great video of Joe Rohde and Jon Landau at DAK

[englanddg]

First I am not one that thinks everything Disney does is perfect and I have been to Universal Studios many times. Still at the same time am I the only one that comes to this web site to get what information I can on what is happen at Walt Disney World. It seems that everyone is just looking for one thing or another to make Disney look bad and to say how much better Universal is. I found this short film clip to be interesting and it seems that this may be a fantastic addition to Animal Kingdom. I know I will be there with an open mind when this attraction opens. It seems the many of already made up there minds before hand.

My advice for all those that think Universal is great and Disney can not do anything right, go find a Universal Studios web site and leave this one for good. Why waste your time on talking about something you hate. I am tired of it and I would think that the complainers would be tired of it to.

Not one person mentioned Universal except you.

Is it possible you were reading too much into the comments?

 

[twebber55]

Not one person mentioned Universal except you.

Is it possible you were reading too much into the comments?

but when you start your conversation with how much you despise Joe Rohde it makes you come across as angry message board guy. its just a video about a theme park expansion and why he thinks it fits along with Jon Landau...no reason to despise anyone in the video

 

[The Visionary Soul]

Joe left out the part at the beginning:

"When I first heard about the project, I called Bob and said, "You've got to be kidding, right? Avatar won't work in Animal Kingdom." But Bob was serious. He pushed the film on me because it was number 1. He wants it in Disney, and Animal Kingdom is where it has to go, he said. I wasn't happy about it, but then I met James Cameron and his team. I eventually realized that this project will happen with or without myself, so involving myself was really the only way I felt I could limit damage to my park. And I actually found out I like working with Cameron's team... and Avatar's Pandora was a concept that could be molded to fit into the park. It (Pandora) was never going to be my first choice, but hey, at least I get to build something again. It's one sure way to get more people to my park."
- What I think Joe Rohde wanted to say but couldn't.

 

[englanddg]

but when you start your conversation with how much you despise Joe Rohde it makes you come across as angry message board guy. its just a video about a theme park expansion and why he thinks it fits along with Jon Landau...no reason to despise anyone in the video

No. It's a video about how they are trying to make a square peg slide into a round hole.

It doesn't "fit". I have continuously stated my displeasure with the concept of Avatar for the parks (bad movie, over the top concept) and my thoughts on Animal Kingdom (bad park with a lot of cut corners and, for the most part, looks and feels like an afterthought, inconsistant themes and severely lacking in attractions and immersion).

My position hasn't changed much. In fact, my opinion of the park has only gotten better over the years and visits (but...not much).

I've never been fond of Rhode because any practical engineer should be able to take into account real world limitations and requirements into their designs. He designed a base for the Yeti that cracked...so this extremely expensive animetronic no longer functions. He designed an over the top tree that's falling apart. He green lighted Chester and Hester's as a valid concept (whether or not it was his original plan).

He certainly is a "dreamer"...but I have very low confidence that he is a "doer".

And, that is why I am not thrilled at him being the lead Imagineer for Avatar. Avatar is either going to be amazingly awesome or a "meh, ok, I saw it, lets move on" experience. The line is very thin. I certainly hope it turns out amazing, but considering the plastic mediocracy that is NFL, I don't have much confidence at this point. This clip, while interesting, has not alleviated my concerns that this is following Disney's standard modus operandi.

But, Disney really needs to knock the ball out of the park...and I'm afraid this will turn into a bunt. When I saw the conceptual models with the floating island (and Joe's hilarious face in those pictures), I thought to myself...fat chance that is what the final land looks like once the red ink hits the ledger.

The only saving grace for it, even though the man is grossly overrated, may be James Cameron himself and the political weight he pulls with Disney to have his brand represented properly.

 

[twebber55]

No. It's a video about how they are trying to make a square peg slide into a round hole.

It doesn't "fit". I have continuously stated my displeasure with the concept of Avatar for the parks (bad movie, over the top concept) and my thoughts on Animal Kingdom (bad park with a lot of cut corners and, for the most part, looks and feels like an afterthought, inconsistant themes and severely lacking in attractions and immersion).

My position hasn't changed much. In fact, my opinion of the park has only gotten better over the years and visits (but...not much).

