AVATAR land - the specifics

[Hakunamatata]

Exactly I predict that the headline attraction will be something totally different and new. It will be some kind of a ride system that doesn't exist yet.

I think you are bound to see something along the lines of an omni mover simply for capacity purposes.

 

[InsiderImagine]

TDO has already solved the issues of Everest being seen from "Pandora" and the opposite.


Rafiki's Planet Watch IS leaving. The animal hospital will be moved and doubled the size.

There is some talk of incorporating the Animal Hospital into AK so guests can see how different animals are taken care of. The only issue is they don't know exactly where this would go.

TDO sees Rafiki's Planet Watch as a capacity holder and nothing else. They are keeping Camp Minnie Mickey because of the need for "smaller guests" to meet Mickey and Friends and other kid activities.

Dinoland has child activities there but Camp Minnie Mickey is staying probably as long as Toontown did in MK.

 

[InsiderImagine]

I think you are bound to see something along the lines of an omni mover simply for capacity purposes.

Omni-mover has been talked about....but they are putting a lot of this budget into the 2 "E-ticket" attractions.

Both of these attractions are to push AK attendance drastically up.

They are looking at all aspects of the three films.

The point of the land is to tell the story of Avatar in this land with using the three films but continuing the story with guests.


Basically every queue in this land WILL BE interactive. Nothing is going to be cheap with this land.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Omni-mover has been talked about....but they are putting a lot of this budget into the 2 "E-ticket" attractions.

Both of these attractions are to push AK attendance drastically up.

They are looking at all aspects of the three films.

The point of the land is to tell the story of Avatar in this land with using the three films but continuing the story with guests.


Basically every queue in this land WILL BE interactive. Nothing is going to be cheap with this land.

If they are going to use a story line that you transition somehow from Earth to Pandora, I dont see how you accomplish that without an omnimover type system just from shear capacity.

Allot of this could be taken care of with the second and third movies where in the movies they introduce "technology" that allows people to be beamed to Pandora instead of having to take a cryo cruise. Would make it much easier than to have people enter the land through a large "circle vision" type interface (ala mission to the moon from MK back in the day) where the group is transported to Pandora.

 

[CrescentLake]

Omni-mover has been talked about....but they are putting a lot of this budget into the 2 "E-ticket" attractions.

Both of these attractions are to push AK attendance drastically up.

They are looking at all aspects of the three films.

The point of the land is to tell the story of Avatar in this land with using the three films but continuing the story with guests.


Basically every queue in this land WILL BE interactive. Nothing is going to be cheap with this land.

So then what about the Wildlife Express Train (to Rafiki?) Are they getting rid of that too?

 

[InsiderImagine]

So then what about the Wildlife Express Train (to Rafiki?) Are they getting rid of that too?

Yes. That train is being removed to make way for the entrance to "pandora".

I don't know what the entrance is...I believe this is something that they are having a complex time figuring out because this is a BIG DEAL as many of you have pointed out.

 

[jt04]

Yes. That train is being removed to make way for the entrance to "pandora".

I don't know what the entrance is...I believe this is something that they are having a complex time figuring out because this is a BIG DEAL as many of you have pointed out.

I still think an earth station with basic simulators are the way to go. Small footprint, simpler theming and no need for the more extreme vehicles that Star Tours uses. And by making the vehicles simple it will create more of an impact once reaching the more complex Pandora interfaces. Such an entrance also allows for crowd control.

The question in my mind is how to get guests from the simulator exit to Pandora while maintaining the immersive elements. Could be an enclosed walkway, enclosed vehicles (trams without windows) or an enclosed omnimover type system. Of course this is all based on a ton of speculation. Maybe you would just walk out into a real rain forest canopy landscape accentuated with Imagineered plants and trees and the occasional animatronic before reaching the enclosed features. That is probably the least expensive option.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I still think an earth station with basic simulators are the way to go. Small footprint, simpler theming and no need for the more extreme vehicles that Star Tours uses. And by making the vehicles simple it will create more of an impact once reaching the more complex Pandora interfaces. Such an entrance also allows for crowd control.

Along with Kevin Yee, I would really like this idea. You enter an indoor portal that transports you to Pandora. When you exit, you enter into the completely immersive world of Pandora, maybe with multiple paths leading to different destinations. I also think that the entire world should be indoors, so that the proper stars and planets could be displayed above you in real-time. This allows both a day and night, with the sky changing as the time changes, and maybe even seeing creatures flying above you at random times, just like in real life. Since you only very large warehouse type buildings covered up by landscaping, that would save some money. Then you don't have to worry about competing with the Tree of Life or Everest, no matter which pad you put it into.

