On paper (IMO) this was an excellent idea. We will see if the rides are great and the land is just as immersive. Time will tell but this land at night has the potential of being a game changer.
Getting the rights to Avatar did two things.
One, It filled the need for that fantasy land section we were promised back in the late 90's with Beastly Kingdom. Now Animal kingdom can say they have lands from the past, present, and fantasy.
Maybe no one cares about the movie in 20 years...but the world that was imagined is fantastic and a perfect fit for Animal kingdom. If Disney had created this same concept, called it Beastly Kingdom and said it was a fictional planet displaying the possibility of animal and plant life in the universe. I believe few would have complained. Tip the hat to Cameron, movie was OK....world was incredible. The world is coming to AK.
Two, it took the concept away from Universal. Had Disney built Beastly Kingdom and it was a success...Universal could have theoretically trumped them with Avatar Land. Disney didn't want more egg on their face after Haryy Potter. I wouldn't doubt James Cameron just yet, he knows how to make films (or copy them
)
This land could fail..but not because of what happens to the films. It will fail because the rides aren't good or the land just isn't that immersive and the night walks prove dull and uninspiring.
Lets hope that isn't the case. This is a bold move by Disney, I want it to work. AK is my favorite park.