I've never been fond of Rhode because any practical engineer should be able to take into account real world limitations and requirements into their designs. He designed a base for the Yeti that cracked...so this extremely expensive animetronic no longer functions. He designed an over the top tree that's falling apart. He green lighted Chester and Hester's as a valid concept (whether or not it was his original plan).

He certainly is a "dreamer"...but I have very low confidence that he is a "doer".

And, that is why I am not thrilled at him being the lead Imagineer for Avatar. Avatar is either going to be amazingly awesome or a "meh, ok, I saw it, lets move on" experience. The line is very thin. I certainly hope it turns out amazing, but considering the plastic mediocracy that is NFL, I don't have much confidence at this point. This clip, while interesting, has not alleviated my concerns that this is following Disney's standard modus operandi.

But, Disney really needs to knock the ball out of the park...and I'm afraid this will turn into a bunt. When I saw the conceptual models with the floating island (and Joe's hilarious face in those pictures), I thought to myself...fat chance that is what the final land looks like once the red ink hits the ledger.

The only saving grace for it, even though the man is grossly overrated, may be James Cameron himself and the political weight he pulls with Disney to have his brand represented properly.

obviously I don't agree with anything you just said but I do appreciate your well thought out response

 

[The Visionary Soul]

No. It's a video about how they are trying to make a square peg slide into a round hole.

It doesn't "fit". I have continuously stated my displeasure with the concept of Avatar for the parks (bad movie, over the top concept) and my thoughts on Animal Kingdom (bad park with a lot of cut corners and, for the most part, looks and feels like an afterthought, inconsistant themes and severely lacking in attractions and immersion).

My position hasn't changed much. In fact, my opinion of the park has only gotten better over the years and visits (but...not much).

I've never been fond of Rhode because any practical engineer should be able to take into account real world limitations and requirements into their designs. He designed a base for the Yeti that cracked...so this extremely expensive animetronic no longer functions. He designed an over the top tree that's falling apart. He green lighted Chester and Hester's as a valid concept (whether or not it was his original plan).

He certainly is a "dreamer"...but I have very low confidence that he is a "doer".

And, that is why I am not thrilled at him being the lead Imagineer for Avatar. Avatar is either going to be amazingly awesome or a "meh, ok, I saw it, lets move on" experience. The line is very thin. I certainly hope it turns out amazing, but considering the plastic mediocracy that is NFL, I don't have much confidence at this point. This clip, while interesting, has not alleviated my concerns that this is following Disney's standard modus operandi.

But, Disney really needs to knock the ball out of the park...and I'm afraid this will turn into a bunt. When I saw the conceptual models with the floating island (and Joe's hilarious face in those pictures), I thought to myself...fat chance that is what the final land looks like once the red ink hits the ledger.

The only saving grace for it, even though the man is grossly overrated, may be James Cameron himself and the political weight he pulls with Disney to have his brand represented properly.

Not to defend everything that Joe does... but he once told me why he green lit Chester & Hester's... he was forced to add it, plus that entire thing can be dismantled and in 72 hours.

He's actually more sane than you think, and most of the bad "decisions" weren't his.

 

[Master Yoda]

No. It's a video about how they are trying to make a square peg slide into a round hole.

It doesn't "fit". I have continuously stated my displeasure with the concept of Avatar for the parks (bad movie, over the top concept) and my thoughts on Animal Kingdom (bad park with a lot of cut corners and, for the most part, looks and feels like an afterthought, inconsistant themes and severely lacking in attractions and immersion).

My position hasn't changed much. In fact, my opinion of the park has only gotten better over the years and visits (but...not much).

I've never been fond of Rhode because any practical engineer should be able to take into account real world limitations and requirements into their designs. He designed a base for the Yeti that cracked...so this extremely expensive animetronic no longer functions. He designed an over the top tree that's falling apart. He green lighted Chester and Hester's as a valid concept (whether or not it was his original plan).

He certainly is a "dreamer"...but I have very low confidence that he is a "doer".

