AVATAR land - the specifics

[twebber55]

I said this a year ago. Can't agree more! I would be cool if they had a restaurant overlooking the safari. Not so much for vegetarians...

what a great idea
never thought of that
talk about that place being popular

also adding another TS to Africa besides Tusker House so no buffet

 

[twebber55]

Well... that's a sign. For true immersion, nothing should be labelled. And the entrance to the ride should be hidden behind a shrub. And if you try to enter, a large blue cat man should hit you repeatedly with a stick.

i agree to an extent but at some point for logistics sake people (not on these boards) need signs
for me, i dont
just go left for NRJ, right for everything else

 

[WildcatDen]

How do you say in Na'vi: "Crotch Upshot"?

Not sure, but you may not want to Google that at work. . .

 

[raymusiccity]

If it doesn't sound exciting, if it only sounds like walking under a floating tree and you just see Soarin and plants that light up and the food you would prefer is burgers and chicken.... Then by all means don't go into the land, it's not for you. And if that is the case why do you live in the forums of Avatar??? Why would you spend time sitting in here looking and responding to things you don't like??? Go away and spend time on something you do like and we'll all be better for it.

Yes I know, I took the bait - my fail.

Sad that trolls still waste our time.

 

[Brian Swan]

While the menu is a fusion, I'd argue the very dominant influence is Chinese. This doesn't seem very Na'Vi to me at all. What would fit better? I'm no cook, but as I said, the characters in the films are a collection of Native American stereotypes so that might have been the way to go.

I think this is a symptom of trying to create a complex, immersive, Potter-style land around a very simplistic and underdeveloped franchise. Any choice will seem a bit forced. What's more, Potter is essentially a fantasy of consumption - a large part of many of the stories features the characters buying things in stores, and at school their identities are largely expressed via clothing, wands, and other consumer goods. Avatar is almost anti-consumption, celebrating a simplified stereotype of communal "Native American" living.

Perhaps I'm reading too much into this, but the impression I get from the "back story" is that we are eating in a facility being run by the Earth-based tour company, and not a restaurant of the Na'vi themselves. Based on on the film that we have seen, there is no indication that the Na'vi have such things as restaurants (or even what they really eat); they appear to be a hunter-gatherer culture similar to Native Americans - or African tribes, or Australian Aborigines, or even pre-Chrisitan Celts. The "native" food would probably be pretty basic roast meats and unprocessed vegetables and fruits, seasoned with local "herbs and spices". The food being served in the restaurant is being prepared by Earthmen, using locally sourced Pandoran ingredients. The "flavors" would be a function of the local ecosystem, and knowing Cameron's obsessive attention to world-building detail, he probably has a full encyclopedia of the edible foods of Pandora. Therefore, the "cuisine" would be a function of the chefs hired to prepare it combined with the ingredients available to them.

 

[Patcheslee]

There will still be totems outside of the attractions, such as a giant bird shaped thing outside of Flight of Passage

After reading about the translator I wondered if they were going to combine the 2 and have everything in Navi instead.

 

[flyerjab]

I have never been to DL so I can't comment. What I will say is that I think that in large majority we like eating at the resorts and at the much larger Disney Springs. I think that the food at Boathouse, Morimoto's Asia, Raglan Road, Paddlefish, Art Smith's Homecomin', Frontera Cucina, D-Lux, Blaze, have just knocked it out of the park in terms of upping the food game at WDW as a whole. Add in Boma, Jiko, Narcoossee's, Citrico's, California Grille, to name just a few, and I think that WDW does just fine for us. I think that where WDW does better food-wise is with what they have to offer that is not in the theme parks. From what I can tell, DL doesn't have as much to offer outside their parks.

For me though, I can't go on a vacation and eat simple, fried foods. I can get that anytime, anywhere. I want exotic and I want to experience different things. DAK has always done that for us. Yak and Yeti, Tusker House, some of the smaller food carts, and now Tiffins (the best dining experience on property without question) start to fill out the list quite nicely for me at DAK. The Satu'li Canteen will just add to that and I think that the lengths that they are going to offer healthy options in a very unique way is great. We can't wait to try it.

 

[Kman101]

I wasn't very impressed by the Yak and Yeti quick service, that could use some work but I get it, it's the equivalent of a quick service burger, but I quite enjoyed the new Harambe Market.

I agree they've stepped up their game, overall. I quite enjoy the offerings at Disney Springs and would often want to go there instead of staying in the parks to eat (I don't make reservations often because I go solo; I don't care about eating alone I just like to keep moving ...). I really do need to start getting into more of them. I should have attempted Skipper Canteen and Tiffins/Nomad Lounge at least ...

 

[FigmentJedi]

After reading about the translator I wondered if they were going to combine the 2 and have everything in Navi instead.

The Navi don't have a written language.

Personally, I was expecting more signage like that National Parks-ish "Welcome to Mo'ara Valley" sign we saw in one of those preview videos.

 

[Kman101]

Really glad to hear about the lengths they're going to in order to immerse you in the land. No Disney bags/receipts, etc. No attraction signage ... really cannot wait to experience this!

 

[Princess Leia]

Really glad to hear about the lengths they're going to in order to immerse you in the land. No Disney bags/receipts, etc. No attraction signage ... really cannot wait to experience this!

It definitely sounds like they're committed and have learned their mistakes from HP. It gives us something to look forward to with Star Wars as well.

 

[Kman101]

It definitely sounds like they're committed and have learned their mistakes from HP. It gives us something to look forward to with Star Wars as well.

Yes it does. I was going to say that as well. Very exciting.

