Disney shares first look at possible Avatar experience coming to Disneyland

Apr 03, 2024 in "Disneyland Resort"

Posted: Wednesday April 3, 2024 2:39pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

At today's Walt Disney Co. annual shareholders meeting, Disney CEO Bob Iger shared a first look at blue-sky concept art for a possible Avatar experience at Disneyland Resort in California.

Iger said, "You've heard me mention before our intention to bring Avatar to Disneyland and our Imagineers have been hard at work dreaming up what guests might expect. And today I'm excited to give you a first look at the creative inspiration for this possible new destination."

The rendering shows a Pandora landscape with a water-based attraction. The rockwork appears to hide a show building, and the attraction may be a larger version of Animal Kingdom's Na'vi River Journey, with indoor and outdoor elements and most likely a thrill component.

Following the shareholder meeting, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro added, "We are excited about the stories our guests could experience at Walt's original theme park destination after approval of DisneylandForward – including the chance to experience all-new Avatar adventures with a visit to Pandora."

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MistaDee11 days ago

Looks a bit like Jurassic World over at Universal Hollywood

Phroobar12 days ago

The new movie concept art looks amazing. That ride totally looks like Shanghai's Pirates.

britain12 days ago

Nice I guess, but that warrants news for the OCR?

DCBaker12 days ago

From OCR: Disney theme park chairperson Josh D’Amaro promised to deliver “something you haven’t seen yet” when the new Avatar themed land based on the sequels in the $5 billion action sci-fi film franchise debuts at Disney California Adventure. “We’re so excited about the future of the Disneyland resort, especially at Disney California Adventure, where we’re creating a new experience inspired by the ‘Avatar’ films — including something you haven’t seen yet,” D’Amaro said at D23 Brazil. D’Amaro made the comments over the weekend during D23 Brazil — a smaller version of the Disney fan event that took over the Anaheim Convention Center in August. https://www.ocregister.com/2024/11/13/disneyland-teases-avatar-land-at-d23-brazil/

chadwpalmOct 15, 2024

Isn't 9:45-10:00pm usually the busiest time of exiting for DL since so many people leave after the fireworks are over? At least on days they do the fireworks.

MistaDeeOct 15, 2024

Closing times is one thing Disney does significantly better than Universal in my experience. In terms of how many hours of stuff there is to do at DCA vs DL right now, it’s crazy to think that in 5 years (theoretically) DCA will add a new land and 5 new attractions. That does a lot to help close the gap between the two

truecoatOct 14, 2024

The monorail could be used since it is already in both parks and close to both locations.

BrianLoOct 14, 2024

They do have TDS and TDL closing at the same time. Granted the mass transit infrastructure is stronger and guests walk to the Maihama station versus take the monorail from TDS. I think DLR, with a functional eastern gateway, should have the infrastructure to divert everyone simultaneously. It’s probably a big reason they’ve wanted to do it for so long.

Disney IrishOct 14, 2024

I’m sure that was the (excuse) reason originally, but if they build out DCA, as is expected now, it’ll be hard to explain why it closes 2 hours early while its sister next door stays open later.

TysusOct 14, 2024

I wonder if DCA closing earlier, besides not being a real full day park, is if they want to manage how many people are leaving at the same time?

Disney IrishOct 14, 2024

Well with a few more things to do it would become a real full day park, so I’d be more shocked if it didn’t stay open as late as DL.

DarkMetroid567Oct 14, 2024

I will honestly be shocked and impressed if DCA ever routinely closes past 10. Disneyland is, as far as I’m aware, the only theme park in the world that routinely closes as late as it does.

DisneyAJOct 14, 2024

With the added capacity of the upcoming 4 attractions (hoping for 5 with a second for Avatar) it would be nice to get an 11pm close. Other than there being much less to do I’ve never really understood why DCA closes 2 hours before DL.

Disney IrishOct 14, 2024

And hopefully it means it’ll stay open past 10pm too!