Pandora–The World of Avatar

Pandora–The World of Avatar

Concept art
Location Disney's Animal Kingdom
Status Under construction
Opening date 2017[1]
Theme Avatar
Attractions
Attractions 2 total

Pandora–The World of Avatar[2] is a themed area currently being constructed in the south-west portion of Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida. The area will be based upon the fictional exoplanetary moon, Pandora from James Cameron's Avatar film series, and will include Pandora's floating mountains, alien wildlife, and bioluminescent plants.[3][4][5] Pandora–The World of Avatar is expected to span several acres and feature multiple attractions, entertainment, audio-animatronics, 3-D holograms as well as retail, food and beverage outlets.[6][7][8] Construction began on January 10, 2014, with the land expected to open in 2017.[1][6][7][9]

History

In early 2011, James Cameron was approached by The Walt Disney Company's chief executive officer, Bob Iger, regarding the possibility of Avatar-themed attractions in Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.[10] Originally, discussions were held about creating an Avatar-themed attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios, perhaps at the park's then-functioning Studio Backlot Tour.[11] Instead, Tom Staggs suggested to incorporate the film into a newly designed "land" at Disney's Animal Kingdom to improve the park's attraction roster.[11] On September 17, 2011, a long-term exclusivity deal was signed between Disney, Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox Filmed Entertainment.[10][12] This deal was officially announced to the public on September 20, 2011, on the Disney Parks Blog.[13] The highlight of the announcement was that Disney's Animal Kingdom would receive a new themed area entirely devoted to Avatar.[5] The area is set to cost approximately $500 million.[10] Construction began in January 2014,[9] with a planned opening date between 3 and 5 years later.[6][7] The deal could see Avatar attractions added to other Disney theme parks in the future, however, there are no immediate plans to do so.[14]

Design

Construction of the floating mountains' rockwork

Pandora–The World of Avatar is designed by Walt Disney Imagineering and Lightstorm Entertainment with Avatar producers James Cameron and Jon Landau also providing creative assistance.[12][15] The area is being built in the former location of Camp Minnie-Mickey, which was originally earmarked for the Beastly Kingdom, a never-built themed land which would have been based around mythological creatures.[16]

Disney showcased a first look presentation of the land at the 2013 Japan D23 Expo.[1] In September 2011, James Cameron confirmed that a flying attraction featuring "3-D projections and creature designs that were cut from the original film" was a concept on the drawing board for the area.[10] Pandora–The World of Avatar will include elements from the original Avatar film as well as its three, yet-to-be-released sequels.[15]

Attractions

At Disney's 2015 D23 Expo, Walt Disney Imagineering confirmed two major attractions.[17]

Concept Art for Pandora-The World of Avatar
Artist Rendering of AVATAR-Themed Land at Night 
Guests Will Discover What it Feels Like to Soar into the Sky Riding a Banshee
Artist Rendering of Banshees for AVATAR-Themed Land 

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Staggs, Tom. "First Look: AVATAR to Come to Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom". The Walt Disney Company. The Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  2. ↑ Smith, Thomas (August 16, 2015). "Pandora – The World of AVATAR will be New Land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom". Disney Parks Blog (The Walt Disney Company). Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  3. ↑ Graser, Marc (February 26, 2015). "Disney ‘Pushing Boundaries’ with ‘Avatar’ Land at Animal Kingdom Theme Park". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  4. ↑ Richwine, Lisa (21 September 2011). "Disney, Cameron to create theme-park "Avatar"". Reuters Canada. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  5. 1 2 Cody, Anthony (22 September 2011). "Disney to build Avatar attractions at its theme parks". The Telegraph. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 Staggs, Tom (20 September 2011). "Answering Your Questions About AVATAR at Disney Parks". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 Associated Press (21 September 2011). "Disney to Build 'Avatar' Attraction in Theme Parks". Fox News. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  8. ↑ Clark, Jayne (22 September 2011). "'Avatar' land is coming to Disney World". USA Today. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  9. 1 2 Smith, Thomas. "Construction Begins For AVATAR-Inspired Land At Disney’s Animal Kingdom". The Walt Disney Company. The Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Chmielewski, Dawn C.; Keegan, Rebecca (21 September 2011). "Disney to license rights to 'Avatar' for theme park attractions". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  11. 1 2 Barnes, Brooks (April 25, 2015). "Thomas Staggs: Disney’s Heir, Apparently". The New York Times. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  12. 1 2 Chmielewski, Dawn C.; MacDonald, Brady (20 September 2011). "Details emerge on Disney's plans to bring 'Avatar' to its parks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  13. ↑ Smith, Thomas (20 September 2011). "AVATAR Coming To Disney Parks". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  14. ↑ Australian Associated Press (22 September 2011). "Coming to Disney World: Avatar Land". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  15. 1 2 Weinstein, Joshua L. (21 September 2011). "James Cameron on 3D, "Titanic" and all things "Avatar"". Reuters. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  16. ↑ MacDonald, Brady (July 7, 2015). "What to expect from Avatar Land at Disney's Animal Kingdom". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  17. ↑ Martens, Todd (August 15, 2015). "Disney reveals plans for 'Toy Story Land' and 'Avatar' and more 'Star Wars'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  18. ↑ Graser, Marc (December 10, 2014). "‘Avatar’ Ride Coming to Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  19. ↑ Martens, Todd (August 14, 2015). "Here's what Disney World's 'Avatar' land will be like". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 15, 2015.

External links

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