Upcoming Announcement?

[BrianLo]

Right I understand one of the buildings got moderately bigger but to most people a Maleficent E ticket coaster turning into an E ticket boat ride is a lateral move in that regard. Then depending on how one interprets the ENG coaster that could be deemed as less big/ bold then the originally promised second “major” attraction.

I want to be a tad pedantic, but the coaster did not turn into a dark ride. The dark ride got plussed into a SDL Pirate rides and the IP was stolen over from the neighboring coaster.

Yeah, we don't really know. Was the original Maleficent E-ticket coaster as impressive as we were imagining it to be? Or was it basically Temple Du Peril with a dragon in the middle?

Or is the ENG coaster better than imagined? I think people read too much into the concept art about the prior direction of the coaster. There were no loops. It was however long and elaborate and wound through the whole land; so the onus is on that aspect sticking for me.

 

[mickEblu]

want to be a tad pedantic, but the coaster did not turn into a dark ride. The dark ride got plussed into a SDL Pirate rides and the IP was stolen over from the neighboring coaster.

No it didn’t (did I say that?) but it does seem that they switched roles. Meaning the boat ride became the primary attraction and the coaster became the secondary. Where it appears that before the change in direction to more “family friendly”, the coaster was the primary. It would appear that the change in direction is what necessitated a bigger building when they decided to go with a family friendly boat ride instead of a more intense coaster for the primary. ENG coaster (if that’s what they go with) may turn out to be better than we think but between the IP and comparison to slinky/ HTTYD, it’s clear that the coaster was demoted to be the Robin while Maleficent could continue to be Batman. That’s one thing we know for sure they seem pretty intent on the headliner being centered around Maleficent no matter the ride system.

 

[britain]

Guys, guys... that big piece of concept art could have simply been a "potential vibes" illustration.

A coaster could look like it's covered in thorns. It could have a dragon. That dragon could be visible from the rest of the land. The coaster could go underground - or even look like it's underwater. We could have a cool castle. We could have a mountain range. We could have creepy village.

I'm sure the illustration was well informed about the ideas for likely attractions. I'm just saying we can't say things like "We know the coaster was going to be the primary attraction" or "We know it was going to weave through the whole land". We don't know any of these things.

Tiana's could have had a boat perched on top of it. Then they thought about it harder and decided that it couldn't and shouldn't.

 

[mickEblu]

Guys, guys... that big piece of concept art could have simply been a "potential vibes" illustration.

A coaster could look like it's covered in thorns. It could have a dragon. That dragon could be visible from the rest of the land. The coaster could go underground - or even look like it's underwater. We could have a cool castle. We could have a mountain range. We could have creepy village.

I'm not saying the illustration was not well informed about the ideas for likely attractions. I'm just saying we can't say things like "We know the coaster was going to be the primary attraction" or "We know it was going to weave through the whole land". We don't know any of these things.

Tiana's could have had a boat perched on top of it. Then they thought about it harder and decided that it couldn't and shouldn't.

lol actually I can and will continue to say whatever I want. Also, I know you’re trying to make a point but did I say “we know?” At least be accurate.

seem that they switched roles.

Where it appears

It would appear

 

[britain]

lol I actually I can and will continue to say whatever I want. Also, I know you’re trying to make a point but did I say “we know?” At least be accurate.

It would appear that you have made assumptions.

 

[BrianLo]

I'm not saying the illustration was not well informed about the ideas for likely attractions. I'm just saying we can't say things like "We know the coaster was going to be the primary attraction" or "We know it was going to weave through the whole land". We don't know any of these things.

I agree, I’m not 100 percent sure the coaster truly had top billing versus both attractions were pillars. In fact, I perhaps always thought the dark ride was the star. Purely my own bias there.

Currently though, both iterations of the water management permits maintain the coaster trench and suggest a large footprint.

 

[mickEblu]

It would appear that you have made assumptions.

Yup that’s kind of what we’re all doing. If you have a problem with it just don’t read it and carry on. No need to cry about it

 

[britain]

 

[ThemeParkTraveller]

Indeed. It’s huge there.

