Iger Says Avatar Most Likely 2015, Hints at Marvel, More Pirates and Cars

[lebeau]

From Deadline:

http://www.deadline.com/2012/03/dis...s-sequel-sees-avatar-park-attraction-in-2015/

"Iger added in response to a question that design work is “just beginning” for the Avatar attraction planned for Animal Kingdom in Orlando — and “in all liklihood” it won’t open until 2015. He says that the company is “working on some concepts” to introduce attractions involving Marvel characters. They’re also “kicking around ideas” to enhance the presence of Pirates Of The Carribbean and Cars at the parks. “It would be tough to do walk-around characters” for Cars, he said."

 

[mitchk]

New Muppet movie sounds great. I never saw any Avatar movies, so I don't know what to say. As far as car's, and pirates, I don't really like the idea, but change is always good ... I guess. I won't even go into the whole Marvel thing

 

[Bork Bork]

From Deadline:

http://www.deadline.com/2012/03/dis...s-sequel-sees-avatar-park-attraction-in-2015/

"Iger added in response to a question that design work is “just beginning” for the Avatar attraction planned for Animal Kingdom in Orlando — and “in all liklihood” it won’t open until 2015. He says that the company is “working on some concepts” to introduce attractions involving Marvel characters. They’re also “kicking around ideas” to enhance the presence of Pirates Of The Carribbean and Cars at the parks. “It would be tough to do walk-around characters” for Cars, he said."

Thanks for the info. I guess this is as good a confirmation as we could get for Avatar being a "go." Still, things could change in 3 years. I'd love to see some superheroes on New York Street at DHS! I'd rather not see them on MSUSA. Not sure what to make of the Pirates and Cars statement. Could be almost anything.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Is there a live feed of the shareholders meeting, or perhaps the full audio/video?

I see there's a youtube link on lebau's link but I can't access that at "work".

 

[Captain Chaos]

Is there a live feed of the shareholders meeting, or perhaps the full audio/video?

I see there's a youtube link on lebau's link but I can't access that at "work".

The meeting is over but you can access the replay at:

http://corporate.disney.go.com/investors/presentations.html


The replay isn't available just yet, or at least at time of this post, so keep checking back...

I listened to it live and Iger seemed really annoyed at the two Avatar questions, one involving Star Wars, and he completely blew off the notion of a Star Wars land basically saying they have invested a lot of resources at bringing Star Wars to their theme parks...

No one asked about that blight called Pleasure Island...

 

[WorldKey]

I'm gonna show may lack of knowledge here but does anyone know if there would be enough space at the current Tomorrowland Speedway site to convert it to Radiator Springs Racers? I know the kids love the speedway as I did when I was very young but as I got older I've just felt that it is one of the least imaginative things in the park. Even a clone of that new Cars attraction in California Adventure would be a huge step up...just a thought. Of course because of possible height requirements for RSR it may be taking away an attraction for the very young (I think it uses the Test Track vehicle type).

 

[misterID]

I'm gonna show may lack of knowledge here but does anyone know if there would be enough space at the current Tomorrowland Speedway site to convert it to Radiator Springs Racers? I know the kids love the speedway as I did when I was very young but as I got older I've just felt that it is one of the least imaginative things in the park. Even a clone of that new Cars attraction in California Adventure would be a huge step up...just a thought. Of course because of possible height requirements for RSR it may be taking away an attraction for the very young (I think it uses the Test Track vehicle type).

It would probably be in DHS where the back stage tour is, if it ever happened.

DL has slotted their Autotopia (speedway) as a future expansion pad. Not sure about WDW.

 

[GLaDOS]

I guess this is as good a confirmation as we could get for Avatar being a "go."

As Lee said in another thread, he can't say anything else. I don't really think it changes anything about the project. Still up in the air.

And even then, 2015 is a very generous opening date if they just started working on it.

 

[PirateFrank]

From Deadline:

http://www.deadline.com/2012/03/dis...s-sequel-sees-avatar-park-attraction-in-2015/

"Iger added in response to a question that design work is “just beginning” for the Avatar attraction planned for Animal Kingdom in Orlando — and “in all liklihood” it won’t open until 2015. He says that the company is “working on some concepts” to introduce attractions involving Marvel characters. They’re also “kicking around ideas” to enhance the presence of Pirates Of The Carribbean and Cars at the parks. “It would be tough to do walk-around characters” for Cars, he said."

Thanks for the update! Good to see the info about POTC ...about cars, not so much....

 

[JCtheparrothead]

Does the Pirates comment mean goodbye Tom Sawyer island, hello Pirate Island?
Also the whole cars thing would be cool if they made radiator springs at DHS but there is already Test Track...dupes not wanted i am guessing. Finally DHS is the only spot i could see Marvel stuff going into. It just doesnt theme well with the other parks. An avengers ride would be awesome.

 

[devoy1701]

Wasn't the original date we were given 2017? Or am I making that up? Interesting if 2015 is a real date or not because it takes 3 years to build a land...that would mean that design would have to be done sooner rather than later.

Wonder why none of you picked up on that yet....

Also, I still wager that Iger saying it's still a "go" doesn't make it any more concrete than it was last week. Him confirming today won't make Cameron all the sudden go..."oh, well I guess since he said we're still going..."

 

[WDW1974]

I just answered wrote this on another thread as I didn't see this one, but before the hype machine starts about IGER SAYS AVATAR IS COMING, THOSE HATERS DON'T KNOW A THING ETC ETC ... I think I need to add some perspective and common sense here so ...

