Cameron has given the OK ...

[doctornick]

Am I the only one who doesn't think DHS is in desperate need of a makeover and that Animal Kingdom needs to be the first priority? When I went to DHS over the summer, everything was in marvelous condition, animatronics were working, and Star Tours was brilliant; even if it didn't draw in the expected crowds. But when you look at AK, half of the effects are turned off on Dinosaur, we have the Yeti issue, and nets under TOL. AK needs to the have a new draw so hopefully, like MK experienced with the Fantasyland project, refurbishments will follow.

As much as I'd love to see DHS get Carsland, this is my opinion...

I'd argue the complete opposite: DHS is in desperate need of a makeover and expansion. DAK can use more stuff to do but is fine as is.

I think you'd fine a lot of people on both sides of the argument of that. It's pretty clear that most people feel that DAK and DHS are the lowest two of the parks at WDW and need the most help.

 

[djlaosc]

Hogwarts Express will be the real deal! The train stations include highly detailed scenery and effects. The trains themselves will be very realistic including steam wafting from each car, scenic treatment and sounds. Each interior cabin includes period props and treatments. The window in each cabin will utlize an advanced optics display making it appear as though you are looking outside a window. As the train travels to the station riders will be treated to different storylines depending on which station they are going to. The cabins are also equipped with a full effects package including heat blast, leg ticklers, lighting etc. One storyline includes a dementors attack where it will get dark, the air will go cold and lights will flicker among other things.

Make no mistake the connector train ride is a full E-ticket! The R&D for the display system alone is staggering. Nothing like this has been done before on this scale and it will be spectacular. Avatar looks to be a joke compared to just this attraction. I haven't even mentioned the major new ride for Potter 2.0 yet.

That brings me to Gringott's. The queue, in my opinion, will be even better than Forbidden Journey's queue. Let's put it this way...the queue includes a really cool elevator ride that will simulate moving vertically and horizontally. You'll feel the air coming from the right side as you move to the right and you'll feel the air from below as you travel down. Each of the two elevator simulators include a projection dome above to enhance the visuals. That's just in the queue. Maybe I'll save the actual ride description for another time but suffice it to say that everything from the unique ride system to the exciting show elements will make this attraction one of the most impressive rides to date.

Can't wait for this to be complete! Do you have a more up-to-date opening time yet?

 

[doctornick]

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?

I'm very curious as to the location as well. There's a lot of space back there in CMM and the parking lot beyond it. As large as this seems to be, it should not take up all that space, I would think. So, how is it going to be set up -- close to the bridge? Further back so there is closer room for future expansion? Will they leave space allotted to the bike coaster if they want to build it? Will they allot some room for another land in the area for future expansion?

I'm not saying anyone on here knows the answers, but it will be curious to see how that gets set up.

 

[djlaosc]

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.

One of my main worries about Avatarland is whether they can get it to look as good as the film. Will physical sets be able to look as good as the CGI?

 

[Beholder]

I said this earlier in this massive thread, but I really think it makes sense that the center piece to this James Cameron endeavor would be a film related attraction. His career has been focused on pushing the technological boundaries of film, both traditional and digital. I'm not necessarily in favor one way or the other, but it may be something that he personally wanted to see. After all, Avatar is often praised for it's visual effects and immersive 3D filming techniques, not it's story or characters. So who knows? If it's going to follow that same path towards a rich and immersive environment, it may be pretty amazing. Or, given standard Disney budgeting, it could be very underwhelming.

 

[RolltideMickey]

One of my main worries about Avatarland is whether they can get it to look as good as the film. Will physical sets be able to look as good as the CGI?

The only thing I can think that gives off that much light and colors are the cheesy fiber optic Santa Clause heads during Christmas time.

 

[djlaosc]

I'm very curious as to the location as well. There's a lot of space back there in CMM and the parking lot beyond it. As large as this seems to be, it should not take up all that space, I would think. So, how is it going to be set up -- close to the bridge? Further back so there is closer room for future expansion? Will they leave space allotted to the bike coaster if they want to build it? Will they allot some room for another land in the area for future expansion?

I'm not saying anyone on here knows the answers, but it will be curious to see how that gets set up.

I would hope that it would be built as far back as possible, so that it would possibly make them want to build on the rest of it.

Can you imagine, having a waterfall flowing from the Avatar floating mountain into a lake/body of water that could hold a World of Colour type show, and on the other side of the lake there could be the Mysterious Island mountain as part of Beastly Kingdom/Mythologicaland.

However, wasn't there talk of Avatarland being around 12acres/the same as Carsland? If so, putting what I think is Carsland over a map of DAK, it seems that it could use all of the cleared area AND the area currently used for CMM!

 

[AndyMagic]

I said this earlier in this massive thread, but I really think it makes sense that the center piece to this James Cameron endeavor would be a film related attraction. His career has been focused on pushing the technological boundaries of film, both traditional and digital. I'm not necessarily in favor one way or the other, but it may be something that he personally wanted to see. After all, Avatar is often praised for it's visual effects and immersive 3D filming techniques, not it's story or characters. So who knows? If it's going to follow that same path towards a rich and immersive environment, it may be pretty amazing. Or, given standard Disney budgeting, it could be very underwhelming.

