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[HP_Wuvcraft]

That is what everybody says before he blows their minds.

I can only think that the thing he is talking about is anamatronics, and those are pretty good already.

 

[Anticitizen One]

Why all the talk about adding Star Wars to the parks? Disney's Hollywood Studios already as Star Tours, and the area around that is themed to both Endor and Tatooine. It's not a full "land" but it would be silly to add a Star Wars land to any of the other parks at this point, since Star Tours already exists at Hollywood Studios.

Star Tours is not enough. Dude fucking CARS is getting a full fledged land and that movie sucks ass.

Back in the 80s and 90s Disney actually had elaborate plans for full fledged Star Wars and Indiana Jones parks but there isn't a heck of a lot of concept art out there. I found some elaborate Indiana Jones ride concept art though:

Only a sliver of this was actually built :'/

 

[StrikerObi]

Erm, yeah, I know. I mean wait until Avatar 2 is done before you even start building shit. You can't just base it around the first film, and even if Cameron is pumping his ideas for expanding the mythos into the park and the films you could end up seeing some dodgy stuff he's throwing into the park so they actually have something to build when he'd rather spend time to refine it for the films.

Starting after the sequels gives them a better base to build on, is what I'm getting at. Rather than one film full of stuff that is solid, they have two/three films. But Iger wants it done sooner, so it'll happen sooner- or never, of course

Well they've got access to Cameron (assuming the project isn't canceled). I'm sure he'll be sharing his ideas for the 2nd and 3rd films with WDI to be sure the land isn't instantly outdated the day it opens.

 

[StrikerObi]

Star Tours is not enough. Dude fucking CARS is getting a full fledged land and that movie sucks ass.

Back in the 80s and 90s Disney actually had elaborate plans for full fledged Star Wars and Indiana Jones parks but there isn't a heck of a lot of concept art out there. I found some elaborate Indiana Jones ride concept art though:



Only a sliver of this was actually built :'/

Oh I agree that Lucasland should be a much larger part of the parks. That concept art is great. Looks like they were going to redo Jungle Cruise to theme it to Indiana Jones. I'm glad they didn't do that.

They were at one point going to add the awesome Indy ride to Hollywood Studios, but then they used that exact same track layout to build Countdown To Extinction (now Dinosaur) to Animal Kingdom, so that'll never happen now.

They have the Backlot Express quick service dining area that NOBODY goes to right next to Star Tours. It's almost identical in theme to the Studio Catering Company in the back of the park, and it's the perfect location to build the actual Mos Eisley Cantina complete with animatronic Modal Nodes band and all that stuff. I don't know why they've never actually built it. Lines would be around the damn block to eat there.

As for Cars, what else do you expect? Lassiter is the head of Imagineering and Cars is his baby. Of course it gets its own land. At least they are finally spending good money on projects again. Cars may be a poor property to lots of people, but at least it isn't a poor property coupled with a poor Imagineering budget. Cars Land and it's main ride are some of the most expensive things WDI has ever built. Nice to see them returning to their 90s era "big spending" days again. That's a good sign for Avatarland (assuming it isn't canceled).

 

[Anticitizen One]

Oh I agree that Lucasland should be a much larger part of the parks. That concept art is great. Looks like they were going to redo Jungle Cruise to theme it to Indiana Jones. I'm glad they didn't do that.

They were at one point going to add the awesome Indy ride to Hollywood Studios, but then they used that exact same track layout to build Countdown To Extinction (now Dinosaur) to Animal Kingdom, so that'll never happen now.

They have the Backlot Express quick service dining area that NOBODY goes to right next to Star Tours. It's almost identical in theme to the Studio Catering Company in the back of the park, and it's the perfect location to build the actual Mos Eisley Cantina complete with animatronic Modal Nodes band and all that stuff. I don't know why they've never actually built it. Lines would be around the damn block to eat there.

