While not Disneyland Resort related, (at least for now) a special announcement was made today by Walt Disney Park and Resorts about a new franchise coming to the Disney Parks.
From Thomas Smith on the Disney Parks Blog:
We have great news to share today. At a press conference happening right now at Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Iger and Tom Staggs just announced a long-term creative partnership with James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the fantasy world of AVATAR to life at Disney Parks. And it’ll all begin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.
James and his producing partner Jon Landau and their team at Lightstorm Entertainment will serve as creative consultants on the project and will work side-by-side with our Walt Disney Imagineers as we dream up experiences that will take our guests deep into worlds of AVATAR like never before. There are also two sequels to the record setting first film in the works, which will offer more fascinating stories, characters and locations to explore in the AVATAR universe. Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort is planned as the site of the first AVATAR-themed land with construction expected to begin by 2013.
We believe Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a great fit for this project because it was created to give guests the opportunity to experience the worlds of animals and nature – real and mythical – in new ways. Disney’s Animal Kingdom also celebrates adventure, living in harmony with nature and environmental stewardship – themes that are deeply rooted in the story of AVATAR.
The design phase on the Disney’s Animal Kingdom project has just begun so stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details.
Got questions about the announcement? If so, Tom Staggs will be answering them in a special Q&A blog post later today. Just submit your name, city where you’re from and your question to questionsfortom@disney.com and then check the Disney Parks Blog later to see some of the answers.
For more details and continuing coverage of this story, please follow our sister site wdwnewstoday.com for any updates.
Judging by all the comments, it seems obvious that a lot of people are excited about this. And that's probably why Disney decided to do it.
But that brings up the question of…when will it end? Is it very Disney? Of course it isn't. But does that mean the Walt Disney Co. is selling out? Are we gong to see other non-Disney attractions to the point where the parks no longer resemble a Disney them park?
I don't want to sound like an old fuddy-duddy because I do like change. But when they start to venture (far) away from what makes a Disney experience UNIQUELY Disney…that can be a sad sign of things to come.