dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
I thought many of the changes to the Tree of Life, were actually made quite a while ago. At night. Top secret.
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AVATAR land - the specifics
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
G00fyDad
Well-Known Member
I thought many of the changes to the Tree of Life, were actually made quite a while ago. At night. Top secret.
While that is quite possibly what really happened, I thought the reason for the refurb on the ToL was because a branch had fallen and TDO was afraid that the tree would hurt/kill a guest if left alone. I thought they gave the branches a good "once-over". They very well could have done what you are talking about, but why at night? Wouldn't that make the tedious job of replacing every leaf too dangerous and cumbersome to do at night in the low light?
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Did they ever give an original estimated opening, or any sources on here confirm an original target window for opening? I too can't imagine it taking that long, or at least hope it doesn't.
I had asked about this a while back in the RoL thread. I would think that this would be quite a tedious task, one that would require lots of wiring within the leaves and branches that I would assume isn't already there. Not saying it couldn't be done, and even if at night, I would think we would have noticed if they had started this. As it was discussed in the other thread, with the latest video or pics released about the show, it looked to me like this may have changed to projections onto the tree instead of replacing all the leaves. Possible budget cuts maybe?
hpyhnt 1000
Well-Known Member
Excellent point on this. The blank screen simply won't do for this attraction. It would completely take you out of the attraction.
This has to be themed along the lines of the Hogwarts Express at Uni or the Tree of Life and It's Tough to Be a Bug at AK. In each case, great care was taken to make you feel like you are somewhere else. For HE, the screens in the windows are never blank; when you first board, they show a brick wall with steam rising in front, then street views of London before finally transitioning to the actual attraction. For ITTBAB, the entire queue and holding area makes you feel like you've been shrunk to the size of a bug. Even the theater itself works to complete the illusion you are in a giant tree. And you never see the edge of a screen. Flight of Passage needs to emulate the designs of these attractions.
It simply will not work to walk from this:
into this:
Agree actually. The feet are annoying!
Suspension of belief is easy at Soarin' due to the nature and theme of the attraction. It's in a section of a theme park that showcases distinct, unrelated experiences rather than immersion in one cohesive narrative. In other words, it is very easy to ignore the blank screen at Soarin' because everything leading up to it is unconnected. It's a very compartmentalized experience. You enjoy Soarin' for what it is because that's all it is - a nice film that simulates flying.
That is not the case with Avatarland where everything centers on you (the guest) exploring a literal world of Pandora. Everything, from the attractions to the restaurants to the plants and the rock work, are there to make you feel like you are on this alien planet. As such, you can't have a blank screen as it would be a glaring acknowledgement that Pandora is all fake (which it is, but that's not what Disney wants to convey). I'd say you can't even show plain metal switchback rails or bare chain link. This attraction is not meant to be a nice film that simulates flying; this is meant to be a thrilling exploration of Pandora.
For Disney to pull this off, it can't even look like we are waiting in a massive show building. They need to theme to so that it looks like we are climbing through a mountain rain forest up to a cliff top perch. It all has to "flow" in a way that FoP is an experience rather than "just a ride." Should fun to see what they come up with!
danlb_2000
Premium Member
Excellent point on this. The blank screen simply won't do for this attraction. It would completely take you out of the attraction.
This has to be themed along the lines of the Hogwarts Express at Uni or the Tree of Life and It's Tough to Be a Bug at AK. In each case, great care was taken to make you feel like you are somewhere else. For HE, the screens in the windows are never blank; when you first board, they show a brick wall with steam rising in front, then street views of London before finally transitioning to the actual attraction. For ITTBAB, the entire queue and holding area makes you feel like you've been shrunk to the size of a bug. Even the theater itself works to complete the illusion you are in a giant tree. And you never see the edge of a screen. Flight of Passage needs to emulate the designs of these attractions.
It simply will not work to walk from this:
into this:
Agree actually. The feet are annoying!
Suspension of belief is easy at Soarin' due to the nature and theme of the attraction. It's in a section of a theme park that showcases distinct, unrelated experiences rather than immersion in one cohesive narrative. In other words, it is very easy to ignore the blank screen at Soarin' because everything leading up to it is unconnected. It's a very compartmentalized experience. You enjoy Soarin' for what it is because that's all it is - a nice film that simulates flying.
That is not the case with Avatarland where everything centers on you (the guest) exploring a literal world of Pandora. Everything, from the attractions to the restaurants to the plants and the rock work, are there to make you feel like you are on this alien planet. As such, you can't have a blank screen as it would be a glaring acknowledgement that Pandora is all fake (which it is, but that's not what Disney wants to convey). I'd say you can't even show plain metal switchback rails or bare chain link. This attraction is not meant to be a nice film that simulates flying; this is meant to be a thrilling exploration of Pandora.
