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

[devoy1701]

I am absolutely sure there are drawings being done. I am also sure there are also fully fleshed out land ideas. It's just choosing the right path and then announcing it. Disney learned their lesson with 1st not announcing finalized plans for FLE and then the debacle with Hyperion Warf concept. They are not going down that road again. And that could be both good and bad.

Yet they did it with Shanghai...and the resorts they're currently building ar WDW.

Youre talking almost 60 years of the way they've been doing theme park announcements.

 

[JustInTime]

Yet they did it with Shanghai...and the resorts they're currently building ar WDW.

Youre talking almost 60 years of the way they've been doing theme park announcements.

So you don't think they learned anything from Hyperion Warf? This isn't 1950's America anymore, folks. Things are different. The internet has created a monster fan base that won't let anything die. Disney is scared of scared of bad PR. They still don't know 100% what to do with Hyperion. :brick:

 

[menamechris]

I bet the contract between Cameron and Disney requires a full land and one they both approve on. I would love to read that thing...

There may be clauses, but be assured, Disney will not be micromanaged. This was essentially the reason they didn't move forward with J.K. Rowling. I would guess that Cameron has veto power - but I seriously doubt the project will push forward if his "vision" requires them to spend significantly more than the budget. And what I just outlined will probably take up the whole $500 Million if is an a E-ticket worth the hype.

 

[Captain Neo]

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.

I haven't had a chance to listen to the actual audio but did he even give a firm date or was it more of a vague "were hoping to have it done by 2015" kinda thing? Because when they announced Disney decade there was alot vague dates thrown around and nothing came out of it.

 

[menamechris]

So you don't think they learned anything from Hyperion Warf? This isn't 1950's America anymore, folks. Things are different. The internet has created a monster fan base that won't let anything die. Disney is scared of scared of bad PR. They still don't know 100% what to do with Hyperion. :brick:

I wouldn't worry about Disney caring what we think. They have learned to essentially flip us "the bird" quite nicely lately..

 

[wickedfan07]

I think most people have hit it on the head - Iger didn't volunteer any information or even approach the project on his own. And his time table of a 2015 opening leads me to believe this will become less "Avatarland" and more just an Avatar attraction. I would look for the buildings in the area to be re-themed, much like Storybook Circus has been, a drinking kiosk, a counter service window/restaurant perhaps, and one E-ticket. I think this will far from blow us away - but I think by 2015 we will be so ready to see something new...that anything will do.

But in what area of AK would that be possible? The only spot that could possibly be rethemed to Avatar without a lot of effort would be Camp Minnie-Mickey. The only problem witht hat is there's next to nothing there anyway, and certainly no existing attractions that could be reused (the way Barnstormer has been in FLE). They would be able to use the FotLK building for something, but that's about it. The only other area that could stand a retheme is DINORAMA, and I doubt Cameron would settle for Avatar Whirl! presented by James Cameron and Pandora Alien Spin. AK barely has enough attractions as it is, let alone attractions that could stand to go down for a year or two for a facade change and some new props. Trying to do that anywhere else in the park would be (a) difficult and (b) a major loss considering the depth and beauty of everything there (besides DINORAMa, which, admittedly, does not bother me nearly as much as it bothers some people). I guess what I'm saying is, unless Avatar goes into a different park, putting it in AK is likely to be a major investment no matter how much they build.

 

[JustInTime]

I wouldn't worry about Disney caring what we think. They have learned to essentially flip us "the bird" quite nicely lately..

They are scared of bad press. Mortified, actually. When is the last time Disney had a major scandal or gotten bad press?

 

[menamechris]

But in what area of AK would that be possible? The only spot that could possibly be rethemed to avatar without a lot of effort would be Camp Minnie-Mickey. The only problem witht hat is there's next to nothing there anyway, and certainly no existing attractions that could be reused (the way Barnstormer has been in FLE). They woul be able to use the FotLK building for something, but that's about it. The only other area that could stand a retheme is DINORAMA, and I doubt Camerom would settle for Avatar Whirl! presented by James Cameron and Pandora Alien Spin. AK barely has enough attractions as it is, let alone attractions that could stand to go down for a year or two for a facade change and some prop changes. Trying to do that anywhere else in the park would be (a) difficult and (b) a major loss considering the depth and beauty of everything there (besides DINORAMa, which, admittedly, does not bother me nearly as much as it bothers some people). I guess what I'm saying is, unless avatar goes into a different park, putting it in AK is likely to be a major investment no matter how much they build.

You make good points. The layout of the land is there, however. They could simply repurpose it and build around it. That takes a lot of work out of the equation when you don't necessarily have to do entire land clearing and build from the ground up.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I am absolutely sure there are drawings being done. I am also sure there are also fully fleshed out land ideas. It's just choosing the right path and then announcing it. Disney learned their lesson with 1st not announcing finalized plans for FLE and then the debacle with Hyperion Warf concept. They are not going down that road again. And that could be both good and bad.

So you don't think they learned anything from Hyperion Warf? This isn't 1950's America anymore, folks. Things are different. The internet has created a monster fan base that won't let anything die. Disney is scared of scared of bad PR. They still don't know 100% what to do with Hyperion. :brick:

In the grand scheme of The Walt Disney Company, Hyperion Wharf is a speck. With the work at Disney's California Adventure wrapping up, the new ships being finished, the Avatar project is likely the second largest and second most expensive project in the pipeline at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. That is the sort of thing that should be updated at a shareholders meeting, even if it is just a vague "We continue to work with James Cameron on bringing Avatar to life at Disney's Animal Kingdom." That he only said that when asked says a lot, because this is the very time when he is supposed to be telling investors how great things have just been and how great they will be in the future, all because of him their great CEO.

