AVATAR breaks ground

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Apparently he is deep into research for the sequels which constitutes watching other films and deciding which ones he wants to imitate and rip-off this time so he can then try to pass the new films off as original.

....hope he puts down that blu ray of Pocahontas....

He still should have been there. I wonder if there's drama.

Happy to see Joe, though... I love seeing him. He's so quirky. He got his best faded used-to-be-black jeans on for the occasion! Love that!

 

[gboiler1]

They finally admitted it wasn't a full day park. XD

I think it is meant that the parks will be open past 5 or 6 pm with Avatar, night time show and parade. That's likely what they mean by being a full day park.

 

[Fable McCloud]

I don't give two hoots about Avatar. I want BEASTLY KINGDOM!! Don't give me made up movie junk, I want Mythological creatures that I knew from stories. Dragons (European and Chinese) Chimeras,Pegasus', Sphinxes, Gryphons and Unicorns...I'm just worked up.

Pandora will probably look cool, but the story is almost identical to both Pocahontas and FernGully. Also Dances with Wolves.

I just wish they had given us creatures kids would know instead of referencing a movie that's not been recent for a few years.

::sigh::

 

[northmusic]

Regardless if you're a fan if Avatar or not, I'm sure this project will turn out beautifully (at least based on the concept art). On the bright side, even if Avatar doesn't stand the test of time, they could always re-brand this section Beastly Kingdom at some point

 

[Scuttle]

Scuttle, it is about damn time! Hey, while your up can you get a shot of the DTD mess. to see what is happening over there.

Of course, I always try and get everything if I can. Should be able to get some great photo from 1,000 ft. Even with my crappy camera.

 

[orky8]

I think it is meant that the parks will be open past 5 or 6 pm with Avatar, night time show and parade. That's likely what they mean by being a full day park.

Yeah, it will still be a half-day park, as it needs far more than two attractions to change that. But now, the half-day can be the latter half instead of the front half, and stick around for a night show.

 

[Gabe1]

@marni1971 On Facebook there are TONS of negative responses. Walt Disney World posted the image with a link and I'd say a good half, if not more, are negative views of this project. Inside the Magic (yeah, I know. I know.) has a solid line of negative comments. So do a few others I've glanced at. I don't really have time to read through everything on FB at the moment.

I haven't seen any "WOW!" comments posted yet.

And I still wanna know where James Cameron is and why he isn't there.

Kudos. I've been hearing Disney hype about Avatar for so long already I can't muster up the Wow for a project that isn't suppose to open 'til at least what 2017? I'm too weary from the Great Fantasyland Expansion that still isn't complete regardless of the premature Ribbon Cutting to be Wow'd by yet another Disney project that is slower than a geriatric slug crawling through peanut butter uphill.

 

[Rodan75]

Wow. Totally did not expect any movement on this for a couple of months.

 

[marni1971]

Strange it's buried in the Friday afternoon graveyard news slot.

 

[CTXRover]

Well, I am excited to at least see construction start. The concept art was quite intriguing, so I have hope it will turn out into something unique and special. I just hope the actual rides deliver something new and exciting.

As for James Cameron, isn't he now living in New Zealand and starting filming on Avatar 2,3 and 4? He just announced last month that he was going to be living on a farm down there while working on filming.

Of course, if Avatar 2, 3 or 4 fail at the box office, it will give more fuel to the fire of those who feel this is a bad idea.

 

[wm49rs]

Strange it's buried in the Friday afternoon graveyard news slot.

Or that there wasn't more of a media event....

 

[CTXRover]

Strange it's buried in the Friday afternoon graveyard news slot.

Yea, I thought that was weird too. Wonder why? The release of the concept art was also late Friday/early Saturday.

Perhaps because they know those who are interested (fans) will see it no matter when they release it, while the casual visitor, who may not see it if released on a Friday won't be dismayed to find out that if they want to see anything from this expansion that they should plan their trips for 2017.

 

[danlb_2000]

Can they do that without permits?

This permit would cover some work in that area:

521 W. Savannah Cir (Old FotLK) - Morpho - Area Development Early Package

Just not sure how far they can go without the SFWMD permit.

 

[Figaro928]

I find it funny that they had to build a little pile of dirt to have a "breaking ground" ceremony.

That is so they can plant seeds there & by the time Avatar is done...boom... landscaping trees..

 

[ptaylor]

Strange it's buried in the Friday afternoon graveyard news slot.

I was thinking the same. Disney social media usually reserves Friday night for bad news. Do they perhaps consider AVATAR to be difficult to talk about? Or were they trying to counter the poorly received news that FASTPASS is leaving the Magic Kingdom?

 

[PhilharMagician]

Strange it's buried in the Friday afternoon graveyard news slot.

Ironic huh. Surprised it wasn't dumped out in the middle of the night. Watching the video they all seemed like it was a joke and they were not serious about it at all. Just did not seem like a sincere moment at all.

 

[sshindel]

Facebook is a bloodbath . . . wow.

That is an understatement. Wow.

Not like they are going to make any decisions based on a bunch of people bashing them in the comments to a Facebook post, but they are foolish if they don't at least look at those comments and decide they need a little PR work on this whole shindig in the next few years before it opens.

 

[orky8]

Facebook is a bloodbath . . . wow.

Of the 36 comments showing on my last load at Facebook(there are several hundred more, but I'm not counting that many), only 7 were positive. What separates Disney from Uni? I'll give you a hint, Iger -- it ain't Avatar. Great themed lands is not enough... Uni can do that as well (and these days better). It needs to have Disney magic, which is something corporate Disney can't understand because they don't care for the product. I think Disney has two major flops on their hands. First MM+, and then Avatar. Both will cost considerable sums of money, but do little to boost attendance. I guess time will tell...

 

[JEANYLASER]

I love avatar! This is a great news!

 

[BrightImagine]

I am neutral on the Avatar issue, but after reading some of those Facebook comments I am now rooting for imagineers to create a gorgeous immersive environment that makes people eat their words. It doesn't have to be a great movie to translate into an amazing physical environment.