Avatarland Project

[Jared]

For the record, our pal DizneyFreak is correct about "The Lord of the Rings." If the theme-park rights are ever sold, it will almost certainly be to Universal. It doesn't hurt that Warner Bros. and Universal already have a nice working relationship because of the wizard.

[Mfarquar]

According to Screamscape (who is usually pretty accurate), local sources are reporting that work has not halted on Avatar despite the report from IGN that it was on hold. Reports say that work is continuing to stay on target with established deadlines.

Of course, we don't know who these local sources are, but hopefully this will materialize over the next week or two.

Anyone over visiting AK this week that may be able to confirm or deny any activity?

The last photos I saw were from August 6th...

[tiggerbuddy]

don't know if this bugs anyone else but it really bothers me. I hate the Idea of it, it seems pointless and stupid.

I for one agree..

[faline]

Not sure of the truthfulness but just read an article this morning that there is disagreement on the concepts for the park area which might, ultimately, lead to this deal coming apart. Personally, I just don't think Avatar is what Disney should be hanging their hat on.

[Stu29573]

The whole situation, from the initial idea to the confusion during the project, to the possible cancellation, screams of WDW's lack of focus and vision. Who's job is it to provide focus and vision? Upper management. Can 'em all.

[Aurora]

The whole situation, from the initial idea to the confusion during the project, to the possible cancellation, screams of WDW's lack of focus and vision. Who's job is it to provide focus and vision? Upper management. Can 'em all.

Yes, for all the criticism of Michael Eisner's reign, he had least had that. Can someone please get these people some spectacles?

[DizneyFreak2002]

According to Screamscape (who is usually pretty accurate), local sources are reporting that work has not halted on Avatar despite the report from IGN that it was on hold. Reports say that work is continuing to stay on target with established deadlines.

Of course, we don't know who these local sources are, but hopefully this will materialize over the next week or two.

Anyone over visiting AK this week that may be able to confirm or deny any activity?

The last photos I saw were from August 6th...

I wouldn't trust Lance as a well respected source... He posts anything... If I emailed him right now saying I am an insider with knowledge of plans, Avatar is cancelled and they are building Mysterious Island instead, he'll post it...

This is the same guy who was convinced Transformers wasn't coming to SS44 in Universal despite all evidence pointing to it otherwise... And it was only when he was called out for falling for the ruse that he then said his inside sources are telling him it is Transformers... Meanwhile we knew it for months before he admitted it...

[Mfarquar]

I wouldn't trust Lance as a well respected source... He posts anything... If I emailed him right now saying I am an insider with knowledge of plans, Avatar is cancelled and they are building Mysterious Island instead, he'll post it...

Ohhhh, maybe we should try that



Eh, for what it's worth, I think it's going to be AWHILE before Disney admits anything. From a PR perspective it's quite embarrassing to cancel something after all this press.

All I know, is that if it is ultimately canceled all together, they better have a GREAT replacement in the works - and fast.

[Roger's #1 Fan]

I think the only real movement we could see is if FoTLK goes dark like it is scheduled and there is some announcement around its relocation to the Africa section. That's the only thing of substance in that section anyway.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Ohhhh, maybe we should try that



Eh, for what it's worth, I think it's going to be AWHILE before Disney admits anything. From a PR perspective it's quite embarrassing to cancel something after all this press.

All I know, is that if it is ultimately canceled all together, they better have a GREAT replacement in the works - and fast.

They won't ever admit a project is cancelled... They will just never mention it and hope it is forgotten...

[DizneyFreak2002]

I think the only real movement we could see is if FoTLK goes dark like it is scheduled and there is some announcement around its relocation to the Africa section. That's the only thing of substance in that section anyway.

They are still moving forward with "infrastructure" changes for CMM in prepping for Pandora... They have to... Things can change in a heartbeat... Today there are creative differences, tomorrow everyone is on the same page... If they don't keep moving forward, they will face an even longer delay...

[CuteAsMinnie]

Not sure of the truthfulness but just read an article this morning that there is disagreement on the concepts for the park area which might, ultimately, lead to this deal coming apart. Personally, I just don't think Avatar is what Disney should be hanging their hat on.

100% agree!

[DizneyFreak2002]

Need an Avatar fix since it has been 1 year since the major announcement and not one piece of concept art yet? Well, here you go:

The rumored plans: a motorbike roller coaster through the flying mountains of Pandora... Your vehicles would be themed to those flying dragon creatures...

