Spirited Spring Break News, Observations & Thoughts ...

[novawildcat18]

James Cameron said just last week that it would have 2 rides so....

I'm pretty sure the boat ride was the second ride he was talking about, no?

 

[aladdin2007]

Who said that the Pandora boat ride was getting scrapped?

miceage

 

[PREMiERdrum]

Who said that the Pandora boat ride was getting scrapped?

The result is that nearly every major addition for theme parks in North America is now shelved. Only a few concepts previously announced are moving forward, but in a downsized format. Avatarland for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it appears, has now been scaled back to one flying simulator ride, a handful of shops, and a restaurant. The plans for a Star Wars themed spaceport remake of Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, to be built in two phases bracketing the 60th Anniversary, have been shelved for now.

 

[SJN1279]

Miceage has little or no credibility anymore. Until an insider on WDWMagic states the same, I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[twebber55]

so should i believe James Cameron or miceage?

 

[SJN1279]

so should i believe James Cameron or miceage?

Someone should write James Cameron on Twitter saying that Miceage.com wrote Pandora's boat ride is getting scrapped.....and asking if there is any truth to the rumor.

 

[Travel Junkie]

I have my doubts about the Avatar cut, but time will tell I guess. It was such a throwaway line in the article too. Most of the article is devoted to kissing up to a promoted VP and possible much needed infrastructure improvements around DLR. Sandwiched in between they bury the lead by briefly mentioning a cut to Avatarland and a delayed Star Wars project. Ho hum. That is the breaking news here, if they truly believe it.
Poor effort MC.

 

[Kman101]

Yeah, there did seem to be a lot of kissing up in that article. And they're really celebrating that woman coming up with the Glow Fest stuff? The bands may be good but it's just a better themed dance party without the characters.

 

[Lee]

The initial iteration of the current park master plan (the one submitted to Shanghai planning for public review) and the massing model from the 2009 D23 did not have Soarin or Toy Story Playland. These spaces were left blank for future development. Then the leaked illustrative plan showed these additions (and coincided with the list detailed here). That's what had me thinking these two areas may be the "additional" attractions funded by this infusion (e.g. $200 m assigned for the 'expansion', $600m to cover budget overruns).

As of Nov '13 satellite imagery, nothing had been started on Toy Story Land (while Soarin seemed to have some footings being poured. I hope your theory is right, but if it sounds too good to be true...

We're now less than 20 months out from opening. The park should be in this phase of construction (HKDL 20 months out):

We need a Scott Keating in China!

That photo is Hong Kong.
Just so nobody gets confused and thinks its Shanghai...

 

[Cesar R M]

It was never canon.

"I don't read that stuff. I haven't read any of the novels. I don't know anything about that world. That's a different world than my world. But I do try to keep it consistent. The way I do it now is they have a Star Wars Encyclopedia. So if I come up with a name or something else, I look it up and see if it has already been used. When I said [other people] could make their own Star Wars stories, we decided that, like Star Trek, we would have two universes: My universe and then this other one. They try to make their universe as consistent with mine as possible, but obviously they get enthusiastic and want to go off in other directions."
―George Lucas

Considering Lucas isnt even sure about his own creations.. Id take his account with a graint of salt.
even if he is the creator. he as changed and meddled his own versions so many times (including making cuts over cuts over cuts of HIS OWN MOVIES every re-release) that some vary a lot in some important scenes.

 

[Cesar R M]

Someone should write James Cameron on Twitter saying that Miceage.com wrote Pandora's boat ride is getting scrapped.....and asking if there is any truth to the rumor.

It would be weird if Cameron was never informed of the cancellation and they did it behind his back.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Yeah, there did seem to be a lot of kissing up in that article. And they're really celebrating that woman coming up with the Glow Fest stuff? The bands may be good but it's just a better themed dance party without the characters.

It has its detractors, but I for one love Mad T Party. Never got to experience Glow Fest, but Mad T Party gives a kind of Pleasure Island vibe to DCA. Mostly adults, great drinks, entertainment variety - a fantastic band, DJ for part of the time, aerialists and amazing dancers, flamingo stilt walkers. My only gripe is how ugly it looks during the day, but that part of the park is pretty desolate anyway.

