AVATAR coming to Disney Parks

**BrerGnat** · 09-20-2011, 01:53 PM

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks

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.

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Ok, my first reaction to this was, "Huh? AVATAR????" I went on to read that this is going to be an entirely new land in AK park, which made me do a double take, to be quite frank. And again, "AVATAR?"

I'll begin by saying that I haven't even seen the movie, so maybe I'm making a snap judgment, but this is the LAST theme I'd expect to see go in as an entire land in Animal Kingdom. Maybe I'm way off base, so perhaps I should see the movie.

On the other hand, it's about time that they expand AK! If they can do it well, it will at least make that park more interesting, IMO, and add more to do there.

Still, though, it seems like there are about 100 different (better) ideas for a new land in a park than Avatar...

**Diznee4Me** · 09-20-2011, 01:53 PM

I happened to be over at

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/

a few minutes ago and it said that at a press meeting hapening "right now" James Cameron has signed on with Disney to create the world of Avatar at AK and WDW with 2013 as a begin date for construction.

Interesting....

**Diznee4Me** · 09-20-2011, 01:55 PM

It's a photo finish - who got this up first?

**Scar** · 09-20-2011, 02:04 PM

So it appears that Disney is out of their own ideas.

Or is it just that Cameron and FOX gave them such a great deal that they couldn't resist?

**BrerGnat** · 09-20-2011, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Scar

So it appears that Disney is out of their own ideas.

More like "out of money".

Ugh. The more I think about this, the worse it sounds. Can we think of a more UN family friendly movie? This is just so wrong...

Man, you'd think Disney had NO movies that made use of the theme of nature/animals/conservation.

Major FAIL Disney...

**Goofster** · 09-20-2011, 02:08 PM

This doesn't make any sense to me. I guess this will be one section of AK that I never set foot in.

**DizneyRox** · 09-20-2011, 03:12 PM

Sounds like Harry Potter Land Part Deux... Avatar was pleasing to the eye, but I really can't imagine a whole land in a park. What's wrong with Beastly Kingdom? Oh, no sponsor... I forgot...

**Ian** · 09-20-2011, 03:14 PM

Wow ... and I thought Disney had bottomed out with Chester and Hester ....

**DVC2004** · 09-20-2011, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Ian

Wow ... and I thought Disney had bottomed out with Chester and Hester ....

LOL nope.

**McLiberal8** · 09-20-2011, 03:30 PM

I'm trying to stay positive. I loved the message of Avatar, and I don't think anything could make AK WORSE in my eyes, so bring it on! I'm excited to at least see some new touches to my least favorite park...

**Jim&AngieMarriner** · 09-20-2011, 03:41 PM

In Avatars favor, absolutely STUNNING visuals. If you are going to see a movie for eye candy only, then you are fine.

Thats it. Nothing else. Very old and tired story line where the soldier goes "native" and renounces his former heritage. Dances with wolves was much better of a story. Pocohontas in Space just isnt very original.

Anyways, I too am stuggling to see a connection between Disney and Avatar. Im coming up with nothing. Its a bit violent for Disney I would think.

I do think that one "lesson" from the movie does mesh well with AK. Dont abuse the planet just for its natural resourses. But come on Disney, there have to be better examples out there. Or if not then make one.

**Mousemates** · 09-20-2011, 03:41 PM

This decision brings to the old southern 'preacherism' which says "when a good thing replaces the best thing, the good thing becomes a bad thing."

On the plus side an Avatar attraction/area will certainly give some new life to the Animal Kingdom and might even transform it into a full day park once again for many of us.

However, I do wonder at what cost. What "more truly Disney" ideas and attractions were pushed to the side or were "circularly filed" to jump on the stylistically appealing Avatar bandwagon? I sincerely hope the good thing isn't a bad thing...thou I do initially have my doubts

**ImagiAsh** · 10-10-2011, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by DizneyRox

Sounds like Harry Potter Land Part Deux... Avatar was pleasing to the eye, but I really can't imagine a whole land in a park.

My initial thought was to compare it to Harry Potter Land. Disney shouldn't be competing with the antics of Universal. This move seems like an obvious attempt at a "one-upper". Where is the originality? Things like this really get under my skin.

