Walt Disney World Disney's Animal Kingdom Discussion Thread

[805Andrew]

If this ends up being true then its a smart move for Disney. This could be their answer to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Though I hope they eventually bring Avatar to California. A couple of the best rides at Disneyland are based of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, which aren't Disney.

[live2tell75]

Interesting. My first thought was something new at DHS. But the more I thought about it, could the once proposed Beastly Kingdom turn into a Avatar themed land? Avatar does carry a heavy environmental theme that could fit well in DAK.

[BBparks57]

My buddy just texted me about this and I had to see if it was true. Came here first for I figured you would already have the article and glad to see it is! Unfortunately I couldn't be less excited. Dak was my least favorite park in the beginning but it has really grown on me. I was hoping for a new good update and this is not what I expected. I'm sure it will go over well, but I just think it's a very interesting choice and not my cup of tea. Although I do look forward to any type of new rides that may come along with it.

[Hockeyman55]

This is what Disney posted on their blog moments ago.

 

"We have great news to share today. At a press conference happening right now at Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Iger and Tom Staggs just announced a long-term creative partnership with James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the fantasy world of AVATAR to life at Disney Parks. And it’ll all begin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

 

James and his producing partner Jon Landau and their team at Lightstorm Entertainment will serve as creative consultants on the project and will work side-by-side with our Walt Disney Imagineers as we dream up experiences that will take our guests deep into worlds of AVATAR like never before. There are also two sequels to the record setting first film in the works, which will offer more fascinating stories, characters and locations to explore in the AVATAR universe. Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort is planned as the site of the first AVATAR-themed land with construction expected to begin by 2013.

We believe Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a great fit for this project because it was created to give guests the opportunity to experience the worlds of animals and nature – real and mythical – in new ways. Disney’s Animal Kingdom also celebrates adventure, living in harmony with nature and environmental stewardship – themes that are deeply rooted in the story of AVATAR.

The design phase on the Disney’s Animal Kingdom project has just begun so stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details.

Got questions about the announcement? If so, Tom Staggs will be answering them in a special Q&A blog post later today. Just submit your name, city where you’re from and your question to questionsfortom@disney.com and then check the Disney Parks Blog later to see some of the answers."

[Swimace]

I think this would be a great fit for Hollywood Studios. That park has really been in need of a major new attraction, even AK has passed DHS's attendance figures recently. Star Tours is nice and all, but a major new E-Ticket would really help.

 

Edit: Wow, AK? Umm.. ok...

[Hilltopper39]

Very interesting news, I was a bit puzzled by the Animal Kingdom location for the area initially but the more I think about it that might be perfect. Animal Kingdom is badly in need of some new E-Ticket attractions and this is perfect for that even though it ultimately is movie based. I can't wait to see what WDI has in store for this, let the speculation begin....

 

I guess this is going to go where Beastly Kingdom was originally designed to be, I wonder if they will re-use any of those attraction concepts or go in a completely new direction? I could see a B&M wing coaster being PERFECT for this, but I don't know if B&M would agree to let Disney do their thing.

[SteelFusion]

Interesting partnership they've come up with here. DAK is a good fit for this IMO - they need some more major attractions and the conservation/environment storylines could fit in well. I just hope they don't overdo it and let it be as heavy-handed as it is in the movie.

[Hilltopper39]

I think this would be a great fit for Hollywood Studios. That park has really been in need of a major new attraction, even AK has passed DHS's attendance figures recently. Star Tours is nice and all, but a major new E-Ticket would really help.

 

Edit: Wow, AK? Umm.. ok...

 

That was my exact thought initially but the more I think about it Animal Kingdom is perfect.

 

I guess it makes as much sense in Animal Kingdom as The Wizzarding Wold does in IOA?

[Fooz]

I like the movie, and frankly this sounds like one of the best themeing opportunities that a park could have. This should be an exciting project.

[Top Thrill Dragster]

I can just imagine how awesome an Avatar land would be at night .

Edited September 20, 2011 by Top Thrill Dragster

[SharkTums]

Perhaps Lucas didn't want Avatar in the Studios park? I'd imagine he has some pull.

 

This seems odd, but I'll reserve judgement till we actually get some real information on attractions/rides, etc.

[Sir Clinksalot]

At first glance, this appears to be a possible replacement for the long-rumored Beastly Kingdom.

 

Obviously it's a good thing that DAK is getting something ... anything. Not a HUGE fan of Avatar, but then again, I've only seen Song of the South once and it doesn't take away my enjoyment of Splash Mountain.

 

A good attraction is a good attraction ... period. If they fill it with crap then it won't work, if they fill it with awesomeness, it will.

[Buckeye_Ben]

This has absolutely HUGE potential for Disney. It fits really well in Animal Kingdom, so that will give WDW four full day parks finally. The movie was just "meh", but as a land there are a ton of possibilities for attractions...

[SharkTums]

^I don't agree with all the people saying that Animal Kingdom so desperately needs something. They really don't. It's to the point there's a lot more to do there as a family on a full day than at the Studios and I'm sure attendance numbers and guest satisfaction surveys would agree with me. Studios is the park that is really in need right now for quality family attractions.