I had doubts at first, but Niven has turned into a great exec. Hope to see DL changed for the better under her - there is a huge difference in cast morale between the two parks, and that's something she's great at.

 

[BrianLo]

Avatarland for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it appears, has now been scaled back to one flying simulator ride, a handful of shops, and a restaurant.

MiceAge these days is totally unreliable for anything WDW related, we've had no indication that anything has been seriously dropped with Pandora.

There have been so many other meaty developments with Tokyo, Shanghai, Paris and even Scott Towbridge moving over to a Starwars studio they clearly don't know much about.

 

[CDavid]

It would be weird if Cameron was never informed of the cancellation and they did it behind his back.

In an institution as big and varied as The Walt Disney Company, it's not unheard of for the right hand not to know what the left hand is doing. So, while Cameron's statement throws cold water on the MiceAge article, it is also completely possible substantial changes have been made without his knowledge.

What we'll need is conformation from one of our reliable posters with inside knowledge.

 

[twebber55]

In an institution as big and varied as The Walt Disney Company, it's not unheard of for the right hand not to know what the left hand is doing. So, while Cameron's statement throws cold water on the MiceAge article, it is also completely possible substantial changes have been made without his knowledge.

What we'll need is conformation from one of our reliable posters with inside knowledge.

thats not exactly a minor detail that he wouldnt know about..that would be a major change in the plans

 

[bhg469]

In an institution as big and varied as The Walt Disney Company, it's not unheard of for the right hand not to know what the left hand is doing. So, while Cameron's statement throws cold water on the MiceAge article, it is also completely possible substantial changes have been made without his knowledge.

What we'll need is conformation from one of our reliable posters with inside knowledge.

I think everyone is expecting the same kind of input and influence that Rowling gave the potter project. I know cameron is very passionate about his projects but I also don't think he has the time to do what she did, nor do I think Disney's influence won't trump his.

 

[Magenta Panther]

If Avatarland is being cut back, GOOD. Maybe TDO is coming to its senses at last. The money for that dumb project could be better spent elsewhere.

 

[Tigger1988]

Considering Lucas isnt even sure about his own creations.. Id take his account with a graint of salt.
even if he is the creator. he as changed and meddled his own versions so many times (including making cuts over cuts over cuts of HIS OWN MOVIES every re-release) that some vary a lot in some important scenes.

I'll take his word over those of glorified fan fic authors. EU was never canon and never meant to be.

 

[WildcatDen]

Whenever someone complains about Disney's high food prices, I show them a photo of a menu from Great America or Kings Island. Disney combos may push $12, but the Cedar Fair parks pass $15 without drinks. Of course, the fact that Cedar Fair finally got Great America's woodie built is a big plus for me, even if the rest of the park feels kind of neglected.

What are you buying at KI that is over $15? The Larosa's full pizza is still the best deal. You can buy a daily meal pass for $29.99. Sounds like food every 90 minutes if you so desire. The other is the yearly food pass for $72. This is two meals per visit. For a pass holder, especially a teen, this is a steal!

 

[Astro Blaster]

I'll take his word over those of glorified fan fic authors. EU was never canon and never meant to be.

I'm actually very, very excited about the new direction of Star Wars. While I enjoyed many aspects of the EU, some of the stories felt cheapened to me because of what you just said. I get that it's all fiction, but I'd read some books with the idea that, "well this didn't really happen, but it's an interesting story nonetheless."

Going forward with everything part of one continuity, the new books, comics, etc. will get a sense of legitimacy that the old ones never had. I read a couple of the old EU novels, but I'm actually more excited to pick up the new ones to become more in-tune with this singular story. Even the new movies will come with elements of surprise that the prequels by definition could not have.

I don't know much about this Trowbridge move, but if they're planning to make Star Wars land an immersive experience like Potter instead of some attractions plopped here and there, I don't think I could be more excited for Star Wars.