Originally Posted By tashajilek I'm much happier that Disney ended up with Star Wars than HP. I just hope they do something good in the parks one day.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>You mean like Harry Potter for USH? Construction hasn't even started yet after the announcement 1 to 2 years ago!<< But Universal and Disney have very different approaches when it comes to this sort of stuff. Disney (at least in the last 5-10 years) likes to get concept art online and circulating, and have exhibits in the parks. From Universal, we've generally seen a couple images and a brief description, but nothing very detailed until construction is nearing completion; for Avatar we haven't even gotten those few early clues yet >>However, this is kind of an "out of the ordinary" project for Disney, don't you think?<< I do. Which is why I'm still very skeptical about it. Disney has been playing it safe under Iger's regime and following a fairly formulaic approach to getting Disney-owned properties into every location possible. So it just doesn't make sense to my why he would get behind this project, when there are Disney properties that would be just as well suited (if not better). If it was more 'ordinary', I think I'd be willing to accept that they hadn't released any images or details yet
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I'm not sure if I would have picked Harry Potter or Star Wars if I had my choice of franchises for Disney to be able to include in it's parks. But I do know that Star Wars is an awesome franchise to own, really I feel like the capabilities are endless. I would like to see Star Wars weekends at the DLR like they have in WDW first of all. Then I'd like to see Tomorrowland completely torn and rebuilt at Star Wars Central!
Originally Posted By DBitz2 While I do hope the Avatar plans ultimately do fall through, this week Disney did officially announce a new theater is being built in Africa for The Festival of the Lion King, to open in 2014. While the Disney person who made the post on the Parks Blog is evasive in answering questions of whether the move is Avatar related, clearly the show is being moved for a reason. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/07/a-new-home-for-festival-of-the-lion-king-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/">http://disneyparks.disney.go.c...kingdom/</a>
Originally Posted By xrayvision I accidently posted this article in another similar thread. Orlando Business Journal reported in May 2013 that Disney World officials informed the newspaper that Avatar Land at Animal Kingdom will open by summer 2017. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.bizjournals.com/orl...39507661">http://www.bizjournals.com/orl...39507661</a> Here's a part of the article linked above - "Walt Disney World last week told Orlando Business Journal that its planned new Avatar land at Animal Kingdom will open by summer 2017. In 2011, Disney announced it was developing the land, but gave no other details on rides, shows or a timeline. Until now, that is. “It’s about a five-year development process, so I’d say we are on track and the guests are going to love it,” Walt Disney World President George Kalogridis told OBJ in a one-on-one interview last week. He added that it will open in “about four more years.” That schedule seems to fit with Disney’s plans to have the park open after the sequel to director James Cameron’s Avatar film franchise, which is set for a 2015 release. Several experts have compared the Avatar expansion as Disney’s shot back at Universal Orlando Resort’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion, which has attracted droves of tourists since it opened in June 2010...." Not sure if Avatar Land will come to fruition, but it sounds like they're really working on it.
Originally Posted By dagobert Besides the sneak peaks for the themeparks, do you think we will get some informations during the Walt Disney Studios panel about Episode VII and Disney's plans for Star Wars. Last weekend's Celebration Europe didn't unveil anything besides John Williams.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Disney (at least in the last 5-10 years) likes to get concept art online and circulating, and have exhibits in the parks. From Universal, we've generally seen a couple images and a brief description, but nothing very detailed until construction is nearing completion; for Avatar we haven't even gotten those few early clues yet" Presumably that's what's happening at D23. Patience my friend, patience.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I'm expecting something to be shown at D23, but they've already announced that WDI won't reveal anything new (likely to temper expectations, so a minor reveal doesn't become a huge disappointment) and won't have a presentation related to any upcoming projects. If anything comes out of D23, I'm not expecting it to be especially noteworthy; but I hope I'm proven wrong!
Originally Posted By LP Watcher If they were going to do ANYTHING concerning upcoming projects, you'd expect that they would (should) give some clue to that effect just to help spur attendance to the Expo. As they haven't promoted anything other than the innocuous "teasers" for SW and Avatar, to me that means that they won't be releasing anything of slight, let alone significant interest
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I've decided to stop feeling opposed to the idea of Avatarland. Between Cameron's penchant for detail and Rohde's success in creating lush environments, it really could be quite awesome. I'll withhold judgment until I see it.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt If they were going to do ANYTHING concerning upcoming projects, you'd expect that they would (should) give some clue to that effect just to help spur attendance to the Expo." Assuming the information is going be to made public following the Expo the details on what's being revealed would not drive attendance.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance That's true, you'd have to be a real nerd to want to know the details 3 minutes before the rest of the world.
Originally Posted By Brad "Several experts have compared the Avatar expansion as Disney’s shot back at Universal Orlando Resort’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion, which has attracted droves of tourists since it opened in June 2010...." " Ironic since HP phase 1 opened YEARS before this supposed Avatar land is rumoured to supposedly open and in fact HP phase 2 will have actually already been open for a few years and wowing even MORE guests at USF. Fail Disney.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Ironic since HP phase 1 opened YEARS before this supposed Avatar land is rumoured to supposedly open and in fact HP phase 2 will have actually already been open for a few years and wowing even MORE guests at USF." Which means that both HP additions could be considered old hat by the time Avatar Land opens. Especially WWoHP. "Fail Disney." I understand the skepticism, but potshots at Disney like these do nothing to support your argument.
Originally Posted By 2001DLFan "Assuming the information is going be to made public following the Expo the details on what's being revealed would not drive attendance." EVERYTHING has an announcement date at some point. The play is to get the most bang for your buck. If Disney was going to announce Avatar, they choose the most advantageous way to do it. What other opportunity do you think would be better to announce at? Comic Con announces lots of things and people flock there just to be the first to get it. D23 is showing Planes, the same day it gets released. That screening will be FULL. Don't underestimate the Disney fan.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>D23 is showing Planes, the same day it gets released. That screening will be FULL. << At least for the first half .....
Originally Posted By FerretAfros If the Planes screening attracts a large crowd, I think it will speak more to the dearth of worthwile attractions at the D23 Expo than the ferocity of Disney's fans
Originally Posted By Brad "I understand the skepticism, but potshots at Disney like these do nothing to support your argument." It's how I feel. They're offering less, much later than their competitors and gussying it up with lame marketing gimmicks and "events" tags. Lucky I just used the trendy "fail" epithet. Coulda been a LOT more harsh.
