AVATAR Land: Personal Observations and Comments


After yesterday's big reveal of the very first artworks and photos depicting the sights and some of the attractions that will be included in AVATAR Land (opening in 2017 at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park), we thought it would be interesting to share some of our comments and opinions about this project. Before starting, though, it is essential that our Readers understand that the following include personal observations on the concept art released and the land in general, and it will not include comments on the AVATAR movie.



1. First of all, let's discuss about the OPENING DATE. We all know that the Walt Disney Company really likes to take plenty of time to build new rides and themed lands (we are especially referring to the New Fantasyland), so it not surprising to hear that AVATAR Land is scheduled to open in the first few months of 2017. That is more than three (3) whole years if we start counting from today. That being said, if the land is going to look exactly like what can be seen from the artworks, we will be more than happy to wait.

2. Let's now focus on the LOCATION. Disney has officially confirmed that the new AVATAR-themed land will be located between Africa and the Oasis, and will encompass and expand beyond the area currently known as Camp Minnie-Mickey. We think we can all agree on the fact that Camp Minnie-Mickey is the perfect location for AVATAR Land. That plot of land was actually slated to be home to one of the most amazing Disney themed areas: Beastly Kingdomme, but since that project died many years ago, we are very happy to hear that the temporary-looking Camp Minnie-Mickey will soon be replaced by a real land (by the way, don't worry about the loss of meet-and-greets, as Disney stated that "after Camp Minnie-Mickey closes next year, Guests will be able to find many of their favorite Disney characters in new, immersive environments being created throughout Disney's Animal Kingdom").


The only other plot of land that could have been suitable for AVATAR Land is the area between Africa and Asia (seen below). The problem is that the pathways that would lead to the new area are way too small, and there area already a few attractions all around that plot of land, so this would only make that area even more crowded, while the current Camp Minnie-Mickey would be even more desolate than today.



3. We will now take the time to talk about the THEME chosen for this new land. The Walt Disney Company officially stated that "AVATAR is a uniquely powerful franchise that has global appeal with audiences of all ages. Its spectacular settings, intriguing characters, imaginative creatures, and strong themes of family and loyalty make it a perfect fit for Disney."

As you can see, Disney will focus on the living creatures and plants that populate the planet seen in the movie, and will not focus on the plot of the movie itself. This continues to respect Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park's dedication message, which says: "Welcome to a kingdom of animals... real, ancient and imagined: a kingdom ruled by lions, dinosaurs and dragons; a kingdom of balance, harmony and survival; a kingdom we enter to share in the wonder, gaze at the beauty, thrill at the drama, and learn." Pandora's animal are obviously imaginary creatures, so they will fit in the park. No worries.

4. Let's now talk about something that will interest most of our Readers: the RIDES and/or ATTRACTIONS that area confirmed or rumored to be included in this new themed area.Once again, this is what Disney stated regarding the attractions' lineup: "We are excited about making AVATAR real for our guests and everything about the land – from the floating mountains to the bioluminescent plants to experiencing what it feels like to ride a Banshee — will fully immerse them in the story. We want to save some of the magic for later but I can assure you there will be something for every member of the family as part of this expansion."


From the official announcement and from what was posted yesterday on the official Disney Parks Blog, we know that the following rides and attractions are CONFIRMED to be coming to AVATAR Land:
  • A Soarin'-style attraction (which should be much more complex than Epcot's attraction);
  • A very immersive boat ride (it is said to be a D-Ticket);
  • A walk-through attraction (the entire land will actually be a walk-through attraction);
  • Multiple themed restaurants and stores.

In addition to that, some reported that a major roller coaster was also slated to open with the land, but some recent rumors said that the coaster was axed due to the budget being too big (sadly...). Also, other rumors say that there will be new meet-and-greets throughout the land.

We personally think that the current ride lineup is average, in the sense that we expected to see maybe two or three additional minor rides (not necessarily spinners; just regular thoroughly-themed flat rides). Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park has always suffered due to its lack of mechanical attractions, so we think they should add a few more experiences to at least give Guests more choices in terms of rides.

5. What about the OPERATING HOURS? Of course, the new AVATAR Land will share the same operating hours of the rest of the park, but Disney has officially confirmed the Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park will soon start to remain open longer than in the past. We will finally be able to say goodbye to the awkward 5 p.m. closures, as the park will remain open until 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. every night (also thanks to the new nighttime offerings and the brand-new nighttime spectacular coming soon to the park). This will allow Guests to really enjoy AVATAR Land and the rest of the park during the evening hours. Why, the entire park itself actually looks much better during the evening hours!


