Cameron has given the OK ...

[GLaDOS]

I'll bet they go science, not military. This could be Grace's science outpost, where she studied the
ways of the Na'vi. It would fit in with the conservationist themes of the film.

And, of course, this will be all about riding a Banshee. While you could end up dodging some
'bad corporate guy' helicopters, I'd think-guess-hope, that they'd be going for more of a Soarin'
style splendor rather than a battle. I'd rather just dive, swoop, and turn around the environment
a la Soarin' than get in a battle--which, I'd imagine, is where Universal would take such an experience.

In short, more Grandeur and take-your-breath-away than the standard 'uh-oh, something's gone horribly
wrong, QUICK!'

The only Avatar word I understood there was Na'vi. Who is Grace? Sigorney Weaver? Is a Banshee the dragon thing or the helicopter things?

 

[kap91]

It is not hard to imagine a person who loved Avatar but can't ride coasters who was fearful that the E ticket in Pandora would be a coaster they could never experience..

This exactly. My Aunt is practically obsessed with Avatar and loves Disney but is disabled, has chronic pain, and would definitely not be a thrill seeker even if she could ride those rides. With a coaster as the main feature of Pandora, there's no way she'd be able to experience it - I'm doubtful she'd even be able to do the simulator more than once but the idea of the walkthrough and boat ride sound great. I realize that she is more of an extreme case but add in all the kids, parents, non-thrill seekers/scaredy cats out there its best if Disney targets right towards the middle - that's been their philosophy since the beginning and while they dance around that line the more of a park that can be experienced and enjoyed by all or most the better the park is for everyone.

And if you are going to build a really thrilling ride, why a coaster? Other parks have coasters, let Disney be the unique one and build a next gen Indy.

 

[Atomicmickey]

The only Avatar word I understood there was Na'vi. Who is Grace? Sigorney Weaver? Is a Banshee the dragon thing or the helicopter things?

See what I did there?
It's time we Disney nerds started to learn the names and themes of the characters.
You fell right into my dastardly trap, bwahahahaaa.
(all in good fun, of course, no hostility intended at all)

Anyway.

Grace was the scientist, Sigourney Weaver character, who seemed evil at first but truly wanted
to help the people and conserve the planet.
Yes, the Banshee is the dragon thing. I want to ride one of those way more than I do a future helicopter.

 

[kap91]

Good point. However, with M:S, then went over the line (IMO). I love coasters, but I won't ride M:S Orange due to the reports I've read.

I haven't been there, but it seems California Screamin' is a pretty intense coaster.

You should give Orange a try if you love coasters, its not that bad - and that's coming from someone who loves coasters but refuses to ride the tea-cups because of the spinning.

I'd say California Screamin' is a little less intense than RNR, but much longer - so if you do think its intense you're stuck for a while.

 

[doctornick]

I wonder about what the themeing on the outside of this will be? Was there not some talk about NOT showing the military side of the movie? Focusing more on the ALIEN NATURE aspect? So would it be hard to theme this theater structure as a Military Base?

Could easily be a scientific expedition to study the flora/fauna of Pandora. Much more fitting with DAK.

 

[themonkeyisthesultan]

That would be my guess.
Build the buildings to look like the RDA bases, but have them be re-purposed as research facilities or embassies or whatever.
I would imagine there will still be a lot of the familiar military hardware present in the land, but either de-weaponized or broken and covered with vines, off to the side. Just because you don't want to show the helicopters blowing aliens to chunks in the attractions doesn't mean you don't want to sell a million die-cast gunships in the gift shop.

I'm guessing the RDA side will be seen more in any shops or restaurants (giving an easy explanation for their human scale). I'm imagining a shop modeled after the AVATAR lab where they'll do face painting and face scanning for custom pictures and figures of guests as AVATARs.

 

[Master Yoda]

The only Avatar word I understood there was Na'vi. Who is Grace? Sigorney Weaver? Is a Banshee the dragon thing or the helicopter things?

Grace is Weaver and the Banshee is the dragon thing.

Seriously, give the movie a shot. Yes it is a story that has been told over and over, but it is a decent flick.

 

[GLaDOS]

Grace is Weaver and the Banshee is the dragon thing.

Seriously, give the movie a shot. Yes it is a story that has been told over and over, but it is a decent flick.

Oh, I saw the movie when it was in theaters. I just for the life of me can't remember any of the character's names.

