Disney's Animal Kingdom® Park First look at Avatar-land and other DAK changes

DavidBrown

DavidBrown

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
For anyone interested in the future of Disney's Animal Kingdom there are some first looks at what the forthcoming James Cameron's Avatarland will look like. There are also new shows coming to DAK and a night version of Kilimanjaro Safari, the only real animal based attraction mentioned.

Thanks to Ituri for alerting me to this article.

First Look: AVATAR to Come to Life at Disney?s Animal Kingdom Disney Parks Blog
 
Last edited:
I have not seen Avatar nor do I really have a desire to see the movie. I may be going to DAK next spring and all I can this, "This construction better not block off other parts of the park." The nighttime safari sounds interesting, but I saw on a Disney forum people going back and forth saying it will happen and never happen again. It might be in their best interest to get nocturnal animals for the nighttime. I am not sure the regular animals would adjust to night time hours as well.
 
I havent seen avatar either nor do I plan on it. I know it was a big movie but it seems a waste of space to give it a whole land. In 5 or 10 years will anyone remember avatar? I'd rather have seen a south American rainforest section or an Australian area added. You could still add those animals and have thrill rides there. They havent had a south american movie so maybe australia would be better. Rescuers down under and Finding Nemo and the future finding dory could play a role. Disney could even set another animated story there. Who wouldnt love a story about kangaroos or koalas?
 
TZFan said:
I havent seen avatar either nor do I plan on it. I know it was a big movie but it seems a waste of space to give it a whole land. In 5 or 10 years will anyone remember avatar? I'd rather have seen a south American rainforest section or an Australian area added. You could still add those animals and have thrill rides there. They havent had a south american movie so maybe australia would be better. Rescuers down under and Finding Nemo and the future finding dory could play a role. Disney could even set another animated story there. Who wouldnt love a story about kangaroos or koalas?
Click to expand...

By the time this thing opens Avatar will be fresh in everyone's minds as there are at least two planned sequels the first of which will release about the same time as this opens.

The beauty of the live animal portions of this park is they are based off of nature and not some animated film, any future animal developments should follow this route.

While I'm not a fan of the movie Avatar, the concept images sure are compelling and as this is the Animal Kingdom the focus will be on the flora and fauna of Pandora. This land fulfills part of the original vision for the park by showing people animals that are real(Africa, Asia) animals that were once real but now only exist in our imaginations (Dinoland, U.S.A.) and now animals that have only ever existed in our imaginations (Avatar). I would have preferred the original concept for this area, the Beastly Kingdomme with its Dragon's Tower coaster and unicorn themed maze, this expansion will probably resonate better with John Q Themeparkgoer.

This is being built in an area off to the side so construction should not impede your enjoyment of the rest of the park any.
 
Having seen the movie I am really excited to see how they bring Pandora to real life, and the concept images indeed give the movie justice. As Ituri mentions, two more films are planned, so this will definitely be a great investment to the company and a great addition to the park.

What is true about the company is that if a park expansion is popular then more expansions follow suit, so hopefully this expansion is a hit and we see another addition after this one but of the real life variety.
 
I didnt realize there were sequels planned. So the will they remember wont be an issue for awhile but when the zone turns 10 will people still remember? or 20?

I'd still like a more pure animal experience. Its probably the combination of animal lover in me and the near total lack of theme park goer. I'm only interested in disney becuse I love the disney movies of my childhood. I get motion sick just thinking of the tea cups.

On a seperate more personal note my family might be headed to Disney next year, are any of you frequent disney goers? I can read all of the books and visit all of the websites but sometimes is just nice to talk to someone one on one who is more farmilar than you. Which is pretty easy I havent been to disney since I was four and my only memory is being freaked out by giant tiggers looming over the stroller I was in. I was afraid of winnie the pooh for years after that. Strange what we remember. Sorry for going off topic.
 
I'm sure people will remember, Disney parks are full of rides based on older films. Also, remember that Avatar is the highest grossing film (not counting inflation) ever, and with two sequels coming up Disney won't have to worry about that.

I was an annual passholder to Disneyland in Anaheim for several years until the crazy rise in prices last year. I could help if your coming to Anaheim, but I know just the basics for Orlando.
 
mstickmanp said:
I'm sure people will remember, Disney parks are full of rides based on older films. Also, remember that Avatar is the highest grossing film (not counting inflation) ever, and with two sequels coming up Disney won't have to worry about that.

I was an annual passholder to Disneyland in Anaheim for several years until the crazy rise in prices last year. I could help if your coming to Anaheim, but I know just the basics for Orlando.
Click to expand...

There are actually 3 Avatar sequels being made: 'Avatar' Sequels Upped To Three; Fox, James Cameron Set Trio Of Writers To Spearhead - Deadline.com
 
Mstickmanp we are really looking at Disney World, not Disneyland but thank you for your offer to talk. Im sure my little nephew who would be 3 or 4 at the time of the visit would die to go to Disneyland for the Cars land alone. It looks spectacular but he will never know what hes missing. He will have fun at Disney World. Thanks again for your offer to chat.
 
TZFan said:
I didnt realize there were sequels planned. So the will they remember wont be an issue for awhile but when the zone turns 10 will people still remember? or 20?

I'd still like a more pure animal experience. Its probably the combination of animal lover in me and the near total lack of theme park goer. I'm only interested in disney becuse I love the disney movies of my childhood. I get motion sick just thinking of the tea cups.

