News Avatar Experience coming to Disneyland Resort

[DrStarlander]

I’ve realized my favorite lands are not necessarily the most exotic or fantastical settings but romanticized versions of cities from a bygone era or lands/areas that are nature focused. At Disneyland that would be New Orleans Square, the Rivers of America and Main Street. At DCA that would be BVS and Grizzly Peak. Liberty Square at MK looks fantastic. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing and pleasant but they feel the most organic and real. They are also the easiest to execute IMO.

So a Zootopia land is pretty much the antithesis of what appeals to me. If no Westcoast World Showcase is coming I’d love to see a London land that showcases Mary Poppins as part of DL Forward. Cobblestone streets, cherry trees and a beautifully manicured park. Plenty of other options to showcase IP like 101 Dalmatians for example.

As far as a third gate for DL I’d much rather see a World Showcase than something like Epic Universe with 4-5 single IP lands. Locals would eat it up literally. Eating and drinking around the world like one big food festival that never ends. As far as attractions maybe Poppins in London, Sleepy Hollow Ichabod Crane in America/ New England, Moana ride in the South Pacific, Frozen in Norway, BatB in France, Encanto in Columbia etc. They definitely need to have some Asian countries too for the food. I think it would be a great way to get all the properties that are missing at DLR and a much better use of land than spending so much space on a few single IP lands.

For the DL and DCA expansions I think they should focus on the Fantasy Springs model. Before Tropical Americas was ever announced I armchair imagineered a South American Fantasy Springs featuring Up, Encanto and Saludos Amigos rides. Then we need a Star Wars coaster somewhere of course which would need to be attached to at least a Star Wars mini land.

Crap, I was just writing all the same stuff, a whole damn essay. Well said.

 

[mickEblu]

Crap, I was just writing all the same stuff, a whole damn essay. Well said.

Thank you!! Still want to see what you were writing.

 

[TheDisneyParksfanC8]

focus on the Fantasy Springs model

This is why the first phase of Simba should be a catch all Disney animation land. with the entry point being a bridge from DCA proper, you would want something that can always be updated and refreshed.

 

[mickEblu]

This is why the first phase of Simba should be a catch all Disney animation land. with the entry point being a bridge from DCA proper, you would want something that can always be updated and refreshed.

What’s the unifying theme for a catch all animation land though? I like that going Fantasy Springs style allows form multiple IP in a consistent and aesthetically pleasant setting. The catch all animation land would have been a great idea for BVS as the entry way to the park that just so happens to be set in Burbank/ Burbank Adjacent which was the birthplace of all these films.

 

[coffeefan]

On today's live Brickey said he thinks it's a possibility that Pandora gets canceled with D'Amaro. He said Zootopia could go in the backlot if that happens. It's just his opinion, so take it with a grain of salt. Also, he said he heard the EGW is moving faster because of the buses.

If it were to be axed, a Villains land would be my choice. Having a heroes land and a villains land neighboring each other would be good thematic balance.

 

[Disney Analyst]

On today's live Brickey said he thinks it's a possibility that Pandora gets canceled with D'Amaro. He said Zootopia could go in the backlot if that happens. It's just his opinion, so take it with a grain of salt. Also, he said he heard the EGW is moving faster because of the buses.

If it were to be axed, a Villains land would be my choice. Having a heroes and villains land next would be good thematic balance.

He’s very wrong. They already reiterated it coming with today’s announcement of delaying monsters closing.

Not sure why these folks like to throw out the most random “opinions”.

 

[mickEblu]

On today's live Brickey said he thinks it's a possibility that Pandora gets canceled with D'Amaro. He said Zootopia could go in the backlot if that happens. It's just his opinion, so take it with a grain of salt. Also, he said he heard the EGW is moving faster because of the buses.

If it were to be axed, a Villains land would be my choice. Having a heroes and villains land next would be good thematic balance.

A Villains land at one of the expansion pads could be cool. Sounds good on paper. I’d want to see how it turns out at MK first though. I like that it would certainly come with a cool coaster.

 

[mickEblu]

He’s very wrong. They already reiterated it coming with today’s announcement of delaying monsters closing.

Not sure why these folks like to throw out the most random “opinions”.

Technically all they said was this won’t delay Avatar. Doesn’t mean Avatar is still going in that location and kind of lines up with we’ve heard recently of Josh wanting them to think bigger with Villains Land. A stretch I know but not impossible. Now if it would even be actually possible to have an Avatar land open on the Simba lot in just 3-4 years I’m not sure.

