Pandora: The World of Avatar Announcement, Construction, & Preview Discussion

[Andysol]

Uhhhhhh yes it affects us. Like with Everest or Disneyland Paris, if an attraction doesn't recoup costs things are cut and not built. We need to stop pretending Disney can spend whatever they want with no side effects to guests.

All the construction costs have already been paid for, correct? And during that time they've had double digit or near double digit profit growth every quarter. So we're only talking about operating costs, yes?

There's nothing to have a "ROI" on in shareholder's eyes- because the shareholders have been seeing the $ every quarter since construction started.

 

[Mad Dog]

I wouldn't be so sure that DHS is going to see a downtick next year considering TSL is a much more marketable brand than Avatar. Now will DHS see a big dip this year? You bet.

The question is once SWL opens, will crowds *actually* grow or will they simply balance out between parks?

Oh, yes I agree with you. When I was saying for the next year I was referring to the twelve months after Pandora opens, which will then take us up to the TSL opening. As you said, TSL will definitely help DHS stabilize. Summer of 2018 may end up being Epcot's turn to take the cannibal blows.

 

[Disneyhead]

Crowds will grow massively with Star Wars, without question

Think Potter...but with 40 years fan base rather than 15

But aren't a lot of Star Wars fans already going to WDW.

The crowd may double in size...because of the cupcakes.

 

[Mad Dog]

But aren't a lot of Star Wars fans already going to WDW.

The crowd may double in size...because of the cupcakes.

but if they double in size due to the cupcakes, they may not be able to fit in the Falcon's seats. :bolt:

 

[Nick]

But aren't a lot of Star Wars fans already going to WDW.

The crowd may double in size...because of the cupcakes.

A lot of Star Wars fans go to WDW, sure. But far more Star Wars fans have either never been or haven't had any interest in theme parks until hearing about SWL.

 

[fryoj]

But aren't a lot of Star Wars fans already going to WDW.

The crowd may double in size...because of the cupcakes.

Didn't a lot of Potter fans go to Universal For Hogsmede? DA was still huge.

And SWL vs that launch bay deal doesn't even compare. The amount that made a special trip for that is minimal compared to the ones that will make a trip for the land.

 

[Doug A.]

Latest aerials of Pandora show beautiful addition to Animal Kingdom
Some new aerials of the land courtesy of Mickey Extreme

 

[Teebin]

Latest aerials of Pandora show beautiful addition to Animal Kingdom
Some new aerials of the land courtesy of Mickey Extreme

Great pictures!

Be sure to zoom on the picture. The bright green leafy trees are giant fishtail palms (caryota urens) while the leafless pale grey trees appear to be a large species of Silk Floss Tree
Ceiba speciosa
.

 

[Nick]

I absolutely hate how small the pictures appear on MickeyXstreme's website. Really looks like the land is wrapping up though:

Look at that GIANT Cast Member parking lot that can only be used for a Pandora expansion that will never happen...

 

[Mad Dog]

Agreed. Glad they can be blown up here. Thanks.

 

[Brian G.]

It's obviously hard to tell from an aerial image - but it seems the "Wow" of the floating mountains and a bulk of the visual stimulation is only located around the 2 rides entrances; whereas everything else is plantlife (real and/or "themed")

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Great pictures!

Be sure to zoom on the picture. The bright green leafy trees are giant fishtail palms (caryota urens) while the leafless pale grey trees appear to be a large species of Silk Floss Tree
Ceiba speciosa
.

Not sure what I'm lookng at but it looks pretty decent. Whatever it is it's huge my goodness.

 

[Doug A.]

I absolutely hate how small the pictures appear on MickeyXstreme's website. Really looks like the land is wrapping up though

I was thinking the same thing and wasn't sure about how to blow them up here from the website (forum illiteracy bites again) next time I will blow them up if I figure out how. Thanks for doing that part for me :thumbsup: lots of small details and plantings going on but like you said wrapping up pretty quick here or so it seems

Edit: that construction worker standing on the mountain facade on the show building really puts it into perspective

 

[Miketheboss]

Great pictures!

Be sure to zoom on the picture. The bright green leafy trees are giant fishtail palms (caryota urens) while the leafless pale grey trees appear to be a large species of Silk Floss Tree
Ceiba speciosa
.

The trunk looks extraterrestrial

 

[Nick]

I believe this is the Hula-skirted Robot ready for install:

 

[Joel]

Didn't a lot of Potter fans go to Universal For Hogsmede? DA was still huge.

And SWL vs that launch bay deal doesn't even compare. The amount that made a special trip for that is minimal compared to the ones that will make a trip for the land.

Screenshot taken from the UOAP Facebook page, posted 16 hours ago.. people still go to Universal just for Harry Potter..

 

[Nick]

Screenshot taken from the UOAP Facebook page, posted 16 hours ago.. people still go to Universal just for Harry Potter..

View attachment 3707

So the takeaway is there's always going to be first timers, even when we're talking about one of the biggest franchises is media.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

All the construction costs have already been paid for, correct? And during that time they've had double digit or near double digit profit growth every quarter. So we're only talking about operating costs, yes?

There's nothing to have a "ROI" on in shareholder's eyes- because the shareholders have been seeing the $ every quarter since construction started.

No and that's not the point of ROI.

 

[Andysol]

No and that's not the point of ROI.

I disagree- as long as the money is rolling in- they won't focus on some "direct" ROI number. So much of the ROI is a "grey area" and hard to value. How do you show the monetization of less people in magic kingdom and more people in animal kingdom at night? Like I said earlier- there is no doubt in my mind that the parade was nixed and wishes replaced with a cheaper version was not coincidental in lining up with RoL opening and Pandora coming online.

The savings in those two shows alone is significant money. Throw in harambe, Tiffins, light up crap trinkets for RoL- and the alcohol (which wouldn't be happening at MK) in the evening all around the park- and I'll bet they're going to be pretty decently ahead. And that's not taking into account whatever limited merchandise they'll sell and the mess hall in pandora.

Looking at pandora alone as a microcosm is close-minded and unfair to the overall expansion and plan.

 

[Nick]

No and that's not the point of ROI.

Obviously the land isn't going to make back what they paid for it directly, but if it manages to keep guests in the park an extra 4-6 hours, than I think they'll take the loss as more money is going to be spent in and around the park by guests staying longer.

If guests end up actually doing what Disney wants though is up in the air and we'll have to see how that plays out. I think it will eat from DHS this year, but balance out over the following years with DHS expansion.

What will be interesting to follow is once SWL opens, will anyone care about Pandora anymore?