I agree im selfish too...and I want those things in Orlando as well
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Disney Playing catch up with Universal... Potter Disney's biggest mistake in 20 years...
- Thread starter CinematicFusion
- Start date
RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
They have been unwilling to add "substance" to Disney World. Substance in this case is being defined as an E-ticket ride that drives attendance.
doctornick
Well-Known Member
But we've also seen nothing to suggest that it won't have innovative or impressive attractions. The reality is that actual details about the project are scant so it's really impossible to provide any evaluation at this point.
Personally, I think Cameron's involvement will ensure that what is produced is high quality, but I understand other folk's skepticism.
True, I'm giving Disney World to 2020 to prove you wrong. In 6 years I expect to see at WDW...
1. New Fantasyland
2. Avatar and the new night time show at Animal Kingdom
3. Star Wars Land
4. New Downtown Disney
5. Buidling something new in Epcot. Why do I say that?
Disney announced New Fantasyland in 2009 (Land is finished)
Disney announced Avatar Pandora in 2011 (Currently under construction )
Disney announced Downtown Disney Expansion in 2013 (Currently under construction)
Disney will announce Star Wars in 2015 (already been confirmed this announcement is coming.)
Disney will announce Epcot attractions in 2017 (if they stay on pace, there is no reason to believe they won't.)
Every two years since 2009 Disney has announced something major, very quietly Disney is stepping up their game in the parks at WDW.
With the streak Disney has been on with their films...we are in a second golden age with Disney. No one can see that yet. Our children will remember though.
I've been riding Disney hard, you can check my first posts. They did nothing for so long. However I like what I'm seeing so far and the direction they are taking and I'm excited about it! Have patience.
Plus if you don't like what Disney is building go to Universal. They are building some cool stuff also. Great time to be a theme park fan.
Not sure why there is this huge Universal/Disney battle. Go to both parks and have fun or go the parks that only have the new stuff. What ever floats your boat.
It's the equivalent in my mind to a film buff not wanting to see a movie because it's distributed by a competitor. What? Your not going to see Star Wars because it's distributed by Disney...or...your not going to visit Harry Potter Land because its at Universal??? Your loss.
I agree, it was my biggest complaint and why I jumped on this board.
But it does look like they are starting to build again and on a good pace. 5 years isn't that far off.
I joined this board almost 4 years ago. Time flies. Avatar will be here soon and I'm sure in 2020 Star Wars land will be finished with construction going on in Epcot.
You have been here a long time marni...you have to see this big old Disney ship making a slow turn into the right direction. The signs are all there. Now if the economy collapses or war breaks out that is another story. Of course build out stops, stops at Universal also. My company slows to a crawl.
Something different is at Disney recently from the movies and how creative is handled to the ideas going into the parks.
What has been the positive? John Lasseter? Did Disney learn something at Pixar?
Everyone on this board hates Iger but I thought putting Avatar in AK was genius. Kept it from Universal and blends in perfectly with the AK concept. Disney is getting an IP from James Cameron that has the potential to be a very successful franchise. If he nails it...only one place to go to see Pandora.(Three films on the way) Cameron makes some solid films...I wasn't that sold on Avatar story but was blown away by his imaginative world and they way it was filmed. It will be a huge success at AK.
What has been the positive marni? What has changed since 2009?
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Quinnmac000
Well-Known Member
Universal was offered Avatar first and turned it down...
"In Spring 2011, James Cameron was approached by The Walt Disney Company's chief executive officer, Bob Iger, regarding the possibility of Avatar-themed attractions in Walt Disney Parks & Resorts.[6] On September 17, 2011, a long-term, exclusivity deal was signed between Disney, James Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment and 20th Century Fox.[6][7]This deal was officially announced to the public on September 20, 2011, on the Disney Parks Blog.[8] The highlight of the announcement was that Disney's Animal Kingdom would receive a new themed area dubbed Avatar Land.[2] The area is set to cost approximately $500 million"
What is your source that it was going to Universal? From all accounts it was Iger who started the conversation.
TubaGeek
God bless the "Ignore" button.
I think a decade of stagnation is indication enough. I will assume they'll just keep doing what they're doing until I see SOLID evidence otherwise.