It's going to be exciting to see what they come up with! I look forward to the experience.

 

[worldfanatic]

Yes. That train is being removed to make way for the entrance to "pandora".

Whoa!!!!!!
Let's not jump the gun!!
There's been NO announcement on the eventual location of AVATAR/PANDORA land.

That would be a pretty poor entrance area if it is indeed located at the Camp Mickey-Minnie location.

 

[Disneyfanatic!!]

I think you are bound to see something along the lines of an omni mover simply for capacity purposes.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey has an omnimover type of load. The attraction is constantly moving, for the most part. I think an omnimover is too basic, too simple for a land like Pandora.

Plus the back side of Everest would be exposed and if anyone has ever seen it then they would know that would create a problem. The most logical spot would be CMM.

Exactly. I don't think they'd go with that plot of land...

TDO has already solved the issues of Everest being seen from "Pandora" and the opposite.

I'm usually not "one of those", but what's your source? :shrug:

I highly doubt there is anyway to hide Everest from a land that will be directly behind it.

 

[Skipper Dan]

Also interesting, "Disney by Mark" claims Mr. Joe Rhodes had no idea this was coming. Curious as to what his thoughts are on this being in his baby...

There were many posts I wanted to quote, but this one caught me, because I've been thinking the same thing. :lookaroun

 

[Greenkai3000]

.Not sure if anyone's come up with this but..

Ok, so from what I've read so far, we all agree that we want to see the glowing forests, and creatures of Pandora. I'd definitely love to see a big dark ride , a mix of JTCOT, 20,000 Leagues, Mission Space, Soarin' and the HP ride at Universal, 3d glasses included. Also a huge walk through / interactive queue of Pandora's forest would be awesome. I'm thinking Mermaid Lagoon and Mysterious Island.

At worst, a Little Mermaid/Dinasour hybrid ride would be fine too.

 

[JustInTime]

I highly doubt there is anyway to hide Everest from a land that will be directly behind it.

There are mountains in Pandora. So seeing it in the distance will work.

 

[Disneyfanatic!!]

There are mountains in Pandora. So seeing it in the distance will work.

Floating mountains, and Everest doesn't float. :lol:

Also, the very beginning outdoor portion of the coaster and the lift are both located on the north side of the mountain, facing the plot.

 

[JustInTime]

Floating mountains, and Everest doesn't float. :lol:

Also, the very beginning outdoor portion of the coaster and the lift are both located on the north side of the mountain, facing the plot.

There were also mountains that didn't float.


We don't even know for sure it this is where the land is going. But won't most of the track be blocked because of the river rapids and trails? And Pretty sure it won't be an issue since the tracks are all on the front side for the structure. And this would be the back...where tracks are not visible.

 

[Skipper Dan]

Anyone else as excited as me to hear the BGM? I absolutely loved Avatar's soundtrack and can't imagine being able to walk around Pandora with that music in the background.

Dude, I COMPLETELY agree with you. Listen to the track 'Pandora'. You'll freak at how much it'll remind of Animal Kingdom.

But anyway, like most, the Camp Minnie Mickey seems the most logical to me. It's what I've envisioned since the beginning.

But, to those of y'all sayin' that this will extend Animal Kingdom's hours, hear me out. I don't think that's the case. Bioluminescent'ing? Everything would cost a fortune, agreed? And Pandora isn't bioluminescent during the day, right? So it's a perfect strategy. The guests are in the land during the day, and see all the foliage, pretending/assuming that at night it all lights up. Then they ride a massive dark ride, which showcases the bioluminescence in an indoor, controlled environment. Then they walk out, park closes at 5:00pm, and the guests rarely see 'Pandora' at night. Never knowing if the real foliage lights up.

Make sense? God I hope so, I'm tired.

I do think that they're be major thrill attraction. Possibly Disney's first suspended coaster?

A amazingly massive, overseen by Jame's Cameron and his obsession-for-attention-to-detail flagship dark ride.

Some sort of show?

Something for the kids?

Maybe an interactive, hands-on experience with a creature from the world of Pandora?

:veryconfu Okay, I'm done.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I expect the planet watch building will be closed to regular guests and a larger facility to be built somewhere else. Just a guess. Also, as you say, it would likely only be accessed through a 'behind the scenes' tour. I especially expect this if the train is removed. I'm glad to see the train go as it is probably a huge operating expense and does not add greatly to the DAK experience. That land could be better utilized by either AV-Land or a new continent. I wouldn't be suprised if the train ended up in China if they are getting a train ride. Possibly Adventurland. If they are getting Adventureland.

