Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey Count me in as one of the 10 or so people that haven't seen the film. The only little blue people I've ever been interested in were Smurfs (and that was about 30 years ago). I didn't see the film because everyone I talked to said it was beautiful, but the script was rotten (not surprising after "Titanic"). I'm glad that DAK is getting something substantial (it needs it), but I wish it was something else. I'll wait and see, though.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> Story-wise, the franchise is lacking. But artistically, it's stunning and entrancing. And if they focus on that and can recreate the atmosphere the best they can, the land will be a hit. << Food for thought: James Cameron's previous theme park work includes T2:3D, a very impressive attraction. However, it relies very heavily on story, less on atmosphere. That's fine because the Terminator story is a bit more inventive, the characters are recognizable, etc. But that might also be a sign that Cameron (and perhaps WDI, too) are more interested in story than atmosphere. Just have to see how it plays out...five years from now.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA We went and saw 'Avatar' -- in 3-D and everything. I thought it was cool. And it is certainly one of the only movies that I thought the 3-D effects really worked well.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: This is a response meant for our friend, Malin. We did not mean to imply that we wanted only animated films to be made into attractions. Disney has many live action movies to inspire good attractions, too. Not certain how you interpreted our comments to mean we only wanted animated films made into attractions at the Disney parks. We just prefer Disney theme parks make attractions based on Disney movies and leave out the non-Disney movies as attractions. Avatar wasn't a Disney property and neither was Indiana Jones nor Star Wars. Yet those movies, too, have attractions at Disney theme parks. Why not build attractions based on Disney movies only? Tron would make a good attraction, for instance.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>That's the 21st C. model for TWDC. Maybe you need some more pixie dust to fully enjoy it?<<< Iger, Iger, more Iger. I hate it. Can't wait until he leaves.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>They do it's called the Magic Kingdom.<<<< And all they do is synergy. we need more than that.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Story-wise, the franchise is lacking.<<< Reason alone that it's wrong for Disney.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Reason alone that it's wrong for Disney. >> Not really. All of the classic attractions have a simple premise. Besides, it's artistically stunning and is a great fantasy environment, which fits in with Disney parks.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: Well, I'm really ticked off over this whole thing! I mean, Avatar's not even a Disney movie! Yet The Black Cauldron IS a Disney movie and current Disney management hasn't lifted a single finger to make a nice dark ride for 'Cauldron'!!! N-o-o-o-o-o-o-o! Instead they go out looking for NON-Disney movies to promote in their sorry parks!! Instead of showing some loyalty to their own films, they have to go out and look for greener grass on the other side! That's akin to a man cheating on his lovely WIFE!!! And as God is my witness, I'm not gonna' sit here and take it anymore!! I deserve to be heard! I deserve some respect!!! I deserve my Black Cauldron DARK ride and I deserve it a heck of a lot sooner than Avatar does!!! So take that and stick it where the sun don't shine, Mr. Iger!!! ORDDU: Um....dear...are you feeling all right? And where's Orgoch, by the way. ORWEN: Don't even mention that nasty old biddy to me!! I just got through decking her on another thread for suggesting I needed a psychiatrist right about now!!! What I really need is that Black Cauldron DARK RIDE!! IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?!?!?!?! ORDDU: Come along, dear. I think it's time we found you a nice box of fresh Krispy Kremes....
