Animal Kingdom: New AVATAR Concept Art Finally Released, New Nighttime Entertainment Announced
Great news from the official Disney Parks Blog! The first concept art for AVATAR Land, the new themed area that is currently planned to open in the future at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park have finally been released! In addition to that, a new nighttime entertainment has also been announced for the park. Take a look!:
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First Look: AVATAR to Come to Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
From the moment AVATAR was released, people were captivated by the mythical world of Pandora. When we announced that we’d be working with James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment to bring this world to life in our parks, we felt certain that this partnership and combination of talent and imagination would produce an experience unlike any other ever created.
Our combined team has taken huge steps forward in “imagineering” Pandora as a real place for our guests to see, hear and touch. At the first-ever D23 Expo in Japan, we shared an early glimpse of the plans for AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park and I wanted to share some of these breathtaking images and a short preview of what’s to come with all of you.
As these concept renderings show in epic scale, in the world of AVATAR guests will encounter awe-inspiring floating mountains and wander through a nighttime jungle of bioluminescent plants that are alive with light and sound. Guests will also discover what it feels like to soar into the sky riding a Banshee.
And the new AVATAR-inspired land won’t be the only change coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
As part of the largest expansion in the history of the park, we’ll be adding all-new entertainment experiences, including a new nighttime spectacular where live music, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery all combine to bring a show to Discovery River that will delight our guests and truly cap off their day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The park will introduce more nighttime entertainment as well, including live performers on Discovery Island (pictured above) and a new nighttime version of the Kilimanjaro Safaris.
James Cameron, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs and Imagineer Joe Rohde View a Model of the AVATAR-Themed Land Coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort
As the world of AVATAR becomes real at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the energy and passion shared by our Imagineers and the Lightstorm team for this monumental task continues to be remarkable. I can’t wait to see the reactions of our guests as they step into a world that until now has only existed on the screen.
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All we can say is: "WOW!" It was about time to see Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park receiving all these great additions. We are especially happy to see that not only the park will receive a brand-new nighttime show, but it will also receive nighttime entertainment on the streets of the park and a nighttime version of the Kilimanjaro Safaris! That will definitely keep Guests busy for a while. Now, it's your turn. What do you think?
PHOTOS/ARTWORKS: ©Disney. All rights reserved.
I wonder when this will all officially start??? I want to ride the Everest 5k in 2014, and I hope it will not be affected!!!
ReplyDeletethis can only be a good thing for AK.
ReplyDeleteWhatever your opinions on the merits of dedicating an entire land to Avatar, you have to conclude that Disney will Probably do it really well, and that it should offer plenty of new attractions.
A new night time show is a much needed addition imo. it is also good that the entertainment in Discovery Island is to be enhanced, as this has taken a bit of an over-drastic downscaling over recent years
finally, the new night time Safari sounds interesting - but I am a little concerned about how Disney can pull this off without impacting on the animals wellbeing
WOW. What kind of attractions can we expect?
ReplyDeleteDAK had a short-lived night time safari years ago. My wife and I went on it. There were 2 guides per vehicle, one with a spot light to point out the animals. Can't remember what year this was.
ReplyDeleteWell, this is the worst idea Disney has ever had...
ReplyDeleteI really think this is a bad idea. Will the "floating mountains" outsize the tree of life? One of the reasons I think Disney has this park closed early is for the animals. Any nighttime spectacular will spook some of the animals. This park is far enough away from Epcot and MK so that the fireworks don't disturb the animals. I suppose that another Avatar movie is gong to happen now or it will be like the treehouse in MK - nobody remembers this film (if you are in a certain age bracket). I understand that this park needs revitalizing, but Epcot really needs to be improved. Why do we need to be environmentally aware with a fictitious planet? Is there nothing on this planet that can be displayed instead?
ReplyDeleteJust like the movie, it looks incredible.
ReplyDeleteBut will turn out mediocre and be forgotten after a month.
I just can't picture gift shops filled with AVATAR stuff when the merch sold horribly in retail stores.
