News Avatar Experience coming to Disneyland Resort

[mickEblu]

I think with how long this project has been in the works (February 2023 being the first mention) there isn't much chance that this is getting cancelled. Not only did they reiterate Avatar was still coming when they announced Monsters, the last time they cancelled a major project like this due to a lukewarm fan reaction was Disney Adventure World's Star Wars Land, which was cancelled internally in 2021, 3 years after first announced. Also Avatar at DCA is almost the last project Iger has been championing, other than Abu Dhabi, so feels like something he's been pushing for and it would be a big shock to cancel it as soon as he's officially on the way out

And he’s gone in less than a month so seems like that wouldn’t be an issue. I wouldn’t bet on it being cancelled just yet but I don’t think it’s outside of the realm of possibility. Seems like something is up. In other words, I wouldn’t be shocked if we eventually get the news.

 

[Disney Irish]

To get back on topic I don’t think it’s outside of the realm of possibility that Avatar is moving locations, is in limbo or just being cancelled. I get the sense they are trying to buy time postponing Monsters Inc’s closure while they figure out what they want to do. Not sure I buy the reason they gave of wanting to keep another family attraction open for guests. That’s just a byproduct of what’s happening behind the scenes and how they re trying to sell it. The amount of negativity online towards this Avatar project is startling and I can’t imagine that it goes unnoticed when preparing to spend a billion dollars on a land/ attraction.

I think it would it would be a shame if it was cancelled because there is so much potential and that when considering the alternatives there are few aesthetics/ settings or attractions that I would find more appealing. Granted, would Zootopia or Monsters fit better in that location? Sure. If they come to the conclusion they could spend half the amount on a Monsters Inc coaster for example and people would be happier why wouldn’t they do it? And here’s the kicker- Zootopia and Monsters sell way more merch than Avatar.

Except if that was the case why publicly acknowledge that Avatar is still happening, and that timelines aren't being affected by Monsters remaining open a year? If it was in limbo or being cancelled, or even being moved wouldn't you think that they wouldn't say anything about Avatar and just announced that Monsters is remaining open until 2027?

So to me it just seems like they really just wanted to keep the attraction open longer for capacity reason, and that is it, Occam's Razor and all.

 

[mickEblu]

Except if that was the case why publicly acknowledge that Avatar is still happening, and that timelines aren't being affected by Monsters remaining open a year? If it was in limbo or being cancelled, or even being moved wouldn't you think that they wouldn't say anything about Avatar and just announced that Monsters is remaining open until 2027?

So to me it just seems like they really just wanted to keep the attraction open longer for capacity reason, and that is it, Occam's Razor and all.

I dunno - the embarrassment of walking back something you announced publicly multiple times? If it’s in limbo (and not cancelled or close to being cancelled) than it’s pretty self explanatory why they would say those things.

 

[coffeefan]

To get back on topic I don’t think it’s outside of the realm of possibility that Avatar is moving locations, is in limbo or just being cancelled. I get the sense they are trying to buy time postponing Monsters Inc’s closure while they figure out what they want to do. Not sure I buy the reason they gave of wanting to keep another family attraction open for guests. That’s just a byproduct of what’s happening behind the scenes and how they re trying to sell it. The amount of negativity online towards this Avatar project is startling and I can’t imagine that it goes unnoticed when preparing to spend a billion dollars on a land/ attraction.

I think it would it would be a shame if it was cancelled because there is so much potential and that when considering the alternatives there are few aesthetics/ settings or attractions that I would find more appealing. Granted, would Zootopia or Monsters fit better in that location? Sure. If they come to the conclusion they could spend half the amount on a Monsters Inc coaster for example and people would be happier why wouldn’t they do it? And here’s the kicker- Zootopia and Monsters sell way more merch than Avatar.

It's not impossible. But if it were to happen a Monsters Inc. coaster would be better saved for a reimagined Pixar Pier. Monstropolis doesn't need to be a park land at DCA (it works better for DHS).

The backlot should then be for Villains or X-Men. The Strip for SW, BP or more Marvel.

 

[mickEblu]

It's not impossible. But if it were to happen a Monsters Inc. coaster would be better saved for a reimagined Pixar Pier. Monstropolis doesn't need to be a park land at DCA (it works better for DHS).

The backlot should then be for Villains or X-Men. The Strip for SW, BP or more Marvel.

I don’t think you have enough room there for Villains. I think Villains would have to go in Simba or DL’s expansion pad.

 

[Disney Irish]

I dunno - the embarrassment of walking back something you announced publicly multiple times? If it’s in limbo (and not cancelled or close to being cancelled) than it’s pretty self explanatory why they would say those things.

If its embarrassment you just don't say anything, you don't double down and re-acknowledge, ie reconfirm its coming with no timeline change.

 

[mickEblu]

If its embarrassment you just don't say anything, you don't double down and re-acknowledge, ie reconfirm its coming with no timeline change.

Maybe. Maybe not. But I think something is going on. I don’t think it’s been outright cancelled yet. I think they might be reevaluating their plans though which could mean a cancellation down the road and it being replaced with something else in the backlot. Cancelling it sounds more realistic than moving it for a bigger, better Avatar land that “nobody” seems to want.

