News Avatar Experience coming to Disneyland Resort

[mickEblu]

I mean… if they levelled all of this, there is a lot of space…

View attachment 865845

Sure but space wasn’t the only constraint or factor I mentioned. You also included Hyperion, Animation and Philharmagic in here and the odds of all three of those going to a new land right in between Avengers Campus and Pandora is close to Zero. Take the Hyperion out for sure. I don’t see how that doesn’t go to one of the gazillion dollar properties it’s in between. Now look at what’s left. Considering that any new land is still going to need an attraction, shop and a restaurant you re still basically down to a street. Why would they do that?

 

[PiratesMansion]

I didn't say the main reason is because it's too much like Cars Land. Huck, if it was similar in quality to Cars Land I would be stocked.

The land is awful, I've said it many years... My point is that if they're going to redo the land, they may as well redesign the layout if the funding is there. Also just a nudge against the notion that only a corridor style is possible, because it's not.

Look at it this way - if Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland etc were all corridor style lands with a long straight street and all attractions on one side or the other they would not be as immersive and magical either. Maybe I just have higher expectations for WDI.

But what is the point of redesigning the land? Does it really give them more space to work with, or would it result in a noticeable increase in guest satisfaction? I'd say no on both counts. And as was said, if we know where Avatar's going and we know that the other area bordering Hollywood is Avengers, which we know will not go away and that they are actively investing in, what is the incentive to restructure the land? There isn't any.

And this is not to argue against a corridor style layout per se, but I do think it's worth pointing out that the one area that ISN'T designed like that at DCA-Grizzly Peak-is the one I find most frustrating to navigate, to the point where I avoid it unless I'm specifically heading towards those attractions because otherwise it seems much more straightforward to go a different way.

There's having higher expectations, and then there's hoping for things that just aren't realistic. Like, I would love it if Disneyland's streets were paved with gold, but what's the purpose? What's the benefit? Is it fair for me to be mad at them for not doing that? Probably not.

RE: Disneyland's layout being different-when the park opened, the lands were all disconnected dead ends that were more or less a straight line showcasing what was offered in the land. And I might ask you to take another look at Adventureland as it exists now. When you do so, you might notice that ALL of the land's attractions are on the same side of the street, more or less one right after the other, with only various dole whip vendors breaking up that space. Until Tropical Hideaway reopened, the ONLY shopping or dining on the attraction side of the street was the dole whip stand. Is Adventureland suddenly deficient because it shares this layout? I'd argue no. In fact, I'd argue this is among the last thing people think about when they go through Adventureland-perhaps because it doesn't really matter.

 

[mickEblu]

Shared this a few times but still think this was the move. Shame. Wondered if it ever even crossed their mind? Probably not as Avatar would have to wait a really long time but I think it would have turned out best.

Monstropolis in Blue / Monsters Inc ride stays
Doors Coaster in Purple
Santa Cecilia/ Coco ride in Orange

Avatar in the Simba lot
Inside Out ride at Pixar Pier backstage

Oh well. I’m not exactly sad. Happy DCA is getting all this investment but I think just the willingness to hold off on Avatar could have led to a better DCA.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Shared this a few times but still think this was the move. Shame. Wondered if it ever even crossed their mind? Probably not as Avatar would have to wait a really long time but I think it would have turned out best.

Monstropolis in Blue / Monsters Inc ride stays
Doors Coaster in Purple
Santa Cecilia/ Coco ride in Orange

Avatar in the Simba lot
Inside Out ride at Pixar Pier backstage

Oh well. I’m not exactly sad. Happy DCA is getting all this investment but I think just the willingness to hold off on Avatar could have led to a better DCA.

View attachment 865852

I do think Coco's location makes sense though-not only within the pier, but also because it's close to where they do their Familia show and celebration area in the Fall.

I'm a little nervous about the door coaster just because it seems like the sort of concept that is unlikely to be done better in person than in people's heads.

Seems like they want to use up all available land within the existing park before they start getting into the Disneyland Forward plots, which makes sense from a logistical perspective. But that probably does mean a somewhat compromised Avatar experience vs. if they were willing to wait and put it in Simba.

 

[J4546]

i dont know why people want monsters inc to stay, its a cheaply done retheme of a ride that was already bleh.

 

[mickEblu]

I do think Coco's location makes sense though-not only within the pier, but also because it's close to where they do their Familia show and celebration area in the Fall.

I'm a little nervous about the door coaster just because it seems like the sort of concept that is unlikely to be done better in person than in people's heads.

Seems like they want to use up all available land within the existing park before they start getting into the Disneyland Forward plots, which makes sense from a logistical perspective. But that probably does mean a somewhat compromised Avatar experience vs. if they were willing to wait and put it in Simba.

