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

[Ultranel]

They did spy for IOA construction, that's why we end up with CityWalk. That's Universal's words not mine.

 

[Nick]

So much "blah, blah, blah" so little action. I have changed my mind about Pandora. I think now it's a waste of money, they should've just build a themed pavillion hosting both rides and that's it. After all, how in the world can you go over budget after already adding a budget over the original budget, and for what? Soarin'? It's a small world? Fiber Optics and Black Lights? What's the point of having this tread anyway? They will do and spend whatever they want to, build and open whatever and whenever they want to. The only hope at the moment is SWL or better known in my world as Planet Tatooendor, because they could not even spend 5 minutes to have a name for the land set. Unlike the movie were we already know there's a new planet called Jakku.

Simplifying the rides to Soarin' and IASW (especially IASW... vast understatement) are really underselling everything. Although I guess if you go in with those types of expectations, you're gonna come out amazed, because this is not Soarin and this is not IASW.

And the land itself, much like Diagon, will be an attraction where one could likely spend hours in.

 

[Ultranel]

Simplifying the rides to Soarin' and IASW (especially IASW... vast understatement) are really underselling everything. Although I guess if you go in with those types of expectations, you're gonna come out amazed, because this is not Soarin and this is not IASW.

And the land itself, much like Diagon, will be an attraction where one could likely spend hours in.

Well you have to open it first.... right? and second I can understand if you think Spiderman and Transformers are completely different rides. Me? I just think is the same ride system. So there's no convincing me about Soarin' Over Pandora being a totally different and unique experience than Soarin'

 

[Nick]

Well you have to open it first.... right? and second I can understand if you think Spiderman and Transformers are completely different rides. Me? I just think is the same ride system. So there's no convincing me about Soarin' Over Pandora being a totally different and unique experience than Soarin'

Soarin' has literally no range of motion and was pretty much 1st gen version of this type of ride. Many enhancements have been made since 2001 to the type of ride system (Vekoma this time)... it's a bit of a mix of Spider-man and Soarin'.

And IASW and the Avatar boat ride are literally going to be nothing alike. Talk all you want, but IASW has limited range of motion AAs and most of it is very simplistic. If they follow through with what has been promised, this ride is going to utilize top of the line AAs and it's even rumored that the boat ride may use the new patented ride system that is being used for Shanghai's Pirates.

This isn't even close to comparing Spider-Man and TF. There's a huge difference here and if you can't see it, sorry. You'll just have to wait.

 

[Brian G.]

I do worry about its success though in a crowded couple years of openings, especially within Disney World. I think once TSL and SW open, it's going to cannibalize the shiny new toy immediately.

 

[rhino4evr]

I do worry about its success though in a crowded couple years of openings, especially within Disney World. I think once TSL and SW open, it's going to cannibalize the shiny new toy immediately.

yeah, Hollywood Studios is going to get a big boost in attendance when SWL opens. Avatar will be old hat by then.

 

[Nick]

I do worry about its success though in a crowded couple years of openings, especially within Disney World. I think once TSL and SW open, it's going to cannibalize the shiny new toy immediately.

TSL won't do much to it plus it will have the brand new Rivers of Light, which you better bet Disney will promote HIGHLY to get people to stay at DAK late at night.

SW will take some of the shine, but that's 2 years or so after it opens, so that's a solid amount of time. I just don't see TSL as a huge spotlight stealer. It's a nice little area, but compare side-by-side to Pandora and it's embarrassing.

 

[Nick]

I will say though, on top of Epcot desperately needing something once all of the DHS stuff is done, I think they will go back to DAK and add something else (announce) within a short timeline after DHS is done as it still has a lot of room to grow and they need to continue to pull people away from MK at night.

 

[UNIrd]

I do worry about its success though in a crowded couple years of openings, especially within Disney World. I think once TSL and SW open, it's going to cannibalize the shiny new toy immediately.

It will be Animal Kingdom's first expansion.. hell, first new attraction.. since 2005. I wouldn't worry about when the new toy isn't shiny. They just need their first toy in over a decade.

 

[Nick]

It will be Animal Kingdom's first expansion.. hell, first new attraction.. since 2005. I wouldn't worry about when the new toy isn't shiny. They just need their first toy in over a decade.

First new rides, not attraction. They've added a few things that could be considered attractions since then (Finding Nemo, Wilderness Explorers, New Harambe, Winged Encounters, Rafiki's Planet Watch show, Rivers of Light, Nighttime Safari's, (they'll be long open by the time Avatar opens), etc.

 

[Ultranel]

Soarin' has literally no range of motion and was pretty much 1st gen version of this type of ride. Many enhancements have been made since 2001 to the type of ride system (Vekoma this time)... it's a bit of a mix of Spider-man and Soarin'.

And IASW and the Avatar boat ride are literally going to be nothing alike. Talk all you want, but IASW has limited range of motion AAs and most of it is very simplistic. If they follow through with what has been promised, this ride is going to utilize top of the line AAs and it's even rumored that the boat ride may use the new patented ride system that is being used for Shanghai's Pirates.

This isn't even close to comparing Spider-Man and TF. There's a huge difference here and if you can't see it, sorry. You'll just have to wait.

