Originally Posted By CuriousConstance "Kids don't care about Avatar." I think that's because Avatar isn't really a kids movie. My daughter liked it, but she's a real movie buff and enjoys more things than the average kid does. She'd never want Avatar toys though or to dress up as one for Halloween. I remember when they got an Avatar toy in their Happy Meal one time before she saw the movie, both my kids thought it was weird and never really played with it.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Kids don't care about Avatar." Did kids care about Indiana Jones? I don't recall it being a big franchise for children, but it sure made one amazing and popular DL attraction.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Did kids care about Indiana Jones?>> Considering how many kids I see in Indy Halloween costumes, I'd say yes.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 I am sure Disney could make an interesting attraction out of Avatar. I am not that they will but that is a different topic, or understand the thought process on why. Out of all the movie franchises from outside the company they could have picked up this one is unimpressive, despite how well the movie went. What Disney needs to do now is make an attraction that both Avatar and non-Avatar fans alike will enjoy. They need to pull a Harry Potter like attraction out of their pocket. I am just not that sure they will.
Originally Posted By CDF2 Potter franchise literally has legions of fans worldwide panting to get to IOA or to whatever other Universal parks might install the ride and the themed area. That is a far different situation than what might happen with an Avatar-based attraction that will only appeal to a select audience. Even a mediocre Potter attraction would have been a good draw - but with a compelling ride like Universal came up with, they surely hit a home run. Even a very good Avatar ride will not compare to the Potter franchise in terms of universal appeal.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt <<Did kids care about Indiana Jones?>> "Considering how many kids I see in Indy Halloween costumes, I'd say yes." Interesting. I've never seen one kid play with an Indiana Jones toy or wear a costume from the film in my life.
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn If Disney wants to pull a Harry Potter, what would work better? Avatar? Lord of the Rings? or a hefty Star Wars expansion? I've never been a fan of the Beastlie Kingdomm concept. That would not make me get in my car and drive 8 hours to Orlando.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>If Disney wants to pull a Harry Potter, what would work better? Avatar? Lord of the Rings? or a hefty Star Wars expansion? I've never been a fan of the Beastlie Kingdomm concept. That would not make me get in my car and drive 8 hours to Orlando.>>> I would like to see a big Star Wars land with several rides.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I can't think of anything more sleep inducing than Lord of The Rings. Nope, I can't.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I can't think of anything more sleep inducing than Lord of The Rings. >> Avatar.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt No way Jose. I literally fell asleep in Lord of The Rings while watching it in Imax and didn't wake up until the end. Talk about dull characters. It was terrible. Obviously I never bothered to see any of the sequels.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper I watch them back to back at least once a year. Love everything about them.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Ha! I have a very random movie tastes. I like basically every genre whether high brow or low brow. But Jimmy Cameron is one director I don't really have the stomach for aside from Terminator 2 and Aliens.
Originally Posted By CDF2 Well, didn't Cameron play a big part in the development of the Terminator 3D attraction at Universal? How would you grade out that show at this point? Its a nice diversion but certainly not a "pack em in all the time" type of show. One thing a Lord of the Rings attraction would have would be a wealth of characters and creatures that could be used ...... and while the books or even the movies could be a long and hard slog a spiffy 5-minute attraction might give someone like a Peter Jackson a great canvas on which to work.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "...and while the books or even the movies could be a long and hard slog a spiffy 5-minute attraction might give someone like a Peter Jackson a great canvas on which to work." Which is why a good, well developed attraction is always going to outweigh the franchise that its built around. Cars, and especially Cars 2, was not Pixar's best film and yet it's the foundation for one of the most momentous and exciting additions in the history of Disney theme parks. Avatar, Lord of The Rings, Sister Act.... who cares? Just make sure that its a strong attraction with good storytelling and an experience worth having. That's really what matters.
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn The good things about JRR Tolkien is that his stories and characters are known, many, and timeless. The Hobbit has been around since the 30', The Lord of the Rings has been around since the 50's, and they are still widely popular today. The Hobbit movie is due for release this December. Lego has recently taken the theme. Would they do that with a "Beastlie Kingdomm"? Face it. Kids at Universal want to bring home a Firebolt, a Quidich set, a wand from Ollivanders. What will they want to bring home from Beastlie Kingdomm? I'm sure they'd rather have a gold ring, a Galdalf staff, an elf bow, and (dare I say) "Hobbit Crocs". Tolkein had a term he used called "Legendarium" to represent his works - there's your name for the store that can sell an already-existing wealth of products and collectibles. There's more than enough scenes throughout each book to fill an entire theme park if they wished. I say take the brand while the brand's hot (pun intended). It's the most competitive theme they could possible do against Harry Potter.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper ^^^Merchandising is one area I think Avatar falters pretty hard, and one of the reasons the land has me scratching my head. Cars and Potter have some pretty infinite merchandising opportunities. Same with things like Indiana Jones, Spider-man, and Transformers. But what does Avatar have really? I was told by someone that Disney views Avatar as more popular than Star Wars. If that is indeed true...how blind can these people be?
Originally Posted By dshyates I can't wait to try a blue Na'viberry slushie with added foam. Avatar more popular than Star Wars? I don't know ANYONE into Avatar. Not one single person who has ever bought a single piece of Avatar merchandise.
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn I think Avatar could be merchanidisable if the walk-into-the-experience is impressive. More people could become fans of it with a new movie and land. But I still agree that it won't be as "legendary" as Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Lord of the Rings. I put Avatar on par with the Alien series - interesting during the moments I watch it, but it'll never make it to Legos.
