AVATAR coming to Disney Parks

[WorldsFairEpcot]

Regardless of how much money put forth, regardless of what James Cameron brings to the table, Disney will be unable to pull it off. Look no further than the current disaster known as the fantasyland expansion. All that money, and what do we get? Upon completion, something most will describe as "nice" or "pleasant" Lets be honest. For whatever reason, Disney just does not have the willingness, or ability to wow us anymore. They have gotten us to settle for less, time, and time again. We bemoan at a mighty pitch the fall from grace seen at the Walt Disney World Resort, how things used to be, how things continue to erode at a depressing rate. Of course boycott is not the answer, that would only quicken the demise. When do we all not only accept, but put into action, the removal, and replacement, of the current management and replace it with those that share the vision of those who so truly love the Florida property. All the years gone by fighting a futile endeavor thinking current management will see the light, drop to their knees and scream "what have we done? Forgive us!" Not going to happen. Wasting out time with these visionless fools. Walt is gone, but his integrity, vision, talent, creativity, was not unique only to him. The talent is out there, and the sooner they are brought on board the better.

[1DisneyNut]

I personally think avatar is one of the silliest movies ever and no matter how many times I try, I can't make it past the first 10-15 minutes and I lose all interest. I can't imagine that I will care for a land in AK based off of it either.

[seanyred]

I don't understand all the constant negativity about big changes that come to WDW especially before a single ride description or storyboard art is shown. Sometimes I think the die-hard Disney fans focus to much on what can't or won't work in their minds. Instead of being open minded about would could have potential. Who know's maybe this might lead to the creation of a ride experience that has never be done before.

I wasn't a fan of the movie (I did like the visuals) but James Cameron is not a slacker and is constantly helping the motion picture industry evolve. So why can't he coupled with the greatest Theme Park people in the world make a awesome new land? Even if it is based on Avatar. I hope this is a major success and I also hope some of you boo-birds change your mind down the road.

[HackLaSalle]

Last I checked they just invented an entirely new ride system for the Dwarves mine train. They listened to the fans and brought back an original form of the tiki room. They upped the ante on dark rides with Mermaid. They have a state of the art park in Tokyo. They are giving love to relatively new attractions such as Test Track. They listened to the fans when they said fantasy land was lacking. Living characters are becoming a staple. This company is still innovating meanwhile everyone on these boards want them to bring back attractions of the past that obviously weren't working. So you all can have Horizons. I'll have Pandora all to myself.

Everyone gets all fired up saying the company isn't coming up with anything new and then beg for cardboard cut outs of Mr. Toad back. COME ON.

[mejsimon]

I really do hope this is a fabulous as it sounds. I did like Avatar and they have a lot of material to work with. I was a huge Narnia fan but was personally disappointed in the very limited exhibition room they had set up.

[CAS]

Not to be picky here but I didn't make it Political, Cameron did when he said it parallels the events in the world today especially the situation in the Middle East. He was basically talking about the Iraq War and the US Military being used as a private security force for Big Oil. Was it Cleverly disguised yes it was and really without knowing how Cameron works this stuff into his movies it's not always in your face but it's there.

I've been telling people this ever since I saw the film. I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed! Visually? Ridiculously breathtaking, which is why I'm hoping the budget is sufficient to do it well; we can't undo their decision. Message? Hopefully none will be promoted. I'm all for conservation station but don't go all Al Gore on me.

[johnO]

I'll agree with you on one point; at least Disney is doing something "big".

But I'd have to say I agree with Goofster and the comparisons pointed out by some are faulty. Indiana Jones etc. are attractions, not entire lands.

Why you're bashing people who thought Disney would consider one of their own pictures to base an entire land on is beyond comprehension. Its only natural that Disney fans on a Disney forum would have preferred and even expected the aforementioned.

[big blue and hairy]

Joe Rhode is in charge.. The man is a genious...

This is completely true and if nothing else gets the head-spinners to calm down...this should. Take a breath, have a sip of water...it'll be OK...