 

[Magenta Panther]

Oh, I saw the movie when it was in theaters. I just for the life of me can't remember any of the character's names.

Ditto. Or a reason to care about them.

 

[Beholder]

That would be my guess.
Build the buildings to look like the RDA bases, but have them be re-purposed as research facilities or embassies or whatever.
I would imagine there will still be a lot of the familiar military hardware present in the land, but
either de-weaponized or broken and covered with
vines, off to the side. Just because you don't want
to show the helicopters blowing aliens to chunks
in the attractions doesn't mean you don't want to
sell a million die-cast gunships in the gift shop.

This brings up an interesting point, the merchandise. I wonder if it's going to be a rehash of all the generic Walmart stuff, or if they will create some really unique stuff to compliment the attractions? Not a big Avatar fan, bit it would be nice to see some stuff created JUST for the park. Model replicas, custom "avatars", and exotic food stuff. I hope they take this opportunity to do some really cool things here. But, I'm probably being overly optimistic.

 

[Murphketeer]

thanks for the info.

back to the original post. I do believe there needs to be 3 attractions.

 

[Murphketeer]

This brings up an interesting point, the merchandise. I wonder if it's going to be a rehash of all the generic Walmart stuff, or if they will create some really unique stuff to compliment the attractions? Not a big Avatar fan, bit it would be nice to see some stuff created JUST for the park. Model replicas, custom "avatars", and exotic food stuff. I hope they take this opportunity to do some really cool things here. But, I'm probably being overly optimistic.

I am sure there will be a complete line of Avatar vinylmation. I bet the designers are creating them now.

 

[Magenta Panther]

Transformers ...

Speaking of which:

Yep, this is Iger's Disney, folks, always on the cutting edge...

 

[Bairstow]

This brings up an interesting point, the merchandise. I wonder if it's going to be a rehash of all the generic Walmart stuff, or if they will create some really unique stuff to compliment the attractions? Not a big Avatar fan, bit it would be nice to see some stuff created JUST for the park. Model replicas, custom "avatars", and exotic food stuff. I hope they take this opportunity to do some really cool things here. But, I'm probably being overly optimistic.

I'm guessing there will be the usual Wal-Mart stuff, like with all the Star Wars stuff you see at Merchant of Venus and the Mission Space gift shop.
Probably a unique food item or two as Disney chases the butterbeer unicorn.
Perhaps a "carbon freeze me" thing where they laser your face onto a Na'vi action figure?

 

[scoobygirl39541]

Urgh I'm sorry but this movie was a fad which is over with and forgotten by now. There are so many other immersive DISNEY themes they could go with [/rant]

But I hope they at least utilize some new and innovative ride systems!

 

[Ignohippo]

I wonder about what the themeing on the outside of this will be? Was there not some talk about NOT showing the military side of the movie? Focusing more on the ALIEN NATURE aspect? So would it be hard to theme this theater structure as a Military Base?

It sounds like it may be more of the world of Pandora than a recreation of events from the movie. I don't know how much will be centered on the fighting and military, but I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't any of that. I think it'll be more about exploring Pandora.

 

[Imagineer Mitch]

Does anyone have the slightest idea on a possible layout? If so I would love to see it!

 

[Bairstow]

Speaking of which:


Yep, this is Iger's Disney, folks, always on the cutting edge...

"Ha-ha! And I'll form the head."

 

[lobelia]

I imagine there will be a spot in a darkened cue that when you step on certain areas it will activate lights in flora ....maybe a cushy rubberized floor.

 

[Pentacat]

I haven't seen anyone explicitly say it but I assume that based on the plans this is going to have a KUKA element, right? Like Sum Of All Thrills + Soarin = This ride....a kind of "stationary" loaded version of Forbidden Journey? Load times will have to be an issue but the use of that ride system might explain the separate ADA compliant theater.

When you think about the elements of Avatar that kind of ride system makes a lot of sense. You have the ability to duplicate flight and movement through an complex environment. And the ability to have complete darkness which to me is one of the most amazing things about the idea of recreating Pandora. Not to mention that kind of system allows for them to change/upgrade/re-story the ride as the future Avatar sequels are released.

Does it suck that this isn't a b**ls out motorcycle style roller coaster....sure, but Forbidden Journey is pretty amazing and has been fairly popular, #sarcasm.