Now, a few people may be concerned about the safety and health of the real animals. The longer hours, the noises of the new attractions, and the new nighttime shows will NOT impact the animals at all. Most of the animals that could actually be impacted by these things are brought in a separate area EACH night to rest. This means that they will not suffer in any way. In fact, the animals and their safety has been (sadly) used by Disney in the past as an EXCUSE for closing the park too early and to avoid creating a nighttime show, at least until today. Unfortunately for them, Busch Gardens Tampa has proven them wrong for years, as the park has even had nightly fireworks show for about two months!

Finally, to confirm the fact that Disney does really care about the animals, here's one of their statement on this subject: "We will continue with the experts on the Disney’s Animal Programs team to ensure the safety and proper care of all the animals who call Disney’s Animal Kingdom home."

Now, it is YOUR turn. Let us know what you think about the AVATAR Land project, and share with us any comments, opinions, or concerns you might have on this subject (always remembering to be courteous and kind with the other Readers who may join in the conversation). We look forward to read your opinions!

16 comments:

  1. I dont care a thing about the actual movie of Avatarand I wish they were spending this money on a different movie tie in. But, I'm sure it will be really great and a great addition to a park that surely needs it.

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  2. I know Disney will do a great job but I feel avatar does not have the appeal of say harry potter. I think they should have done something different maybe calling it beastly kingdom as originally set when the park opened.

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  3. I think the new Avatar Land will really round out the AK and finally make this a full day complete park. I have always been a big fan of AK and now there is one more thing to like. And with this addition each corner of the park has a few major attractions which will help keep crowds spread out evenly. It may not be harry potter but its a huge addition for them, now they just need to incorporate the Marvel characters here in America like they are in Asia.

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  4. When it comes down to it, I always ask myself is it better than nothing?
    Is AVATARland better than nothing? Yes, absolutely.

    Is it better then Beastly Kingdom?
    I think most can agree that it's not even close.

    I don't like AVATARland, and felt the movie was very forgettable. If they wanna do imaginary creatures, do Pokemon! That franchise has been around for 15 years and is still just as popular. Can you even find AVATAR in retail stores anymore, and now they wanna fill gift shops with AVATAR?

    I'm sure AVATARland will be beautiful and a decent addition to Animal Kingdom. I just wanna know when we gave up wanting the best and just taking what we can get?

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  5. Yeah, not looking forward to Avatar at all...The movie had a distinct political slant which I did not appreciate, and I think it's disrespectful to Walt to give such a franchise any representation in the parks bearing his name. For that reason, I don't think Avatar will have the same impact as Carsland or WWOHP - the number of people who object to the politics of the franchise is not insignificant. Neither is the number of Disney fans who just didn't like the film in general.

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  6. The fact that the best that WDI could come up with was to do Soarin' Over Pandora should tell you everything. Let's fly over the same plants and animals you just walked through!...not that exciting. Once you get past its bioluminescent window dressing, it is evident that Avatar has no substance as source material for an entire theme park land (especially no interesting characters).

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  7. I am glad that the animals will not be affected. I think this should be the primary concern before anything is done here. I still think it's a bad idea. I really not interested in another Soarin . Some form of roller coaster makes more sense. What are they going to do? Those flying animals in the movie will be the design? Sounds like Harry Potter meets Avatar meets Soarin. It's been done! I saw the film once and really it was pretty, but not memorable. By the way, all the animals- dinosaurs and imagined came from this planet, not outer space, and I mean the Lion King and Finding Nemo and A Bugs Life which are portrayed in AK. Even Camp Mickey took place on Earth.

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  8. I cant really comment on Avatar land until I see it and experience it. I saw the movie and wasn't a big fan of it. Since the movie was so violent in some parts, I wondered how Disney was going to play it out in a new land where small children were going to be a part of it. Now that I know the details of the land, I understand what they are going to do. I have no doubt Disney will make this a beautiful land, with awesome rides which I do look forward to seeing. I just wonder what parents will do when the younger children want to see the movie after walking through this beautiful land. If I had younger children, I would not want them to see this movie because of the violence. Other then that, I will anxiously wait to see the magic that Disney will create in Avatar land. I look forward to something new in Animal Kingdom and nothing had to be replaced (just relocated) to create this so lets get it moving!

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  9. Location: Great place. They even can keep it open during low season in the hope to sell light up toys and meals after they close most of the park off because it's an easy walk to the exit without entering the whole park.

    Theme: To horn in a sci fi franchise in and replace mythical with fantastical is just sad. Mythical creatures have their roots in ancient cultures and believes and represent respect and fear for the animals they didn't understand. That would have been a perfect link to AK and have everything in them to be imaginative, educational and fun with deep roots of culture. What we get is a silly peacock/rino in bright colours that came out one mans brain who thought it would be fun in a script to stage a lame fight.