Edit: oops he said cancelled. No I don’t think Avatar gets cancelled.

 

[coffeefan]

What’s the unifying theme for a catch all animation land though? I like that going Fantasy Springs style allows form multiple IP in a consistent and aesthetically pleasant setting. The catch all animation land would have been a great idea for BVS as the entry way to the park that just so happens to be set in Burbank/ Burbank Adjacent which was the birthplace of all these films.

My idea for DCA Forward would be to make it two lands inspired by the Pacific Ocean, so a "FantaSea Shores" for the iconic Disney flair and an "Azure Mythos" for the legendary tales. Then they could do Lilo & Stitch, Moana, TaleSpin, and Nemo. I think the upcoming Hexed has a Philippines connection, so that would work. And 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, too.

 

[Disney Irish]

I’ve realized my favorite lands are not necessarily the most exotic or fantastical settings but romanticized versions of cities from a bygone era or lands/areas that are nature focused. At Disneyland that would be New Orleans Square, the Rivers of America and Main Street. At DCA that would be BVS and Grizzly Peak. Liberty Square at MK looks fantastic. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing and pleasant but they feel the most organic and real. They are also the easiest to execute IMO.

So a Zootopia land is pretty much the antithesis of what appeals to me. If no Westcoast World Showcase is coming I’d love to see a London land that showcases Mary Poppins as part of DL Forward. Cobblestone streets, cherry trees and a beautifully manicured park. Plenty of other options to showcase IP like 101 Dalmatians for example.

As far as a third gate for DL I’d much rather see a World Showcase than something like Epic Universe with 4-5 single IP lands. Locals would eat it up literally. Eating and drinking around the world like one big food festival that never ends. As far as attractions maybe Poppins in London, Sleepy Hollow Ichabod Crane in America/ New England, Moana ride in the South Pacific, Frozen in Norway, BatB in France, Encanto in Columbia, Aladdin in a Middle Eastern pavilion etc. They definitely need to have some Asian countries too for the food. I think it would be a great way to get all the properties that are missing at DLR and a much better use of land than spending so much space on a few single IP lands.

For the DL and DCA expansions I think they should focus on the Fantasy Springs model. Before Tropical Americas was ever announced I armchair imagineered a South American Fantasy Springs featuring Up, Encanto and Saludos Amigos rides. Then we need a Star Wars coaster somewhere of course which would need to be attached to at least a Star Wars mini land.

Just posted about this but I think a West Coast World Showcase would be a great way to get some of the IP that is missing to DLR. I’d use the DL and DCA expansion plots for more broadly themed lands or fantasy spring style lands. And a couple coasters including but not limited to Star Wars.

Unfortunately I think you live in a bygone era of Disney, and as much as people hope that Josh is going to change things I don’t see a move away from single IP lands. They are just too popular with the general public. But like the overall sentiment.

 

[mickEblu]

Ok but seriously check out all of these comments. 90% of people are saying they don’t want Avatar at DCA. This seems to be most people’s sentiment in general. Does this kind of feedback not give Disney cold feet on investing a billion dollars into this land? Nevermind the clickbait title.

 

[Disney Irish]

Ok but seriously check out all of these comments. 90% of people are saying they don’t want Avatar at DCA. This seems to be most people’s sentiment in general. Does this kind of feedback not give Disney cold feet on investing a billion dollars into this land? Nevermind the clickbait title.

So 300 comments is “most people”? Also comments on a clickbait article of an account that has 300k subs versus an over $6B franchise, which do you think Disney is listening to? Yeah I think Disney isn’t listening to those comments and following the money instead.

 

[Gusey]

FWIW, Dave from fresh baked Disney claims that a source told him basically the preliminary prep work for Simba will be done over this summer. Either way, the timeline for Simba will be revealed in time.

I think that something we could compare Simba lot to in terms of timeline is Fantasy Springs as TDS. Announced in June 2018 after initial prep work had started (remember the Tokyo DisneySky rumours?) and didn't open until June 2024, 8 years later. If that was the OLC that's usually praised for its investments in the Tokyo Parks, Simba Lot would likely have a similar or slightly longer timeframe unfortunately, so probably late 2030s before we start to walk into that area

 

[Disney Analyst]

So 300 comments is “most people”? Also comments on a clickbait article of an account that has 300k subs versus an over $6B franchise, which do you think Disney is listening to? Yeah I think Disney isn’t listening to those comments and following the money instead.