As for Cars, what else do you expect? Lassiter is the head of Imagineering and Cars is his baby. Of course it gets its own land. At least they are finally spending good money on projects again. Cars may be a poor property to lots of people, but at least it isn't a poor property coupled with a poor Imagineering budget. Cars Land and it's main ride are some of the most expensive things WDI has ever built. Nice to see them returning to their 90s era "big spending" days again. That's a good sign for Avatarland (assuming it isn't canceled).

Yea I am happy about that (even though there only doing it now due to necessity to survive) but all that money and effort that went into Cars Land could have gone to more exciting projects.

We should be getting things like this:

instead we get this:

 

[Hot Coldman]

Is the Stark Expo still happening? That sounds fantastic, presuming there's actually a ride involved.

 

[mightynine]

It's just internet board speculation at this point.

That said, there's plenty of projects announced that never get built, so it wouldn't be something new.

 

[Iceman]

Fine with me. What I want is LOST-land. Disney, make it happen.

 

[Anticitizen One]

Stark Expo is just an internet rumor. The rumor was that Disney could easily redress Innoventions (formerly the America Sings/Carousel of Progress theater) into the Stark Expo which admittedly makes more sense than some of the dumb pixar tie ins over the years. The rumor could even hotter when concept art leaked out from a cancelled dubai marvel theme park that looked eerily similar to Disneyland's Tomorrowland:

its most likely not going to happen though

Fine with me. What I want is LOST-land. Disney, make it happen.

At one point they were considering that too for the former site of Discovery Island on Bay Lake but again Disney got wishy washy and too cheap and the project never happened.

 

[TDLink]

This is highly misleading as that "well known insider" isn't actually a well known insider. I am aware of the forum this is from (This topic for those curious: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=833814) and based on what I read when I browsed it the guy who made those comments didn't say it was cancelled, only that it was "in trouble". Moreover, the other insiders on that board who -have- proved they are insiders time and again haven't heard the same things this one guy has heard.

Worst case the budget really is going to get slashed a bit but there is no way the project is cancelled. I am happy it is -not- cancelled as well since Avatar's world really does lend itself well to a theme park.

Anyways, I suspect this "rumour" will be dismissed tomorrow after the scheduled shareholder's meeting. Remember guys, no news does not mean that something isn't happening, it just means they are being secretive (which Disney is notorious for being anyways).

 

[Anticitizen One]

This is highly misleading as that "well known insider" isn't actually a well known insider. I am aware of the forum this is from (This topic for those curious: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=833814) and based on what I read when I browsed it the guy who made those comments didn't say it was cancelled, only that it was "in trouble". Moreover, the other insiders on that board who -have- proved they are insiders time and again haven't heard the same things this one guy has heard.

Worst case the budget really is going to get slashed a bit but there is no way the project is cancelled. I am happy it is -not- cancelled as well since Avatar's world really does lend itself well to a theme park.

Anyways, I suspect this "rumour" will be dismissed tomorrow after the scheduled shareholder's meeting. Remember guys, no news does not mean that something isn't happening, it just means they are being secretive (which Disney is notorious for being anyways).

The other insiders are frauds. Trust me. The only one's who know wtf they are talking about are Martin (I think he goes by Marini or something on the forum) and WDW1974

 

[Hot Coldman]

Stark Expo is just an internet rumor. The rumor was that Disney could easily redress Innoventions (formerly the America Sings/Carousel of Progress theater) into the Stark Expo which admittedly makes more sense than some of the dumb pixar tie ins over the years. The rumor could even hotter when concept art leaked out from a cancelled dubai marvel theme park that looked eerily similar to Disneyland's Tomorrowland:

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnyhsf1dLr1qbt0yd.jpg[img]

its most likely not going to happen though[/QUOTE]

Boo. That sounded neat. I guess the fact the Marvel attractions are sticking around at Universal Islands throws a spanner into those works.

 

[C.Dark.DN]

Yea I am happy about that (even though there only doing it now due to necessity to survive) but all that money and effort that went into Cars Land could have gone to more exciting projects.