Quinnmac000
Well-Known Member
"Cameron's earlier "Terminator" movie franchise served as the basis for a 3-D attraction at three Universal Studios theme parks. Universal had preliminary discussions about creating an "Avatar" attraction for its parks, but never submitted a formal proposal, said a person with knowledge of the matter who requested anonymity because of the confidential nature of those discussions.
The new "Avatar" partnership came about quickly. Disney first approached Cameron this spring, and the deal was signed Saturday."
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/sep/21/business/la-fi-ct-disney-avatar-20110921
Wow...Looks like Universal made a big mistake. Disney wasn't going to lose twice. Nice find.
1. Maybe Universal didn't have the money to create what Cameron had in mind?
2. Maybe it was a space issue and they didn't have land to use?
3. Maybe Disney's proposal was much grander in scope?
Whatever it was, great find! Universal must be kicking themselves because Avatar is going to be a huge hit at Animal Kingdom. If Cameron hits a home run with his next three movies..Disney will be smiling along the way.
I for one can't wait to see the land in animal kingdom.
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Mike S
Well-Known Member
Actually I think they made the right choice here. Avatar really wouldn't have fit well in either Universal park. It's a better fit at Animal Kingdom even if other ideas like Beastly Kingdom could have been a better choice. Universal has a gold mine with Harry Potter anyway, they didn't need Avatar. I'm sure the whole reason Disney jumped on it was as a reaction to Potter's success in 2010 which is stupid anyway because the thing won't even open till 7 years later. Talk about a delayed reaction.
It's a gamble for sure and you are right, even if Cameron strikes out on all three new movies. Pandora fits perfectly with Animal Kingdom. The land blends in and fits with the original concept of Past,Present, and Mythical creatures. After 10 years some people might even think Cameron got the idea for the film from visiting Animal Kingdom.
So maybe it was too much of a gamble for Universal. Universal doesn't have anywhere to put Cameron's themed land and they would have to risk 500 million plus on an IP that might not take off and be relevant in 15 years. It could have become an eyesore at Univesal and they would be thinking of tearing it down to build something new 15 years down the road. At Animal Kingdom Pandora is more Organic and just loses itself into the entire theme of the park. Artwork for the land is fantastic. I'm excited.
If the movies do work...wow...what a driving force for Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Quinnmac000
Well-Known Member
Universal has so many Sci-fi/fantasy based IPs coming out in the future thanks to their merger with Legendary Pictures, it would be a waste for them to pay for the rights to use Avatar. Examples...[Warcraft (huge video game plus movie crowd if a box office success), Jurassic World, Skull Island, and since they are producing the live action version of the Little Mermaid...]. Pandora will be pretty though but I don't think the next movies will be even as close to as big as the first movie. It would be a waste in my opinion.
Mike S
Well-Known Member
Not to mention the rumors that Universal is considering Star Trek as a possible addition to USF.
Well, You guys are right. Pandora would'nt have been a good fit at Universal. It's a beautiful fit at Animal Kingdom.
I wouldn't expect the next Avatar films to be as popular but I'm also not going to doubt James Cameron. He is a detail freak and I'm sure the next films will look amazing. I'm hoping I care a little more about the characters in the film though. I wouldn't bet against Cameron and a brilliant score by James Horner. I'm not opening my movie on the same date.
It would take some selling for me to go see a WarCraft themed land at Universal but a great movie can change all that.
Here is to continued competition between Disney and Universal, may the best ideas be brought to life so I can explore them!
On the subject of IPs with a great soundtrack by James Horner...
You know the theme park industry has jumped the shark when this themed land is being built.
But I'll admit I enjoyed the movie as a kid.
You know the theme park industry has jumped the shark when this themed land is being built.
But I'll admit I enjoyed the movie as a kid.
Mike S
Well-Known Member
This scene from Family Guy immediately came to mind. Watch till the end.On the subject of IPs with a great soundtrack by James Horner...
You know the theme park industry has jumped the shark when this themed land is being built.
But I'll admit I enjoyed the movie as a kid.
Quinnmac000
Well-Known Member
So I guess I don't need to see Krull...
Mike S
Well-Known Member
No you don't. I haven't even seen it.