AVATAR land coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom

[toolsnspools]

This is exactly what AK needed. They could have added another land of animals, but that would have just driven them further into the "the park that's just a zoo" direction. This gives them the ability to be endlessly creative. I can only start to imagine the possibilities for a night-time show in this land. I can see WOC on steroids already. Finally, being a full day theme park is in AKs future. :sohappy:

 

[S.E.A.]

It won't be another planet...it will be a training platform to prep you for your journey to Pandora.

:drevil:

:ROFLOL:

really though, I love that Avatar is gonna be in a disney park, it makes so much sense since i think Avatar is very Disney-like in its feel. It's very optimistic and family friendly. I just don't think it'll work with a park like animal kingdom where the theme is very specific.

 

[JustInTime]

This would be the perfect opportunity for Disney to finally include an inverted coaster in one of its parks! (Something along the lines of Great Bear at Hershey Park or Montu at Busch Gardens, Tampa) Disney can definitely capitalize on this movie franchise. In fact, I think Avatar will stand the test of time longer than Harry Potter. We don't know what the plans for this land are, but I'm assuming you'll enjoy it all the same even if you haven't seen the movie(s). The theme doesn't fit perfectly with the traditional AK that we know today, but Disney will definitely make it work, and this sounds like just the thing AK needs to become a full-day park.

Dumbest thing I have ever heard.

 

[disneypearl]

Well, I guess I will have an open mind about this. I would love to be excited about this but I really am not. I wish so badly I was. I will try to keep an open mind, I really will. I have not seen Avatar and I admit this. I haven't wanted to see it. My perception of the movie is that as just a lot of hype that gave a lot of people headaches at the theater. It seemed like people loved it or hated it. I need to form my own opinion and will get the dvd if it is available at the stores. I want to be a person who loves the movie now. I do believe that the theming could be breathtaking. Is Avatar out on dvd?

 

[disneyonmymind]

I think this is a great move on Disney's part. It seems as if the focus is going to be on themeing and environment, something Avatar has more than enough of regardless of plot. Think about it, how relevant is Twilight Zone, or Aerosmith, or Song of the South for that matter? Are they still not great themes for some of the parks most popular attractions? These themes were all picked for the possibilities associated with them, which makes me nothing but excited for the world Disney will create.

 

[S.E.A.]

Well, I guess I will have an open mind about this. I would love to be excited about this but I really am not. I wish so badly I was. I will try to keep an open mind, I really will. I have not seen Avatar and I admit this. I haven't wanted to see it. My perception of the movie is that as just a lot of hype that gave a lot of people headaches at the theater. It seemed like people loved it or hated it. I need to form my own opinion and will get the dvd if it is available at the stores. I want to be a person who loves the movie now. I do believe that the theming could be breathtaking. Is Avatar out on dvd?

it's been on dvd for a while, catch it on netflix. James Cameron is usually better with his sequels so I'm hoping the next one will be better.

I'm wondering how they will have the guests entering the land? Maybe a big 3d simulator that flies you off to Pandora would be great.

 

[Captain Neo]

According to old Jim Hill articles, back in the early 00s Disney intended to add a Harry Potter land to DAK complete with a care of magical creatures class when that fell through they looked into basing it on LOTR and the ill fated Reign of Fire "franchise". Finally, it looks like Avatar has been selected.

 

[FigmentJedi]

In fact, I think Avatar will stand the test of time longer than Harry Potter.

[YOUTUBE]NWJlGwJqVlk[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Figment571]

I've been reading through all of this and I don't really feel that Avatar belongs in Ak. Whether it belongs in another park, well y'all can argue over that, but I do think that this is a somewhat short sighted decision by Disney.

Animal Kingdom is firmly rooted in Earth, from the mythical creatures that were thought at some point to inhabit it to the animals that surround us today. Throwing in this sci fi world set in the far distant future throws the balance off completely and destroys the park's themeing overall.

One may argue that bringing in mythical creatures would do the same but dragoons, unicorns and fairies have long been a part of human tradition in relation to the natural world. So far as to even be considered real and among us.

Some have pointed out that by this argument Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama does not fit, and I agree with that, it is a stain on the park and its themeing. Bringing in Avatar only further deconstructs the original intention and idea of the park. Earth.