All guess work right now. :shrug:

I don't believe Shanghai is getting a train.

Plus the back side of Everest would be exposed and if anyone has ever seen it then they would know that would create a problem. The most logical spot would be CMM.

If they're using the Asia plot, Everest won't be the issue, the Mountain itself hides the "village" built into the back of it at the angle of that Plot. The things that will have to be hidden would be the backstage areas for Kali River Rapids and Maharajah Jungle Trek. These are relatively low to the ground so they can easily be hidden by trees or even a show building.

Yes. That train is being removed to make way for the entrance to "pandora".

I don't know what the entrance is...I believe this is something that they are having a complex time figuring out because this is a BIG DEAL as many of you have pointed out.

Again, given your relatively new status to these boards, can you explain who you are? It looks like your first post was back in March regarding the costumes for the Town Square Theater Meet and Greet. I haven't been in there but I assume your report was accurate?

Who are your sources for this information?

 

[GenerationX]

My guess for the location would be the CMM area:

1. M&Gs easily relocated, FotLK belongs in Africa, anyway (behind Tusker House - move part of the Wild Africa Trek, if necessary).
2. Better balanced park - Avatarland, KS, E:E, and Dinosaur at corners of the park.
3. Nighttime EMH - keeps guests almost entirely on the south end of the park.
4. Nighttime show - if Avatarland is to host such a show, it would need to be away from the animals.
5. Future continents - whether it be Australia, South America, or whatever, it will likely include actual animals. The plot north of Asia and east of Africa would make sense for more animals.

Also, I went to a work conference where Cameron was a keynote speaker. He is a true techno-geek at heart with a Disney-esque attention to detail. I suspect his influence on this project will be extensive and overwhelmingly positive.

 

[AEfx]

Both of these attractions are to push AK attendance drastically up.

Which I fail to see how they will do so, at least in the way Potter did.

My Grandma knows who Harry Potter is. Families have planned vacations just to see WWOHP.

I fail to see that happening for this project. It's a movie that sure made a lot of money because of several factors (including the highest priced tickets ever known - Avatar has the highest dollar amount but is far, far from the highest ticket sales, the tickets simply were very expensive because of 3-D, and the gimmick factor of being the first feature movie truly conceived for digital 3-D), and it's audience was largely teenage males who had repeat attendance, who are not generally the ones who plan trips to Florida theme parks.

Sure, it looks great on paper - "#1 money making movie!" - but it's just one movie, no ancillary to speak of, relatively little merchandising, with a sequel years away that no one knows will be successful or not (since Avatar was critically panned just about everywhere except for "OHH PRETTY!" it's hard to know if people will be as taken in by the 3-D aspect that many years from now once the novelty has worn off), for all we know it could end up being "Matrix Revolutions".

In order for it to work an awful lot of things need to go in their favor, unless they truly make attractions so spectacular that they transcend fans of the franchise and are dynamite theme park attractions on their own (Spiderman, Potter, etc.). I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt until we see what they are doing, but unless Disney is finally stepping up and we aren't just going to get a bunch of video screen crap, I don't see this doing anything major in terms of driving people to Orlando in five years.

 

[JustInTime]

Which I fail to see how they will do so, at least in the way Potter did.

My Grandma knows who Harry Potter is. Families have planned vacations just to see WWOHP.

I fail to see that happening for this project. It's a movie that sure made a lot of money because of several factors (including the highest priced tickets ever known - Avatar has the highest dollar amount but is far, far from the highest ticket sales, the tickets simply were very expensive because of 3-D, and the gimmick factor of being the first feature movie truly conceived for digital 3-D), and it's audience was largely teenage males who had repeat attendance, who are not generally the ones who plan trips to Florida theme parks.

Sure, it looks great on paper - "#1 money making movie!" - but it's just one movie, no ancillary to speak of, relatively little merchandising, with a sequel years away that no one knows will be successful or not (since Avatar was critically panned just about everywhere except for "OHH PRETTY!" it's hard to know if people will be as taken in by the 3-D aspect that many years from now once the novelty has worn off), for all we know it could end up being "Matrix Revolutions".

In order for it to work an awful lot of things need to go in their favor, unless they truly make attractions so spectacular that they transcend fans of the franchise and are dynamite theme park attractions on their own (Spiderman, Potter, etc.). I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt until we see what they are doing, but unless Disney is finally stepping up and we aren't just going to get a bunch of video screen crap, I don't see this doing anything major in terms of driving people to Orlando in five years.

I am sorry you fail to see?! :veryconfu