Cameron has given the OK ...

[WDWFREAK53]

I think I'm one of the few that really doesn't WANT/NEED to see a coaster at DAK. It's not what DAK needs. A nice dark ride/boat ride that the whole family can enjoy is what it needs. We have a "big-boy" coaster with Everest, a "family" coaster with Primeval Whirl...why add a third when there are so many other options out there?

Any good attraction that doesn't have a height restriction would benefit DAK greatly. It doesn't need to be a kiddie ride...but an attraction that the entire family can enjoy.

Heck, I'd love to see the Discovery River boats come back online with effects that could incorporate the entire theme park and even add in a dragon or unicorn.

 

[dreamscometrue]

I understand the concern. TWDC has let the WDW fan base down over the last several years. I also understand that, at $400 million, there is worry that TWDC is doing this "on the cheap". IMHO, they are following the WWOHP playbook. No matter how wonderful you think WWOHP is, it is essentially one new E-ticket attraction, one rethemed restaurant, and a couple of new stores. (Sorry but I don't count the rides formerly known as Dueling Dragoons or Flying Unicorn, which are essentially the same attractions as before.) One extremely well-executed land and Uni's entire fate has turned around. I assume TWDC thinks they can do the same with Avatarland. And please, before you start jumping all over it, can you wait until it's actually completed before writing that it stinks?

I agree with this completely. That's an excellent reminder of what WWoHP is presently...a great e-ticket and some retheming. I was actually underwhelmed when I visited.

I think that if I were trying to get a project off the ground for somewhere between $400 million and $750 million, a reasonable phase 1 might be asking for $400 million, with a $350 million phase 2 to follow a couple years later, if phase 1 is successful.

 

[Rob562]

When/if the Avatar bubble bursts, what they're building could easily become Paradise Falls from Up. That's a good thing. And, we're getting a DHS makeover.

I actually had that very same thought as I was lying in bed last night. They could even theoretically change the theme after construction starts, up until the point they have to start doing rockwork and interior themeing.

-Rob

 

[RolltideMickey]

Im still trying to wrap my head around how they will decorate/theme the land. Pandora is forest/jungle , most of animal kingdom is already jungle. Won't we just walk through and see the same theme in avatar land that the park already has...or will the ride building be in a huge mountain like in the movie? Can someone elaborate the theme of the land for me?

 

[GeorgiaPinesRJB]

Im still trying to wrap my head around how they will decorate/theme the land. Pandora is forest/jungle , most of animal kingdom is already jungle. Won't we just walk through and see the same theme in avatar land that the park already has...or will the ride building be in a huge mountain like in the movie? Can someone elaborate the theme of the land for me?

That's the million dollar question, isn't? We are not sure how it will be themed...in the initial announcement last year, they said the area would be themed to both what we have seen of Pandora and areas that won't be seen until the sequels, with underwater and other ecosystems of the planet.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I think I'm one of the few that really doesn't WANT/NEED to see a coaster at DAK. It's not what DAK needs. A nice dark ride/boat ride that the whole family can enjoy is what it needs. We have a "big-boy" coaster with Everest, a "family" coaster with Primeval Whirl...why add a third when there are so many other options out there?

Any good attraction that doesn't have a height restriction would benefit DAK greatly. It doesn't need to be a kiddie ride...but an attraction that the entire family can enjoy.

Heck, I'd love to see the Discovery River boats come back online with effects that could incorporate the entire theme park and even add in a dragon or unicorn.

I would hope that the boat ride has absolutely no restrictions on it whatsoever. The park needs attractions like that. I suspect the simulator will have a 40" or higher height requirement just by virtue of it being a simulator.

I agree that another coaster isn't necessarily what's needed, but it wouldn't be a bad addition. I would say that putting 3 attractions including the motorbike coaster into Pandora would allow them to retheme Dinorama. It's been established that the land was built for capacity reasons, but that could be demolished in favor of something else when they time comes. I view Dinorama as a "temporary" land (like Mickey's ToonTown), and I could see it replaced 7-10 years down the road.

As for the Discovery River Boats, I've long suggested that they bring it back with actual effects, but I would think that would involve draining Discovery River and possibly be more costly than it's worth. Additionally, I believe that was meant to be a preview of Beastly Kingdom, which isn't happening.

 

[djlaosc]

We know that Avatar will be replacing CMM, but will it be built on the land currently used for CMM, or will be built on the empty plot of land "behind" CMM, and CMM will be used as some sort of transition/replaced by something else later so it's not a case of Discovery Island, off the bridge and then Avatar?

 

[Alektronic]

If TDO is trying to cut costs on new rides, they could just re-use some old rides or parts from other rides. Is it just a coincidence or that Body Wars has been sitting there unused for 5 years and just now they are taking apart the simulators and related hydraulic controls? They have re-used old hydraulic controls and equipment before.

 

[Bairstow]

If TDO is trying to cut costs on new rides, they could just re-use some old rides or parts from other rides. Is it just a coincidence or that Body Wars has been sitting there unused for 5 years and just now they are taking apart the simulators and related hydraulic controls? They have re-used old hydraulic controls and equipment before.