 

[flyerjab]

Really glad to hear about the lengths they're going to in order to immerse you in the land. No Disney bags/receipts, etc. No attraction signage ... really cannot wait to experience this!

You and me both. This is the largest expansion to debut since I have been traveling to WDW. And the sheer size, quality and thought put into every little detail is astonishing to me. I expected this for Star Wars Land, but not necessarily for this one.

And you must go see Tiffins and the Nomad Lounge. The best eating establishment on property (not counting V&As of course).

 

[Kman101]

You and me both. This is the largest expansion to debut since I have been traveling to WDW. And the sheer size, quality and thought put into every little detail is astonishing to me. I expected this for Star Wars Land, but not necessarily for this one.

And you must go see Tiffins and the Nomad Lounge. The best eating establishment on property (not counting V&As of course).

It really is. We've been long overdue for something like this.

I've read really good things about Tiffins so this more or less seals it. I'll give it a try out next time.

 

[disney4life2008]

disney4life2008's feelings on Pandora in a nutshell

LOL And you do realize that what I am doing is called a critique! You apparently do not understand critical thinking skills. I have have said numerous times I will re-evaluate once I have visited the land. Once you get on my level, then you can talk to me. Until then, sorry.

 

[disney4life2008]

Look not all the food at DLR is healthy. It's just really good. Also, healthy and good can go together.

This is true. However, my argument is that most (not all) who go on vacation do not go to be healthy. However, DLR is different because their fan base is locals.

 

[disney4life2008]

Ventured over to the site ending in nt and they claim there will be no attraction signage, no typical mickey magic band readers, and some interesting merchandise that seems kind of interactive. They also claim only one AA na'vi creature in the entire boat ride. Hadn't heard any of this before. Anybody know if there's truth to any of this?

The plot thickens.

 

[jaxonp]

I have never been to DL so I can't comment. What I will say is that I think that in large majority we like eating at the resorts and at the much larger Disney Springs. I think that the food at Boathouse, Morimoto's Asia, Raglan Road, Paddlefish, Art Smith's Homecomin', Frontera Cucina, D-Lux, Blaze, have just knocked it out of the park in terms of upping the food game at WDW as a whole. Add in Boma, Jiko, Narcoossee's, Citrico's, California Grille, to name just a few, and I think that WDW does just fine for us. I think that where WDW does better food-wise is with what they have to offer that is not in the theme parks. From what I can tell, DL doesn't have as much to offer outside their parks.

For me though, I can't go on a vacation and eat simple, fried foods. I can get that anytime, anywhere. I want exotic and I want to experience different things. DAK has always done that for us. Yak and Yeti, Tusker House, some of the smaller food carts, and now Tiffins (the best dining experience on property without question) start to fill out the list quite nicely for me at DAK. The Satu'li Canteen will just add to that and I think that the lengths that they are going to offer healthy options in a very unique way is great. We can't wait to try it.

Disney's Signature restaurants and the new army of restaurants at Springs are fantastic, Frontera, Homecomin, Boathouse are the best IMO down there.... but they should be for what they're charging! I love Jiko, Flying Fish, Cali Grill..those are the best for me the past few years. That said, I've been discussing Quick Service food. Disneyland is destroying WDW here... Vacationers vs Locals is a dumb argument. Good food is good food. I hold Disney to a high standard.. If you haven't been to DLR then you don't know what I'm talking about.. if you have then you know. Disney can produce fantastic Quick Service .. so it should be so at WDW as well. Perfect example... CORN DOGS... a simple thing, right? Why are they freshly deep-fried at DLR but are frozen and microwaved at WDW while charging the same thing? And that... is just simple carnival food.

 

[flyerjab]

Disney's Signature restaurants and the new army of restaurants at Springs are fantastic, Frontera, Homecomin, Boathouse are the best IMO down there.... but they should be for what they're charging! I love Jiko, Flying Fish, Cali Grill..those are the best for me the past few years. That said, I've been discussing Quick Service food. Disneyland is destroying WDW here... Vacationers vs Locals is a dumb argument. Good food is good food. I hold Disney to a high standard.. If you haven't been to DLR then you don't know what I'm talking about.. if you have then you know. Disney can produce fantastic Quick Service .. so it should be so at WDW as well. Perfect example... CORN DOGS... a simple thing, right? Why are they freshly deep-fried at DLR but are frozen and microwaved at WDW while charging the same thing? And that... is just simple carnival food.

Yeah...QS in the parks is something that WDW can do better at. I flat out refuse to eat at Cosmic Ray's. I don't get why that place is so packed to the gills all of the time. Other places in MK are hit or miss depending upon what you order. The only WS in MK we really enjoy is BOG, but even that is a step up from a typical QS experience.

I can't even think of any QS that we have tried in DHS. And when in Epcot, we have gone to Sunshine Seasons. The selection there is good but the food is just sort of okay.

So of course, this brings "biased me" back to DAK. I like variety and I like more exotic so I appreciate Yak and Yeti QS and the Harambe Marketplace. We have also found many of the food carts there can offer a good lunch that is a bit unique. I think that the Satu'li Canteen will continue to provide variety along with good healthy selections. I also expect, as with everything in DAK, that the theming and place setting will be top notch.

 

[ChrisFL]

If there's no attraction signage, CMs are gonna get really, really annoyed at having to give directions. The idea of a Disney Park with no signs anywhere sounds like a great social experiment.

Agreed. This sounds totally like a Joe Rohde thing and I recall something similar was going to be tried when DAK first opened. IIRC something about having no maps at all, so everyone would have to "explore" and "discover" where they needed to go. I'm not sure if that actually happened or not but I remember rumors about that.