AVATAR land construction progress

[doctornick]

Not to be totally contrarian to your point, because I totally agree, AK needs more consistent investment than once a decade.

But, this whole package yields a very solid hour worth of 'attractions', even for the commando visitor. Most visitors will do the night show and they seem to be positioning Kilimanjaro that you are supposed to do it 'twice'. In my opinion at least, the night spectaculars tend to side far more on the attraction column than show for most visitors.

For the less commando visitor it will add multiple hours. Can't help but think of Diagon Alley, which was a fairly break even in terms of ride time once you take away Jaws. It definitely added hours of things for me to do in Universal Studios without even forcefully looking for them.

That said... I'll be disappointed if we wait late until late next decade for AK to get anything else.

I agree for the most park. RoL, the ToL projection show, the night safaris and the rides and general experience of Pandora is a pretty sizable addition to DAK. And are all very welcome. That's surely enough stuff to add at least 2 hours of stuff to experience for most guests at DAK.

Of course, the flip side is that they will probably be extending hours of the park by 4 or 5 hours. I'm not sure they've added "enough" to fill that time for many guests, a lot of whom consider DAK to be a "half day park" to begin with and will probably just shift their time there from morning to evening (a Blizzard Beach AM/DAK PM seems like a logical option if you bring a change of clothes). I'll also point out that DAK lost their daytime parade, so the new offerings have to make up for that in addition to "expanding" the stuff to do; I do think that the park would benefit from some sort of larger scale day time entertainment, like perhaps a water show like Mythica which can reuse some of the infrastructure of RoL.

 

[No Name]

I agree for the most park. RoL, the ToL projection show, the night safaris and the rides and general experience of Pandora is a pretty sizable addition to DAK. And are all very welcome. That's surely enough stuff to add at least 2 hours of stuff to experience for most guests at DAK.

Of course, the flip side is that they will probably be extending hours of the park by 4 or 5 hours. I'm not sure they've added "enough" to fill that time for many guests, a lot of whom consider DAK to be a "half day park" to begin with and will probably just shift their time there from morning to evening (a Blizzard Beach AM/DAK PM seems like a logical option if you bring a change of clothes). I'll also point out that DAK lost their daytime parade, so the new offerings have to make up for that in addition to "expanding" the stuff to do; I do think that the park would benefit from some sort of larger scale day time entertainment, like perhaps a water show like Mythica which can reuse some of the infrastructure of RoL.

Yeah I'd like to see something new as well. But it kind of concerns me that Joe Rohde was moved to work on Marvel projects. First of all, although I know he'll do a great job with whatever he's assigned to do and I'm glad he isn't being shown the door, I really don't think he's a superhero guy. His strength is in worldly, cultural stuff, which is quite the opposite. But this is concerning because it's like the company is saying "yeah we're kind of done with AK for another decade so why don't you go work on something else." It's the same thing they did after Everest, except they moved him to Aulani which was right up his alley. Marvel is an odd choice.

So I don't think there are any plans for AK to get anything new right after Avatar. Of course plans change and I hope they do, but it's more than likely that either Joe Rohde won't be leading the next project or it won't be happening in the next 8 to 10 years.

 

[ToTBellHop]

The construction is far enough away that I don't think it shouldn't be too bad for the animals. I'm more concerned with the park's late hours when Avatar Land opens. Sure, I get that the park was open at night when it was new, but the animals aren't used to a long day like that and it certainly puts more stress on them.

How much of the day do you think giraffes sleep?

They'll be fine. Ever walked around AKL at night?

 

[BrianLo]

Of course, the flip side is that they will probably be extending hours of the park by 4 or 5 hours. I'm not sure they've added "enough" to fill that time for many guests, a lot of whom consider DAK to be a "half day park" to begin with and will probably just shift their time there from morning to evening (a Blizzard Beach AM/DAK PM seems like a logical option if you bring a change of clothes). I'll also point out that DAK lost their daytime parade, so the new offerings have to make up for that in addition to "expanding" the stuff to do; I do think that the park would benefit from some sort of larger scale day time entertainment, like perhaps a water show like Mythica which can reuse some of the infrastructure of RoL.

Agreed. A daytime use for the RoL area is *fortunately* something I could see even lazy TDO getting around to before the end of next decade. It doesn't require a huge investment to pull off and makes more sense operationally than a parade.

From a WDW-wide operational standpoint - guests shifting their AK visit to the afternoon/evening is a real positive. Finally the resort has a fourth gate on board to spread out guests during traditionally the busiest times.

 

[doctornick]

Agreed. A daytime use for the RoL area is *fortunately* something I could see even lazy TDO getting around to before the end of next decade. It doesn't require a huge investment to pull off and makes more sense operationally than a parade.

And to me it doesn't even have to be a huge show (though I'd prefer it of course). Something on the scale of the Electric Water Pageant with a few floats and some music would be cool and they could run it a few times during the day. But if they did a larger scale show like Mythica, it could really help to keep people in the park for the full day which would include spending money on food (and maybe merch)

 

[danlb_2000]

Agreed. A daytime use for the RoL area is *fortunately* something I could see even lazy TDO getting around to before the end of next decade. It doesn't require a huge investment to pull off and makes more sense operationally than a parade.

From a WDW-wide operational standpoint - guests shifting their AK visit to the afternoon/evening is a real positive. Finally the resort has a fourth gate on board to spread out guests during traditionally the busiest times.

DCA does some daytime shows with World of Color, so I could see something like that happening with RoL.

