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

[OrlandoGuy]

Silly me for discussing theme parks on a theme park forum. And I guess I'm crazy to think that a company that produces world-class theme parks is a bigger threat to Disney than a company that does wax museums.

I don't think that Merlin is a threat, I'm just poining out that there is a large enough disparity between the size/income of Disney vs Universal to the point that the whole "they're scared" thing is nothing more than Internet myth. The important thing is that Universal is doing their thing and they're doing it really well, but it has less of an impact on Disney than people think and there's really no reason to even mention Disney when talking about Universal's successes. They're just on way different playing fields.

 

[kingcooger]

If Disney is worried about anything it is the new Universal Creative recruiting site stealing their Imagineers.

 

[Teebin]

As I recall, it was Disneyhead or Seth that said that the Cabana Bay annoucement gave the execs at WDW serious pause.

 

[blue180]

As I recall, it was Disneyhead or Seth that said that the Cabana Bay annoucement gave the execs at WDW serious pause.

why is that? just because it would bring more people to stay on property? I mean if thats the case, it seems like the 10,000+ more rooms that they are planning to put in will give them a heart attack

 

[fryoj]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know what percentage of Disney's income is the parks/hotels versus the movies, tv shows, merch, etc? Just wondering how important the parks are to their bottom line.

 

[kingcooger]

why is that? just because it would bring more people to stay on property? I mean if thats the case, it seems like the 10,000+ more rooms that they are planning to put in will give them a heart attack

This was the first affordable hotel Universal had on site that was opening at the same time as Diagon Alley. If Universal continues to build affordable hotels, get ready for some panic attacks.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know what percentage of Disney's income is the parks/hotels versus the movies, tv shows, merch, etc? Just wondering how important the parks are to their bottom line.

Disney lumps in DVC, Cruises, and hotels into the 'Parks and Resorts' moniker during investment calls.

 

[anihilnation]

Avatar was a 15 minute of fame movie.

I don't care much for Disney vs Universal discussions (I don't go to Disney and that is it for me) ... but anyway, I agree, this Avatar thing is an odd gamble. Cameron cares little about making movies and only does so to finance his real passion of oceanography. I never saw the movie, so I can't really judge (saw the Shyamalan one, which I actually liked). What I really find odd is that Disney is so slow in using Star Wars ...

 

[twebber55]

I get what you are saying but you named off things that may not have had a movie or show before them but they were original and unique not rented from someone else. Avatar was a 15 minute of fame movie. It proved to have no staying power beyond initial hype and media run. The toys were clearanced out of Walmart quicker than Duck Dynasty. This is Hollywood elites stroking each other's egos. I would have preferred a move of all things Indy to AK including a ride along with a revamped show. It fits AK much better. They could have come up with a new land based off Ayers Rock from down under and done the area with a better representation native species from there and New Zealand while the inside of the Rock being an indoor attraction. I'm not against Avatar, it's a better fit at Studios.

I don't care much for Disney vs Universal discussions (I don't go to Disney and that is it for me) ... but anyway, I agree, this Avatar thing is an odd gamble. Cameron cares little about making movies and only does so to finance his real passion of oceanography. I never saw the movie, so I can't really judge (saw the Shyamalan one, which I actually liked). What I really find odd is that Disney is so slow in using Star Wars ...

still having this debate huh?
I will say this
this year 2015 a new cirque show
2016 traveling exibit
2017 avatar 2
2018 avatar 3
2019 avatar 4
its not like its a dead franchise, things are coming

 

[Parkscope Joe]

still having this debate huh?
I will say this
this year 2015 a new cirque show
2016 traveling exibit
2017 avatar 2
2018 avatar 3
2019 avatar 4
its not like its a dead franchise, things are coming

I fundamentally challenge the idea anyway wants more beyond the first film. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[twebber55]

I fundamentally challenge the idea anyway wants more beyond the first film. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

i guess we will see with the upcoming events
but companies (besides Disney)are investing in avatar for a reason

 

[darkridelover]

Please elaborate^^^^ Exactly which companies?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Please elaborate^^^^ Exactly which companies?

Fox, Disney, and some independent developers for the shows and exhibits.

The only explanation for Avatar's involvement at WDW so far is the spread of US vs Domestic grosses, with Avatar around 73% of grosses from international sales.

 

[Nick]

Fox, Disney, and some independent developers for the shows and exhibits.

The only explanation for Avatar's involvement at WDW so far is the spread of US vs Domestic grosses, with Avatar around 73% of grosses from international sales.

Cirque should also be included in those investing in the franchise.

 

[alomar]

I fundamentally challenge the idea anyway wants more beyond the first film. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Movies are hardly ever made because people "want" them. Did anyone REALLY want a Paul Blart 2? Does any one REALLY want Adam Sandler to make a single movie ever again? Movies are beyond what people want to see.

 

[Nick]

Movies are hardly ever made because people "want" them. Did anyone REALLY want a Paul Blart 2? Does any one REALLY want Adam Sandler to make a single movie ever again? Movies are beyond what people want to see.

That's not true in all cases. Yes, monetary gain is the prime reason for choosing to go forward with any project, but Disney barely MADE any actual profit off of TRON: Legacy, yet they are going forth with Tron 3.

I get your point though. Pretty much every movie being released by Walt Disney Studios alone is a sequel or a guaranteed success. You better bet your ass once it comes time for Avatar 2 to come out there will be a HUGE promotional push and the movie will make bank solely based on the nostalgia of the first one almost. You'll have a lot of people who were in high school, maybe went to see it 4-5 times in theaters with friends, girlfriends/boyfriends, etc and by the time the sequel comes out, many will be in grad-school or out in the real world. Avatar will play on that nostalgia hard during marketing i'd bet.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Movies are hardly ever made because people "want" them. Did anyone REALLY want a Paul Blart 2? Does any one REALLY want Adam Sandler to make a single movie ever again? Movies are beyond what people want to see.

But we're not getting Blat-land, though.

 

[Nick]

But we're not getting Blat-land, though.

Exactly. Avatar is without a doubt a film that seems perfectly made to be transformed into a theme park land.

The real question remains to be seen how popular/long-lasting the franchise will stand up.

 

[twebber55]

Exactly. Avatar is without a doubt a film that seems perfectly made to be transformed into a theme park land.

The real question remains to be seen how popular/long-lasting the franchise will stand up.

the real question to me is will Disney be willing to shell out the cash to make this a great land worthy of the environment from the movie?
it looks like so far they are..who knows how good the rides will be...again all guess right now

but so far the entire expansion for all of DAK looks good

 

[JungleSkip]

So I found this funny, but on a video game podcast, during a discussion about Universal Nintendo, one of the hosts says, "They're building an Avatar land at Animal Kingdom. Disney is. I don't know why."

:troll: