AVATAR coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

On Sept. 20, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced an agreement for exclusive global theme park rights with filmmaker James Cameron and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the fantastical, science fiction world of AVATAR to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and possibly other locations.

The agreement establishes a long-term creative partnership between Disney, Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment (with producing partner Jon Landau) and Fox to create themed lands – the press release uses the plural – that realize the AVATAR universe.

In a prepared statement, The Walt Disney Company offered several reasons for the partnership.

“James Cameron is a groundbreaking filmmaker and gifted storyteller who shares our passion for creativity, technological innovation and delivering the best experience possible,” said Robert A. Iger, President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company said in a prepared statement. “With this agreement, we have the extraordinary opportunity to combine James’ talent and vision with the imagination and expertise of Disney.”

“AVATAR is a uniquely powerful franchise that has global appeal with audiences of all ages. Its spectacular settings, intriguing characters, imaginative creatures, and strong themes of family and loyalty make it a perfect fit for Disney,” added Thomas O. Staggs, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We can’t wait to give our guests the ability to journey to Pandora and explore the incredible immersive world of AVATAR in person.”

Disney announced the first – again, note the wording – AVATAR themed land will be inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom park at Walt Disney World Resort. The park was described as a “natural fit” for AVATAR stories, due to the parks interest in environmentalism and living in harmony with nature.

Cameron, Landau and their Lightstorm Entertainment group will serve as creative consultants on projects, partnering with Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) in the design and development of the AVATAR themed lands.

Construction on the AVATAR themed land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is slated to begin by 2013.

While the announcement focused on the addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the agreement, with its global theme park rights, provides The Walt Disney Company with the opportunity to build additional AVATAR themed lands at other Disney parks. Disney and its international theme park partners will determine other locations.

In addition to holding a press conference, Disney also announced the partnership on the Disney Parks Blog. An invitation was extended to readers to ask Staggs questions via email. His responses to will then be addressed on the blog.

Chip and Company will keep you inform of AVATAR developments as more information becomes available.

In the meantime, what do you think of the news? Is Disney’s Animal Kingdom a good home for the AVATAR universe?

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