Avatar also has a weird online hate campaign. I dunno if it’s bots… or just people trying to be contrarian, but it’s a thing.

I remember the meltdowns when it was announced for DAK all those years ago. Oh well - it’s coming, and it’ll be pretty spectacular I am sure.

 

[PiratesMansion]

A lot of people don't actually know what they want. That's why we get crap like Avenger's Campus, because people just think "buh buh hurr durr it'd be like cool to have a Super Hero Land & Stuff, I definitely won't get sick of Marvel after 30 movies and 20 TV Shows, let's build a land because Spider-Man is cool!!!111"-and are then surprised it sucks because "Character I like" and "interesting environment" aren't 1:1 all the time.

A Pandora land, or even just a Pandora ride, is way more likely to be actually interesting than things that are thrown around all the time like Monstropolis, Frozen, etc. There's a reason Pandora works like gangbusters in Florida and is reportedly the number one theme park land at WDW at least, according to TouringPlans. Compelling environment=compelling land; compelling environment=a lot of work is done for you.

To me, there is a dearth of surprises in the world more generally, but particularly in theme parks as of late. If we must play in an IP-only sandbox, Avatar is far more likely to actually surprise in a positive way than pretty much anything else they could build IMO.

And I don't care what Brickey thinks, he annoys me. He also had the audacity to say Hollywood Studios was the worst designed Disney park when he's almost certainly been to the crapshow that is the Paris second gate.

 

[Misted Compass]

Unfortunately I think you live in a bygone era of Disney, and as much as people hope that Josh is going to change things I don’t see a move away from single IP lands. They are just too popular with the general public. But like the overall sentiment.

I mean Tropical Americas has multiple IPs, and Villains is more of an overarching theme rather than a single IP. I think we're in the beginning stages of a shift away from single IP lands. Plus it's not like a Colombia land wouldn't just be an Encanto land under a different name, for example.

 

[britain]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Zootopia comes to DCA, but with a different ride system than Shanghai’s for its main attraction.

 

[britain]

I mean Tropical Americas has multiple IPs, and Villains is more of an overarching theme rather than a single IP. I think we're in the beginning stages of a shift away from single IP lands. Plus it's not like a Colombia land wouldn't just be an Encanto land under a different name, for example.

Radiator Springs and Hogwarts/Hogsmede captured lightning in a bottle. What other popular IPs are so tied to a specific, iconic location that can easily translate to a theme park land with naturally occurring weenies, shops and restaurants? Probably BttF, but are there any others?

And don’t say Tattooine. It has iconic nooks and crannies in Mos Eisley but that’s not the same thing. The planet’s two iconic structures are the Lars farm and Jabba’s Palace, both of which are in the middle of nowhere. Not helpful for merch and food.

 

[MK-fan]

A lot of people don't actually know what they want. That's why we get crap like Avenger's Campus, because people just think "buh buh hurr durr it'd be like cool to have a Super Hero Land & Stuff, I definitely won't get sick of Marvel after 30 movies and 20 TV Shows, let's build a land because Spider-Man is cool!!!111"-and are then surprised it sucks because "Character I like" and "interesting environment" aren't 1:1 all the time.

A Pandora land, or even just a Pandora ride, is way more likely to be actually interesting than things that are thrown around all the time like Monstropolis, Frozen, etc. There's a reason Pandora works like gangbusters in Florida and is reportedly the number one theme park land at WDW at least, according to TouringPlans. Compelling environment=compelling land; compelling environment=a lot of work is done for you.

To me, there is a dearth of surprises in the world more generally, but particularly in theme parks as of late. If we must play in an IP-only sandbox, Avatar is far more likely to actually surprise in a positive way than pretty much anything else they could build IMO.

And I don't care what Brickey thinks, he annoys me. He also had the audacity to say Hollywood Studios was the worst designed Disney park when he's almost certainly been to the crapshow that is the Paris second gate.

No, not Brickey!!!!!

I think the original DCA is up there in worst designed parks but yea, no park can compare to Paris Disney Studios

 

[BrianLo]

Hmmm what’s going on here…

View attachment 908523

The timing never made sense to me. The first step is the show buildings and the show buildings need the bus loops and the bus loops need a bridge and alternative guest plaza.

Closing Monster seemed like too early cost savings then a necessity.