Iger ONLY addressed Avatar when questioned by a fanboi ... only. He did an entire presentation highlighting P&R and their future and he talked about everything from Shanghai and HKDL to DCL expansion to DCA's makeover to our modest little Fantasyland beautification project. Nothing about Avatar ... not ONE piece of artwork that hides most details to whet appetites. He ONLY left out the largest capital investment coming to the flagship resort ... the one announced at $500 million ... the one for DAK ... the one with tall blue aliens that are slaughtered by people who look a whole lot like the very military types whose families he covets as guests (he did mention the military prominently and then took questions on veterans deals).

In other words, he responded to what some Spirits in the fan community (and behind his own doors in Glendale and Burbank) are saying about the troubled project by saying almost nothing other than basically status quo or what Jim Hill got from his source in PR.

It means nothing ... no, actually, it means less than nothing.

Very telling when this word has been going around for 3-4 months now that he couldn't show off 1-2 renderings and even call them 'possible concepts' for the land ... and he damn well couldn't because the thing is a disaster.

Only surprise from the meeting: no questions about exec compensation and no questions about releasing Song of the South.

~Iger lies~

 

[Brava Centauri]

Uggh, Cars? Can't they just leave it in California? Anything but that. I really hope nothing comes of that proposal. :hammer:

 

[RSoxNo1]

The meeting is over but you can access the replay at:

http://corporate.disney.go.com/investors/presentations.html


The replay isn't available just yet, or at least at time of this post, so keep checking back...

I listened to it live and Iger seemed really annoyed at the two Avatar questions, one involving Star Wars, and he completely blew off the notion of a Star Wars land basically saying they have invested a lot of resources at bringing Star Wars to their theme parks...

No one asked about that blight called Pleasure Island...

Thanks, I look forward to listening today.

 

[DCLcruiser]

Uggh, Cars? Can't they just leave it in California? Anything but that. I really hope nothing comes of that proposal. :hammer:

You must not be a car guy. That is my favorite Disney movie. I have bought so many Cars toys for nephews.

 

[Quackerjack]

Uggh, Cars? Can't they just leave it in California? Anything but that. I really hope nothing comes of that proposal. :hammer:

Why all of the hate on cars? It's very popular with the youngsters...I know my 4 year boy would LOVE more cars...and Marvel superhereos as well. Sometimes I think this forum is missing the voice of the little ones.

 

[TP2000]

It's almost always a 2.5 to 3 year timetable from the first bulldozer land moving to grand opening of a major Disney attraction.

Expedition Everest - 2.5 Years
Public Announcement: April, 2003
Construction Begins: September, 2003
Grand Opening: April, 2006

Cars Land & Radiator Springs Racers - 3 Years
Public Announcement: October, 2007
Construction Begins: July, 2009
Grand Opening: June, 2012

So if Avatarland is bigger than Everest and on the scale of Cars Land with a major E Ticket attraction like Radiator Springs Racers, and if Avatarland opens in 2015, we should see signs of construction within the year. Likely by the fall and the start of Disney's new fiscal year in October?

Avatarland - 3 Years
Public Announcement: October, 2011
Construction Begins: October, 2012
Grand Opening: Fall, 2015

 

[lebeau]

Why all of the hate on cars? It's very popular with the youngsters...I know my 4 year boy would LOVE more cars...and Marvel superhereos as well. Sometimes I think this forum is missing the voice of the little ones.

I have come to a similar conclussion many times over. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that many are openly hostile towards anything that would appeal to Disney's young guests.

 

[wdwmagic]

I just answered wrote this on another thread as I didn't see this one, but before the hype machine starts about IGER SAYS AVATAR IS COMING, THOSE HATERS DON'T KNOW A THING ETC ETC ... I think I need to add some perspective and common sense here so ...

Iger ONLY addressed Avatar when questioned by a fanboi ... only. He did an entire presentation highlighting P&R and their future and he talked about everything from Shanghai and HKDL to DCL expansion to DCA's makeover to our modest little Fantasyland beautification project. Nothing about Avatar ... not ONE piece of artwork that hides most details to whet appetites. He ONLY left out the largest capital investment coming to the flagship resort ... the one announced at $500 million ... the one for DAK ... the one with tall blue aliens that are slaughtered by people who look a whole lot like the very military types whose families he covets as guests (he did mention the military prominently and then took questions on veterans deals).

In other words, he responded to what some Spirits in the fan community (and behind his own doors in Glendale and Burbank) are saying about the troubled project by saying almost nothing other than basically status quo or what Jim Hill got from his source in PR.

It means nothing ... no, actually, it means less than nothing.

Very telling when this word has been going around for 3-4 months now that he couldn't show off 1-2 renderings and even call them 'possible concepts' for the land ... and he damn well couldn't because the thing is a disaster.

Only surprise from the meeting: no questions about exec compensation and no questions about releasing Song of the South.

~Iger lies~

Do you really think though that he would get into talking dates if this project was a no go? Questions from the public can be easily dismissed, and he could have just said "We are still in the early stages of development and we don't have any specific update yet". The fact that he actually put a date to it, to me says a lot more than nothing. The fact that there was no formal presentation on it is I believe because they do not yet have anything nailed down to show. This does not however mean it is not happening.

 

[cbconglom]

Wasn't redoing tomorrowlqnd on both coasts mentioned as well?