[Hilltopper39]

Again this just screams B&M Wingrider to me, tons of jungle themeing, flying through narrow tunnels and under waterfalls just like the scene where Sam is riding his banshee in the movie. A more themed version of X-Raptor at Gardaland. From all the reports I've seen the wingriders aren't really that intense and could fit in the Disney perfectly.

[ernierocker]

Really looking forward to hearing more details about this! I could care less about the movies, but I'll take a new Disney themed land any day.

 

Just out of curiousity what section of the park was Beastly Kingdom rumored to go in?

[Sir Clinksalot]

Agreed with Elissa about DAK/Studios park.

 

Hopefully they are still going to go through with the whole Star Wars area for the Studios utilizing the tram tour area and that between that and Avatar it will improve both parks.

[SteelFusion]

Just out of curiousity what section of the park was Beastly Kingdom rumored to go in?

 

From what I remember, it was supposed to go where Camp Minnie-Mickey is, and that land was added as a placeholder. For some time, you could see references to Beastly Kingdom in the area if you looked closely. Not sure if they're still there, though.

[Hilltopper39]

I can just imagine how awesome an Avatar land would be at night .

 

It could be awesome at night, but Animal Kingdom is barley open past dusk most evenings, maybe that will change. I know there was some kind of night time light parade in the works, maybe this section will give them an excuse to keep the park open later every night.

 

^I don't agree with all the people saying that Animal Kingdom so desperately needs something. They really don't. It's to the point there's a lot more to do there as a family on a full day than at the Studios and I'm sure attendance numbers and guest satisfaction surveys would agree with me. Studios is the park that is really in need right now for quality family attractions.

 

I agree that it doesn't desperately need something, but I still think it could use another major ride, and like my post above says if they are ever going to stay open past 5pm it really needs something. Animal Kingdom is never a full day park for me, usually it's a ride Everest, Safaris, Dinosaur, see the Lion King first thing in the morning then leave and go to Epcot park for me. This might change that.

[Buckeye_Ben]

I personally think AK is fine now, but it seems to me like if someone didn't have time to visit all the Disney parks, Animal Kingdom is the first on the chopping block. That's what I think Disney wants to do with "Avatar-land".

 

Like someone said, I can see a wing-rider going in easily, and a tamer flat ride to complement Dinosaur would be great.

 

From what I remember, it was supposed to go where Camp Minnie-Mickey is, and that land was added as a placeholder. For some time, you could see references to Beastly Kingdom in the area if you looked closely. Not sure if they're still there, though.

 

I also think the land could go where Rafiki's Planet Watch is too, since Avatar has such a strong environmental angle. I don't think AK would need both lands, so they could get rid of Rafiki. The biggest problem with that area right now is that you can't get there unless you take the train. If they rip out the train, they can build a path to get back to Avatar-land.

[BeemerBoy]

James and his producing partner Jon Landau and their team at Lightstorm Entertainment will serve as creative consultants on the project and will work side-by-side with our Walt Disney Imagineers as we dream up experiences that will take our guests deep into worlds of AVATAR like never before.

I wonder which "creative consultant" will prove to be the easier one to work with....Cameron or Rowling?

[Airtime&Gravity]

Looking at Google Maps, there is a large open area between Everest and the Safari. The area doesn't seem to be of that much use with only some buildings and storage, so if this area is still like it appears, I'd guess that this new land will go there. It's a pretty big area, which if used, could allow for some impressive attractions.

[Hilltopper39]

I also think the land could go where Rafiki's Planet Watch is too, since Avatar has such a strong environmental angle. I don't think AK would need both lands, so they could get rid of Rafiki. The biggest problem with that area right now is that you can't get there unless you take the train. If they rip out the train, they can build a path to get back to Avatar-land.

 

Maybe they can reuse the train tracks to somehow incorporate some type of transportation system to "take" you to Pandora, similar to the movie. The area around Rafiki's Planet watch is fairly isolated so I could see this working.

[UberBeavis]

I wonder which "creative consultant" will prove to be the easier one to work with....Cameron or Rowling?

Cameron's fairly easy to work with, as long as the checks keep coming, and provided they don't bounce.

[The SETGO Guys]

(Checks Calander to see that it isn't april 1st)

 

Um, This announcement is defiantly very unexpected. Today however I was doing some research for a class, that involved reading through patents. I was searching through the Disney patents and found this patent.

 

12_718_803_FLYING_ENTERTAINMENT_VEHICLE (1).pdf

 

This could possibly be used for a show....it looks very Avatar like.

 

------

My personal thoughts on the project- I don't like it. It feels like a forced move in response to Harry Potter. While it is nice that Animal Kingdom is getting something new, It is a bit upsetting that this will make such a dramatic "leap" to a different subject. Animal Kingdom is based on the real world- Even Camp Minnie Mickey is based on the Adirondack mountains. Dinoland while fantasized is at least made to be a "real" place.

 

Avatar in contrast feels like almost to fake to place in a Disney Park.

 

I really hope that Disney can prove me wrong and create an area, that someone like me who hasn't seen the movie and could care less about, will like.