 

[Disney Irish]

Maybe. Maybe not. But I think something is going on. I don’t think it’s been outright cancelled yet. I think they might be reevaluating their plans though which could mean a cancellation down the road and it being replaced with something else in the backlot. Cancelling it sounds more realistic than moving it for a bigger, better Avatar land that “nobody” seems to want.

I might be able to buy a reevaluation to make it bigger like they are doing for Villains, but an outright cancellation or even moving to another location (thus delaying it) no. They wouldn’t say what they said of that was the case, they just wouldn’t say anything at all.

Also this idea that “nobody” wants this is also pretty flimsy. A few comments on social media is not “everyone”.

This all seems more like wishful thinking because you’ve always wanted the area for Monstropolis and your Monsters coaster.

 

[mickEblu]

I might be able to buy a reevaluation to make it bigger like they are doing for Villains, but and outright cancellation or even moving no.

Also this idea that “nobody” wants this is also pretty flimsy. A few comments on social media is not “everyone”.

This all seems more like wishful thinking because you’ve always wanted the area for Monstropolis and your Monsters coaster.

It’s not a few comments. It’s the majority.

I would find the silver lining in a Monsters Inc coaster going there but I’d prefer Avatar. Ideally it would be Avatar in Simba and Monsters in the backlot/ bus transpo.

 

[Nirya]

I think it's pretty clear that Monster's Inc is staying open longer because they reevaluated what they needed for the EGW and realized they could delay closing that ride another year as a result.

As-is, I would expect Avatar to be 2030 at the earliest, no matter how optimistic they want to pretend to be.

 

[Disney Irish]

It’s not a few comments. It’s the majority.

I would find the silver lining in a Monsters Inc coaster going there but I’d prefer Avatar.

Come on man, majority? You’re reaching. A few thousand comments isn’t even 1% of monthly guests to DLR.

 

[mickEblu]

Come on man, majority? You’re reaching. A few thousand comments isn’t even 1% of monthly guests to DLR.

Go on any YT video, any post on social media and the majority of comments are negative. They may not be the normies but they re more normie than those of us here who seem to be excited for Avatar even if some question the fit in that location. But overall I sense an indifference with Avatar. More people are getting excited for the D ticket Coco boat ride.

 

[coffeefan]

I don’t think you have enough room there for Villains. I think Villains would have to go in Simba or DL’s expansion pad.

It's at least big enough for a Villains boat ride and a small attraction, like a Villains show. If it's popular the Strip is there for expansion.

 

[coffeefan]

Maybe. Maybe not. But I think something is going on. I don’t think it’s been outright cancelled yet. I think they might be reevaluating their plans though which could mean a cancellation down the road and it being replaced with something else in the backlot. Cancelling it sounds more realistic than moving it for a bigger, better Avatar land that “nobody” seems to want.

Another option is Pandora stays, but the budget gets reduced. So a lose-lose.

 

[mickEblu]

Another option is Pandora stays, but the budget gets reduced. So a lose-lose.

Yeah definitely a worst case scenario

 

[Disney Irish]

Go on any YT video, any post on social media and the majority of comments are negative. They may not be the normies but they re more normie than those of us here who seem to be excited for Avatar even if some question the fit in that location. But overall I sense an indifference with Avatar. More people are getting excited for the D ticket Coco boat ride.

Again the amount of comments is a very low percentage compared to how many go to the Resort. So while it might be the “majority” of comments that is not the majority of guests. Positive commenters aren’t really a thing in these type of cases, social media is a hive of negativity and doesn’t represent reality.

And as has been said there is a real “hate” campaign for Avatar in general on social media.

 

[coffeefan]

Go on any YT video, any post on social media and the majority of comments are negative. They may not be the normies but they re more normie than those of us here who seem to be excited for Avatar even if some question the fit in that location. But overall I sense an indifference with Avatar. More people are getting excited for the D ticket Coco boat ride.

I wouldn't say those people are more normal than us. I think the majority of us have self-awareness.
I'm making generalities, but the YT/SM fandom are more likely hardcore Disney IP-only crowd. They likely felt the same when Indy and SW were added to DL.

 

[Disney Irish]

Another option is Pandora stays, but the budget gets reduced. So a lose-lose.

Cameron would make sure that doesn’t happen.

 

[D.Silentu]

I was thrown off by "generic" since it's extremely "specific" (versus, the Disneyland train station which is more "generic") And neither word is meant as a substitute for "effective" or "good" or "successful" or anything. Just whether the design is adhering to or representing an architectural style or type of building generally, versus a particular historic building.

I see what you mean, I could’ve chosen my words better. Generic popped into my head because Deco architecture is so prevalent in Southern California. Until reading this thread it had slipped my mind that the entrance was supposed to evoke a specific theater. As you’ve gathered, I don’t care for the entrance and believe it lacks character.

 

[coffeefan]

Cameron would make sure that doesn’t happen.

Yeah, and it would be a difficult conflict for a new CEO to navigate. Especially one that who's biggest criticism is not having Hollywood experience.