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Count me in the group that never saw the film (a surprisingly large group, I must say!). With that in mind, I am a little concerned about the franchise's longterm longevity. It was the greatest thing ever for about 6-8 weeks, and then largely forgotten from our social concience. Sure, there will be hype when the sequel comes out (was I the only one who just found out about that in this thread?), but I wonder how excited people will be a few years after that. Given design and construction schedules, it will be a while before we see something. I am glad that DAK is getting a big anchor area, but I'm concerned that it just doesn't fit the park at all. I don't know where this would really fit in WDW (my first instinct would be to throw it in the Studios, where anything goes), but this park isn't it. Given how very little we know about the plans, there's really not much else we can say. >>I'm surprised nobody made the obvious but I thought Pocahontas and her Forrest Friends closed down<< That was actually my first thought. For the sake of irony, I really hope that this new land is built partially on the spot that the Pocahontas show used to occupy. And here's the text from an email that a CM friend recieved today 'from Tom Staggs'. Not much that wasn't in the other articles in this thread, but a slightly different format: >>>>>Subject: AVATAR Coming to Disney Parks From the launch of the Disney Dream to the groundbreaking of Shanghai Disney Resort to the opening of Aulani, 2011 has already been a year full of major milestones for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts – and today I am pleased to add another to that list. At a press conference at Walt Disney Imagineering earlier today, Bob Iger and I announced a long-term creative partnership with James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the epic fantasy world of AVATAR to life at our parks. We also announced that Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park at the Walt Disney World Resort is planned as the site of our first AVATAR-themed land. James is a groundbreaking filmmaker and gifted storyteller who shares our passion for creativity, technological innovation and delivering the best experience possible. He, his producing partner, Jon Landau, and their team at Lightstorm Entertainment will serve as creative consultants and will work side by side with our Imagineers as we dream up experiences that will take our Guests deep into the worlds of AVATAR like never before. There are also two sequels to the record-setting first film in the works, which will give us and our Guests even more to explore in the AVATAR universe. AVATAR is a uniquely powerful franchise that has global appeal with audiences of all ages. With its spectacular settings, intriguing characters, imaginative creatures and strong themes of family and loyalty, it’s a great fit for our parks, and we know that our collaboration with Jim, Jon and our partners at Fox will result in experiences that will both thrill and astound our Guests. Construction on our first AVATAR-themed land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park should begin in 2013. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is a great fit for this project because it was created to give our Guests the opportunity to experience the worlds of animals and nature – real and mythical – in whole new ways. With AVATAR, we’ve found the perfect opportunity to immerse our Guests in one of the most compelling mythical worlds ever conceived. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park also celebrates adventure, living in harmony with nature and environmental stewardship – themes that are deeply rooted in the stories of AVATAR. We’ve had great success with collaborations like this in the past – Star Tours: The Adventures Continue and our Indiana Jones attractions being terrific examples – so we’re excited to partner with James, Jon and their team to translate their vision from the screen to actual places that Guests can enter and explore. Our AVATAR experiences are expected to include themed lands, attractions, food and beverage locations, and entertainment elements. We are just beginning the Blue Sky design phase and look forward to sharing more details on the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park project in the future. We also anticipate making announcements about other AVATAR-themed lands in locations that will be determined by Disney and our international theme park partners. Until then, I hope you share my excitement for this fantastic opportunity, which is not only a strong investment in our core theme park business but will enable us to deliver incredible new experiences for our Guests around the world. Tom<<<<
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL I just wonder if Cameron was taken thru EXPEDITION EVEREST and saw just how poorly WDW designs and maintains its "HEADLINE" attractions? Start up the arguments again if you all want, but THE reason for EE isn't the highly themed queue, it is the YETI encounter and as we all know, it's been a no show for an embarrassingly long time. PATHETIC! Without it, the coaster is pretty mediocre....actually, with it, the coaster is pretty mediocre. Pandora/World of Avatar could be good, but since they only announced they would be building a land and absolutely nothing about its attractions, restaurants or ANYTHING, I guess we'll have to wait. But PLEASE, something more exciting than re-using the TT/JTTCOTE/Carsland RR's ride system As an aside, personally, it would have made more sense to make this a mini land in a much larger fantasy based Beastly Kingdom. As is, Pandora was a dangerous place good for the more thrilling and adventurous Teen/Adult attractions. Where BK could have been the family friendly section.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<Where BK could have been the family friendly section.>> When I think of beasts, I don't think of warm and fuzzy family fare, but that's just me.
