Disney Parks boss says Avatar Land for Animal Kingdom still in development

Coincidentally, Universal just posted this to their facebook page:

In a few days, we’ll be celebrating the 5 millionth Butterbeer served in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Five million in about 30 months, give or take.

Edited to add---working out the math, and assuming the 2011 attendance estimate is more or less close, about one in every four people who enters the gates buys a butterbeer.

AJ, there are 2 Avatar sequels in the works. Part two is supposed to be in the planets water, or something.

Bunky, You said what I have been trying to think... Avatar was such a pretty movie, and there is probably no way that beauty can ever be recreated in the real as well.

Gonch, Blu Ray is very popular in my circles, but just as equally popular as DVD. Walk onto Walmart or Best buy and you will probably see that 3-D TVs are selling as well, although I have no idea why anyone would buy one.

I'm just giving you a hard time. It's been a while. :)

-3D TV's sales figures have been notoriously low. From what I understand the percentage of homes with one is still under 5% - and that includes people who simply bought a TV in which 3D was a feature that they have no plans on using.

In fact, that is how 3D is going to permeate the market - as an afterthought. It'll just be a standard feature built into most TV's and listed as a checkmark on a long list of features and specs. Kind of like how all TV's are HD capable now, you don't even think about it - of course they are. All TV's will be able to display 3D content.

-The physical media thing, however, is just a me thing. I know they sell. For the life of me, I can't figure out why anyone has a DVD player anymore. The second HD became mainstream, the DVD became obsolete and by the time Blu Ray really dropped in price enough to become an 'everyman' product, there were plenty of on demand, subscription and streaming services delivering HD content - usually at better prices. Watching a movie on a disc seems as weird as listening to music on a disc.

-Avatar. smh.

Most people don't understand the quality of HD. They think they see HD when they watch a DVD on a big TV.

And Disney has scaled back cap ex? Are you serious? They haven't spent this kind if money since opening a new park.

To most people things are simply good enough. The largest tv in my house is a 40 Inch 1080P Vizio, I really can't tell much of a difference between blu ray and dvd. Maybe a very slight bit but nothing to relegate my DVD player and collection to the dumpster to be replaced with Blu Ray.

The picture from the DVD is very good and I think for 75% of the population that is all that is required.

That said we watch very few DVDs or BRDs and instead stream almost everything and even then choose to rent the standard def version as it is at least a dollar cheaper then high def. Still an incredibly good picture.

I don't see how an Avatar attraction will remain fresh over time. Up until recently it seems Disney's attractions were more timeless and broadly appealing. And then they go build an entire land themed to the worst pixar movie, and now Avatarland?

Brian Noble said:

Coincidentally, Universal just posted this to their facebook page:

In a few days, we’ll be celebrating the 5 millionth Butterbeer served in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Five million in about 30 months, give or take.

Edited to add---working out the math, and assuming the 2011 attendance estimate is more or less close, about one in every four people who enters the gates buys a butterbeer.

I went 4 times before I did not have to wait in a 2 hour line too get one.

I was there for opening day but it was 6 months later before I was willing to wait 20 minutes to get one.

bjames said:

And then they go build an entire land themed to the worst pixar movie, and now Avatarland?

Cars may be the worst is some circles but those who love it really love it. And the merchandise sold over the years I'm sure surpasses many other Pixar efforts, by far.

Cars is a weird one with the disconnect between the movie's popularity and the merchandise's popularity.

Cars merch makes Disney an assload of money.

I went 4 times before I did not have to wait in a 2 hour line too get one.

ProTip: The Hogs Head also serves Butterbeer, and almost never has a line.

I second that. And they have actual beer (and Strongbow, too).

I always enjoyed Cars. In my house, Brave holds the title of worst Pixar film.

Well, it did, until I remembered Cars 2.

I thought Cars' was somehow not as crisp as the other Pixar offerings. It was as if there was a half-story too many or something. And, Cars 2 was nothing more than a summer popcorn film. Fine as far as it went, but not at all what I expect from "a Pixar movie."

And, speaking of Brave....I think of Brave as the Pixar film that is really "a Disney movie." Simple story that is easily accessible to any grade school kid, but with no depth. On the other hand, I thought Wreck-it Ralph was a Disney film that was almost Pixar in terms of its story.

The first Cars has grown on me now that I've seen it a few times. There's more there than I thought. I think the difficulty comes in the fact that there's only so deep a concern that you can have for sentient cars. Even the toys of Toy Story seemed to have more of a soul. I think what made it such a great fit for a theme park area is that it was already a fully realized world in the movie, and they made that world.

I've yet to see Brave, but saw a cast member playing the lead in Magic Kingdom, and her wig was epic.

I still think the worst movie was A Bugs Life. I would also put Wall-E down towards the bottom too (which I know is not popular.) Cars Land completly surrounds you, and unlike the Potter Land I really dont think you need to have seen the movies to enjoy it. The flat rides are fun without knowing the characters, and when it comes to RSR if you dont know whats going on the only scene that does not make sense from the narrative (drive through town then go racing) is the quick tractor tipping scene.

Brave was decent, but the best movie churned out by Disney this year was Wreck it Ralph.

Funny. I thought Wall-E was the second best Pixar movie ever.

This isnt a coaster so not against the rules right?

Masterpieces:

1. Toy Story 3

2. Toy Story 2

2. Toy Story

4. The Incredibles

5. Up

6. Finding Nemo

7. Ratatouille

Really Great Films:

8. Monsters Inc

9. Brave

10. Cars

11. Cars 2

Decent Films but not worthy of my DVD collection:

12. Wall-E

13. A Bugs Life

Up
Wall-E
Toy Story (All three tie for me)
Incredibles
Monsters inc
Finding Nemo
Bugs Life

I honestly haven't seen the rest yet.

Since we're on the topic of Disney and Pixar, has anybody heard anything about Hollywood Studios? There were rumors a Monsters Inc inverted roller coaster would be built next to Toy Story Mania. I really see that area becoming a Pixar themed section. There's already a sign that says Pixar place which leads me to believe it could be a whole section someday.

That rumor is really old, its been the "next ride" going into MGM since Toy Story Mania opened. Wither or not it actually will, or go the route of the Western River Cruise or Beastly Kingdom is up for debate.