We should be getting things like this:

instead we get this:

Yeah. When I go look at the space mountain ride it's pretty weak despite being one of the top rides. It'd be better if the whole thing had a tunnel with futuristic lights, or if the dark part wasn't just dark but actually had stars.

 

[Extra Sauce]

The idea of spending large sums of money to create a fake ecological wonderland while the environment is going to shit troubles me, to be honest.

 

[Anticitizen One]

The idea of spending large sums of money to create a fake ecological wonderland while the environment is going to shit troubles me, to be honest.

Then tell people to stop voting republican. Problem solved.

Yeah. When I go look at the space mountain ride it's pretty weak despite being one of the top rides. It'd be better if the whole thing had a tunnel with futuristic lights, or if the dark part wasn't just dark but actually had stars.

There have been many great concepts over the years to modernize and rework Space Mountain but every time Disney is about to do it they get cold feet due to budget and in florida the excuse is "we can't close rides for an extended period of time or people will go crazy!" Even though they used to all the time (when they had far less content in their parks). They did a decent refresh of Disneyland's Space Mountain interior back in 2005 and they gave the paris space mountain a half ass redo but thats about as far as they came.

 

[CorvoSol]

Only after Lucas has given up creative control on it.


Preferably to Cameron.

Because they don't want us to have sex with Twi'lek already.

 

[OchreHand]

As much as I wanted to see Pandora, I hope it's canceled. Disney has so much untapped material. Where's the Lion King dark ride?

Or Imagineers need to do Beastly Kingdom instead. The dragon in the Animal Kingdom logo just looks silly.

 

[Jeff Albertson]

Pirates is a massive IP for Disney and I think they could somehow extend what they have at the parks beyond the original ride and pirates league although obviously there isn't the same space for it at magic kingdom.

Otherwise id rather see a whole new park my favourite would be the often discussed villain themed one.

 

[StrikerObi]

Pirates is a massive IP for Disney and I think they could somehow extend what they have at the parks beyond the original ride and pirates league although obviously there isn't the same space for it at magic kingdom.

Otherwise id rather see a whole new park my favourite would be the often discussed villain themed one.

They're doing this in China in the new Shanghai park with some sort of Pirates themed flume / water-coaster attraction.

 

[TDLink]

The other insiders are frauds. Trust me. The only one's who know wtf they are talking about are Martin (I think he goes by Marini or something on the forum) and WDW1974

I don't know who are frauds or not. To be fair though I have no idea who you are either. Regardless of who is or isn't an insider though no new news does not mean anything one way or the other. Right now this is all just people posting on message boards and it should not be purported to be some big sort of news. Posting a topic like this (or the one on that other forum this comes from) is just stirring stuff up for the sake of stirring stuff up. Tomorrow if nothing about cancellation is mentioned at the shareholder meeting then I think we can all safely assume that the project is still a go.

Many hardcore Disney fans seem to not want anything to do with Avatar because it wasn't actually made by Disney. I get that, sure. At the same time though new stuff with a big budget in WDW is awesome and if James Cameron wants to help foot the bill then I say let him. Avatar can work very well in a theme park and honestly it really is very Disney-like (even down to character design of the Na'vi). It may as well be Disney so I think it fits well.

 

[jstevenson]

Don't get all the Hate for Cars Land, I think everything there are doing there looks really cool. Cars is still a mega-great IP, even if you don't like the movies.

Disney knows it has to step up its shit thanks to Harry Potter land, that's maybe the best thing to ever happen to them, in some ways.

I think Tomorrowland has the best chance for a total change-over. Going the Marvel/Stark route would make sense.

Avatar land could be stunning if the budget is there. I'm not sure why people think Disney won't drop cash though. California Adventure just got 1 billion to make it not suck.

Otherwise - I think Marvel / Star Wars land make sense. Who knows, maybe Disney will try to grab Hunger Games or something....

