DAK James Cameron outlines 'Avatar' as Disney World attraction

[GoofGoof]

It's hard to believe that this part of the pavilion is "behind". Considering the boat ride uses part of the simulator's show building, part of it will certainly be prepped in advance. Having said that, here are the sources regarding the boat ride being delayed:
August 10, 2014: Episode 62 of the Unofficial Guide's Disney Dish podcast with Jim Hill include updates on several rumors. Those rumors related to Avatar are as follows:

• $600 Million for Pandora
• Might open with one ride (Simulator), with the boat ride coming on line 18 months later.

June 2, 2014: WDWMagic.com user pheneix is reporting that the cancellation of the Avatar Boat Ride or delay into Phase 2 are false.

June 2, 2014: WDWThemeParks.com has reported that the Na'vi River Journey (Boat Ride) attraction has been moved to a 'Phase 2' of the Avatar project. The ride is seemingly contingent on the success of the initial build of the land as well as the new movies.

The fact that the 2 rides kinda share parts of the same show building makes it seem like it would be more expensive and timely to delay it. With FLE Mine Train was more easily fenced off since it was not integrated directly with the other rides. With Avatar it seems like they would only really be able to delay the interior of the boat ride since the exterior would have to be mostly done. Maybe a positive way to look at this rumor is that the boat ride could be a lot larger scale than the C ticket ride originally leaked. It wouldn't take 18 months to pull together the inside of a C ticket boat ride, but it could take that long for a more substantial ride. Of course the skeptical side of me also thinks they could just put work on hold for a year and then finish it off 6 months later.

 

[Mike S]

It's hard to believe that this part of the pavilion is "behind". Considering the boat ride uses part of the simulator's show building, part of it will certainly be prepped in advance. Having said that, here are the sources regarding the boat ride being delayed:
August 10, 2014: Episode 62 of the Unofficial Guide's Disney Dish podcast with Jim Hill include updates on several rumors. Those rumors related to Avatar are as follows:

• $600 Million for Pandora
• Might open with one ride (Simulator), with the boat ride coming on line 18 months later.

June 2, 2014: WDWMagic.com user pheneix is reporting that the cancellation of the Avatar Boat Ride or delay into Phase 2 are false.

June 2, 2014: WDWThemeParks.com has reported that the Na'vi River Journey (Boat Ride) attraction has been moved to a 'Phase 2' of the Avatar project. The ride is seemingly contingent on the success of the initial build of the land as well as the new movies.

How about build the full land to ensure success. Putting off the boat ride to see how the rest of it goes just screams of cheapness. They could set up whatever unrealistic goal they want then say "see, it's not making money. We shouldn't build the boat ride to avoid wasting more money". Says how far they've fallen when this is an actual expectation from a diehard fan.

 

[danlb_2000]

The fact that the 2 rides kinda share parts of the same show building makes it seem like it would be more expensive and timely to delay it. With FLE Mine Train was more easily fenced off since it was not integrated directly with the other rides. With Avatar it seems like they would only really be able to delay the interior of the boat ride since the exterior would have to be mostly done. Maybe a positive way to look at this rumor is that the boat ride could be a lot larger scale than the C ticket ride originally leaked. It wouldn't take 18 months to pull together the inside of a C ticket boat ride, but it could take that long for a more substantial ride. Of course the skeptical side of me also thinks they could just put work on hold for a year and then finish it off 6 months later.

It really depends on how the land is configured. If the boat ride is behind the show building, away from the rest of the land, they would be able to work on it without any impact to the rest of the land. Even though the ride is going to share part of the show building, assuming the leaked plans are accurate, it assume it would be in it's own isolated section of the building so they could work on that part while the Soarin ride is still in operation.

 

[GoofGoof]

It really depends on how the land is configured. If the boat ride is behind the show building, away from the rest of the land, they would be able to work on it without any impact to the rest of the land. Even though the ride is going to share part of the show building, assuming the leaked plans are accurate, it assume it would be in it's own isolated section of the building so they could work on that part while the Soarin ride is still in operation.