And contrary to the arguments, domestically Fire and Ash did about the same as Zoo 2. There’s just also no getting around Pandora being the most successful addition metrically they’ve made since maybe Radiator Springs. I do think this is an Iger project by and large though.

Josh has been positioning himself as a guarantor, so it would be a big walk back for him to outright cancel it given the reassurance and platitudes made at D23 and Tom made just recently. But for sure, moving it to make it bigger would have teeth if Tom hadn’t made all those comments to the media.

It does seem that there is real traction behind the rumors. One of the Paris insiders has leaked that Pandora has been shelved at DAW in favor of Moana for the third land. It’s unclear what this means for DCA specifically, but it does give the impression that Disney may be less confident in the franchise now.

The choice of the next world has been under consideration for some time. First, Pandora, imagined for quite some time, generated a lot of buzz. Fans were quickly convinced: Pandora would arrive next in this park. "Navi" was a hidden clue, as we recall.

While all of this seemed quite coherent, the Kingdom can tell you that Pandora is not the chosen one. The decision was made fairly recently. Instead, you will have to set sail, go where the horizon and the sea touch the sky and will call to you.

Yes, the Kingdom can tell you exclusively: The next World will be entirely dedicated to the world of Moana!

This "World" should be located between Cars Road Trip and Frozen and will feature a new "mountain," more of a volcano. Maybe even Te Fiti, who knows? The main attraction should be an immersive, family-friendly water coaster with a large dark ride section. These are the current plans, but the theme is finalized.

This "World" is planned for 2032, to coincide with the 40th anniversary. An announcement is possible in 2027 or 2028, after which construction can begin.

 

[GravityFalls]

It does seem that there is real traction behind the rumors. One of the Paris insiders has leaked that Pandora has been shelved at DAW in favor of Moana for the third land. It’s unclear what this means for DCA specifically, but it does give the impression that Disney may be less confident in the franchise now.

Moana makes sense as a replacement, one tropical area for another. Either way DAW gets its Adventureland.

And I think that's what Pandora is supposed to be for DCA, an "Adventureland". Monsters Inc and Zootopia are closer to Toontown or Fantasyland areas that DCA sort of has with Pixar Pier, Cars Land, Hollywoodland. The parks will obviously never be 1:1, land for land, but it's something to consider.

So some of the questions Bruce Vaughn and Josh D'Amaro are probably asking themselves is whether DCA needs a tropical area, whether they need that area now, and whether they should wait until Disneyland Forward.

 

[mickEblu]

Moana makes sense as a replacement, one tropical area for another. Either way DAW gets its Adventureland.

And I think that's what Pandora is supposed to be for DCA, an "Adventureland". Monsters Inc and Zootopia are closer to Toontown or Fantasyland areas that DCA sort of has with Pixar Pier, Cars Land, Hollywoodland. The parks will obviously never be 1:1, land for land, but it's something to consider.

So some of the questions Bruce Vaughn and Josh D'Amaro are probably asking themselves is whether DCA needs a tropical area, whether they need that area now, and whether they should wait until Disneyland Forward.

Why didn't they ask themselves this before it was announced? If they walk this back or pivot to another location its because something changed.

Things like....

- too much unexpected negative feedback
- the rumored water constraint on the Backlot
- Simba timeline was moved up or 3rd gate was recently greenlit

Still, they didnt have to say that Avatar was still on track. All rumors considered and for OC Register to say its opening in 2028 with no correction from Disney (which they have done in the past) could mean that the project got scaled back or is not a boat ride anymore. If for example most of the ride/ mini land was mostly contained in a show building with some jungle in front that would make a 2028 opening a lot more feasible. Losing the boat ride and what we saw in the concept art for a scaled back Avatar attraction would be the worst case scenario IMO becasue then you have a less than ideal fit for DCA and that corner of the park without the upside of the beautiful land/rockwork or state of the art ride system/ attraction.

Disney- if you're planning on doing the above only because you are trying to save face - please don't. Either go All IN on Pandora or pivot to Monstrpolis/ Zootopia.

 

[GravityFalls]

Why didn't they ask themselves this before it was announced? If they walk this back or pivot to another location its because something changed.

