Avatar construction aerial updates

[George]

This is where I chime in to point out that the "leaked plans" date to a period before final agreement and approval of the project. It was reported that Cameron and Disney had trouble agreeing on a final plan for the project -- so it's entirely possible that aspects of the plan were changed between the leaked plans and the final greenlit project. Given the circumstance, it's not that improbably that Cameron's folk demanded some changes to make things more impressive before signing off on them.

In general, I would rarely expect Disney on their own to "upgrade" a ride to something more expensive during the planning stage, but the presence of Cameron is a different dynamic from a typical WDI situation.

So much trouble in fact that during the initial leaked plan ogling phase there were rumors from the insider bigwigs that the land went from 3 rides (current rides plus bike coaster) to one ride with the whole land on the chopping block and Joe Rohde possibly looking for a job, to the two rides that were in the plan all along.

 

[Cesar R M]

I hope there is some sort of trail as well. At a minimum, I'd expect to see a M&G of some sort.

Also, regarding the coaster... it's unclear where exactly it would have gone, but that southern part of the land is going to be taken up by a power station apparently. That doesn't mean that there isn't some land available as an expansion pad, but it's probably not as large as you propose on the drawing.

Edit: Also, I think your drawing is probably pretty much spot on, but we'll probably also see some merch near the rides (at the exit?) and I think they'll be at least a snack bar if not a regular quick serve near the rides.

if they go cheap, I can imagine a navi made of plastic, like those fixed cars props at DHS.

also, I am at WDW and in route to animal kingdom lodge. I manage d to catch these images of the construction.

sorry for bad image, it was in the DME on route to AKL using a phone

 

[marni1971]

Is anyone a bit concerned about the boat rides potential lack of ambition?

Yes.

 

[Cesar R M]

just and update, I rade again the bus today again in the morning and they added like 10 more steel beams to the right construction.
Not sure if they are building faster now.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

just and update, I rade again the bus today again in the morning and they added like 10 more steel beams to the right construction.
Not sure if they are building faster now.

Sneak in and get some pictures of the structure have fun at AKL - we love it there

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

if they go cheap, I can imagine a navi made of plastic, like those fixed cars props at DHS.

also, I am at WDW and in route to animal kingdom lodge. I manage d to catch these images of the construction.

View attachment 82688
sorry for bad image, it was in the DME on route to AKL using a phone

It looks like the steel structure is above the tree line - maybe not??

 

[Cesar R M]

It looks like the steel structure is above the tree line - maybe not??

it is. You can see it easily on the overpass for AKL

 

[PorterRedkey]

This is very possible. It's also remotely possible that they "upgraded" the boat ride from a smaller C ticket ride to what is currently being built. I know, I know, that never happens at WDW. Maybe Cameron wanted more meat to the land, maybe Staggs pulled a Mine Train and suggested a change. Who knows. Either way the foundation for the boat ride looks substantially bigger than the leaked plans.

I know at one point there was a rumor that the boat ride was going to be pushed back so it could be "upgraded". I remember a lot of people here getting upset about this because they thought the boat ride ride was being pushed to phase 2, and we know how often phase 2 happens as planned. I can remember was prompted this rumor.
Does anyone else remember this?

I really hope it is being upgraded, I am looking forward to it more than the flying screen-based ride, although I think it will be fun too.

 

[twebber55]

I know at one point there was a rumor that the boat ride was going to be pushed back so it could be "upgraded". I remember a lot of people here getting upset about this because they thought the boat ride ride was being pushed to phase 2, and we know how often phase 2 happens as planned. I can remember was prompted this rumor.
Does anyone else remember this?

I really hope it is being upgraded, I am looking forward to it more than the flying screen-based ride, although I think it will be fun too.

just a rumor...opening at the same time

 

[twebber55]

if they go cheap, I can imagine a navi made of plastic, like those fixed cars props at DHS.

also, I am at WDW and in route to animal kingdom lodge. I manage d to catch these images of the construction.

View attachment 82688
sorry for bad image, it was in the DME on route to AKL using a phone

this image makes it look like the E ticket is topped off

 

[EdC]

this image makes it look like the E ticket is topped off

It more than likely is. Looked like that about 2 weeks ago from the same spot.

Also Tom, you were saying the stairwell being in the middle of the building may mean that the plan changed. It looks like there are footings for upper floors to the south of the larger show building. It's still technically possible the stairwell is there for inclement weather protection versus outside the tilt-up walls.

It just means the back side may have steel exposed supports for the upper floors like this:

 

[George]

Yes.

Do you know something or are you just concerned?

