News Avatar Experience coming to Disneyland Resort

[BrianLo]

Yes it would but mentioning it in a parks blog seems odd because why would anyone care that some of the cement in front of the monorail track at part of ugliest land at DLR is sticking around? But it would be the simplest explanation as much as mentions it in hat context doesn’t make sense to me. But I suppose we should put more stock into concept art than a throw away line in that parks blog. So you think nothing changed in the new art work other than the vantage point and having the monorail track above or behind us instead of in front of us? I guess it’s possible.

The parks blog announcement was specifically about where it would go.

The concept art was produced when they weren’t yet ready to announce where it would go. Partially with their game of chicken over the Eastern gateway. I’m actually suspicious nothing has changed at all and they were told to paint over anything that would be an obvious tell. That would include the monorail and the rest of the backlot.

Like I said they did a pretty good job tricking us last year, other than stage 12 was a little too obvious. But I couldn’t quite figure out why there was those tunnels. The monorail being painted over explains that. It should also make it reasonably separated from DCA, you’ll have to walk back to the monorail track via covered structures before you actually are in Pandora.

It also explains why they are calling it an experience. It’s not that big, more a mini land primarily in service of one ride.

 

[mickEblu]

But I couldn’t quite figure out why there was those tunnels. The monorail being painted over explains that. It should also make it reasonably separated from DCA, you’ll have to walk back to the monorail track via covered structures before you actually are in Pandora.

It also explains why they are calling it an experience. It’s not that big, more a mini land primarily in service of one ride.

Could you explain what you mean here in regards to the revelation the new approach on the monorail in the concept art tells you about the tunnels? I’m not sure I’m folllwing. I know we said way back when the concept art was shared last summer that that portal entrance was coming into the backlot off Sunset Blvd. Regardless of what they re doing with a monorail wouldn’t a portal entrance off Hollywood Blvd or Sunset Blvd be a good idea?

Yeah I’ve been saying it looks more like the grand entrance to a ride and not a full blown land. But in the end if it looks like a land, has a shop, restaurant and ride why not refer to it as such? It would certainly be a change of pace for modern Disney to try and temper our expectations.

 

[BrianLo]

Could you explain what you mean here in regards to the revelation the new approach on the monorail in the concept art tells you about the tunnels? I’m not sure I’m folllwing. I know we said way back when the concept art was shared last summer that that portal entrance was coming into the backlot off Sunset Blvd. Regardless of what they re doing with a monorail wouldn’t a portal entrance off Hollywood Blvd or Sunset Blvd be a good idea?

I was trying to figure out what those two tunnels are trying to achieve, despite the big entrance structure I’ve highlighted in red that would be down just off sunset.

What they are trying to achieve is this. To block out the rest of the backstage until you are actually “in” Pandora after crossing under the monorail track.

 

[BrianLo]

It would certainly be a change of pace for modern Disney to try and temper our expectations.

I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt no one was really consulted before Iger announced it and they had no idea what it would be, where it would go or what it would consist of. I think he hedged his bet with his wording. I think they have yet to get away from his wording until they are ready to actually announce its final name. Probably a bit of hedging because they don’t want to imply it’s the Animal Kingdom land.

It’ll probably be Pandora: James Cameron determined canonical location. It will likely be officially considered a land.

 

[mickEblu]

I was trying to figure out what those two tunnels are trying to achieve, despite the big entrance structure I’ve highlighted in red that would be down just off sunset.

View attachment 865195

What they are trying to achieve is this. To block out the rest of the backstage until you are actually “in” Pandora after crossing under the monorail track.

View attachment 865196

Ah, thank you. It's been a long day. I think you are right. Good eye! I don't think anyone has put this together. So it really has nothing to do with the monorail though right? They just want to block out the backlot / Philharmagic. This approach kind of suggests that Philharmagic theatre sticks around for a while no? Although id imagine this location for the portal also has a lot do with guest flow / operations in conjunction with the best way to do the reveal/ transition in such a tight space. Where do you think the other entrance goes?

Back to Philharmagic I suppose they could always add some back entrance to that building in the future and add more rock work/ trees at that time.

 

[BrianLo]

Ah, thank you. It's been a long day. I think you are right. Good eye! I don't think anyone has put this together. So it really has nothing to do with the monorail though right? They just want to block out the backlot / Philharmagic. This approach kind of suggests that Philharmagic theatre sticks around for a while no? Although id imagine this location for the portal also has a lot do with guest flow / operations in conjunction with the best way to do the reveal/ transition in such a tight space. Where do you think the other entrance goes?

Ya exactly. I think the monorail just serves as the natural boundary and is set to get placemaking.

Back to Philharmagic I suppose they could always add some back entrance to that building in the future and add more rock work/ trees at that time.

There’s probably another backlot refresh as part of this project, unannounced. I’m not betting it’s amazing, but I assume that area won’t go straight untouched. The ideal version is how Pandora technically brought about the Harambe stage on one end with a gorgeous walkway and Tiffins on the other.

 

[mickEblu]

Ya exactly. I think the monorail just serves as the natural boundary and is set to get placemaking.



There’s probably another backlot refresh as part of this project, unannounced. I’m not betting it’s amazing, but I assume that area won’t go straight untouched. The ideal version is how Pandora technically brought about the Harambe stage on one end with a gorgeous walkway and Tiffins on the other.

So our first view of Pandora will be just about where the outdoor queue space for Monsters is. What a Glow Up. That doesn't feel like a whole lot of space right? Considering about half of the bus transpo zone is going to the eastern gateway. They're really going to have busy out all the Imagineering tricks.