True. We don't know the layout for sure. The leaked plans showed that at least part of the boat ride shared the bottom floor of the main show building. The red square in the diagram below:

It's possible either these plans were bogus or the plan has changed and the boat ride is away from the rest of the land. In this concept art the blue area below Joe's right fist looks to me like a water area:

It may not be part of the boat ride, but there is a good chance that it is. It would be relatively easy to isolate that area with construction walls. Based on these pictures I'm assuming the boat ride either starts in the E-ticket show building or at least crosses through it. It may then cross under the large walkway leading up to Joe's left hand and end up in the blue water area. If the boat ride at least partially shares the show building with the E-ticket and crosses under a walkway then those outside parts of the boat ride show building will at least be done when the E-ticket opens even if the insides of the ride aren't done. In other words they need to be a lot further along on the boat ride show building and some of the structures when phase 1 opens then Mine Train was for FLE.

 

[stevehousse]

I'm going with the boat ride is still on! Cameron did a reddit a month or 2 ago and talked about the Avatar Land and how it will have multiple rides and such...

 

[danlb_2000]

I'm going with the boat ride is still on! Cameron did a reddit a month or 2 ago and talked about the Avatar Land and how it will have multiple rides and such...

The rumors that is was canceled really didn't seem to grow legs, but I think whether it opens with the rest of the land or not is the question.

 

[twebber55]

True. We don't know the layout for sure. The leaked plans showed that at least part of the boat ride shared the bottom floor of the main show building. The red square in the diagram below:

It's possible either these plans were bogus or the plan has changed and the boat ride is away from the rest of the land. In this concept art the blue area below Joe's right fist looks to me like a water area:

It may not be part of the boat ride, but there is a good chance that it is. It would be relatively easy to isolate that area with construction walls. Based on these pictures I'm assuming the boat ride either starts in the E-ticket show building or at least crosses through it. It may then cross under the large walkway leading up to Joe's left hand and end up in the blue water area. If the boat ride at least partially shares the show building with the E-ticket and crosses under a walkway then those outside parts of the boat ride show building will at least be done when the E-ticket opens even if the insides of the ride aren't done. In other words they need to be a lot further along on the boat ride show building and some of the structures when phase 1 opens then Mine Train was for FLE.

I ve looked at these pictures countless times and ive come to the conclusion that picture of the model is in the middle of the land and both simulator and boat ride will be to the right of the land...ill try and find the picture on here showing off more water in the background

 

[twebber55]

this is the picture I was talking about....there is clearly water in the background (in between Joe and Toms head) which looks like its coming from that show building

 

[GoofGoof]

this is the picture I was talking about....there is clearly water in the background (in between Joe and Toms head) which looks like its coming from that show building

Is the show building labeled in this picture the main simulator ride and the water ride next to it and is outdoors? Or is there another show building for the boat ride?

 

[twebber55]

looks like two separate buildings but there are others (like @Tom )who would know better than me

 

[danlb_2000]

this is the picture I was talking about....there is clearly water in the background (in between Joe and Toms head) which looks like its coming from that show building

Having the heads of all those Disney executives in the middle of the land is going to be really annoying.

 

[Sassagoula-Rvr]

Disney got me already, I've got the 2015 trip being planned so I will be on schedule for the 2017 trip to see the new expansion.

Very excited for this....and I didn't love the movie...but it looks like an awe inspiring atmosphere in the concept art!!

 

[dreynolds1982]

I think this land is going to be incredible. Say what you want about the plot, story, acting, etc. in Avatar, the visuals were astounding and should make for an incredible visual and thematic experience in a park setting.

What I find to be the most interesting though, of course, is the nighttime aspect of it. In the movie, everything came to life in such a unique way at night. I have a feeling this is going to bring HUGE crowds to AK at night. Will be interesting to see what they do with park hours to accommodate, especially during the summer when days are longer.

I know there have been the budget cut rumors, but I just don't see Disney trimming this one. UO has hit two homeruns with both HP additions and set the theme/detail bar pretty high. I expect the rides will be incredible, but I imagine much like DA at Universal, the interactive/immersive elements inside the land around the rides will be even more impressive.