ROTFLMAO you (NextBigThing) and I have been in the same place again and again. I sooooo knew you were going to say about a better updated system.... hooray for the extra degrees added to the movement. This can't be compared to spiderman because it's not on a track, it's just stationary. Let me know when this Vekoma system does 360 spins and goes upside down, then we can talk about a different experience. The boat ride is a boat ride, compare it with IASW or LWTL or Pirates (although at least POTC has a slide).... Do we know if "It's a small Pandora" ride will have a drop? or in WDW case, a slide?. My point is, it's a boat ride with things to see, and we all know what usually happens to state of art AAs at DAK...... Oh God! I hope they haven't forgotten to include a strobe light in the budget

 

[Disneyhead]

ROTFLMAO you (NextBigThing) and I have been in the same place again and again. I sooooo knew you were going to say about a better updated system.... hooray for the extra degrees added to the movement. This can't be compared to spiderman because it's not on a track, it's just stationary. Let me know when this Vekoma system does 360 spins and goes upside down, then we can talk about a different experience. The boat ride is a boat ride, compare it with IASW or LWTL or Pirates (although at least POTC has a slide).... Do we know if "It's a small Pandora" ride will have a drop? or in WDW case, a slide?. My point is, it's a boat ride with things to see, and we all know what usually happens to state of art AAs at DAK...... Oh God! I hope they haven't forgotten to include a strobe light in the budget

This Vekoma ride system does do 360 degree spins and goes upside down along with 30' vertical drops with the seats facing down like Falcon's Fury.

 

[Ultranel]

This Vekoma ride system does do 360 degree spins and goes upside down along with 30' vertical drops with the seats facing down like Falcon's Fury.

Love it!!!

 

[UNIrd]

First new rides, not attraction. They've added a few things that could be considered attractions since then (Finding Nemo, Wilderness Explorers, New Harambe, Winged Encounters, Rafiki's Planet Watch show, Rivers of Light, Nighttime Safari's, (they'll be long open by the time Avatar opens), etc.

Nemo was end of 2005. Harambe is what.. the walk-up food service? There was a bird show from before, not sure what Planet Watch show you're referring to. None of these are on the park map. Jeez. You might be doing a better job of stretching the new offerings than Disney's own marketing department.

 

[Nick]

Nemo was end of 2005. Harambe is what.. the walk-up food service? There was a bird show from before, not sure what Planet Watch show you're referring to. None of these are on the park map. Jeez. You might be doing a better job of stretching the new offerings than Disney's own marketing department.

Nemo was 2007. Harambe is food service yes, but it's also one of the best themed lands in Orlando. Also, not sure if you're talking about Flights of Wonder, but Winged Encounters is a completely separate show by the Tree of Life. And so what it's not listed on the guide map?

I'm sorry you don't appreciate all the work that is going into a park that desperately needs it. Maybe you will over the next few years as things start to really ramp up. Other than that, I can't really help you.

 

[Nick]

ROTFLMAO you (NextBigThing) and I have been in the same place again and again. I sooooo knew you were going to say about a better updated system.... hooray for the extra degrees added to the movement. This can't be compared to spiderman because it's not on a track, it's just stationary. Let me know when this Vekoma system does 360 spins and goes upside down, then we can talk about a different experience. The boat ride is a boat ride, compare it with IASW or LWTL or Pirates (although at least POTC has a slide).... Do we know if "It's a small Pandora" ride will have a drop? or in WDW case, a slide?. My point is, it's a boat ride with things to see, and we all know what usually happens to state of art AAs at DAK...... Oh God! I hope they haven't forgotten to include a strobe light in the budget

Well aren't you cheerful today :what:

 

[UNIrd]

Nemo was 2007. Harambe is food service yes, but it's also one of the best themed lands in Orlando. Also, not sure if you're talking about Flights of Wonder, but Winged Encounters is a completely separate show by the Tree of Life. And so what it's not listed on the guide map?

I'm sorry you don't appreciate all the work that is going into a park that desperately needs it. Maybe you will over the next few years as things start to really ramp up. Other than that, I can't really help you.

You're right, that was end of 2006 when I first saw it. And I'm not saying you're wrong, just saying you're stretching what we mean by new attractions. And no, I don't only mean rides. But the stuff you're talking about is more food and streetmosphere, which doesn't really count. Not even to Disney considering they don't even mention it in their own materials. Rivers of Light will be the first significant addition added to DAK since Nemo and that is a fact.

 

[Nick]

Rivers of Light will be the first significant addition added to DAK since Nemo and that is a fact.

100% agreed, there's no denying this.

I'm just a little biased I guess and want people to give DAK as a whole (beyond rides) a chance as I like to occasionally spend a full day there (and i'm talking about when the park is open past sun-down). DAK is a great experience overall imo, however, I can see how many may not get the same enjoyment as a lot has to do with animals and animal trails.

And yes, Harambe is a quick service place, but as a local, I love just going there and taking in the atmosphere. I've still yet to eat there. The area and the theming is DisneySea quality though.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Nemo was 2007. Harambe is food service yes, but it's also one of the best themed lands in Orlando. Also, not sure if you're talking about Flights of Wonder, but Winged Encounters is a completely separate show by the Tree of Life. And so what it's not listed on the guide map?

I'm sorry you don't appreciate all the work that is going into a park that desperately needs it. Maybe you will over the next few years as things start to really ramp up. Other than that, I can't really help you.

Dude. Nothing NEW since 2007. I love AK and birds but lets be real here.

 

[Nick]

Dude. Nothing NEW since 2007. I love AK and birds but lets be real here.

See my follow up posts. I fully realize everything you said.