    The shop and restaurants really bother me. Remember nothing in the movie represented festive places to eat and shop. The inhabitants hardly wear any clothes and don't care for possessions. The only place suitable is the even corporation location and it's not represented in the artwork.

    Rides: This is where the investment falls short. The theme hardly provides for shops and restaurants and although I'm sure they will be pushed in they'll look out of place, like another evil company swooped in and made it a tourist trap with no respect for the locals. So of course a coaster would be out of character. What that leaves us is 1 highly teamed ride building with a better (thankfully) Sourin ride that make the original look tired and old and produces another problem for the already tired and old rides in Epcot. And a boat ride that go's 80% outside and 20% inside the same ride building. The ride will be a bit Jurassic Park ride without the excitement and fun but as boring as the rivers of America boat ride they killed off. The rest of the huge and expensive land is a "walkthrough" attraction but we know Disney guests don't care for that. The whole of AK is a walkthrough attraction and people feel there is nothing to do and it's empty (sad but true).

    Time: I see people say "I rather have Disney do it right then fast" or "Disney excellence and eye for detailed just takes a lot of time".
    Let me remind you that the original MK opened with 5 themed lands and 23 ride (3 unique to MK) and 2 huge hotels in 5 years. That includes clearing land, digging the seven seas lagoon and much more! The only excuse it that Disney wants to have it open during the release of the next film. It's not they need the time to do it great they take it slow to save money (aka being cheap). yes I know in Disney money this land will cost 1 billion or something but phase 1 of Harry Potter only costed less then 270 M and features an amazing unique dark ride.

    Concluding: This part will add 1 or 1.5 hour to most visitors that go to AK. There will be no butterbeer equivalent and no mickey hat equivalent and will not generate the cash Disney is hoping for because it lacks the connection to the franchise that lacks hart and likable characters.

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  10. Im Excited! No Im not really an Avatar fan, but can you imagine how neat this land will look, the trees coming alive with light, some awesome new rides, I personally love Pirates of the caribbean so a similar ride through an avatar world sounds awesome, it fits well too, although its a movie itd be very out of place at disney studios. HOWEVER......wont lie, alot of this could have been a new theme park, Avatarland, Carsland, StarWarsland, the IronMan Attraction just announced at Hong Kong, yes itd be kinda another movie theme park, but these new minilands could have all gone together, also would have given disney a 5th park to draw in guests.

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  11. Putting up an opinion piece and echoing Disney fluff isn't an opinion. If Disney is telling animals won't be affected you shouldn't just believe that. If I was a lion and it was starting to become dark and I wanted to wind down and ever 2 minutes a truck would drive by pointing a huge flashlight in my face for 2 hours I would get stressed out. To echo that it's ok isn't an opinion. It doesn't show any willingness to question what is said. Maybe I'm wrong in assuming this will happen. Maybe they give everyone a night vision goggles and animals won't be bothered, who knows.
    To say Bush Gardens has fireworks for 2 months and say it's ok is taking your dog outside and light some firecrackers in front of him, it's not ok. If we don't think and develop our own opinion animals in captivity where still kept in small iron cages and when they died after a year where replaced by new once captured from the wild because that's what happened in your old zoo.
    Don't get me wrong, I think Disney is doing an amazing job caring for their animals but like they are starting to care less for their guests we shouldn't think they keep on caring for their animals as much as they did when they think they can make a buck when they lessen their welfare.

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  12. I hope they bring back the rainbow light tunnel from image works. Figment could be made into a Avatar dragon that you could fly on.

    I'm disappointed that they are not making the tree of life into a birthday cake, putting a giant hat in front of it, or putting a huge year sign above it. Disney is losing their extra magic touch

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  13. Oh wait never mind it looks like the tree of life is going to be turned into the tree of souls with blue lights.

    I think this Avatar money would be better spent on completing the loop on the train to the petting zoo. Busch Gardens was smart enough to have a circle train track that actually passes by animals.

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  14. Personally, with Avatar remaining in the public eye for the next, what, 6-7 years at least....it will be relevant but for how long? We have an amusement park in NC that once had a Wayne's World theme in place long after most people forgot about it. In terms of rides, if they start adding more kiddie garbage like they have in the Hester & Jester Dinorama section, I think many would be extremely upset about that. AK needs more big themed rides and attractions, not piddly dinky stuff like another Dumbo-ish type thing for the little tykes.

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  15. What? How won't evening noise levels not affect the animals? The fact that Busch Gardens has done it doesn't make it right.

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