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

[Nick]

I didn't mean it that way.I was just using your really good point as a jumping into the problem opportunity. I apologize if I phrased it wrong. I'm just trying to stretch out the discussion forum poster wise so we can get to the real core of this problem with contributing views/info from others. I'm thinking the budgetary problems may be the least of the worries on this project. Perhaps this isn't going to make it for a 2017 completion date.

There's been rumors since about January, maybe earlier that this may get pushed into 2018. Right now, I actually don't think they'd mind that too much as TS Land is very likely to be a 2017 offering.

Which drives me crazy that something could potentially take 7 years from announcement to completion and they not care much, but they have record attendance right now, I wouldn't care much if I were them either I guess. Nothing beyond the DHS stuff is in need of expediting as far as time goes.

 

[*Q*]

I can tell you what the issue is: IT'S FREAKING AVATAR.

 

[twebber55]

There's been rumors since about January, maybe earlier that this may get pushed into 2018. Right now, I actually don't think they'd mind that too much as TS Land is very likely to be a 2017 offering.

Which drives me crazy that something could potentially take 7 years from announcement to completion and they not care much, but they have record attendance right now, I wouldn't care much if I were them either I guess. Nothing beyond the DHS stuff is in need of expediting as far as time goes.

nope 2017

 

[Nick]

I can tell you what the issue is: IT'S FREAKING AVATAR.

Unless it's James Cameron causing a fuss, the IP matters none more than if they were to build Beastly Kingdomme.

IP simply does not matter when it comes to theme parks (minus merch sales obviously). It's all about execution.

 

[Nick]

nope 2017

Sure they continue to say 2017 and I want to believe it. Yet I only feel 50% confident that it will actually open in 2017. There's still A LOT, and I mean A LOT of work to be done. All of the rockwork, exterior, interor theming of the ride buildings, ride mechanics, Boat ride AAs, floating mountains, Bio-luminescent sidewalks/plants... lots to still work on and if there are any hold ups at all this could easily push into 2018.

 

[Brian G.]

Sure they continue to say 2017 and I want to believe it. Yet I only feel 50% confident that it will actually open in 2017. There's still A LOT, and I mean A LOT of work to be done. All of the rockwork, exterior, interor theming of the ride buildings, ride mechanics, Boat ride AAs, floating mountains, Bio-luminescent sidewalks/plants... lots to still work on and if there are any hold ups at all this could easily push into 2018.

The last thing this project needs is to be pushed back until 2018.

 

[Nick]

The last thing this project needs is to be pushed back until 2018.

I'm probably being a bit too pessimistic and it'll finish on-time (they have been getting a lot done lately so that gives me hope). I have no clue if TSL actually is opening in 2017 (rumors say that's what they're shooting for), but if so, it would behoove Disney to get this open for Spring as they've wanted and open TSL in the fall. Then all of 2018 becomes about marketing the new lands.

But you are most certainly right, I think the project is going to be top notch, but it has a stigma around it at the moment that isn't so good. So if it has to be pushed back, that would hurt it even more.

 

[Brian G.]

I'm probably being a bit too pessimistic and it'll finish on-time (they have been getting a lot done lately so that gives me hope). I have no clue if TSL actually is opening in 2017 (rumors say that's what they're shooting for), but if so, it would behoove Disney to get this open for Spring as they've wanted and open TSL in the fall. Then all of 2018 becomes about marketing the new lands.

But you are most certainly right, I think the project is going to be top notch, but it has a stigma around it at the moment that isn't so good. So if it has to be pushed back, that would hurt it even more.

Ignoring the stigma of taking forever, 2018 is going to be highly competitive with Universal with Volcano Bay already opened for some time, Fast & Furious being recently opened and the rumor of Nintendoland opening around that time.

 

[Nick]

Ignoring the stigma of taking forever, 2018 is going to be highly competitive with Universal with Volcano Bay already opened for some time, Fast & Furious being recently opened and the rumor of Nintendoland opening around that time.

Well, the only thing you listed that is *potentially* opening in 2018 is Nintendoland. 2017 is a MUCH more competitive year with Fallon, F&F and Volcano Bay if we're being honest.

 

[UNIrd]

The second film isn't even slated to hit theaters until Christmas 2017. They might not care about opening it later and riding the movie's own hype machine.

 

[UNIrd]

Well, the only thing you listed that is *potentially* opening in 2018 is Nintendoland. 2017 is a MUCH more competitive year with Fallon, F&F and Volcano Bay if we're being honest.

Whenever Nintendo opens, it will make more of an impact than F&F, Fallon, and Volcano Bay.

 

[Brian G.]

Well, the only thing you listed that is *potentially* opening in 2018 is Nintendoland. 2017 is a MUCH more competitive year with Fallon, F&F and Volcano Bay if we're being honest.

Whenever Nintendo opens, it will make more of an impact than F&F, Fallon, and Volcano Bay.

That's what I was trying to infer, but again, it is rumored so...Avatar don't want none of Nintendo if 2018 is confirmed.

 

[Nick]

Whenever Nintendo opens, it will make more of an impact than F&F, Fallon, and Volcano Bay.

Maybe among those in the theme park community that love Nintendo. But Volcano Bay is gonna make a much bigger splash than Nintendoland will with just about everyone else. It's a new freakin' park. That doesn't happen all the time in Orlando.

I know Nintendo will make a big impact, but Volcano bay is resort changing. Nintendo not so much.

 

[twebber55]

Maybe among those in the theme park community that love Nintendo. But Volcano Bay is gonna make a much bigger splash than Nintendoland will with just about everyone else. It's a new freakin' park. That doesn't happen all the time in Orlando.

I know Nintendo will make a big impact, but Volcano bay is resort changing. Nintendo not so much.

i agree
Volcano Bay is the game changer here

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

Isn't Star Wars shooting for 2018 right now? If Avatar got pushed back to 2018 I could see that opening in the Spring and SW in the Fall.

 

[Brian G.]

Isn't Star Wars shooting for 2018 right now? If Avatar got pushed back to 2018 I could see that opening in the Spring and SW in the Fall.

I think for DL, yes. DHS may have to wait a bit. Keep in mind, DL is just getting Star Wars while DHS is getting both that and Toy Story. DHS may not see SW open until late 2019-Summer 2020

 

[fryoj]

The second film isn't even slated to hit theaters until Christmas 2017. They might not care about opening it later and riding the movie's own hype machine.

If it's me, I'd want the land already open when the movie hits theaters. That way when its making it's box office run, all they have to do is say "you've seen the movie, come see the land". That is a lot less effective if the land opens months after the movie. The buzz is gone by that point.

 

[Nick]

I think for DL, yes. DHS may have to wait a bit. Keep in mind, DL is just getting Star Wars while DHS is getting both that and Toy Story. DHS may not see SW open until late 2019-Summer 2020

There's more than just SW and TS Land.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

I think for DL, yes. DHS may have to wait a bit. Keep in mind, DL is just getting Star Wars while DHS is getting both that and Toy Story. DHS may not see SW open until late 2019-Summer 2020

DL seems like it has more work to do since they have to reroute the train and Rivers of America. At least construction starts next year for us too.

 

[misterID]

Sigh... WDI is a joke. How frugel Disney is and they haven't cleaned house in Imagineering is mind-blowing.