Those leaks and rumors have been filtering out for some time now that Pandora was having trouble getting traction, and certainly nothing has progressed in terms of construction. That said, the location was chosen: Camp Minnie-Mickey, currently home to characters greeting trails and the Festival of the Lion King show. Both of those are now slated to be moving out (Lion King is likely to land in a new theater in Africa, not yet built, while the characters are moving to a shop called Beastly Bazaar near the Tree of Life).
On September 4, IGN ran a story that said the next Avatar movies are delayed, and that Cameron was having creative differences with Walt Disney Imagineering over the upcoming land. Uh-oh. This sort of report is often the harbinger that the project is dead (or soon will be), and the announcement is a "softening blow." IGN did not say the project is dead (merely speculating that it may be delayed), but in the modern era of social media and the news cycle, this is often how deals "die" publicly, with a small step like this occurring first.
In a matter of highly suspicious timing, there are ALSO rumors heating up at the same time that the very successful Cars Land in Disney's California Adventure (DCA) may be heading to Disney's Hollywood Studios (DHS), to replace Lights Motors Action (it may or may not affect Backlot Tram Tour - those rumors are inconsistent). Those rumors come from inside sources, many of whom are trusted, so it appears to have weight.
Late yesterday, I heard my own confirmation (in fact, confirmed in two different ways) that Cars Land appears to be a "go", but I cannot provide other specifics. It looks like Cars Land really will be coming to DHS.
Now, this will take some time. Probably two to three years until it's done. By then, the "attendance damage" to DCA will be more minimal, because those who want to rush out to see it will have done so by then.
Put the two news stories together, and you've got a case of very interesting timing. Has Disney been rushing Cars Land into place because they knew internally that Pandora was having creative troubles? After all, they don't need to wait to read about it in IGN - they are living it in Glendale. In many ways this sort of thing is exactly what Disney does. When they run into trouble with one external collaborator, they reach for a backup plan--and they happen to have a highly successful one right in their back pocket, ready to go.
As it stands now, Pandora: The World of Avatar is still greenlit... it's just moving VERY slowly. Anything can happen, including the possibility that we get BOTH lands.
As we're dealing with unannounced projects, rumors, and speculation here, this story may need to be updated as more information becomes available.
Edit History:
9/5/12 at 12:30pm - altered description of affected DHS area, adjusted wording on confirmation of Cars Land from sources.
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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.
12 comments:
Since I really couldn't see any Avatar-based land having "legs" a Cars Land area in Florida makes more sense.
Still haven't been to Florida...now waiting until the Potter expansion is done.
Personally I would MUCH rather see Pixar Place in the Studios with a variety of movie attractions and not have a duplicate of Cars Land per se. That said, they didn't send Imagineer Kathy Mangrum over here to twiddle her thumbs!
From your mouth to God's ears, Kevin.
And I agree with Nony up there. They wouldn't send Kathy Mangum if they weren't serious about building something fantastic.
I like seeing a different approach in my home at DHS (worked there spring of 2012 for the DCP) because LMA & backlot are tired & boring. However, I wish they would do something new and innovative instead of superimposing things from one park to another. I think they would have more guests visiting both parks to take in both DIFFERENT atmospheres. However, I won't be sad to see "avatarland" go. Not my cup of tea & I don't find it to fit the theme of animal kingdom.
I dont' know why they just don't change Tomorrowland Speedway into Carsland. I agree - I can't see Avatar in AK.... would rather see another country like Australia in AK. Avatar was a great movie but I don't think it should be at AK - maybe HS for movie magic
There is nowhere near enough room in tomorrow land
Geez, what does this say about Disney's ability to work with creative individuals? The same problem that has dogged Disney's film studio for years is now rearing its head at WDI and Theme Parks? Disney doesn't play well with others.
Out of the hundreds, possibly thousands, of ideas that Imagineers have come up with over the years, NONE is better than a replication of Cars Land?
Cars Land hasn't even been operating three months in California, and already its non-summer attendance is down, and DCA attendance OTHER than Cars Land is pretty sucky. It's going to be quite something to see what happens in Anaheim from December to April when it's cold, windy, rainy and unpleasant; what happens to that wonderful outdoor design? If you've ever seen the lines for Big Thunder or Matterhorn in the rain, you'll get an idea. Who wants to speed at 40 mph when cold water is slicing down at you the entire time?
Water in Florida may be a little warmer, but Cars Land as it exists now makes no sense. It's certainly no Harry Potter Land!
That said ... it's a tiny bit of a relief that Avatar won't be shoehorned into WDW, though Universal or Busch Gardens would likely take it at the drop of a hat and really pull away Disney park guests.
Disney has to stop recycling and start innovating again. Other than buying the creative staff at Marvel and Pixar, it has done very little on its own that is truly innovative and groundbreaking.
The plan:
1. Beastly Kingdom goes into AK
2. Star Wars Universe goes into DHS (with a Hoth battle scene like Radiator Springs going into where LMA is)
3. HUGE E-ticket Imagination attraction taking the place of Journey AND Captain EO.
Put me in charge of parks & resorts and this gets done! :-)
"Disney doesn't play well with others."
It's actually James Cameron that doesn't play well with others. This is well-known in the entertainment world, and is why pretty much no one deals with him.
He's also not a fanboy like George Lucas or Steven Spielberg, who have worked on, then off, and now on again with Disney. They'd be better off mining the minds of these two than Cameron.
I think Iger figured Avatar would have cultural legs, but it is pretty much forgotten. There's no lines casually remembered in everyday conversation, no scenes people use in everyday analogies. Disney might have realized this, and coupled with the cost of the land, figured it wasn't worth it, and are now trying to back out. It's probably best for all involved in the long run.
They may also want to see how the new Fantasyland is received; if it's a hit, then they know they can use their own catalog and don't have to go outside the company (or their allies like Lucas) for inspiration.
While from a business standpoint, I see the point of Cars Land being an addition to DHS. However, with its main ride being essentially a duplicate of a ride already in place on this side of the country, I just don't see the point.
Like someone else mentioned, I'd take Pixar Place over Cars Land any day.
Is Avatar a good franchise? It's certainly no Harry Potter is it? Would it stand the test of time. I'd be sad to see either Lights Motors Action or Lion King close. Both were filled to the rafters on my last visit.
As an aside, how much does it cost to run LMA daily compared to an actual attraction?
I much rather see an area filled with Marvel. they already own the rights to it. people are happy how they have been dealing with the movies. I think they would be more then happy to support Disney with a location in the parks.
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