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL Really? Disney's own Beast was quite warm and fuzzy and if you ask Belle, I bet she'd say extremely cuddly ;-) Seriously, Its DISNEY. They have made man eaters, Lions and Tigers and Bears(oh my), along with a just about every other character in their arsenal warm and cuddly
Originally Posted By brotherdave Got blindsided by this news today! Never dreamed that Disney would ever get the rights to Avatar for the parks. Then again, count me as another on that ever growing list of people who have never seen the film, either. I'm mixed by the announcement. On one hand, it's something new, and MAJOR from the sounds of it since a whole new land is being created for it at DAK. On the other hand, it's another non-Disney franchise in the parks with more "synergy", if you will. (Though, not really as it's NOT a Disney property). Here's hoping that this new land will not dissapoint and that many new attractions (not just a film based 3-D film/simulator as I'm expecting) will be included in the final product. Just my prediction on what the new land may possibly include: 3D film and/or simulator experience, possibly rivaling Potter Some type of thrill ride or roller coaster for thrill seekers Smaller family attraction of some sort (possibly utilizing one of the new ride systems such as Flying Saucers or Mater's Junkyard Jamboree that will be featured in Carsland) Major indoor restaraunt Themed shops and gardens, possibly with animatronic otherworldly animals Here's hoping that they deliver!
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct I saw the film 5 times .... Including 3D IMAX. Love Love LOVE the idea of Disney creating this environment and it is a natural fit for Animal Kingdom. The Na'vi are able to link mentally with some animals and connect to each other through a bio-botanial neural network that connects all life ..... *squeal* !!!! The god energy is represented in a Tree of Souls called Eywa. The Na'vi culture is so tribal and gorgeous. The story is beautiful, emotional and rooted in spiritual themes that explores how we are all connected to the "energies" that make life. The Conservation message of AVATAR is purposeful and intense. The animals in AVATAR are so unique and interesting and so well imagined. AVATAR impressed me with how different the world was and at the same time it felt so familiar and real. I am a fan of Disney and a fan of AVATAR. I look forward to see what happens. I want to walk in an illuminated fantasy forest as "life" around me expresses itself in colorful phosphorus glows. I want to feel the spiritual vibe of the Home trees. See the illuminated seeds from the Tree of Souls trees floating down. How about flying on a Toruk (a powerful pterodactyl-like predator) throughout the AVATAR world. I am so happy to hear this news. Where are the other lands being built? I wonder.
Originally Posted By dzny daze I thought one of the prevailing messages in Avatar was that the blue people WEREN'T animals...?
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct How about an AVATAR evening parade at Animal Kingdom where the entire forest illuminates in bio-floresent colors and the Tree Of Life is transformed Into the Tree Of Souls and maybe Eywa sends some seeds floating down on us I can envision the Na'vi glowing on the parade route with some of the Pandoran animals (who have joined up with the Na'vi in the bio-botanial neural network to which Pandoran organisms are connected) to the tribal beats and hypnotic melodies and chants. *squeal* !!!!! bring it on baby ... I'm psyched.
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct Knowing and loving the Nav'vi also means opening ourselves to accept and respect other cultures. To think outside ourselves and show some love is another good AVATAR message.
Originally Posted By EighthDwarf I think this is brilliant. DAK is a little too much of the same all around the park and adding an entire land that is different but with some common themes strikes me as a grand idea. The movie is very good and I look forward to the sequels - James Cameron is very good at telling a compelliing story with limited underlying content. The only bummer is that I may have to postpone taking my kids to WDW for the first time until it's done. Regarding Harry Potter......was I the only one who didn't care for the movies? I loved the characters but the storyline sucked out loud for me.
Originally Posted By macnak81 everyone keeps skipping over this section of AK was supposed to be the beastly kingdom with Mythical animals. Does Disney have any movies to fit that theme? No. Are the creatures in Avatar mythical , well in a way yes. so Bring it on, BUT those fiber optic tails are gonna be expensive in the gift shop.