Yeah I think there’s totally a chance the Doors coaster doesn’t meet expectations but I’d take that chance. It’s a coaster in a show building at DCA and the way it picks up the coaster and brings it all the way up to the ceiling at load looks really cool.

Yeah I think Cocos location is fine but just feel like with my plan everything (including Avatar) could be placed a bit better and fleshed out a bit more. You also would have one extra family attraction (Monsters Inc) and a spot to put an Inside Out Ride on Pixar Pier. Of course, this also means that the Simba Lot remains a blank canvas for ideas in the future which could be a good thing.

I can understand them not wanting to wait 10+ years to get Avatar at DLR.

 

[coffeefan]

RE: Disneyland's layout being different-when the park opened, the lands were all disconnected dead ends that were more or less a straight line showcasing what was offered in the land. And I might ask you to take another look at Adventureland as it exists now. When you do so, you might notice that ALL of the land's attractions are on the same side of the street, more or less one right after the other, with only various dole whip vendors breaking up that space. Until Tropical Hideaway reopened, the ONLY shopping or dining on the attraction side of the street was the dole whip stand. Is Adventureland suddenly deficient because it shares this layout? I'd argue no. In fact, I'd argue this is among the last thing people think about when they go through Adventureland-perhaps because it doesn't really matter.

In Adventureland the path curves and meanders. It helps create a sense of exploration and wonder. It's not a straight city line to me. Here are the entrances for reference:

RE: Disneyland's layout being different-when the park opened, the lands were all disconnected dead ends that were more or less a straight line showcasing what was offered in the land.

That would support my suggestion that land layouts can change and are not so rigid.

I'm not saying it's a priority, just that it would be worth exploring if they plan to redo the land anyway.

I have more ideas, but got to get going for now.

 

[Disney Irish]

Shared this a few times but still think this was the move. Shame. Wondered if it ever even crossed their mind? Probably not as Avatar would have to wait a really long time but I think it would have turned out best.

Monstropolis in Blue / Monsters Inc ride stays
Doors Coaster in Purple
Santa Cecilia/ Coco ride in Orange

Avatar in the Simba lot
Inside Out ride at Pixar Pier backstage

Oh well. I’m not exactly sad. Happy DCA is getting all this investment but I think just the willingness to hold off on Avatar could have led to a better DCA.

View attachment 865852

If Dusty from MC is to be believed, WDI had been considering something similar. But had decided that Avatar just made the most sense in the Backlot and other properties into DLForward plots later on. I think they just didn't want to wait until the 2030s and beyond to build out Avatar when they have the movies opening now.

 

[mickEblu]

If Dusty from MC is to be believed, WDI had been considering something similar. But had decided that Avatar just made the most sense in the Backlot and other properties into DLForward plots later on. I think they just didn't want to wait until the 2030s and beyond to build out Avatar when they have the movies opening now.

IIRC that rumor had Monsters staying and Coco going into Stage 12. No Monsters coaster, no Monstropolis and no use of the bus transpo area. At least not mentioned as part of the rumor. I just remember it sounding awful. The Pixar Hollywood Backlot

 

[Disney Analyst]

Sure but space wasn’t the only constraint or factor I mentioned. You also included Hyperion, Animation and Philharmagic in here and the odds of all three of those going to a new land right in between Avengers Campus and Pandora is close to Zero. Take the Hyperion out for sure. I don’t see how that doesn’t go to one of the gazillion dollar properties it’s in between. Now look at what’s left. Considering that any new land is still going to need an attraction, shop and a restaurant you re still basically down to a street. Why would they do that?

I mean, I’m just sharing that is possible if they wanted to get rid of Hollywood Land entirely. Enough space to create a new layout, meandering or curved pathways, etc etc.

It’s doubtful, but you never know.

Here’s my Bluesky:

Assuming parades are done for with Coco,

I say tear it all down and turn it into “Buena Vista Gardens” with portals to Avatar and Avengers at each end, the Garden Theatre hidden at back of the park with proper theatre facade, add a flat ride in the park of some sort, a covered stage for outdoor shows or Disney Jr. stuff, outdoor garden restaurant, a few food stands. A pond or water feature.

Heck, get rid of the theatre and sneak in a garden Jolly Holiday dark ride. California to London?! Who cares anymore.

 

[Disney Irish]

IIRC that rumor had Monsters staying and Coco going into Stage 12. No Monsters coaster, no Monstropolis and no use of the bus transpo area. At least not mentioned as part of the rumor. I just remember it sounding awful. The Pixar Hollywood Backlot

Recent comments by Dusty that I picked up on was that WDI was considering bringing Monstropolis East to the Backlot, don't know if it would have included the Door Coaster, but at least some version of the land was potentially for that area. Not sure of the extent of Coco, but I assume whatever was left would have been for that.