 

[flyerjab]

I agree for the most park. RoL, the ToL projection show, the night safaris and the rides and general experience of Pandora is a pretty sizable addition to DAK. And are all very welcome. That's surely enough stuff to add at least 2 hours of stuff to experience for most guests at DAK.

Of course, the flip side is that they will probably be extending hours of the park by 4 or 5 hours. I'm not sure they've added "enough" to fill that time for many guests, a lot of whom consider DAK to be a "half day park" to begin with and will probably just shift their time there from morning to evening (a Blizzard Beach AM/DAK PM seems like a logical option if you bring a change of clothes). I'll also point out that DAK lost their daytime parade, so the new offerings have to make up for that in addition to "expanding" the stuff to do; I do think that the park would benefit from some sort of larger scale day time entertainment, like perhaps a water show like Mythica which can reuse some of the infrastructure of RoL.

I thought that I recalled some speculation of some type of daytime entertainment in the Pandora expansion. Something about some of the drawings in the background of that first Avatar video that was released at D23 Japan several years back had what looked like Na'vi with drums/instruments or something.

For me, this park is a full 6+ hours now. To add what they are adding completes it as a full day park. I cannot wait for this to come to fruition.

 

[doctornick]

I thought that I recalled some speculation of some type of daytime entertainment in the Pandora expansion. Something about some of the drawings in the background of that first Avatar video that was released at D23 Japan several years back had what looked like Na'vi with drums/instruments or something.

Yes, there was a sign that said "drumming" so there will probably be some sort of entertainment in Pandora. That said, it will likely be more like streetsmosphere than a large scale show. Not that such stuff isn't important or valuable, but they don't tend to draw or keep people in the parks like Illuminations or Wishes or (I would expect) RoL.

 

[phi2134]

They'll certainly use it. Whether it's in the next decade is anyone's guess. There are long term plans for north of Kali but they've sat on them for nearly ten years so there's no obvious rush.
Shanghai isn't a done deal by any stretch. It'll be an interesting story to follow if you can get the real news.

do you think there will be a big spending freeze in Shanghai after it opens?

 

[WildcatDen]

I don't think 10 rides is okay but then the two parks I go to for rides is MK and HS.

Mine are Cedar Point and King's Island.

 

[olie64]

Mine are Cedar Point and King's Island.

I have been to kings island for awhile but only live an hr or so away. May try to talk to the wife into going there this year.

 

[WildcatDen]

I have been to kings island for awhile but only live an hr or so away. May try to talk to the wife into going there this year.

Go on a weekday. No good reason to fight weekend crowds.

 

[olie64]

Go on a weekday. No good reason to fight weekend crowds.

I'm a teacher so in the summer we generally go places during the week.

 

[marni1971]

do you think there will be a big spending freeze in Shanghai after it opens?

After it opens they need to finish it.

 

[RonnieHare]

I agree for the most park. RoL, the ToL projection show, the night safaris and the rides and general experience of Pandora is a pretty sizable addition to DAK. And are all very welcome. That's surely enough stuff to add at least 2 hours of stuff to experience for most guests at DAK.

Of course, the flip side is that they will probably be extending hours of the park by 4 or 5 hours. I'm not sure they've added "enough" to fill that time for many guests, a lot of whom consider DAK to be a "half day park" to begin with and will probably just shift their time there from morning to evening (a Blizzard Beach AM/DAK PM seems like a logical option if you bring a change of clothes). I'll also point out that DAK lost their daytime parade, so the new offerings have to make up for that in addition to "expanding" the stuff to do; I do think that the park would benefit from some sort of larger scale day time entertainment, like perhaps a water show like Mythica which can reuse some of the infrastructure of RoL.

Extending hours doesn't just mean people will use time elsehwhere. Most people tend to come late in the morning, and having to have them out the park in 6-7 hours isn't great. The longer people stay in the park, the more they are likely to eat, sit down restaurants, drink, spend, etc

If they are out of your park, and not staying onsite you've lost that spend.

 

[Jeff2017]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum. My family and I want to plan a trip to Disney next year however we are waiting to see when Avatar Land will be open. Now I did not read through all 178 posts but I wasn't sure if anyone had and info on expected opening dates or if anything has even been released. Any info would be great!!

 

[olie64]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum. My family and I want to plan a trip to Disney next year however we are waiting to see when Avatar Land will be open. Now I did not read through all 178 posts but I wasn't sure if anyone had and info on expected opening dates or if anything has even been released. Any info would be great!!

Im newer but from what I have got from it could possibly be by Spring but more likely should be by fall.

 

[twebber55]

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Hello everyone, I am new to the forum. My family and I want to plan a trip to Disney next year however we are waiting to see when Avatar Land will be open. Now I did not read through all 178 posts but I wasn't sure if anyone had and info on expected opening dates or if anything has even been released. Any info would be great!!

ll think it will be in the spring at the latest maybe May

 

[skimbob]

I am excited about ROL but it will change the logistics of when to visit a park. I normally go to AK first thing and then leave by 2 for a nap. I will definitely have to plan to go back later in the day or park hop with another park and visit AK two times in a trip. As for adding additional rides I would rip out the tacky carnival rides over by Dinosaur and build something like Jungle Book there.

 

[Flippin'Flounder]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum. My family and I want to plan a trip to Disney next year however we are waiting to see when Avatar Land will be open. Now I did not read through all 178 posts but I wasn't sure if anyone had and info on expected opening dates or if anything has even been released. Any info would be great!!

To be safe, I'd suggest Fall. It will most likely be out before Summer, but Disney is much more enjoyable when it's not hot and crowded