News Avatar Experience coming to Disneyland Resort

[britain]

Credit for optimism, that would be bold CEO move. But I think you’ve merely overlooked the Downtown Disneyland Parking lot. That was always what I felt like was a leading contender before DCA was committed to. Particularly in this horse race that DCA is getting 3 other major rides, they’d look back to Disneyland.

I still wouldn’t be surprised if the entire west side of Disneyland Forward becomes a third park with Pixar Hotel torn down, and DL Hotel becomes an “in-park” hotel (like Helios in function, not in style). Those possible access bridges from DCA and from DL would simply be park hopping conveniences - they’re too long to truly be themed experiences that keep you convincingly in another world besides Anaheim. Better to just say “Yep, you’re leaving that park and crossing over the street to a different park.”

 

[Distorian]

I’m sure it would be popular but something about DLR getting the 5th iteration of this attraction and third iteration of the land just doesn’t sit right with me. Doesn’t feel like a good use of space. As the official DLR master planner I say it should either go in DL/ Fantasyland as a single attraction (with mandatory shop/ restaurant) or into the third gate/ West Coast World Showcase Norway Pavillion of course. Or a third option - our own version of Fantasy Springs in the DL Forward plot (DL side) with two other IP’s.

As I have stated many times before, I will welcome Frozen under the sole condition that the attraction is housed in a Bavarian village, and not within the Arendelle castle. Maintaining the aesthetic language of Fantasyland is crucial for me to accept such an addition.

 

[coffeefan]

I think the dining facilities are too crucial and would be more so with both this and Coco.

That's true, I just think GSS needs to be replaced, so that might be my bias a little. It doesn't have to be Zoo, but I feel Zoo is inevitable at some point. My preference would be for a water flume ride like in the original concepts. A water tunnel ride that goes through various Zootopia districts, if you will.

Hopefully, Coco comes with a restaurant. Portos should help with capacity too. But as you said, it will be a challenge, especially as these expansions open.

 

[marni1971]

Haha so you’re not hinting at anything?

Not a hint. Just I wouldn’t be absolutely gobsmacked if it happened.

 

[TheDisneyParksfanC8]

I wonder why that is?

WDW kept their shows going for decades like Muppetvision without people loosing much interest versus the California version closing way back in 2014.

It reminds me of the Country Bears situation.

Even some “insiders” are hinting at a possible change of plans. I don’t Avatar is that far along in the development as people think.

They always being in the absolute very early stages. On the other hand Villains seems to be much further along in the process.

The reason MV3D and IITAB had shorter spans at DLR is because the DLR audience (large APs) views static 3D shows as a one and done.

Sorry if I'm living under a rock, but what insiders are you referring to?

 

[Disney Vault]

I still wouldn’t be surprised if the entire west side of Disneyland Forward becomes a third park with Pixar Hotel torn down, and DL Hotel becomes an “in-park” hotel (like Helios in function, not in style). Those possible access bridges from DCA and from DL would simply be park hopping conveniences - they’re too long to truly be themed experiences that keep you convincingly in another world besides Anaheim. Better to just say “Yep, you’re leaving that park and crossing over the street to a different park.”

That ugly Pixar hotel isn't going anywhere. It wasnt even included in the Disneyland forward zoning. Definitely a complicated contract. Not sure what it would take for Disney to buy their way out of that.

But I feel Zootopia would be better in the simba lot because the Pixar hotel could be themed to zootopia one day. A building in the background of a city location makes more sense that having it looming over avatar.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

That ugly Pixar hotel isn't going anywhere. It wasnt even included in the Disneyland forward zoning. Definitely a complicated contract. Not sure what it would take for Disney to buy their way out of that.

But I feel Zootopia would be better in the simba lot because the Pixar hotel could be themed to zootopia one day. A building in the background of a city location makes more sense that having it looming over avatar.

As much as I’d love to see Pixar Place demolished for more park space I agree it’s never happening, as underwhelming as it is it’s a cash cow, it would cost a fortune to tear it down and rebuild it elsewhere.

 

[mickEblu]

Not a hint. Just I wouldn’t be absolutely gobsmacked if it happened.

Maybe I’m getting carried away. As I’ve also stated, the last thing they told us is that is Avatar is not being delayed so I guess we should take them for their word. I also started out where you are - wouldn’t be surprised if it happens- but started believing it was more of a possibility the more people like yourself put energy into it.

 

[marni1971]

Maybe I’m getting carried away. As I’ve also stated, the last thing they told us is that is Avatar is not being delayed so I guess we should take them for their word. I also started out where you are - wouldn’t be surprised if it happens- but started believing it was more of a possibility the more people like yourself put energy into it.