Avatar, meh!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how some people still think that this is a failing project. If the land ends up looking even only half as good as the concept art, this will be one of the best themed areas in theme park history.
ReplyDeleteFrom what it looks like there won't be an Expedition Everest Challenge next year.It's the only race that is not showing 2014 race dates,even the ToT 10 miler in October is showing the race dates.It looks like it may be getting replaced with a Star Wars themed race in May which would work well with SWW,at least those are the rumors.
ReplyDeleteAre those clowns in front of the tree of souls?
ReplyDelete@Peter A boat ride partly indoors and a Sourin clone probably in 3D.
ReplyDelete@Karen Avatar will at least have 3 more movies that will be recorded all at once and released spread out.
The movie Avatar was a great looking movie that lacked likable characters and hart. It stole it's story from many other movies end ended up to be preachy and pretentious and above all unforgettable.
It looks Disney is going for the same, a nice picture but no substance. The 2 rides look to be underwhelming. The pictures look the new aerie will have real earth plants and trees and fake Pandora plants and trees. If the quality of the foliage of the tree of life or the fake little trees at the Beast restaurant is something to go for the difference between real and fake are going to look awful.
What surprised me is that we didn't see any of the aliens and almost non of the animals. Anyway, the Disney rockwork contractors can continue for a few more years.
I really hate AK because it pees on my leg and tells me its raining.
ReplyDeleteA giant upside down deep sea oil rig covered in concrete to make a fake tree and a giant floating concrete mountain to go with the Everest concrete mountain. Save the Earth by recreating it with concrete.
The CO2 emissions must be crazy. At least Epcot has solar power and green building techniques.
In this day and age it seems to be getting harder and harder to please people. Nothing is good enough and complaining about everything has become a new form of entertainment.
ReplyDeleteDisney is about entertaining through experience, whether those experiences be factor or fiction. Yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion about what Disney does, just like everything else in life.
The impressions I get from some people are Disney owes them. Disney owes you nothing. Disney offers a product which you, the customer, pay for. If you are not happy with the product, you go elsewhere. If you are not happy with a particular change to the product, don't buy it or move on and continuing to enjoy what you do like about the product. You'll have far more fun when you're not dwelling on the negatives.
As for AVATAR land, I'm eager to see what the new land will have on offer and how it meshes with the existing park.
As for the nighttime entertainment, I think it's a good idea. Seeing the Animal Kingdom at night will be beautiful. As someone voiced above, I'm also concerned for the animals. I'm sure Disney have taken this issue into account when creating the entertainment offerings.
This would be exciting news...if it was 2009.
ReplyDeleteIts so 2000 and late.
ReplyDeleteWhere are the MECHs? Why do they have geishas and a jazz band by the tree of souls?
I think a giant ice berg with the Titanic in its side and a deep sea sub ride would be better James Cameron material then this.
I totally agree with the OTPN Admin. People need to stop bashing this project for no reason (it is NOT the worst Disney project ever, nor is it "meh" in the slightest possible manner) and learn to open up their minds, give it a chance and see it for the true awesomeness that it's going to be. And to miss out on it would be a crying shame.
ReplyDeleteAlso, just because you don't like the original source material does not require you to hate any attractions based on them (for example: some people don't care about the "Cars" movies, yet they enjoy Cars Land at Disney California Adventure).
@Philip, Avatar meh. Total waste of money. I'll pass.
ReplyDeleteWhile I like the pictures, my biggest fear is for the new rides. A new family friendly boat ride is a great choice if it is themed to the nighttime scenes from the movie (which is appears to be).
ReplyDeleteHowever, the big E-ticket ride better not need up being a clone of Soarin' or Star Tours. I want an UNIQUE ride system for a change. Universal has been at the top of their game creating UNIQUE ride vehicles lately and that does not appear to be changing anytime soon. For a movie that really was a breakthrough in terms of 3D effects, I am hoping for a breakthrough in ride design. A simple, stationary E-ticket attraction is just not going to cut it this time around. I cut Disney some slack when they created Cars Land because it's E-ticket attraction was a new concept for that resort, but if all we get is a soarin' clone after knowing about this project for YEARS, I am not going to be to happy.
