I don’t like it. I was tempted to leave this article at that, as it adequately summarizes the problem, but I feel I owe it to you all to give a little more context. Jackie and I were discussing this topic on the latest episode of our Patreon, The Day After Show, and it turned out that she was just as perplexed as I am. Let’s start from the beginning. A couple of weeks ago, Bob Iger confirmed that there would be a new Avatar-themed land coming to Disneyland. Now, the details are sketchy, albeit non-existent. It’s safe to say that from the context of the reveal; the intention is to provide a similar experience in Disneyland that currently resides in Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. You already know that I’m not a fan, but now I am going to explain why.
I know it goes against our Disney religion to speak ill of any expansion or new experience on offer; let’s face it, we will take what we can get. However, there is something about this one that I can’t get on board with. Basically, it doesn’t fit. When you think of Disneyland, you think of classic Disney storytelling and iconic characters with a timeless feel that can appeal to everyone in the family. What you don’t think of is an off-brand sci-fi/action movie that Disney acquired after its original release. Sure, it’s perfectly suited to its intentionally expanded space in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, fitting in, as well as possible, to the alternative space that allows you to visit other places, not just Disney stories. But there is a reason it was never intended to be added to Magic Kingdom. It doesn’t work.
Show me the characters that will be added to the parade or the songs that will join and complement the corridor music used throughout the park. Explain to me how this makes sense in any way. Fellow Disney fans, I am prepared to get loud on this one. Give us something new and exciting, themed towards some of the Disney classics or even newer movies like Moana, Tangled, or Frozen. Instead of trying to duplicate something from the other side of the country, why not import something from the other side of the world, taking advantage of some of the strides being taken at Hong Kong Disney with World of Frozen or Tokyo DisneySea with Fantasy Springs? The last one, in particular, has a whole area themed to Peter Pan and another for Tangled! Or, and here is a crazy idea: draw inspiration from that to create something brand new!
Let me know what you think, my friends. Am I alone on this one? I love Pandora World of Avatar in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. That park needed something unique and new, and when that addition was opened, it quickly became one of the park’s most popular areas while also being home to arguably the most popular attraction. But the beauty of this was that it made Disney’s Animal Kingdom special, even more than it already was. If you saw the show, you would know that Jackie and I both got pretty heated about this one, and we want to know what you think. If you can find a place for this in Disneyland, let me know your reasoning.
Zoë Wood is a travel writer from Sydney, Australia. Since her first visit to Disneyland at the age of 6, she has spent her years frequently visiting Disney Parks and traveling around the world.
Join Zoë as she lets you in on all the tips, tricks, anecdotes, and embarrassments that arise from her family adventures.