[big blue and hairy]

Lions and fish do not talk ... Neither do bugs... Vines don't magically walk

[tydas]

This seems to be a perfect opporunity to add a 'spiderman' type ride (like Universal) to Disney. If they did it well they could take back the crown as having the best single attraction in Orlando (which i think spiderman is).

According to the article, they will spend $400 million which IMO is not enough...unless they plan to leveage a lot of the 3d footage from the movie and not make any original content?

Anyway, I persoanlly glad that Disney is throwing is Sci-Fi fans a bone. Also, this fits with Disney's idea of trying to be more attactive to the young male audience.

[BrerGnat]

I don't understand all the constant negativity about big changes that come to WDW especially before a single ride description or storyboard art is shown. Sometimes I think the die-hard Disney fans focus to much on what can't or won't work in their minds. Instead of being open minded about would could have potential. Who know's maybe this might lead to the creation of a ride experience that has never be done before.

Besides this topic, where else do you see "constant negativity" about changes at WDW, here at Intercot? I don't see that at all.

In fact, this is one of the first times I, personally, have had a really negative feeling about an announcement from Disney of this caliber. I might not like some of the more recent things, but it's minor stuff, like the look of the new Art of Animation rooms, or the fact that Duffy the bear is all over the place. But you know, those are really minor things that don't affect me at all. I am all over the recent overhaul of DCA, the Fantasyland Expansion, etc. I like AK. I would like to want to spend more time there, but this is just NOT doing it for me at all.

I suspect that most who have posted here, voicing their distaste for this particular announcement do not have a lengthy history of "poo pooing" EVERY change that Disney makes.

What I don't understand is the mentality that we should blindly accept and be excited about everything Disney decides to do. That's just completely against human nature, in my point of view. However, I don't chastise those who want to have that outlook, or try to make them feel bad about it.

We can all have an opinion. It's okay for some of them to be negative.

And, I'm okay with admitting that this could end up being spectacular, and I'll have to eat my hat down the line. I'm open to being "thrilled and delighted" with the final outcome of this. However, I just can't shake the feeling that this is a bad idea, and before we even see any concept art, the theme will have magically changed to something more universal. They went back to the drawing board on the Fantasyland Expansion after some reflection that their plan wasn't going to cut it, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that they will rethink this down the line.

[PirateLover]

I don't think it's fair to lump all of the complainers into the "we hate change!" crowd. While it's true that human nature is to be resistant to change and frequently we lament about bygone attractions and lack of vision, nothing is being changed here, it's an addition. I think many people are just thinking there are so many different things to pull from and Avatar is out of left field. Like I said earlier, with the sequels coming, that could change everything, but I haven't thought about Avatar since I saw it in the theaters. I personally wouldn't have been upset with Disney if Universal got the property because I wouldn't have connected the two. As for being a good fit in AK vs DHS, I DO think AK is the better fit.

[Jim&AngieMarriner]

Ok I have slept twice and talked to some friends about this whole thing since I posted last. Im not as upset as I first was. At the begining I couldnt see the connection and thought it was a bad move. But now, I think it was actually probably a great gamble.

1. True, no one knows if the next two movies will tank or not. I am betting, and Disney is too, that since its Cameron, they wont tank. And if i heard right, the second one is supposed to be underwater. This opens up a plethora of options for Imagineers to work with Cameron and get pavilions and areas themed perfectly. It should actually turn out very visually appealing. With the two movies doing well (they/we hope) that will bring attendence up quite a bit. Bring more people into the resorts, more people into the Restaurants, ect...

2. The fan base of Avatar is pretty huge no matter if you liked the movie or not. That being said, I would expect Avatar weekends just like starwars weekends over at DHS. Disney has a proven track record with the Starwars weekends for them not to follow the same model and make that work to their advantage. Although I dont think Dancing with the Pandora stars will be as big a hit.

3. Merchandising. The all mighty Dollar. The oportunities to merchandise not only the characters and animals but the Pandora/Avatar themed attractions are going to be Legion. I fully expect Disney to make a ton of money from this and Im sure they do too. Hopefully the Merch wont be the cheap stuff that they have been going to more recently but will go with quality made items.