I bet the contract between Cameron and Disney requires a full land and one they both approve on. I would love to read that thing...

It should be available on the SEC's website, where the Marvel and Harry Potter contracts can also be found. You would be much loved if you found it.

 

[menamechris]

They are scared of bad press. Mortified, actually. When is the last time Disney had a major scandal or gotten bad press?

Well, most companies don't. Does Apple have bad press or scandals all over? No. Damage control and a good PR department comes with a company of that magnitude. But heads of Disney are not that daft. There would be no scandal, uproar, or even shocked faces from the general public if Avatarland never came about. Most people don't care. We care. And Disney kind of hates that we care...

 

[El Grupo]

They are scared of bad press. Mortified, actually. When is the last time Disney had a major scandal or gotten bad press?

Every corporation abhors bad press. They will make any and every effort to spin all news as positive.

IMO, the possible cancellation, reduction or relocation of Avatar-based attractions does not rise to the level of a major scandal for Disney.

 

[JustInTime]

Well, most companies don't. Does Apple have bad press or scandals all over? No. Damage control and a good PR department comes with a company of that magnitude. But heads of Disney are not that daft. There would be no scandal, uproar, or even shocked faces from the general public if Avatarland never came about. Most people don't care. We care. And Disney kind of hates that we care...

I think that if things were handled the way fans would like them to be, Avatar could result in some pretty bad press for Disney. Hence the caution we are seeing.

 

[JustInTime]

Every corporation abhors bad press. They will make any and every effort to spin all news as positive.

IMO, the possible cancellation, reduction or relocation of Avatar-based attractions does not rise to the level of a major scandal for Disney.

Depends on what Cameron has to say about it.

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

They are scared of bad press. Mortified, actually. When is the last time Disney had a major scandal or gotten bad press?

The Habit Heroes "issue" has blown up national media, and caused enough of a stir to warrant a complete overhaul of the attraction....a low-level "attraction" inside the low-traffic Innoventions. Pretty fair scandal to me.

I'm not really following your argument, but I respect it. It's just that with insider scoop from people like WDW1974 and Martin, it's hard to accept that Iger was doing anything but glossing it over and grumpily moving on.

And I can't help but disagree with your statement regarding keeping newer projects close to the vest until they're ready. The Carsland expansion, Little Mermaid attraction and FLE have been heavily documented at all stages of development on the Disney Parks blog, and on their social media sites. The Avatar announcement itself has been trumpeted across their blog and social media sites several times (until the past month or two...which says volumes). The theory that they're just biding their time simply doesn't hold muster.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I think that if things were handled the way fans would like them to be, Avatar could result in some pretty bad press for Disney. Hence the caution we are seeing.

Bad press would [possibly] come if hundred of millions of dollars were poured into this project only for it to be cancelled and the money written off as a loss.

 

[JustInTime]

The Habit Heroes "issue" has blown up national media, and caused enough of a stir to warrant a complete overhaul of the attraction....a low-level "attraction" inside the low-traffic Innoventions. Pretty fair scandal to me.

I'm not really following your argument, but I respect it. It's just that with insider scoop from people like WDW1974 and Martin, it's hard to accept that Iger was doing anything but glossing it over and grumpily moving on.

And I can't help but disagree with your statement regarding keeping newer projects close to the vest until they're ready. The Carsland expansion, Little Mermaid attraction and FLE have been heavily documented at all stages of development on the Disney Parks blog, and on their social media sites. The Avatar announcement itself has been trumpeted across their blog and social media sites several times (until the past month or two...which says volumes). The theory that they're just biding their time simply doesn't hold muster.

Simplified version:

My point was perhaps it's not set in stone yet.

 

[JustInTime]

Bad press would [possibly] come if hundred of millions of dollars were poured into this project only for it to be cancelled and the money written off as a loss.

Absolutely.

 

[devoy1701]

So you don't think they learned anything from Hyperion Warf? This isn't 1950's America anymore, folks. Things are different. The internet has created a monster fan base that won't let anything die. Disney is scared of scared of bad PR. They still don't know 100% what to do with Hyperion. :brick:

It's hard to get excited (past the original overall idea) for Pandora or any theme park project without giving us something to look at. Plus when you release the artwork you get to further gauge public reaction and see what conversations it sparks and what areas do and do not foster excitement (which ended up giving us the Mine Coaster afterall). I think this is a critical part of the design process and the feedback is invaluable to WDI. I'm not sure why they would be against releasing some artwork which is one of the reasons why I doubt this project has gotten anywhere yet.

 

[devoy1701]

So you don't think they learned anything from Hyperion Warf? This isn't 1950's America anymore, folks. Things are different. The internet has created a monster fan base that won't let anything die. Disney is scared of scared of bad PR. They still don't know 100% what to do with Hyperion. :brick:

Double Post (on my phone)

 

[JustInTime]

It's hard to get excited (past the original overall idea) for Pandora or any theme park project without giving us something to look at. Plus when you release the artwork you get to further gauge public reaction and see what conversations it sparks and what areas do and do not foster excitement (which ended up giving us the Mine Coaster afterall). I think this is a critical part of the design process and the feedback is invaluable to WDI. I'm not sure why they would be against releasing some artwork which is one of the reasons why I doubt this project has gotten anywhere yet.

No doubt it has us all worried. I'd love some artwork. Until I see concept I will have my doubts.