Soarin 2.0 but only over Pandora, possibly a 2nd generation of the ride

A walk through zoo featuring the animals/creatures of Pandora (AAs obviously... Oh and a side note, when Disney made their pitch to JK for Harry Potter, one of the ideas they presented to her was a walk through zoo of mythical creatures... and a video game ride like TSMM... Stop laughing, I'm not joking... No really, stop laughing, you need to catch your breath..., OK, calm now? Hey, I said stop laughing.. I admit, I'm laughing too cause that proposal is just too funny, and sad).. Back to Avatar...

Here is the delay: Disney is already trying to find ways to slash the budget (as has been discussed here before)... They want to cut the budget, to start, 20% possibly shaving off $100 million... Cameron does not want any part of the budget slashed... he wants a fully immersive land and wants the full budget to do it... Disney has proposed cutting out the coaster and adding a... wait for it.. wait for it.. another spinner... YIPPPEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Anyway, there you have it... some updates just to keep your palates wet until the project is shelved for good or ground breaks by May 2013...

[TinkerbellT421]

I hope Cameron gets his way and gets full budget. I am already disappointed with some of the rumors and such, sounds a little disappointing to also slash a budget on something that it supposed to seem incredible. Then to cut it from being a whole land to just an area like Asia in AK, lame. I hope James Cameron gets his way, and I hope he gives them the ultimatum of all or nothing and it scares them enough to continue with the budget. But that is just IMO and I will reserve too much judgement until one of two things happen: 1) It's official that the whole thing gets scraped, 2) If it does come to fruition (a girl can dream right?) I will reserve it's possible lameness factor until I see it in person. I hate to have to eat my words

[antngoof89]

I hope Cameron gets his way and gets full budget. I am already disappointed with some of the rumors and such, sounds a little disappointing to also slash a budget on something that it supposed to seem incredible. Then to cut it from being a whole land to just an area like Asia in AK, lame. I hope James Cameron gets his way, and I hope he gives them the ultimatum of all or nothing and it scares them enough to continue with the budget. But that is just IMO and I will reserve too much judgement until one of two things happen: 1) It's official that the whole thing gets scraped, 2) If it does come to fruition (a girl can dream right?) I will reserve it's possible lameness factor until I see it in person. I hate to have to eat my words

I really hope one of two things about this project. 1) Disney actually goes through with it and the land is absolutely beautiful. 2) Disney wants to cut the budget because the rumors about DHS expansion is real and they need to untie some capital spending in order to get that project Greenlit.

I'd love to see them expand DHS and also create Avatarland, but with the way Disney has been lately, I'm guessing they're gonna try to use the Avatar budget for both projects assuming they are real.

[kbean]

Too bad Disney would sellout to such a film with a hateful hidden meaning. These films are not and never will be classics and will be stale and yesterdays garbage in a few yrs.

[joonyer]

Too bad Disney would sellout to such a film with a hateful hidden meaning. These films are not and never will be classics and will be stale and yesterdays garbage in a few yrs.

Almost every movie can have a "hidden" meaning depending on the perspective of the viewer, whether the producer/director intended that meaning or not. But any "hidden" meaning has nothing to do with Disney's decision to pursue this project. One can argue that the movie will never be a classic, will become stale, etc., but the fact remains that Avatar is the highest grossing box-office movie in history. I'm sure that fact was the "meaning" behind Disney's decision to consider this project.

[DizHawk]

Simply my opinion, but if Cameron wants the full budget, then he can provide it. His movies have made enough money for him to be able to do it, and since the Avatar area would be nothing but a huge billboard for his movies he'd make the money back.

I still hate the idea. Avatar was ONE movie. He's going to follow it up with two more, but it kind of reminds me of The Matrix. It was one great movie followed by two huge bombs. Disney should have never agreed to this until they see the staying power of Avatar. If the next two are huge hits, then maybe. I'd rather see them spend the money to update Epcot or DHS.

[Quadstriker]

Too bad Disney would sellout to such a film with a hateful hidden meaning. These films are not and never will be classics and will be stale and yesterdays garbage in a few yrs.

I contacted 37 members of the American Film Institute this morning*, and they all agreed that the only meanings that can be derived from Avatar are best represented by two symbols.

$

Z (as in Zzzzzzzzz)


Spend the money at Studios instead imo replacing Lights Motors Action.



*Another completely fabricated statistic by Quadstriker

[DizneyFreak2002]

The money for the Studios and the money for Avatar are two separate budgets... If Avatar goes by the wayside, the money will NOT be put to use in DHS.. Actually, it won't be put to use at all, well, except for executive bonuses...