On a seperate more personal note my family might be headed to Disney next year, are any of you frequent disney goers? I can read all of the books and visit all of the websites but sometimes is just nice to talk to someone one on one who is more farmilar than you. Which is pretty easy I havent been to disney since I was four and my only memory is being freaked out by giant tiggers looming over the stroller I was in. I was afraid of winnie the pooh for years after that. Strange what we remember. Sorry for going off topic.
Click to expand...

I spent several days there last year due to a conference being held and saw all of the parks I could ever wish to. So my best advice: think about your budget of cash and your budget of time. If you have a great deal of both, then the Park Hopper tickets are great because you can make each day whatever you want it to be. If you can afford the great restaurants, they are truly great. All the other restaurants are mediocre at best. I went as an adult (no kids) and was able to have a great time. If you are bringing children then it will be much more complicated meeting their needs without ruining your own enjoyment. I find that a trip there once every ten years is about all I can tolerate.
 
Ituri said:
Here's a video with James Cameron and Walt Disney Imagineering's Joe Rohde.

AVATAR at Disney?s Animal Kingdom Will Transport, Transform Guests Disney Parks Blog
Click to expand...

That guy (JR) with the giant ridiculous earring and hanging earlobe and goatee works for Disney? They used to not even let male employees have a moustache or beard. When I lived in Los Angeles I remember Disney bought the Queen Mary and they fired the ship captain (who had been captain for many years) just because he had a moustache. Boy have their standards changed!

I realize this is off topic, and I do not necessarily agree with Disney's previous position, it just shocked me. And just for the record I have not seen Avatar, but I hate Animal Kingdom anyway so I couldn't care less what Disney does to further destroy it.
 
Arizona Docent said:
And just for the record I have not seen Avatar, but I hate Animal Kingdom anyway so I couldn't care less what Disney does to further destroy it.
Click to expand...

Ouch. That seems kinda harsh. May I ask why you hate it? I've always thought most ZooChatters liked DAK.
 
TZFan said:
I havent seen avatar either nor do I plan on it. I know it was a big movie but it seems a waste of space to give it a whole land. In 5 or 10 years will anyone remember avatar? I'd rather have seen a south American rainforest section or an Australian area added. You could still add those animals and have thrill rides there. They havent had a south american movie so maybe australia would be better. Rescuers down under and Finding Nemo and the future finding dory could play a role. Disney could even set another animated story there. Who wouldnt love a story about kangaroos or koalas?
Click to expand...

I agree, I think it's sad they are adding an Avatar-themed area to Animal Kingdom of all places. A South American or Australian themed areas would be better. I like your ideas of Rescuers Down Under and Finding Nemo, although I think there is an aquarium at EPCOT. I know there is a Nemo area that has the seagulls outside.
 
Shellheart said:
Ouch. That seems kinda harsh. May I ask why you hate it? I've always thought most ZooChatters liked DAK.
Click to expand...

Reason 1) The one time I visited (fall 2001) with my cousin, a higher up confronted us in the middle of the day. We were taking photos with relatively nice cameras (but certainly not top end) and she demanded to know if we had a press pass and what we were doing. We told her it was just a hobby but she interrogated us for at least five minutes before letting us go.

Reason 2) You cannot see the African savanna (their main exhibit) unless you are on the ride. Designing the park with no overlook for people to sit and watch the animals is a blunder that defies all logic. You get to see the cheetahs for about 20 seconds while you roll past, the elephants for about 40 seconds, etc.

Reason 3) Compared to other Disney parks, there is not very much at all to do. By 1:00pm we saw vast crowds of people exiting the park because they had seen it all.

Reason 4) It is grotesquely overpriced. You pay more than the price of a year membership at most zoos just for a one day ticket to see a smaller variety of animals than you would see at almost any major city zoo in the country.
 
Arizona Docent said:
Reason 1) The one time I visited (fall 2001) with my cousin, a higher up confronted us in the middle of the day. We were taking photos with relatively nice cameras (but certainly not top end) and she demanded to know if we had a press pass and what we were doing. We told her it was just a hobby but she interrogated us for at least five minutes before letting us go.

Reason 2) You cannot see the African savanna (their main exhibit) unless you are on the ride. Designing the park with no overlook for people to sit and watch the animals is a blunder that defies all logic. You get to see the cheetahs for about 20 seconds while you roll past, the elephants for about 40 seconds, etc.

Reason 3) Compared to other Disney parks, there is not very much at all to do. By 1:00pm we saw vast crowds of people exiting the park because they had seen it all.

Reason 4) It is grotesquely overpriced. You pay more than the price of a year membership at most zoos just for a one day ticket to see a smaller variety of animals than you would see at almost any major city zoo in the country.
Click to expand...

I see. I've never been there ,but looking at the issues you've listed,I probably won't end up going at all.
 
Shellheart said:
I see. I've never been there ,but looking at the issues you've listed,I probably won't end up going at all.
Click to expand...

The African savanna area and gorilla exhibit are among the most amazing exhibits ever built. There is also as Asian trail with very cool exhibits for bats, tigers, and other species. If you want to see one of the world's best zoos then Disney has built one.

Arizona Docent's criticism is valid, but you can ride the safari ride as often as you want.
 
DavidBrown said:
The African savanna area and gorilla exhibit are among the most amazing exhibits ever built. There is also as Asian trail with very cool exhibits for bats, tigers, and other species. If you want to see one of the world's best zoos then Disney has built one.

Arizona Docent's criticism is valid, but you can ride the safari ride as often as you want.
Click to expand...

I think you may have reignited my interest :D I'm curious,how do you feel DAK holds up compared to other world-class facilities,such as the Bronx and San Diego,and do you feel it's worth the admission price?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top