And, that is why I am not thrilled at him being the lead Imagineer for Avatar. Avatar is either going to be amazingly awesome or a "meh, ok, I saw it, lets move on" experience. The line is very thin. I certainly hope it turns out amazing, but considering the plastic mediocracy that is NFL, I don't have much confidence at this point. This clip, while interesting, has not alleviated my concerns that this is following Disney's standard modus operandi.

But, Disney really needs to knock the ball out of the park...and I'm afraid this will turn into a bunt. When I saw the conceptual models with the floating island (and Joe's hilarious face in those pictures), I thought to myself...fat chance that is what the final land looks like once the red ink hits the ledger.

The only saving grace for it, even though the man is grossly overrated, may be James Cameron himself and the political weight he pulls with Disney to have his brand represented properly.

The think to remember is Rohde is not an engineer. Not by a long shot. His education is in Art and theater. He is an idea guy and ideas often exceed what is currently possible, which is as it should be. You are not doing your job correctly as a creative lead if someone like myself does not tell you "that is not possible" every once and a while. It pushes us engineer types to try harder and make the impossible possible.

 

[englanddg]

Not to defend everything that Joe does... but he once told me why he green lit Chester & Hester's... he was forced to add it, plus that entire thing can be dismantled and in 72 hours.

He's actually more sane than you think, and most of the bad "decisions" weren't his.

But, that's part of the issue. And, part of my point. I do realize that many of his dreams for the park were squashed, but that doesn't mean the end result wasn't mediocre.

 

[englanddg]

The think to remember is Rohde is not an engineer. Not by a long shot. His education is in Art and theater. He is an idea guy and ideas often exceed what is currently possible, which is as it should be. You are not doing your job correctly as a creative lead if someone like myself does not tell you "that is not possible" every once and a while. It pushes us engineer types to try harder and make the impossible possible.

True. Fair enough.

 

[WDWDad13]

Not to defend everything that Joe does... but he once told me why he green lit Chester & Hester's... he was forced to add it, plus that entire thing can be dismantled and in 72 hours.

He's actually more sane than you think, and most of the bad "decisions" weren't his.

72 hours huh? hmmm.... who's with me!

actually things like Primeval Whirl could be pretty cool as an indoor/dark themed coaster

 

[englanddg]

72 hours huh? hmmm.... who's with me!

actually things like Primeval Whirl would be pretty cool as an indoor/dark themed coaster

Huzzah!

 

[DVCOwner]

Not one person mentioned Universal except you.

Is it possible you were reading too much into the comments?

Not true, unless references to Harry Potter can not be considered about Universal. We need to follow the development of this project and see where it goes. After the brass at Disney seen the great reception of Cars Land in California I think Disney understands that this has got to be a big hit for the East Coast.

 

[DVCOwner]

Joe left out the part at the beginning:

"When I first heard about the project, I called Bob and said, "You've got to be kidding, right? Avatar won't work in Animal Kingdom." But Bob was serious. He pushed the film on me because it was number 1. He wants it in Disney, and Animal Kingdom is where it has to go, he said. I wasn't happy about it, but then I met James Cameron and his team. I eventually realized that this project will happen with or without myself, so involving myself was really the only way I felt I could limit damage to my park. And I actually found out I like working with Cameron's team... and Avatar's Pandora was a concept that could be molded to fit into the park. It (Pandora) was never going to be my first choice, but hey, at least I get to build something again. It's one sure way to get more people to my park."
- What I think Joe Rohde wanted to say but couldn't.

So if Joe Rohde does not say the negative stuff you want, just make it up yourself. Really trying hard to make this project look bad.

 

[WDWDad13]

@DVCOwner it wouldn't matter what Disney did... some on here would still find a way to discredit it - it's impossible to please everyone

with that being said... I was totally against Pandora until I saw the concept art. I am totally sold on this now and believe this could ... COULD be one of the most impressive looking theme park lands (if not THE) anywhere... especially at night with the look of the other AK areas lit up as well

I am also excited to see how Disney Springs turns out...concept art looked great there as well...but of course to some regardless of what they do, it'll be shot down as only being like their local shopping mall and nothing more

 

[Magenta Panther]

First I am not one that thinks everything Disney does is perfect and I have been to Universal Studios many times. Still at the same time am I the only one that comes to this web site to get what information I can on what is happen at Walt Disney World. It seems that everyone is just looking for one thing or another to make Disney look bad and to say how much better Universal is. I found this short film clip to be interesting and it seems that this may be a fantastic addition to Animal Kingdom. I know I will be there with an open mind when this attraction opens. It seems the many of already made up there minds before hand.