If I said it’s not been mooted as being inside the realms of possibility I’d be lying. There’s several reasons why it may happen. But I don’t know if it will.

 

[mickEblu]

If I said it’s not been mooted as being inside the realms of possibility I’d be lying. There’s several reasons why it may happen. But I don’t know if it will.

Thank you. Appreciate the transparency.

 

[AJFireman]

That ugly Pixar hotel isn't going anywhere. It wasnt even included in the Disneyland forward zoning. Definitely a complicated contract. Not sure what it would take for Disney to buy their way out of that.

Pixar Place Hotel was included in Disneyland Forward. It added permitting for Theme Park Use. But yes the Hotel isn't going anywhere with that complicated contract.
TP West Overlay is Pixar Place Hotel. TP East Overlay is the original Toy Story Lot not the northern section that was added previously Employee Parking.

 

[luther10]

The transportation hub is already big enough for Zootopia. Just give Monster Inc. ride a new facade, demolish the warehouse for retail and dining, remove the other warehouse and theater for the coaster, and we have a mini Monstropolis.

I take these two lands over Avatar... lol...

 

[Disneyprince22]

The transportation hub is already big enough for Zootopia. Just give Monster Inc. ride a new facade, demolish the warehouse for retail and dining, remove the other warehouse and theater for the coaster, and we have a mini Monstropolis.

I take these two lands over Avatar... lol...
View attachment 912892

Except you can’t remove the full transportation hub, as they’ll need some of that space still.

 

[Disney Irish]

The transportation hub is already big enough for Zootopia. Just give Monster Inc. ride a new facade, demolish the warehouse for retail and dining, remove the other warehouse and theater for the coaster, and we have a mini Monstropolis.

I take these two lands over Avatar... lol...
View attachment 912892

Almost the entire top half of your new "land" is actually going to be used for the new Harbor entrance and bridge that is being built for the Eastern Gateway. Which they just get permitted for and is already in the preliminary construction phases, and will be in full construction by fall.

 

[MistaDee]

Almost the entire top half of your new "land" is actually going to be used for the new Harbor entrance and bridge that is being built for the Eastern Gateway. Which they just get permitted for and is already in the preliminary construction phases, and will be in full construction by fall.

Do we have any guidance from Disney for how much of the space will be utilized for eastern gateway infrastructure vs how much will be available for park expansion?

I can only think of the concept art which is a bit vague, and the old eastern gateway plans which I think don’t include the harbor entrance.

If any detailed plans or permits have come out I’d be very curious to see just how much room they’ll have

 

[mickEblu]

Do we have any guidance from Disney for how much of the space will be utilized for eastern gateway infrastructure vs how much will be available for park expansion?

I can only think of the concept art which is a bit vague, and the old eastern gateway plans which I think don’t include the harbor entrance.

If any detailed plans or permits have come out I’d be very curious to see just how much room they’ll have

From the concept art it seems that somewhere between 1/2 to 2/3 of the space will be used for park expansion.

 

[Disney Irish]

Do we have any guidance from Disney for how much of the space will be utilized for eastern gateway infrastructure vs how much will be available for park expansion?

I can only think of the concept art which is a bit vague, and the old eastern gateway plans which I think don’t include the harbor entrance.

If any detailed plans or permits have come out I’d be very curious to see just how much room they’ll have

Other than the new Harbor Entrance plaza concept art we don't have any update from Disney on how much will be used for what. But we can guesstimate based on that concept art as it included the backside of what appears to be the Monsters Inc building in it, which is where about half is new Harbor Entrance and half is Park expansion estimation is coming from, give or take.

Where the Disneyland Resort sign is in the concept art is about where the current middle pedestrian walkway is located. So that gives you an idea of where the cutoff would be if we believe the concept art.

 

[mickEblu]

If they don’t hurry up and build whatever they re going to build in the backlot this thing is going to turn into a Bluey ride. I’m telling you right now.

 

[Disney Vault]

Has anyone seen the construction that has been going on for weeks at the bus drop-off right off harbor? Not the main transportation hub but the bus area just north of the Uber lyft drop off on harbor. Just curious if this is prep work or something totally different

 

[TomorrowlandWall]

Has anyone seen the construction that has been going on for weeks at the bus drop-off right off harbor? Not the main transportation hub but the bus area just north of the Uber lyft drop off on harbor. Just curious if this is prep work or something totally different

Prep work for when the transportation hub closes next year. They are also moving the lyft and uber drop off area south to the intersection with Disney Way.