If Universal can create TWO major, HIGHLY themed lands with TWO totally unique, detailed E-ticket style rides in just under five years, Disney better be pulling out all the stops because this still seems 3-4 years away from opening meaning it will have taken them nearly double the amount of time to do a heck of a lot less if all that we get is a soarin' clone.
This was first announced back in 2011 and seemingly nothing has been done at all.
ReplyDeleteI think Disney is trying to sign James Cameron to make films for them. Have some ca$h to fund your Avatar movies, pretend to make us an attraction that no one wants and make your next franchise with Disney.
If Disney was smart and gave fans what they wanted like Universal this would be Villains mountain. It would last a lot longer and would be cheaper to update.
@Anonymous, Avatar not meh. Not a waste of money. Don't you dare pass.
ReplyDelete@ The most recent Anonymous, you're completely wrong as well! Stop it!
ReplyDeleteKnife-wielding robots, blue cats that fornicate with their hair, and Cameron's thinly veiled insults of our military...yeah, that's exactly what DAK needs...
ReplyDeleteAvatarland, what a waste...
Really Disney? You're gonna base a whole land based off of ONE movie? I say trash the whole thing and save the money for a Star Wars land.
ReplyDeleteWhat Ryan said.
ReplyDeleteI'm with the rational group (Philip, Ryan, Lance and the OTPN administrator) on this project.
ReplyDelete@Last anonymous
You're bashing Disney for basing a whole new land on one movie and yet you're suggesting that they do the same but with Star Wars? That's some mighty fine logic you have there.
I love the New Avatar Concept art and the new Nighttime entertainment is awesome I Can't Wait for 2017!
ReplyDelete@Markham,
ReplyDeleteSo everyone who dislikes Avatar and Avatarland is irrational? That's real mature...
I think this is going to be very expensive. AK is not set up for night visitors. The entire park will need to be fitted for lights. That's going to cost a fortune. Then what about the animals? Disney was always known for his love of animals. Does the image of gawking visitors night and day flashing pictures and being loud fair to the animals who will be on show until the latter part of the evening. I really don't know how they feed these animals, whether it's once or twice a day. I think very few of the zookeepers want to venture on the open fields to feed them at night. You never see anyone feeding the animals in the daytime. This done before the crowds arrive. With an evening show, it will be very loud. That too will disturb the animals, especially the ones that sleep during the night. It just goes to show you that this is becoming a true zoo with little consideration of the conservation which AK claims they pride themselves with.
ReplyDelete@Above Anonymous
ReplyDeleteNo, but their reasons for disliking it are.
"Avatar meh."
"Total waste of money."
"The worst idea Disney has ever had..."
Words that have absolutely no substance or rationale behind them. Just petty complaints.
I personally don't like Harry Potter, but I don't let my thoughts on the franchise influence my opinion on Universal's Wizarding World (which I love). The same goes for Avatar, a film that I don't really care for all that much anyway, and yet I'm excited to see what Disney can bring to life with it.
@Philip and other pro-Avatar fans, it's best not to argue with all the naysayers. Maybe they'll be right and the new land won't see alot of people visit. Fine by me, less line waiting for this soon-to-be stunning area.
ReplyDeleteAvatar MEH!
ReplyDeleteYou see the problem with building a place no one really is interested is that the rest of us will have to pay the higher admission costs to pay for this place being built. Enjoy the lack of lineups but be prepared to pay for it!
ReplyDelete@markham
ReplyDeleteThe last time I counted there were 6 Star Wars movies with much more to come. Sounds like there's a lot more material to work with. Fan popularity has been around for over 3 decades. Can't say that about Avatar. So people who voice their opinions are petty complainers? I say you need to lay off that disney kool aid.
I wonder if Disney researched whether this was a good idea or not. I am thinking no. I think Cameron convinced the execs that this was a money making idea. From what I read, it's not a popular choice. Bad choice!
ReplyDelete