Or does anyone else "have a bad feeling" about this land?
I don't know why, but I feel like Disney knows this land is going to flop...hard.
Maybe it's because they chose poorly when they made this deal with James Cameron. Maybe they expected all these supposed sequels to have been released already and there would be a LOT of interest at this point when, in reality, there just isn't.
We have been inundated with promotional material for this land and it's like they are trying so hard to hype it up and convince everyone how "spectacular" it is. I don't know...it has been like, what, 7 years since they announced this and all I've seen are some rocks and plants. Hardly mind blowing stuff (when you compare it to something like Diagon Alley). It looks like the rest of AK. Waterfalls, plants (ooh...some are plastic and glow in the dark...big whoop), rocks. Yawn.
And honestly, who really has been "dying" to ride a banshee over the same landscape? Or ride a river boat through the same landscape again. It just seems so one dimensional.
I am usually super excited about new Disney parks stuff but there is literally nothing about this land that makes me care enough to even go see it. I might never bother, to be honest.
I feel like Disney knows this will be a hard sell and that is why they are doing SO much press for it. They are even airing commercials here in CA to visit WDW for Pandora this summer. That's crazy.
In contrast, at least they are building Star Wars lands too. Those will be a massive hit, no press needed. They will have to beat the hoards away with a stick...or resort to timed ticket entry, at the very least.
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Natalie
INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler
Just you... kidding....
This land is going to be great... beautiful... theme of attraction doesn't matter, as long as the attraction is awesome.. i still think the boat ride will be the crown jewel...
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You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.
- Walt Disney
My family has zero interest in this new land, to be completely honest. Will we check it out on our next trip? Absolutely. But we are hardly excited about it and surely wouldn't plan a trip centered around the new land. Never been a fan of the avatar movie to begin with and was never excited about the land, even when first announced. I actually still wonder what they were thinking. I guess I just never "got it".
For me a big problem is how long Disney takes to create these new areas in the parks. And then after it taking so long to complete I often find myself feeling let down by the final product. Even new things that I am initially excited about, it seems I loose interest before its open to guests. My family feels the same.
Now, when Star Wars land opens we will be the first in line booking a trip to go. I just hope we can maintain interest and excitement for that long! Lol. I know my hubby and son will.
Denise
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I dlm't think you alone Natalie. I was asking my boys about FP+ for our next trip and they said to stay with the usual. They have zero interest in the new rides/land probably because they're not fans of the movie.
- Lynn -
INTERCOT Staff: Theme Parks, DVC
DizneyFreak2002;2498926 wrote: Just you... kidding....
This land is going to be great... beautiful... theme of attraction doesn't matter, as long as the attraction is awesome.. i still think the boat ride will be the crown jewel...
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I don't know...I think people have higher standards now for theme park lands and attractions. And less of a tolerance for mediocrity.
And the theme surely does matter, especially when you use an IP that lacks broad family appeal in a family theme park like Animal Kingdom. Without an understanding of what you are experiencing, it's hard to enjoy a ride. Splash Mountain seems to be the perpetual example of "no one saw the movie but the ride is hugely popular." There are two issues with this line of argument. 1. Splash Mountain uses animatronic characters and colorful backgrounds to mimic the look and feel of their classic animated movies so it will automatically appeal to kids. 2. Splash took a popular ride style (log flume) and plussed it up Disney style and put it in where there previously weren't any rides like it. Thus, it was destined for long term success.
As I see it, Pandora will have a boat ride for all ages just like the many similar boat rides all over WDW property. What will make this one stand above the rest? What will draw kids to seniors to enjoy it, not having seen the movie? The banshee ride, same thing. It's going to be a variation on Soarin' with a slightly different seating position. But then you fly around Pandora...again, if you didn't see the movie, what would make this interesting? I saw half the movie and gave up because I was bored to tears. I certainly won't wait in line for either of these rides. Glowing plants don't impress me...sorry.
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Natalie
INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler
I think it looks BEAUTIFUL! I think you don't need a movie tie-in to have a good attraction.
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I feel that if you are going to spend that much time and money on a new land it should have more than a 2 major things to do in it. I know it is beautiful but what will keep people in it for more than an hour or two.
We can't wait for our upcoming trip to see Pandora:cloud9:
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VacationDisney;2498938 wrote: We can't wait for our upcoming trip to see Pandora:cloud9:
I don't have plans yet but I'm trying to make them for the week Pandora opens just to see the land.... I really think this is going to be spectacular, moreso than Toy Story Playland which has had so much theme cut from it, it will look silly....
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You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.
- Walt Disney
BrowncatP;2498934 wrote: I think it looks BEAUTIFUL! I think you don't need a movie tie-in to have a good attraction.
I agree that you don't NEED a movie tie in. I really wish they had just made the mythical land they had proposed all along (dragons and unicorns and such). That would have been amazing because they could draw from their extensive library of creatures and created a land centered around them.
My issue is using a movie of questionable broad appeal and staying power to base an entire land around. I think Avatar was a foolish choice here.
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Natalie
INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler
Zippy 1;2498935 wrote: I feel that if you are going to spend that much time and money on a new land it should have more than a 2 major things to do in it. I know it is beautiful but what will keep people in it for more than an hour or two.
Not to mention the retail opportunities. I bet those banshee and Navi plush just sit and gather dust on the shelves. Give it a year until it's a shop selling generic Disney merchandise like all the rest.
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Natalie
INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler
Not just you. Even on a TEN HOUR flight, neither DW nor I could make it through that terrible movie. There is zero interest in Avatar in my family and we were shocked when the construction was announced. Even after seeing the promotional information -- meh. I guess our biggest hope is it attracts some of the crowds away from the good stuff. :mickey:
My family thought the movie was magical and immediatly said it would be a great thing for disney to do!!!
Soarin is one of the most popular rides in the world and I will love another version of it!! What I do not understand is the obsession with frozen.....and i have three girls. Rode it once and do not care if i ever do again. Leaves more space for those who love it! Hope those who do not like pandora will show us the same courtosy and the crowds will not be crazy. But I doubt it.....everyone wants to see what is new at disney.
We are SO excited for Pandora. I wasn't a huge fan of the movie, didn't hate it or love it. DH loved it. Personally I really like the mythical side and love pairing it with the conservation message. I"m far more excited for this then star wars.
I also have a friend in the disney company who has walked through the land and said its truly spectacular.
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Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate.
We couldn't care less about the movie. We have tried several times to watch it but completely lose interest and stop watching. However, I don't really care what the them is as long as the attractions/rides are good. I am looking forward to seeing the boat ride even though I hate the movie.