 

[Disney Irish]

For what is worth, not to throw a wrench in what @BrianLo deduced as I think he is pretty close, but MC has the entire "backlot" within the construction zone leaving only Phil's and Hyperion. This sort of puts the idea of the area in front of Monsters/Monorail back into play for shops and a restaurant. And potentially with the left over fake facade acting as a "berm" to block out the views into the land and the remaining remnant of the "backlot" with the entrance to the "land" next to Stage12 like @BrianLo suggests. I'd also venture to guess that the area to the right of Phil's that also looks like a tunnel will act as dual exit both to Phil's and the new "land", I believe someone had deduced the same awhile back. This could be to allow proper guest flow into and out of the land.

https://www.micechat.com/417417-disneyland-update-guest-injury-expansion-blues/

Anyways interesting times ahead as we see how it all unfolds.

 

[BrianLo]

For what is worth, not to throw a wrench in what @BrianLo deduced as I think he is pretty close, but MC has the entire "backlot" within the construction zone leaving only Phil's and Hyperion. This sort of puts the idea of the area in front of Monsters/Monorail back into play for shops and a restaurant. And potentially with the left over fake facade acting as a "berm" to block out the views into the land and the remaining remnant of the "backlot" with the entrance to the "land" next to Stage12 like @BrianLo suggests. I'd also venture to guess that the area to the right of Phil's that also looks like a tunnel will act as dual exit both to Phil's and the new "land", I believe someone had deduced the same awhile back. This could be to allow proper guest flow into and out of the land.

https://www.micechat.com/417417-disneyland-update-guest-injury-expansion-blues/

Anyways interesting times ahead as we see how it all unfolds.

It’s certainly possible Dusty is acting on inside knowledge, but it would be different than what Disney has shown us last year. I’d also counter with Dusty highlighted too much of the parking garage too…

 

[Disney Irish]

It’s certainly possible Dusty is acting on inside knowledge, but it would be different than what Disney has shown us last year. I’d also counter with Dusty highlighted too much of the parking garage too…

I don’t know that it’s that much different. As someone previously lined up the original concept art with the backlot and it pretty much covered the entire area. So I think all of this varying shades of all the same thing, as it’s just really where the “border”/berm is located that is different with what you outlined.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I don’t know that it’s that much different. As someone previously lined up the original concept art with the backlot and it pretty much covered the entire area. So I think all of this varying shades of all the same thing, as it’s just really where the “border”/berm is located that is different with what you outlined.

We are also assuming they won’t move the monorail beam. Part of MiceChat’s thought is the beam is moved.

 

[TheDisneyParksfanC8]

We are also assuming they won’t move the monorail beam. Part of MiceChat’s thought is the beam is moved.

I dont think the monorail is moved. The concept art for the EGW appeared to show it in the same spot.

Considering this is more of a mini land, I wonder if they might be able to have it ready for 2028.

 

[Disney Irish]

We are also assuming they won’t move the monorail beam. Part of MiceChat’s thought is the beam is moved.

That might have been a thought at one time (as we even thought the same here) but not in their current update, the monorail beam hasn’t moved in the image nor do they mention it.

 

[Disney Analyst]

That might have been a thought at one time (as we even thought the same here) but not in their current update, the monorail beam hasn’t moved in the image nor do they mention it.

Everything is so vague right now. I’m awaiting more

But I know it’s unlikely

 

[Disney Irish]

Everything is so vague right now. I’m awaiting more

But I know it’s unlikely

I was speaking about MC not Disney since you mentioned their indication it was moving, which may have been a previous update. As in MCs recent update they don't have the monorail moving as its in their image and they don't mention it moving which you figure they would if it was part of any plan they heard. But yes anything is possible even if unlikely.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I was speaking about MC not Disney, as in MCs recent update they don't have the monorail moving as its in their image and they don't mention it moving which you figure they would if it was part of any plan they heard. But yes anything is possible even if unlikely.

Oh, I think Dusty talked about it on a live.

 

[Disney Irish]

Oh, I think Dusty talked about it on a live.

I'd have to go listen to that, do you know when that was? Because there was no mention of it in their posted update from yesterday on the site.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I'd have to go listen to that, do you know when that was? Because there was no mention of it in their posted update from yesterday on the site.

About 41:30 in. It’s all just hypothesizing.

 

[Disney Irish]

About 41:30 in. It’s all just hypothesizing.

Ok I’ve watched that section. I wouldn’t call it hypothesizing. All he said was it’s still a question in his mind if Disney would want the monorail running thru the middle of Avatar. The rest was just him going over what was in the original plan from the EGW about rerouting the monorail. Which we now know has likely changed given the updated EGW concept art.

 

[britain]

I was trying to figure out what those two tunnels are trying to achieve, despite the big entrance structure I’ve highlighted in red that would be down just off sunset.



What they are trying to achieve is this. To block out the rest of the backstage until you are actually “in” Pandora after crossing under the monorail track.

I think you're right - and it also appears that they are using "Ruins of RDA structures" along the lower boundary, which blends (covers, decorates, or simply stands next to) monorail track & pillars better than more Pandorian rockwork.

If you are in the middle of the Pandora area, looking south, you may see some track and the occasional pillar, but if its amongst a view of RDA bunker ruins, it's all good. In fact, getting a glimpse of the monorail running over the entrance/exit when you look south makes it sort of a "Come this way to return to DCA" sign.