Leaked Plans for AVATAR at AK available online

[Arsenal1982]

Originally Posted by SaraJayne

I will believe Avatarland will happen when they start construction. Until then, I can remain hopeful it won't.

AK needs another big draw. Not sure why you'd be against it. Even if you hated the movie, I don't see how you could be against something that will loosen up wait times at the other attractions that you could go to, if you wanted to skip Avatar.

[MOM POPPINS]

I also saw this on wdwmagic.com this morning ~ Looks like it's back on to me!

"Environment and rockwork specialist Zsolt Hormay recruited back to Imagineering to produce AVATARland exterior environments Oct 25, 2012 | 10:10am EDT
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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."

[TeamBlack]

I remember a few months ago, their were pictures from California of a mock-up of a flying avatar dragon thing made from an ultra-light aircraft. A rough prototype thingy. Instead of a water boat ride, it might be a flying boat ride on an elevated track?

[Reddog1134]

Originally Posted by MOM POPPINS

I also saw this on wdwmagic.com this morning ~ Looks like it's back on to me!

"Environment and rockwork specialist Zsolt Hormay recruited back to Imagineering to produce AVATARland exterior environments Oct 25, 2012 | 10:10am EDT
Share on facebookShare on twitterShare on emailShare on printMore Sharing Services
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."

Also, one of the respected insiders over there reported that Disney and Cameron have reached an agreement.

[DanBoris]

Originally Posted by Tonka's Skipper

I would not put to much faith is these plans, as the whole project is on hold. There is big creative differences and budget differences between Cameroon and Disney. Camrron wants a $5000 mil budget and Disney is at $375 mil.

These are likey early proposed plans, but not anything definite!

this was annouced by both parties a few months ago.

AKK

Just before these plans hit the internet yesterday there were some posts over at the WDWMagic boards from people who are usually pretty reliable with inside information saying that the Cameron and Disney had come to an agreeement on the scope and budget of the project.

[DanBoris]

Originally Posted by mousermerf

Looks like a 4-theater Soarin' type attraction for the main show and then there's a boat ride that crosses through the building (and isnt fully shown) at one of the lower levels of the building.

It does appear to be a variation on Soarin' with a 3D film instead of 2D. There are also hopes that it will have more actual movement the Soarin.

[Reddog1134]

Originally Posted by DanBoris

It does appear to be a variation on Soarin' with a 3D film instead of 2D. There are also hopes that it will have more actual movement the Soarin.

Soarin' over Pandora?

I'm hoping it's an upgrade from Soarin. I'm one of the few people that think Soarin' is a subpar ride.

[DanBoris]

Originally Posted by Reddog1134

Soarin' over Pandora?

I'm hoping it's an upgrade from Soarin. I'm one of the few people that think Soarin' is a subpar ride.

Personally, I love Soarin', I could ride it all day.

[Reddog1134]

Originally Posted by DanBoris

Personally, I love Soarin', I could ride it all day.

I don't dislike it. But I was very underwhelmed after hearing all the hype.

[GreenCntryGirl]

This article came out on the 23rd:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/1...n_2006533.html

Two quotes jump out at me:

James Cameron might be getting out of the "'Avatar' business."

Of course, that's slightly different than what Cameron said earlier this year. The director told the New York Times that he was done making movies that weren't set on Pandora.

Wonder if there's a connection and if so I'm missing it.

Cameron isn't making anymore Pandora movies at this time because he will be focused on the Disney project and this other film wouldn't require as much of him?

I'm still not on board but am excited for those who are.

Mostly, I do not want it to be a bust for Disney regardless of how I personally feel about it.

[stindall]

Well this is really disappointing then because Avatar was pretty lame. It was Pocahontas but with blue aliens. Never saw it in theaters and I deleted it after one watch.

[jgh]

I really hope it happens! Animal Kingdom needs something else! I feel like this would be just awesome!

[Disco]

Well, Soarin is kinda lame in some ways. It's just a big California commercial with bad segues and no plot. However, the ride mechanism is pretty ingenious and it is fun to dangle out there.
This Avatar ride would add all the plusses that people have been speculating would be good additions to Soarin. Digital projection, 3D, and the lack of bad cut scenes as there is probably a story line you progress through. Maybe even mutliple possible random stories.
If we assume that they are using the gondola based motion simulators that they showed earlier we can also expect a better range of motion over what we currently experience with Soarin. You'd be enclosed in a type of vehicle though so there would be no leg dangle, so that might be a big minus.
If everything we've seen comes to pass, for this theater based ride, it will probably be more entertaining if not exciting than Soarin.

[parkhopping]

Originally Posted by GreenCntryGirl

I'm still not on board but am excited for those who are.

Mostly, I do not want it to be a bust for Disney regardless of how I personally feel about it.

Well said. I still maintain that while this is a much-needed expansion, there are other themes that would be a better fit for Disney/AK. However, if they're going to go ahead with it I hope it is successful.

[ChrisnKim913]

Yea I just can't get excited for this. While I am glad its something new and different, I just can't get excited for Avatar. I think i still feel this way b/c I don't feel Avatar is Disney. I'm sure once more concept art comes out I will get more excited. Idk, i'm just on the fence with this one. Like the previous poster said, I don't want Disney to fail.