we can't say anything with certainty. I believe the last update was fall 2014 for filming.

The biggest issue was that the technology wasn't there yet to make Avatar.

[PopPhan]

Just a slight aside.......

Avatar must be more popular than a lot of people think, as I have just seen that Cirque du Soleil has teamed with Cameron to create a new traveling Cirque show based on the movie(s)........

From the article..

We're delighted to announce our creative partnership with James Cameron! Together, we'll develop an arena-touring show inspired by the world of AVATAR! This live production is expected to debut in 2015 for what will become a global touring schedule!