 

[Anticitizen One]

I don't know who are frauds or not. To be fair though I have no idea who you are either. Regardless of who is or isn't an insider though no new news does not mean anything one way or the other. Right now this is all just people posting on message boards and it should not be purported to be some big sort of news. Posting a topic like this (or the one on that other forum this comes from) is just stirring stuff up for the sake of stirring stuff up. Tomorrow if nothing about cancellation is mentioned at the shareholder meeting then I think we can all safely assume that the project is still a go.

Many hardcore Disney fans seem to not want anything to do with Avatar because it wasn't actually made by Disney. I get that, sure. At the same time though new stuff with a big budget in WDW is awesome and if James Cameron wants to help foot the bill then I say let him. Avatar can work very well in a theme park and honestly it really is very Disney-like (even down to character design of the Na'vi). It may as well be Disney so I think it fits well.

Why would they announce it's cancellation at the shareholder meeting? I can't remember a single time in my life where Disney has made an official announcement of new rides coming or eying cancelled at a shareholder meeting. My guess Isis somebody asks them point blank they will say the project is still on.

 

[TDLink]

Why would they announce it's cancellation at the shareholder meeting? I can't remember a single time in my life where Disney has made an official announcement of new rides coming or eying cancelled at a shareholder meeting. My guess Isis somebody asks them point blank they will say the project is still on.

Exactly. And if that happens then we should assume that...the project is still on. I am not saying they are going to make some big announcement of a cancellation, it is just that the shareholders will inevitably ask about the project if Disney doesn't otherwise mention it. My point is, there is no real reason that Disney is going to lie to its shareholders.

 

[Htown]

The idea of spending large sums of money to create a fake ecological wonderland while the environment is going to shit troubles me, to be honest.

oh good lord

 

[Anticitizen One]

Exactly. And if that happens then we should assume that...the project is still on. I am not saying they are going to make some big announcement of a cancellation, it is just that the shareholders will inevitably ask about the project if Disney doesn't otherwise mention it. My point is, there is no real reason that Disney is going to lie to its shareholders.

It went down exactly like that but there is a long long way until 2016/2017 when it supposedly opens and it's barely in pre-production phase now. Also:

I just answered wrote this on another thread as I didn't see this one, but before the hype machine starts about IGER SAYS AVATAR IS COMING, THOSE HATERS DON'T KNOW A THING ETC ETC ... I think I need to add some perspective and common sense here so ...

Iger ONLY addressed Avatar when questioned by a fanboi ... only. He did an entire presentation highlighting P&R and their future and he talked about everything from Shanghai and HKDL to DCL expansion to DCA's makeover to our modest little Fantasyland beautification project. Nothing about Avatar ... not ONE piece of artwork that hides most details to whet appetites. He ONLY left out the largest capital investment coming to the flagship resort ... the one announced at $500 million ... the one for DAK ... the one with tall blue aliens that are slaughtered by people who look a whole lot like the very military types whose families he covets as guests (he did mention the military prominently and then took questions on veterans deals).

In other words, he responded to what some Spirits in the fan community (and behind his own doors in Glendale and Burbank) are saying about the troubled project by saying almost nothing other than basically status quo or what Jim Hill got from his source in PR.

It means nothing ... no, actually, it means less than nothing.

Very telling when this word has been going around for 3-4 months now that he couldn't show off 1-2 renderings and even call them 'possible concepts' for the land ... and he damn well couldn't because the thing is a disaster.

Only surprise from the meeting: no questions about exec compensation and no questions about releasing Song of the South.

~Iger lies~

 

[TDLink]

It went down exactly like that but there is a long long way until 2016/2017 when it supposedly opens and it's barely in pre-production phase now. Also:

I don't see any real reason a project scheduled for 4 - 5 years from now should be past pre-production yet. I also don't see why we should be expecting any serious info on the project considering how far out it is. Iger focusing on stuff happening much sooner like Shanghai makes perfect sense to me.