For Disney to pull this off, it can't even look like we are waiting in a massive show building. They need to theme to so that it looks like we are climbing through a mountain rain forest up to a cliff top perch. It all has to "flow" in a way that FoP is an experience rather than "just a ride." Should fun to see what they come up with!
Since the ride is supposed to simulate a banshee flight it would make sense for the screen to show a continuous loop of the environment before the ride starts.
flyerjab
Well-Known Member
It simply will not work to walk from this:
into this:
If this were to happen, I will cry real tears...and mix in some colorful slang...
hpyhnt 1000
Well-Known Member
That's what I would think as well. The other option is to do something like the former Back to the Future Ride at Uni. Have an actual set around the ride vehicle and then lift up and into the screen area. But I don't know if FoP works for that kind of layout.
One other thing that would be REALLY cool if they could pull it off (but probably unlikely) is variability based on conditions outside - primarily if it is day or night. Imagine riding during the morning with everything in daylight and then coming back and the riding the night version in the evening. You could even have different ride profiles that take you to different parts of Pandora, along the lines of Star Tours.
The precedent for ride variability is already there; factoring in daylight/nighttime would be a cool bonus and I think would be a first (?) for a theme park attraction.
G00fyDad
Well-Known Member
It is not that hard to make the night time brighter than the day
I know what you mean but that light would still cast an amazing shadow behind every leaf/branch between the light source and the worker. It would still make seeing the inner leaves at night a real chore.
True to a point, but one thing Disney still does tend to avoid is major work when something is technically on stage.
G00fyDad
Well-Known Member
True. I would prefer for it to be after hours anyway. The last thing I want to see it a bunch of cranes slapped up against the side of the tree during the day. One thing is for sure though, this is going to truly be amazing and jaw dropping once it is completed. I still cannot wrap my mind around the Tree of Life lighting up like that during the night. I am going to purposely avoid any videos that may ruin it for me. I want to get here and see it in full view and with my own eyes to be able to take it all in for the first time.
Mike S
Well-Known Member
The lines for the night version would be soooooooo long.
HouseHacker97
Well-Known Member
speaking of the flight ride, does anyone have an idea of what exactly the experience would be like? Would I sit down into a cramped banshee with 5 other people or would I mount one by myself? Would the banshee (and I'm just assuming it will be a banshee-like vehicle) move more than just simple turns like Soarin? Would the experience be customizable/different each time like with Test Track's design features or Star Tours random (but limited) voyages? Or would each 'flight' be completely unique, granting riders full control to explore the world around them? sigh... that's a stretch, but i can only dream
that's a stretch, but i can only dream
Cesar R M
Well-Known Member
I actually expect something different.. all speculation.. but I imagine the ride will be not "us' doing the passage.. but other Na'vi.. and we follow them using the light helicopters from the first movie.speaking of the flight ride, does anyone have an idea of what exactly the experience would be like? Would I sit down into a cramped banshee with 5 other people or would I mount one by myself? Would the banshee (and I'm just assuming it will be a banshee-like vehicle) move more than just simple turns like Soarin? Would the experience be customizable/different each time like with Test Track's design features or Star Tours random (but limited) voyages? Or would each 'flight' be completely unique, granting riders full control to explore the world around them? sigh...
would make more sense than having 10 people crammed in a single banshee.
So each group of people enter copter while we follow the Na'vi on their rite of passage.
The preshow would be pretty much some Na'vi "linking" to their banshees as the "PANDORA tour operator" explains the whole rite before going to the load area where you get inside the big helis.
TyTrap
Well-Known Member
I'm sure when you walk through the mountain facade and into the show building it'll have interior rock work throughout the queue area. Maybe some foliage and a waterfall will be added too. I really doubt they would leave the queue area unthemed.
Mike S
Well-Known Member
Makes sense when you consider the size of a Human (not Na'vi) to a Banshee. Also we don't have to be on the Banshee. A good explanation could be that we're being carried by one instead.
HouseHacker97
Well-Known Member
I think James Cameron said at D23 that he "tried out the prototype" of the ride and whatever he was riding was moving to mimic a "breathing beast"
he seemed excited about it, both he and Bob Iger, but really what are they supposed to say
went to DAk this weekend and the size and scale of this project is amazing
OldBlueEyes
Well-Known Member
Great for You! But where are the pictures??? Don't tell me You went to DAK and didn't take any!