This is all true but Cameron is also smart enough to know that movie theatres across the country are already providing an amazing film projection environment as it is. People just aren't wowed by "immersive 3D filming techniques" anymore and we have Cameron to thank for that since he was integral in the massive digital projection conversion that happened across the country over the last few years. Some movie theatres are even providing moving seats that go along with the action on screen. I'm a firm believer that in next generation theme park rides, film can play an important role in the experience but that ultimately the "rider" must still move from place to place within a physical environment. Transformers is largely screen based but the ride vehicle moves forward along a track and they don't just shake and jive in a front the same screen the entire time. Those type of rides can still be fun (see Star Tours and The Simpsons) but they shouldn't be anchoring a new expansion of this magnitude.

 

[Turtle]

a waterfall flowing from the Avatar floating mountain into a lake/body of water that could hold a World of Colour type show, and on the other side of the lake there could be the Mysterious Island mountain as part of Beastly Kingdom/Mythologicaland.

I doubt Beastly Kingdom and Avatar will co-exist. Avatar is essentially Beastly Kingdom with all the big fictional whimsical animals

 

[flynnibus]

The only thing I can think that gives off that much light and colors are the cheesy fiber optic Santa Clause heads during Christmas time.

Electroluminescent and light channels can give those kinds of effects. Look at Tron Legacy outfits.. that was all done with real physical lighting.

 

[RolltideMickey]

Has anyone thought of if they have live characters or show...some female cast member will be wearing nothing but a thong and body paint....I'm bringing my ones to Animal Kingdom now!!!!!!!!

 

[awoogala]

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.

oh, that is exciting. Lets scrap avatar and make paradise falls!

 

[Beholder]

This is all true but Cameron is also smart enough to know that movie theatres across the country are already providing an amazing film projection environment as it is. People just aren't wowed by "immersive 3D filming techniques" anymore and we have Cameron to thank for that
since he was integral in the massive digital
projection conversion that happened across the
country over the last few years. Some movie
theatres are even providing moving seats that go
along with the action on screen. I'm a firm
believer that in next generation theme park rides,
film can play an important role in the experience
but that ultimately the "rider" must still move from
place to place within a physical environment.
Transformers is largely screen based but the ride
vehicle moves forward along a track and they don't
just shake and jive in a front the same screen the
entire time. Those type of rides can still be fun
(see Star Tours and The Simpsons) but they
shouldn't be anchoring a new expansion of this
magnitude.

I agree, but I wasn't arguing in favor or not, just thinking about a possible reason the "Soarin" platform may have ended up center stage along with budget concerns. I myself am more intrigued by the so called boat ride.

 

[awoogala]

I'd argue the complete opposite: DHS is in desperate need of a makeover and expansion. DAK can use more stuff to do but is fine as is.

I think you'd fine a lot of people on both sides of the argument of that. It's pretty clear that most people feel that DAK and DHS are the lowest two of the parks at WDW and need the most help.

I do think DHS needs help, but I would argue epcot needs more help . As the second wdw park, it should be stunning, and it is old looking, grubby, and sad.

 

[toolsnspools]

Whew... Finally got through the whole thread. Thanks @edwardtc for the in-depth explanation of the plans. I think this came up once quickly already, but any chance these (http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...ion-for-true-flight-simulator-vehicle.829729/) could be the ride vehicles used?

Glad to see the plussing the Soarin' platform as a new ride since it is one of my favorites. Combining Soarin' with Cameron and 3D should be pretty incredible. I imagine the floating mountains will be contained to the theater. After all, they weren't in every part of Pandora either, and trying to tackle that outside would be a huge challenge. The boat ride sounds exciting too. It's just the type of ride that DAK needs. I can picture the huge light up tree in the center of that indoor section.

I hear a lot about the bike coaster, but the one I rode at Darien Lake (http://darienlake.com/rides/thrill-rides/motocoaster/) was a huge disappointment. The vehicles were uncomfortable, and the ride capacity was terrible. It was a long wait for a short ride. Even with Vokema's longer track layout, it doesn't look like something I'd get too excited about.

 

[The Mouse]

Holy Thread explosion. I can't wait to see some art for this project. Am excited just thinking about it and I didn't even care for Avatar the movie since it was just Pocahontas with eye candy.

 

[andre85]

I hear a lot about the bike coaster, but the one I rode at Darien Lake (http://darienlake.com/rides/thrill-rides/motocoaster/) was a huge disappointment. The vehicles were uncomfortable, and the ride capacity was terrible. It was a long wait for a short ride. Even with Vokema's longer track layout, it doesn't look like something I'd get too excited about.

Totally agreed. I don't get the love-fest with the bike coaster. I've ridden a couple (including the new one at Coney Island) and they aren't comfortable and don't offer, imo, a superior experience than a more conventional one.

Also, could someone kindly explain how the hell that would even fit the theme of Avatar?

 

[Imagineer Mitch]

Totally agreed. I don't get the love-fest with the bike coaster. I've ridden a couple (including the new one at Coney Island) and they aren't comfortable and don't offer, imo, a superior experience than a more conventional one.

Also, could someone kindly explain how the hell that would even fit the theme of Avatar?

I'm almost positive it would be Avatar themed and the bikes would become some kind of animal from the movie.

 

[Turtle]

I would love an indoor coaster through the forest using the X2 Ride System at a thrill caliber of Everest

 

[lazyboy97o]

I would love an indoor coaster through the forest using the X2 Ride System at a thrill caliber of Everest

I think that would be contrary to the intent of the Fourth Dimension Coaster.