Anyways the point being is they did consider it, but it would have meant delaying Avatar into the 2030s (likely mid-to-late 2030s) and they didn't want to delay that much is why I assume we're getting this now rather than later.

 

[mickEblu]

I mean, I’m just sharing that is possible if they wanted to get rid of Hollywood Land entirely. Enough space to create a new layout, meandering or curved pathways, etc etc.

It’s doubtful, but you never know.

Here’s my Bluesky:

Assuming parades are done for with Coco,

I say tear it all down and turn it into “Buena Vista Gardens” with portals to Avatar and Avengers at each end, the Garden Theatre hidden at back of the park with proper theatre facade, add a flat ride in the park of some sort, a covered stage for outdoor shows or Disney Jr. stuff, outdoor garden restaurant, a few food stands. A pond or water feature.

Heck, get rid of the theatre and sneak in a garden Jolly Holiday dark ride. California to London?! Who cares anymore.

This sounds great. It really does but I thought we were talking about things that are realistic? But you’re right in that to accomplish this in that layout it would have to be something like your idea- a lot of outdoor spaces and no big attraction which makes this large beautification project with no big IP or big money revenue generating opportunities crammed between two multibillion dollar properties all the more unlikely. Unfortunately.

 

[CoastalElite64]

This sounds great. It really does but I thought we were talking about things that are realistic? But you’re right in that to accomplish this in that layout it would have to be something like your idea- a lot of outdoor spaces and no big attraction which makes this large beautification project with no big IP or big money revenue generating opportunities crammed between two multibillion dollar properties all the more unlikely. Unfortunately.

Why is it unrealistic? Disney is committed to making DLR a destination and improving DCA's flaws and reputation is a part of the big picture.

 

[mickEblu]

Why is it unrealistic? Disney is committed to making DLR a destination and improving DCA's flaws and reputation is a part of the big picture.

I answered this question in the post you replied to.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Disney is committed to...improving DCA's flaws and reputation

You are far, far more optimistic than I.

The last decade would largely suggest they have no idea what DCA's flaws are, nor do they have any idea how to fix them.

 

[CoastalElite64]

You are far, far more optimistic than I.

The last decade would largely suggest they have no idea what DCA's flaws are, nor do they have any idea how to fix them.

I see what they're doing with the projects in development as addressing flaws. Coco, Avatar, Marvel are all big investments for DCA.

 

[D.Silentu]

….Of course, this also means that the Simba Lot remains a blank canvas for ideas in the future which could be a good thing.

I can understand them not wanting to wait 10+ years to get Avatar at DLR.

I think they made the right call holding off putting anything into the Disneyland’s expansion plot so soon, especially Avatar. As you and Disney Irish have pointed out, the series is relevant now. I’ve heard a multitude of sequels are planned, but personally I don’t think we’ll have a grasp on how relevant Avatar is until this December. While the last movie had record box office numbers, it also had a decade’s worth of distance for people to become curious about the series and miss it. The Fantastic Beasts films had similarly ambitious sequel plans, but poor box office stopped the series at two. It will be interesting to see if Pandora continues to hold filmgoers fancy, but Disney is wise to strike while the iron is hot.

 

[CoastalElite64]

I answered this question in the post you replied to.

I doubt present day HL generates much revenue if that's the main argument.

 

[PiratesMansion]

I see what they're doing with the projects in development as addressing flaws. Coco, Avatar, Marvel are all big investments for DCA.

Have you considered the possibility that just slapping IP franchises on the park is not necessarily the same thing as addressing its flaws?

Adding Pixar to the Pier did nothing to improve the area, instead it made it less cohesive.

Adding the GOTG did nothing to improve the fit of the attraction into the area around it.

Adding Avengers Campus got rid of a lot of shade and family friendly offerings for a questionable aesthetic and the only ride people are willing to admit on Google Reviews that they hate.

Closing guest accessible space in Animation Academy for another DVC lounge is not addressing a flaw.

I'm sure some of the attractions will be solid, but just throwing in MOAR IP!!!1111 =/= better park.

 

[mickEblu]

Have you considered the possibility that just slapping IP franchises on the park is not necessarily the same thing as addressing its flaws?

Adding Pixar to the Pier did nothing to improve the area, instead it made it less cohesive.

Adding the GOTG did nothing to improve the fit of the attraction into the area around it.

Adding Avengers Campus got rid of a lot of shade and family friendly offerings for a questionable aesthetic and the only ride people are willing to admit on Google Reviews that they hate.

Closing guest accessible space in Animation Academy for another DVC lounge is not addressing a flaw.

I'm sure some of the attractions will be solid, but just throwing in MOAR IP!!!1111 =/= better park.

Agree although adding two family friendly boat rides / indoor attractions with no height requirement is a big step in the right direction and addressing one of the parks biggest flaws IMO.