So now that most of us are over the initial shock, I say lets embrase this. Is it classic Disney? No. But we can Adopt it. Make it part of the family and enjoy it for what it is. It should be a great adventure.

[Stu29573]

PirateLover and BrerGnat are correct. Actually, I am usually in the "Blindly Defending" catagory. I am also a sci-fi nut. However, I tend to have pretty good instincts and this move seems to have "really bad idea" written all over it.

Still, I could be wrong. I hope I am.

I am not, however, "filled with hate" as a poster has suggested. I do nave a right to be "concerned" despite what another poster suggested, and if I feel in my heart that Disney is trying to spin something negative into a positive, I have the right to say so without being attacked and ridiculed.

I have been on this board for over five years, but I almost dumped it yesterday over the tone of responses I got for simply wanting to discuss the events in an adult manner. I may not have 18,000 entries, but I will not be shouted down. Or, maybe I will be. Maybe it's not really worth it anymore... Let the "fanboys" have it...

[Disney Hungarian]

PirateLover and BrerGnat are correct. Actually, I am usually in the "Blindly Defending" catagory. I am also a sci-fi nut. However, I tend to have pretty good instincts and this move seems to have "really bad idea" written all over it.

Still, I could be wrong. I hope I am.

I am not, however, "filled with hate" as a poster has suggested. I do nave a right to be "concerned" despite what another poster suggested, and if I feel in my heart that Disney is trying to spin something negative into a positive, I have the right to say so without being attacked and ridiculed.

I have been on this board for over five years, but I almost dumped it yesterday over the tone of responses I got for simply wanting to discuss the events in an adult manner. I may not have 18,000 entries, but I will not be shouted down. Or, maybe I will be. Maybe it's not really worth it anymore... Let the "fanboys" have it...

I merely had a differing opinion. I do hope you did not feel I was attacking or ridiculing. I stand by what I said, just as you stand by what you said. No worries.

[Jeany031]

I love Avatar the movie this will be awesome!

[Jared]

As hardcore Disney fans, I think there are times when we all need to step back and try to view these things from the perspective of the general population. I think this thread shows a huge disconnect there.

Ian, I understand your point from earlier, and you're definitely not wrong. Businesses do need to consider their fan base and cater to it at times -- maybe "placate" is a better word in this case, but the point is the same. I think it's pretty evident that Disney knew that this announcement would alienate a certain sect of the diehards, which is why it immediately scheduled that ridiculous "Q&A session" with Staggs. That was obviously a preemptive attempt to settle down the vocal masses. I still say, though, that we cannot lose sight of how tiny of a percentage that vocal mass represents in Disney's eyes. I argue that 99% of park guests on a given day could not care less about the "fit" of a certain thematic element. They will accept Pandora anywhere if the experience is immersive and the attractions are cutting-edge and thrilling.

We can argue all we want about whether Pandora stays true to Animal Kingdom's mission, if it belongs in the Studios instead. Heck, we can even debate whether or not "Avatar" belongs in a Disney park at all. But the reality is that, from a business perspective, I'm not sure how anybody can argue that Animal Kingdom is the best fit for this property. The park desperately needs a boost to bring in more guests, and allow Disney to give Expedition Everest and Dinosaur the refurbishments they desperately need. People who never saw themselves enjoying a Disney park will visit Animal Kingdom exclusively for the opportunity to explore Pandora (assuming the land is done well).

And at the end of the day, no matter what's said no, I think even hardcore fans will end up appreciating it, as long as Rohde and Cameron come through.

[Disney Hungarian]

Disney stock is down 3.5% today. I guess the news wasn't well received.

[tydas]

Disney stock is down 3.5% today. I guess the news wasn't well received.

There is a broad sell off today...the entire market is down over 3%

[Disney Hungarian]

There is a broad sell off today...the entire market is down over 3%

Cool, thanks for that info.