Things like....

- too much unexpected negative feedback
- the rumored water constraint on the Backlot
- Simba timeline was moved up or 3rd gate was recently greenlit

Still, they didnt have to say that Avatar was still on track. All rumors considered and for OC Register to say its opening in 2028 with no correction from Disney (which they have done in the past) could mean that the project got scaled back or is not a boat ride anymore. If for example most of the ride/ mini land was mostly contained in a show building with some jungle in front that would make a 2028 opening a lot more feasible. Losing the boat ride and what we saw in the concept art for a scaled back Avatar attraction would be the worst case scenario IMO becasue then you have a less than ideal fit with no upside of the beautiful land or state of the art ride system/ attraction.

Disney- if you're planning on doing the above only because you are trying to save face - please don't. Either go All IN on Pandora or pivot to Monstrpolis/ Zootopia.

I agree with you completely. I should've said "probably asked themselves" not "are probably asking themselves". I don't think plans have changed.

Zootopia or Monsters Inc land don't add any aesthetic diversity to the park and Pandora is a much better fit, as it gives DCA an Adventureland, just trying to throw that in there.

 

[mickEblu]

I agree with you completely. I should've said "probably asked themselves" not "are probably asking themselves". I don't think plans have changed.

Zootopia or Monsters Inc land don't add any aesthetic diversity to the park and Pandora is a much better fit, as it gives DCA an Adventureland, just trying to throw that in there.

You're right that they don't add aesthetic diversity but I think many value those properties being a seamless fit in that corner of the park over the diversity. Not to mention just prefer those properties to Avatar for whatever reason.

 

[BrianLo]

It does seem that there is real traction behind the rumors. One of the Paris insiders has leaked that Pandora has been shelved at DAW in favor of Moana for the third land. It’s unclear what this means for DCA specifically, but it does give the impression that Disney may be less confident in the franchise now.

That makes a lot of sense for DAW. Though they seem to be getting away from their studios (lucasfilm here, 20th century there, WDAS in the middle, Marvel on the left, Pixar on the right). But I guess that’s the whole point of the rename.

I admit - there is clearly smoke. Though this seems to be in Josh’s MO where imagineers pitch their ideas and none are sidelined, but instead given a space. The absence of Moana being able to land somewhere yet has been quite curious to me.

I’m still not sure if they have the heart to turf Jon Landau’s last real thing.

 

[GravityFalls]

One thing that I don't think has been mentioned yet. James Cameron's company Lightstorm Entertainment is likely working on the ride film as we speak, with millions already allocated and spent towards this project. It's in everyone's best interest to keep that team together and working post Avatar 3 while they wait for production to start up on Avatar 4 and 5.

 

[lentesta]

We already have a clear explanation for the Monsters delay related to the EGW project. Disney just reaffirmed they are building Avatar days ago. Disney owns Avatar… I think your wires are a little crossed there?

I’m curious if this is your speculation or based on something, like Villains was? Not trying to challenge you, but the logic behind what you just said is rather odd; so I wanted to see if there was something substantively linked as @wdwmagic certainly doesn’t appear to be talking off the cuff.

Shull seems to think this idea will happen:



I was told today that one sign of a D23 announcement might be an updated set of permits for this area. Still all speculation, of course.

 

[mickEblu]

Shull seems to think this idea will happen:


Still all speculation, of course.

Is it though? Seems to be a lot of smoke. Even Martin is hinting at it.

 

[lentesta]

Is it though? Seems to be a lot of smoke. Even Martin is hinting at it.

Shull seems pretty sure. But yeah, nothing for certain yet.

 

[mickEblu]

Shull seems pretty sure. But yeah, nothing for certain yet.

I agree nothing is for sure. But I think it’s a little more than speculation.

 

[Disney Irish]

Is it though? Seems to be a lot of smoke. Even Martin is hinting at it.

I'm leaning more that it could be that Zootopia is not replacing Avatar in the Backlot, but rather is the first project to be announced for Simba lot. This would be a perfect future land for the 2030s as Zootopia 3 will be releasing between 2030-2032.