 

[George]

I know at one point there was a rumor that the boat ride was going to be pushed back so it could be "upgraded". I remember a lot of people here getting upset about this because they thought the boat ride ride was being pushed to phase 2, and we know how often phase 2 happens as planned. I can remember was prompted this rumor.
Does anyone else remember this?

I really hope it is being upgraded, I am looking forward to it more than the flying screen-based ride, although I think it will be fun too.

I remember that.

 

[flyerjab]

Do you know something or are you just concerned?

I believe his concern is centered around the length of the boat ride. There are those hoping that the boat ride would be similar in lenght to PotC but I think that it can be ascertained from the overhead shots that it most certainly will not be that long of a ride.

For me, while I wish it would be a 15 minute boat ride, it will end up being whatever it has been finally determined to be. I have said before that every ride in every park could always be better/longer/more advanced/etc. than its final incarnation. I don't get hung up on that. I simply judge the final product.

Also, regarding the popularity of the subsequent Avatar movies, I personally hope that Cameron knocks it out of the park again. The more successful the film franchise is, the more cache he gets to go back to Disney and push for additions to the Avatar property on site.

 

[GoofGoof]

Do we know for sure that the boat ride won't leave the base that's currently laid out? The cement slab we are assuming will be the boat ride looks pretty big to me. Can someone with "mad skills" try to paste the IASW and/or Pirates show buildings over the current construction layout? I would do it myself but I suck at that sorta thing.

 

[meyeet]

Do we know for sure that the boat ride won't leave the base that's currently laid out? The cement slab we are assuming will be the boat ride looks pretty big to me. Can someone with "mad skills" try to paste the IASW and/or Pirates show buildings over the current construction layout? I would do it myself but I suck at that sorta thing.

It was done back on page 34:

Dunno if this is what you were after, but here goes...

Pandora in MK

It's a Small World scale in Pandora

Under The Sea incl. queue and grotto scale in Pandora

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train scale in Pandora

You can roughly fill Pandora with 8x It's a Small World (minus queue)

 

[twebber55]

Do we know for sure that the boat ride won't leave the base that's currently laid out? The cement slab we are assuming will be the boat ride looks pretty big to me. Can someone with "mad skills" try to paste the IASW and/or Pirates show buildings over the current construction layout? I would do it myself but I suck at that sorta thing.

if you include what i think will be the outside portion it will be slightly smaller...
im guessing around an 6/7 minute ride or so something similar to POTC

 

[doctornick]

Do we know for sure that the boat ride won't leave the base that's currently laid out? The cement slab we are assuming will be the boat ride looks pretty big to me. Can someone with "mad skills" try to paste the IASW and/or Pirates show buildings over the current construction layout? I would do it myself but I suck at that sorta thing.

Looking at the pictures and comparing them to the current concrete slap, the IASW show building is larger than the Pandora boat ride slab, but it's not a massive difference. The Pandora boat ride is maybe 80-85% the size of the IASW building. IASW at the MK is around 12-13 minutes in ride time, no?

I'm expecting the boat ride to be in the 8-10 minute length, which should be good -- and much needed -- in terms of immersion. I think it will be more (MK's) POTC than Maelstrom. I personally would be fine if it was entirely indoors especially if having an outdoor portion would cause the ride to close during rain.

 

[twebber55]

Looking at the pictures and comparing them to the current concrete slap, the IASW show building is larger than the Pandora boat ride slab, but it's not a massive difference. The Pandora boat ride is maybe 80-85% the size of the IASW building. IASW at the MK is around 12-13 minutes in ride time, no?

I'm expecting the boat ride to be in the 8-10 minute length, which should be good -- and much needed -- in terms of immersion. I think it will be more (MK's) POTC than Maelstrom. I personally would be fine if it was entirely indoors especially if having an outdoor portion would cause the ride to close during rain.

im betting the outdoor portion is covered by floating mtns.... something like this

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

I believe his concern is centered around the length of the boat ride. There are those hoping that the boat ride would be similar in lenght to PotC but I think that it can be ascertained from the overhead shots that it most certainly will not be that long of a ride.

For me, while I wish it would be a 15 minute boat ride, it will end up being whatever it has been finally determined to be. I have said before that every ride in every park could always be better/longer/more advanced/etc. than its final incarnation. I don't get hung up on that. I simply judge the final product.

Also, regarding the popularity of the subsequent Avatar movies, I personally hope that Cameron knocks it out of the park again. The more successful the film franchise is, the more cache he gets to go back to Disney and push for additions to the Avatar property on site.

I remember seeing interviews with Cameron exploring the Oceans like no one has before. I hope Cameron tops each movie when released the next three years.