Ever since the surprise announcement in 2011 that Disney was teaming to bring James Cameron’s AVATAR to the Disney Parks, the company has been surprisingly mum on details. Besides knowing Pandora would be brought first to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, very little has been shared on the project. Disney’s third D23 Expo came and went this August in Anaheim, with the only mention of AVATAR Land being a mockup of an Imagineer’s workstation with very early concept drawings but no real details shown. Turns out, Disney was holding out for the first ever D23 Expo in Japan to release the first look at Animal Kingdom’s AVATAR Land, which will be the largest expansion in the 15 year history of the park and set to open in 2017. Disney also announced Animal Kingdom will receive its first ever nighttime spectacular along with nighttime rides on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Continue reading for more details.
Update February 27, 2015
Latest rendering released for World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The creative, collaborative process continues on a multi-year project as Disney’s Animal Kingdom brings to life Pandora, based on the blockbuster film AVATAR. Disney recently welcomed acclaimed director James Cameron to offices in Glendale, California for a status report. Disney’s creative teams collaborating with the artists and designers at Lightstorm are focused on all the land’s iconic elements — from the magnificent floating mountains to the interactive bioluminescent forest, and even to the soaring banshees. The AVATAR-inspired land will be part of the largest expansion in Disney’s Animal Kingdom history at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Update January 29, 2014
Disney cast members were treated to an exclusive screening of AVATAR in Disney’s Animal Kingdom where Lead Imagineer Joe Rohde and film producer Jon Landau gave an introduction to their vision for the park. Watch the full VIDEO below (courtesy of John Saccheri) of their presentation where they explain the fit of AVATAR in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Update January 10, 2014
Ceremonial groundbreaking takes place for AVATAR Land in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Using Na’vi-inspired shovels and assisted by a Na’vi (photo illustration), (left to right) George Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort; Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, United States and France; Tom Staggs, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; a Na’vi; Jon Landau, AVATAR Producer; Bruce Vaughn, chief creative executive of Walt Disney Imagineering; and Joe Rohde, creative executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, pose January 8, 2014 during the ceremonial groundbreaking of an AVATAR-inspired land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, FL. The multi-year and largest expansion in Disney’s Animal Kingdom history, the new land will invite Walt Disney World Resort guests to experience the wonders of Pandora when they fly with the banshees, encounter the Na’vi and explore a rich cultural environment with mountains that float and interactive plants that glow at night. Photo by David Roark, courtesy Disney.
Update October 22, 2013
During the opening of the expansion to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, lead Imagineer Joe Rohde was asked about AVATAR Land by About.com’s Arthur Levine. Rohde said the ride on the dragon-like Banshees would be “considerably more thrilling” than Epcot’s Soarin’ attraction.
Update October 14, 2013
Disney Parks released the video announcing details of Animal Kingdom’s new AVATAR Land shown during the D23 Expo in Japan.
Original article from October 12, follows below…
Entering the land of Pandora, guests will gaze in wonder at the floating mountains that dominate the landscape,
ride on dragon-like Banshee creatures,
and float though a bio-luminescent forest.
Walt Disney Imagineering in collaboration with filmmaker James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment is bringing to life the mythical world of Pandora, inspired by Cameron’s AVATAR, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. WDI’s Joe Rohde (right) shares highlights of the project model with Cameron (left) and Walt Disney Parks & Resort Chairman Tom Staggs. Scheduled to open in 2017, the AVATAR-inspired land will be part of the largest expansion in Disney’s Animal Kingdom history.
As part of the expansion, Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park will be adding all-new entertainment experiences including a new after-dark spectacular centered around and above Discovery River, new nighttime entertainment including live performers on Discovery Island (pictured) and a new night version of Kilimanjaro Safaris.
I, for one, am glad to see new life breathed into Disney’s Animal Kingdom which celebrated its 15th Anniversary on Earth Day this year. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait until 2017 before the nighttime enhancements open at the park. James Cameron’s first AVATAR sequel is currently scheduled to open in December 2016, with two more following in 2017 and 2018. So what do you think of these proposed changes to Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Are you looking forward to experiencing AVATAR up close at a Disney Park? Please leave a comment below and share your thoughts. For more family travel news, reviews, and trip reports, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.
Well, if Avatar Land is as authentic an experience as Cars Land appears to be, I think we’re in for a serious treat! I’m REALLY looking forward to this! The fact that Cameron is working with them gives me real hope, because he’s a special effects genius. Mix that with Imagineering, and who knows what we’ll get!
An excellent point Tobi, if yet another reminder that I STILL need to get out to California to see Cars Land. Also, Disney has to compete with the immersive experience that is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter just down the road. Whatever you think about Universal Orlando, their Harry Potter-land is a standard set in the industry that Disney will have to at least match.
These concepts look stunning. I’m really excited by the idea of a new boat ride! That’s one thing I’m sad I was never able to experience at Animal Kingdom, and I think it could serve them well.
The new nighttime entertainment sounds fantastic!! I’ve only been in AK once after dark, and it was for a special event. It was so beautiful at night - and gave the park a totally different perspective.
I agree Chrysty, the concept art does look spectacular. I’m not a huge Avatar-fan, but if I look at it more as a land themed around mythical creatures - kind of like they originally planned - I’m much more interested in it.
I can’t wait! Excited as I can ever be!