My advice for all those that think Universal is great and Disney can not do anything right, go find a Universal Studios web site and leave this one for good. Why waste your time on talking about something you hate. I am tired of it and I would think that the complainers would be tired of it to.

You don't get it. We DO love Disney. That's why we hate seeing half-assed attractions being added to the parks and the current attractions being poorly maintained or never repaired (yeti). That's not Walt's legacy. That's a penny-pinching stockholder-loving cement-headed CEO's legacy.

Speaking for myself here - why isn't a Pride Lands attraction being added to AK instead of Pandora? Why isn't there a Mary Poppins attraction anywhere in the parks, instead of Muppets or Star Wars? If you really love Disney, then you'd want MORE Disney in a Disney park, right? So there's nothing to celebrate about Pandora. EVERYONE knows it's just a knee-jerk reaction to Uni's Potter. It's laughable and it's lame.

 

[DVCOwner]

You don't get it. We DO love Disney. That's why we hate seeing half-assed attractions being added to the parks and the current attractions being poorly maintained or never repaired (yeti). That's not Walt's legacy. That's a penny-pinching stockholder-loving cement-headed CEO's legacy.

Speaking for myself here - why isn't a Pride Lands attraction being added to AK instead of Pandora? Why isn't there a Mary Poppins attraction anywhere in the parks, instead of Muppets or Star Wars? If you really love Disney, then you'd want MORE Disney in a Disney park, right? So there's nothing to celebrate about Pandora. EVERYONE knows it's just a knee-jerk reaction to Uni's Potter. It's laughable and it's lame.

But if you read all of the posting you see that Disney can not do anything right. You say more "Disney", while others say that great Disney rides where not Disney (Haunt House, Pirates of Caribbean, Space Mountain). So no matter what Disney does is wrong. You want more Disney and they are building the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, but for most that is not good enough. From what I have seen posted this ride is going to be done very well. Maybe not an E ticket, but a great addition to the park. I am the first to say that the Little Mermaid was a bit of a disappointment, but I enjoyed the over experience. I think Walt Disney World is large enough so that we can have the Disney touch on more than just Disney. Bring on Star Wars, Marvel and yes Pandora.

 

[The Visionary Soul]

So if Joe Rohde does not say the negative stuff you want, just make it up yourself. Really trying hard to make this project look bad.

Never said I made it up. Said it was what I thought he wanted to say but couldn't. I'm not trying hard to make the project look bad at all. Quite the contrary. I think Pandora will be very beautiful when it is complete. But to say that it "fits" with the ideals of Animal Kingdom... well, that's a stretch, and even Joe knows it, but it's what he has to work with, so he's making the best of it.

 

[englanddg]

Never said I made it up. Said it was what I thought he wanted to say but couldn't. I'm not trying hard to make the project look bad at all. Quite the contrary. I think Pandora will be very beautiful when it is complete. But to say that it "fits" with the ideals of Animal Kingdom... well, that's a stretch, and even Joe knows it, but it's what he has to work with, so he's making the best of it.

It "fits" at Hollywood Studios.

 

[DVCOwner]

The think to remember is Rohde is not an engineer. Not by a long shot. His education is in Art and theater. He is an idea guy and ideas often exceed what is currently possible, which is as it should be. You are not doing your job correctly as a creative lead if someone like myself does not tell you "that is not possible" every once and a while. It pushes us engineer types to try harder and make the impossible possible.

I am an engineer and one of the reason Walt Disney World was built was that it was becoming harder and harder to get new things done in California. Disney company want better control over permitting due to the governments where making it hard to do new things. Permits are based on the standard not the innovations. The main reason for Ready CreeK Development District.

 

[Master Yoda]

It "fits" at Hollywood Studios.

Any movie fits DHS, it always seems to be the go to spot for an IP that has no home.

The underlying theme of Avatar (conservation, living in harmony with the land, etc) fits well into AK.