**iheartdisney** · 10-22-2011, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by ImagiAsh

My initial thought was to compare it to Harry Potter Land. Disney shouldn't be competing with the antics of Universal. This move seems like an obvious attempt at a "one-upper".

This was my initial impression. I was so disappointed to hear about an Avatar land. As many have already said, yes, it was a visually interesting movie. But the plot was tired and old. And basing a theme park area on ONE movie? At least Harry Potter is based on seven books/movies.

One mediocre movie does not a theme park make.

**Mogie** · 10-10-2011, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by Scar

So it appears that Disney is out of their own ideas.

Or is it just that Cameron and FOX gave them such a great deal that they couldn't resist?

...or are they desperately trying to compete with Harry Potter?

I agree. Disney's competitive advantage comes from their CONTENT and attention to detail. This will probably be a really cool land, that they will be able to ride out for the next decade or so of Avatar sequels. But I would have preferred some original Disney content to fill a new area of animal kingdom.

**HackLaSalle** · 10-10-2011, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by Mogie

But I would have preferred some original Disney content to fill a new area of animal kingdom.

I think its funny we use "original disney content" or other such language so much. When you think about it most of Disney's most popular stories and characters were developed by others. Maybe Avatar winds up like Dinosaur where you have to be reminded that there is a movie that goes with the attraction(s).

Unless youre talking about the return of guys like the timekeeper, dream finder and the hat box ghost... Theres not much that disney has imagineered in a while that is solely based on a disney property or has completely original characters and the my guess is that they have alot of research stating people want familiar names and characters when they go to WDW. It does take away some of the old school creativity we loved about WDI, it gives them a familiar story to make their own. Much like Walt did back in his day.

**Cassieblanca** · 10-11-2011, 08:47 AM

Here's my thoughts for whatever they're worth. I thought Avatar was just okay. The visuals were stunning and have great potential as the basis for a themed land in any theme park. I honestly give this a 50/50 chance of succeeding the way Disney hopes it will. However if it flops, I believe it should be easily rethemable to the Beastly Kingdomme. Either way DAK needs an update, and Disney will somehow make this work in their favor.

**BrerGnat** · 09-20-2011, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by Diznee4Me

It's a photo finish - who got this up first?

Uh, tie?

**2Epcot** · 09-20-2011, 01:57 PM

September 20, 2011, 1:08 pm
Disney to Add ‘Avatar’ to Theme Park
By BROOKS BARNES
New York Times / Media Decoder

Robert A. Iger, chief executive of the Walt Disney Company, plans to announce on Tuesday morning that Disney has licensed the rights to the hit movie “Avatar” from 20th Century Fox for a theme park experience, according to two people briefed on the plan.

The “Avatar” experience – plans call for more than a single ride – will be built at Animal Kingdom, the newest of the four major theme parks that make up Disney World in Orlando, Fla., according to these people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because Disney did not authorize them to speak publicly.

James Cameron, the director of that science-fiction film, will collaborate with Disney on the attraction. “Avatar” sold $2.8 billion at the global box office and two sequels are in the works.

A Disney spokeswoman could not immediately be reached for comment.

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Disney Plans ‘Avatar’ Theme Park Attractions

By DAVID LIEBERMAN, Executive Editor
Deadline New York
Tuesday September 20, 2011 @ 10:22am PDT

Disney has licensed the rights from Fox, and the movie’s director, James Cameron, will help to develop the attractions, CEO Bob Iger says. The first will be at Animal Kingdom in Orlando. The goal, he says, is to enable visitors to “enter the Avatar universe and explore it first hand.” Cameron adds that “to bring that to life at Animal Kingdom is fantastic because it’s so thematically aligned….We want to do things that maybe they haven’t even thought of.”

Tom Staggs, who runs Disney’s theme parks, says the company is “just beginning the development phase” for a complex that will begin construction in 2013 and include Avatar-themed shops and food destinations to “bring that world to life.” Although he wouldn’t say how much the company has budgeted, he compared the scope to the 12-acre Cars Land site at Disney California Adventure Park.