Is that true?
I thought they had been cannibalizing Body Wars to keep Star Tours running for years now.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I would hope that the boat ride has absolutely no restrictions on it whatsoever. The park needs attractions like that. I suspect the simulator will have a 40" or higher height requirement just by virtue of it being a simulator.

I agree that another coaster isn't necessarily what's needed, but it wouldn't be a bad addition. I would say that putting 3 attractions including the motorbike coaster into Pandora would allow them to retheme Dinorama. It's been established that the land was built for capacity reasons, but that could be demolished in favor of something else when they time comes. I view Dinorama as a "temporary" land (like Mickey's ToonTown), and I could see it replaced 7-10 years down the road.

As for the Discovery River Boats, I've long suggested that they bring it back with actual effects, but I would think that would involve draining Discovery River and possibly be more costly than it's worth. Additionally, I believe that was meant to be a preview of Beastly Kingdom, which isn't happening.

Oh man...nothing would make me happier than a complete redo of that DinoRama area. Arguably one of the most beautiful "most cohesive" themed park Disney has ever built and it's completely wrecked with DinoRama. Don't get me wrong, I think Primeval Whirl is a fun ride, the theming of it and it's "sub-land" is horrible and is a giant pimple on the nose of the theme park supermodel.

 

[Bairstow]

Demolishing Chester and Hester's would be great, but I'd be even more excited for Countdown to Extinction to go offline for a desperately-needed overhaul.
Who knows- with a few months to play with maybe they could finally install the rest of the ride's theming!

 

[marni1971]

Can any of our insiders share your thoughts on this theory:

Is it possible that Disney is negotiating a contract with Vekoma for a bulk purchase of its motorbike and "Soarin 2.0" products?

We keep hearing both systems tossed around for AK, MK, DL, SHDL, HKDL in the forms of Avatar, Iron Man, Tron, and Lone Ranger.

Can anyone confirm which systems are likely for which parks? And as a result of a bulk purchase, is it possible that the motorbikes are still in the future for WDW if they're being offered at discount from Vekoma?

So far as I know, a launched coaster (known as the TRON coaster) isn't planned anymore for DAK. Shanghai yes. Maybe HKDL. Maybe elsewhere.
Soarin' 2 is the E for Avland. Maybe Iron Man in DL too.
Lone Ranger could be water based, if ever built. But a more advanced system than simple water propulsion in a channel.

 

[GLaDOS]

Soarin' 2 is the E for Avland. Maybe Iron Man in DL too.

I'd be very, very disappointed if Iron Man is reduced to a Soarin' type ride.

If any attraction other than Potter screams KUKA arm, it's Iron Man.

 

[djlaosc]

I'd be very, very disappointed if Iron Man is reduced to a Soarin' type ride.

However, if this is the case, then it could solve one of the issues that people have with Iron Man going into Tomorrowland when there could be plans for a Marvel Park later on - could it be moved later on if they did build a Marvel park?

 

[MickeyPeace]

Heres what the Tron type coaster looks like but in this case it's horses. Ive ridden this in Coney Island. The launch is much more intense than it looks in this video. I think larger people might have a hard time fitting as well as getting on and off. Not sure if this was a factor in not bringing it to Orlando.

 

[cynic710]

Im still trying to wrap my head around how they will decorate/theme the land. Pandora is forest/jungle , most of animal kingdom is already jungle. Won't we just walk through and see the same theme in avatar land that the park already has...or will the ride building be in a huge mountain like in the movie? Can someone elaborate the theme of the land for me?

i think the big seller will be bioluminescence in the plants and paths we walk on.

so they are covered for the night, at least.

 

[ctxak98]

Demolishing Chester and Hester's would be great, but I'd be even more excited for Countdown to Extinction to go offline for a desperately-needed overhaul.
Who knows- with a few months to play with maybe they could finally install the rest of the ride's theming!

As much as I love dinosaur....If they want to plus it and bring back its original name! I am all for that! AND PLEASE get rid of Chester and Hester.

Another thought. Once Avatar is built what are the chances of dinorama and the Yeti being fixed?

 

[JediMasterMatt]

I'd be very, very disappointed if Iron Man is reduced to a Soarin' type ride.

If any attraction other than Potter screams KUKA arm, it's Iron Man.

Too bad Universal owns the exclusive rights to the motionplatform based KUKA arm ride vehicle. I'm not sure if there is any wiggle room in the contract where stationary KUKA arms could be sold to Disney or if even Sum of All Thrills like stationary arms are still available.

The loss of Potter was one thing... the loss of the rights to the robocoaster KUKA really hurt the mouse.

Just think of all the underfunded attractions Disney could Blue Sky and never build with it?

I think one of the most amazing things to come out of TWWoHP is just how reliable the very complex KUKA arm system has been. I would've anticpated many teething pains for such a complex design; but, up time on it has been through the roof.

 

[nytimez]

I think larger people might have a hard time fitting as well as getting on and off. Not sure if this was a factor in not bringing it to Orlando.

'nuff said

 

[cba]

Heres what the Tron type coaster looks like but in this case it's horses. Ive ridden this in Coney Island. The launch is much more intense than it looks in this video. I think larger people might have a hard time fitting as well as getting on and off. Not sure if this was a factor in not bringing it to Orlando.

The only thing is that the ride would have to be much longer. The ride is way to short even for a Disney coaster.