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

[ShiftyPig]

Universal is already beating Disney in the key factor, merchandise. More people are purchasing Uni merchandise than Disney merchandise at this point.

The evidence is obvious if you live/work around the parks. Even when I worked at Disney, I saw more people with Despicable me, simpsons, and thing shirts than I did mickey shirts. Granted those ears still sell like crazy, but that's about all at this point. I'm also forgetting to mention the things you don't see, such as Wands and Butterbeer. Per guest spending at Universal is higher than at any of the Disney parks.

:rofl:

When you worked at Disney, you didn't have an SAP login or a Khalix login or an ATS login beyond selling - now that you don't work there, you certainly don't have access to metrics now that you wouldn't have had access to then either.

I was about to say, RE: Jungleskip's long quoted post, it seems like there's a lot up in the air. I think the project really boils down to what sort of camera system they use. HD.... meh. Some 8K innovation or whatever was bandied about over in the magical place..... might be something.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I have several opinions on this.

1.) I welcome all new attractions equally. While I have never been thrilled with the theme of Avatar, I do welcome new attractions, especially if they are good. A good attraction gets people to visit, a good theme gets them to revisit. See Potter.
2.) From what I've been hinted to, Soarin' 2.0 is more than just 3D and digital projection.
3.) I remain cautiously optimistic about the boat ride.

 

[Brian G.]

I have several opinions on this.

1.) I welcome all new attractions equally. While I have never been thrilled with the theme of Avatar, I do welcome new attractions, especially if they are good. A good attraction gets people to visit, a good theme gets them to revisit. See Potter.

Agree 100%. Cars isn't exactly my choice of a franchise, but that land was a wonderful addition to DCA.

3.) I remain cautiously optimistic about the boat ride.

Same here. I'm probably more excited to see that come to fruition than Soarin 2.0.

 

[rhino4evr]

"It's the Navi world after all!....

 

[BJCool]

From what I've gathered, the simulator is less Soarin 2.0 and more Simpsons 2.0 (with 3D glasses).

 

[Disneyhead]

From WDWMAGIC:

"Walt Disney Imagineering has recruited back to the company legendary rockwork and environment specialist Zsolt Hormay to produce the exterior environments for the upcoming AVATARland at Disney's Animal Kingdom."

This is the guy that did the rock work for TDS, Potter, and Carsland.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...-produce-avatarland-exterior-environments.htm

 

[BJCool]

From WDWMAGIC:

"Walt Disney Imagineering has recruited back to the company legendary rockwork and environment specialist Zsolt Hormay to produce the exterior environments for the upcoming AVATARland at Disney's Animal Kingdom."

this is the guy that did the rock work for TDS, Potter, and Carsland.

:wave:

From WDWMagic

Environment and rockwork specialist Zsolt Hormay recruited back to Imagineering to produce AVATARland exterior environments

Walt Disney Imagineering has recruited back to the company legendary rockwork and environment specialist Zsolt Hormay to produce the exterior environments for the upcoming AVATARland at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Zsolt has been involved in Disney's most elaborate and spectacular exteriors in the past 20 years, including Mysterious Island at Tokyo DisneySea, the Tree of Life at Disneys Animal Kingdom, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland Paris.

Zsolt Hormay will be working under Joe Rohde, the creative lead on the AVATAR project.

 

[shiekra38]

From what I've gathered, the simulator is less Soarin 2.0 and more Simpsons 2.0 (with 3D glasses).

Could be good then..I wish Simpsons was in 3-D and had a better projector..it is a good ride system..

 

[ChristopherSE]

I'm very interested about the boat ride. Since I'm not very familiar with the park, does anyone know if it could use the same channels as the original unfinished boat ride? The whole history of AK has always saddened me. It would be nice to see some of the original plans reinstituted.

 

[TheBigSqueeze]

Lmao this is Disney's BIG response to the WWOHP? I'm sure the theming will be stunning but these attractions seem pretty random. Maybe I'm just being a pessimist, or maybe I just hate the fact that Disney's teaming up with the biggest dirt bag to ever make a film.

 

[jtsalien]

2.) From what I've been hinted to, Soarin' 2.0 is more than just 3D and digital projection.
3.) I remain cautiously optimistic about the boat ride.

2.) If Cameron agreed tot this, I have to imagine he's being allowed to push the limits with the video and effects. I hope.

3.) I'd love to see their new boat tech put to use here. If they try and innovate here, this is the ride that could steal the land.

 

[rhino4evr]

i saw some rumors that this is a downscale...about 100 million less then originally proposed.

 

[BJCool]

i saw some rumors that this is a downscale...about 100 million less then originally proposed.

Which supposedly is part of the reason we're not getting that motorbike coaster.

 

[Scarletwebslingr]

I wanted a coaster >:O

 

[Hatetofly]

Just want to throw this out their, whether we agree on type, level, or overall number of attractions Avatar brings its very necessary. These were the wait times I encountered on my recent Orlando run.

Last visits,

Animal Kingdom

EE 5 min wait
Dinosaur walk on
Kali 15 min wait-it was hot
Bugs Life 5 Wait on the doors to open
Kilimanjaro Safari 20 Mins

Universal Studios
DM 40 Min
Shrek 20 Min
Mummy 35 Min
Disaster 25 Min
Rockit 45 Min
Simpsons 35 Min
MIB 30 Min

IOA
Spidey 50 Min
Hulk 15 Min
Ripsaw 35 Min
JPRA 25 Min
FJ 60 Min
Ollivanders 45 Min
PF 30 Mins
CiTH 25 Min

We need this to be successful at Animal Kingdom and I worry about where their numbers fall at the end of the year. Universal from my own visits has been busy during a time they have been dead in years past. Something I used to say about Disney...

 

[Disneyhead]

Here is the ride system:

http://www.vekoma.com/index.php/specialities-and-attractions/panoramic-flight-simulator

 

[Vyrus]

So this time its going to be a stationary chairs that just push forward into the screen, versus being lifted from the ground into the screen.

Its different enough that the general pop won't confuse it for Soarin

 

[War Eagle]

Not sure if this has been mentioned here, but there are supposed 'leaked plans' popping up on other sites.

Here's a link:

- - - Updated - - -

- - - Updated - - -

{sigh} Maybe I'm too old for this sort of thing :doh:
Here's the URL to what I was trying to upload before:http://www.slashfilm.com/leaked-avatar-land-blueprints-reveal-possible-3d-simulator-and-water-ride/avatar-blueprints-1/

 

[War Eagle]

*Removed*

 

[Scarletwebslingr]

I was at IOA Friday and the lines were pretty short. FJ was only 30 (which was actually closer to 20/25), JP was 35, Hulk was about 10, Spidey was 30, and Olivanders had a line only about as long as the show's capacity which is pretty small. We also got there early and ditched Toon Lagoon, so I have no clue what Rip-Saw or Popeye's was.

Anyway, I'm disappointed in another simulator coming to WDW. It has Soarin', Star Tours, and Sum of All Thrills. I would be more welcoming of a ride that's more mobile and interactive. Not saying whatever they pump out won't be cool, but they have a chance to blow minds here and they might be rolling out a simulator? I hope it all works but my optimism is deflating.