Also in terms of the long term even with two sequels I don't see Avatar being a franchise that has staying power. The movie made a lot of money sure but you don't see a large fan base that is constantly talking about it or purchasing merchandise based on it.

Say what you will about the Harry Potter movies, but Harry has become a literary icon whose story will continually be read by people all over the world. Avatar was a flash in the pan, it made a lot of money then faded into the subconscious of the general public. Its story was shallow and it was purely a visual spectacle.

Just look at it this way in 10 years do you think people will be more likely to talk about Harry Potter or Avatar.

I do think that if it is built, it will look stunning, but I just can't seem to say I like or support this idea.

 

[rkelly42]

First I would like to say that I am really excited about this news, can not wait till we start seeing some concept art. Second I could not believe how fast this thread blew up, 70 pages in less than a day, to say the least I did not make it through all the entries.

 

[tl77]

:shrug: first off, I don't get see how you could turn Avatar into a whole land, but if they do, I just hope they make all the Avatar stuff easy to remove from the park

 

[FigmentJedi]

First I would like to say that I am really excited about this news, can not wait till we start seeing some concept art. Second I could not believe how fast this thread blew up, 70 pages in less than a day, to say the least I did not make it through all the entries.

Well Disney did basically start a troll thread.

 

[Prototype82]

:shrug: first off, I don't get see how you could turn Avatar into a whole land, but if they do, I just hope they make all the Avatar stuff easy to remove from the park

DUDE. WHY??? It fits the bill perfectly...

 

[EvanAnderson]

I'm interested to see the "new technology" they'll be rolling out for the attractions. It could make for an outstanding dark ride, however they can't use the Spiderman technology or Kuka arms, so I'm not sure what else they could do. Maybe a mixture of some of their older attractions? If all else fails, maybe it'll just be a heavily themed coaster.

 

[Bairstow]

I've been reading through all of this and I don't really feel that Avatar belongs in Ak. Whether it belongs in another park, well y'all can argue over that, but I do think that this is a somewhat short sighted decision by Disney.

Animal Kingdom is firmly rooted in Earth, from the mythical creatures that were thought at some point to inhabit it to the animals that surround us today. Throwing in this sci fi world set in the far distant future throws the balance off completely and destroys the park's themeing overall.

Um,

One may argue that bringing in mythical creatures would do the same but dragoons, unicorns and fairies have long been a part of human tradition in relation to the natural world. So far as to even be considered real and among us.

Some have pointed out that by this argument Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama does not fit, and I agree with that, it is a stain on the park and its themeing. Bringing in Avatar only further deconstructs the original intention and idea of the park. Earth.

You're deliberately ignoring not only the NAME of the park, but also inventing thematic rules that didn't exist until you arbitarily decided to exclude fantasy animals that aren't "old enough".

Also in terms of the long term even with two sequels I don't see Avatar being a franchise that has staying power. The movie made a lot of money sure but you don't see a large fan base that is constantly talking about it or purchasing merchandise based on it.

Say what you will about the Harry Potter movies, but Harry has become a literary icon whose story will continually be read by people all over the world. Avatar was a flash in the pan, it made a lot of money then faded into the subconscious of the general public. Its story was shallow and it was purely a visual spectacle.

Even assuming that history will prove you right, and that Avatar was just a "flash in the pan" it was one hell of a flash. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_films

Everything you say about Avatar not having a good story is both true and also irrelevant.
When optioning a themed property for a theme park, the question is never "does it have a good story?" but "Does this property introduce a world that theme park guests would like to visit?"
That's why Honey I Shrunk the Kids and Jurassic Park make excellent basis for theme park areas but Citizen Kane or The Grapes of Wrath never will.
That there are properties that have both good stories and interesting themed worlds, like Star Wars or Harry Potter is not controlling.

Consider The Twilight Zone, for instance. The attraction works because it captures the vibe and tone of the TV series, yet the ride does not owe a single bit of credit to the various storylines of the shows episodes, many of which were and still are commendable literary works with compelling characters and enduring themes.

While attractions and perhaps entire parks can be used to tell stories, the proper approach to themed attractions is to try and impart experiences and create interesting environments, and it by these criteria that optioned property should be judged.

 

[Disneyfanman]

I loved the movie, not so much for its story but for the incredible immersive experience. I saw it three times, each in a different style of projection and then again when it came out with added scenes. It was the first time that I felt like I was taken away into a movie since the first Star Wars back in the 70's.

Looking at that, it's exactly the same way that I feel when I visit the parks. I am swept away into another world. This is EXACTLY the right kind of fit for the Disney experience. In fact, I can't imagine a better one. There is no book, no source material other than a film. It's absolutely perfect.

I know some people didn't like the film. It doesn't matter if the execution is as good as Disney can do it. Does it fit in the AK............? If they do it right than sure. James Cameron will demand for a high reach and an attention to detail that will be challenging and expensive.

I know a bunch of people that don't like Harry Potter. It doesn't make the experience that Universal built unpopular of poorly done.

This is bold, big, and potentially really cool.

Way to go.

 

[Prototype82]

I still think at the end of the day, this land will only make this a 3/4 day park.

I still think there needs to be a new land (in the far future of course), that provides a few more dark rides, and some e-tickets. Because right now I can count the amount of attractions on my hands.

But no doubt this will be a HUGE step forward for AK. HUGE.

Despite its need for attractions, I always spend a full day there. But that's just me...

 

[Captain Chaos]

yeah i saw it twice, i gave it a fair shot. I can definitively say that I didn't like it that doesn't mean I don't think it should be the focus of a theme park attraction. I've said numerous times that I would not mind it going to any of the other parks.

and i've already explained numerous times why it shouldn't go into Animal Kingdom you're all too focused on how wrong I am with everything to really think. I'm not calling the other people out because you all keep singling me out, so I have to respond to your replies and so far all you keep saying is "it's about conservation!" that's still not a definitive theme that fits with the the theme and story of Animal Kingdom as a whole.




if an idea like conservation could pass off as a theme then why not build a red cross attraction? or a Global Warming attraction? You can't just connect two different properties together just because they share the same idea.

Red Cross is not about conservation, it is about helping people in a crisis situation, hardly a theme... Global Warming can be linked to energy and conserving energy and would fit in the Universe of Energy pavilion... and Global Warming isn't a theme... it is the result of actions taken by man on Earth... ENERGY would be the theme, not the subject of Global Warming...

Your arguments are really losing any kind of luster... Not that they had luster before... I called yoru arguments silly before... they are even sillier (or is it more silly???) now...

You continue to argue that Avatar does not fit the theme because conservation isn't a theme and Avatar isn't about animals... You and someone else here refernce the theme park name DISNEYS ANIMAL KINGDOM.. Yet, you defend Aladdin in DisneySEA... the theme park name is DISNEY SEA, and yet Aladdin has nothing to o with the sea.. Ohh wait, Disney produced Aladdin, that's right.. so it fits despite being a movie that took place in a desert, no where by the SEA.. yep, fits perfectly to the SEA theme...

And tell me you aren't serious about your last sentence?? You cannot connect two different properties because they share the same theme?? Please, tell me you are joking... please???

Seriously, for your sake, give it up, give it a rest... You can't even form coherent thoughts anymore... LOL..

 

[FigmentJedi]

You continue to argue that Avatar does not fit the theme because conservation isn't a theme and Avatar isn't about animals... You and someone else here refernce the theme park name DISNEYS ANIMAL KINGDOM.. Yet, you defend Aladdin in DisneySEA... the theme park name is DISNEY SEA, and yet Aladdin has nothing to o with the sea.. Ohh wait, Disney produced Aladdin, that's right.. so it fits despite being a movie that took place in a desert, no where by the SEA.. yep, fits perfectly to the SEA theme...

Except Arabian Coast's main attraction is Sinbad the Sailor

 

[zooey]

I'm honestly devastated by this. I can deal with NOT visiting this stupid land when it eventually opens, but it just shows how out of touch the Disney company is with their base. They have no idea what we want, and more so, they want to force this garbage on us. They want to appeal to boys with a PG-13 movie about blue aliens who have ______ with their hair. Just appalling. I don't see this happening as they presented it today. How can they be so stupid? How can they be so out of touch? They could put that money into beastly kingdom or another one of their own properties, or South America, or Australia, and they give us this trash! Something nobody wanted. The gall.