Disneyland working on new 'Avatar' experience with James Cameron
(KTLA) – Walt Disney Imagineering is working with director James Cameron on a new “Avatar” experience planned for the Disneyland Resort.
The Orange County Register reported that Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort, provided an update on the concept on May 18 during the OC Forum event.
The event, held at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, allowed Disneyland officials to share their plans for Disneyland Forward with Orange County business and city leaders.
Disneyland Forward is a plan detailing how the resort wants to update and renovate the Anaheim theme park if zoning changes are approved.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the project would include new attractions, shops and restaurants within the existing 490-acre footprint.
News of the “Avatar” experience surprised Disney fans and company executives alike when CEO Bob Iger touted “Avatar” during the company’s earnings call in February following the success of “Avatar: The Way of Water.” The long-awaited sequel has been announced.
“Our Imagineers are working with Jim Cameron and his team,” Potrock said during the OC Forum event. “We’re going to share a lot more details as they become available. Well, that’s what we’re going to do as I know it. But stay tuned; it’s going to be really exciting. We’re thinking bold.”
Details about the new additions to the resort are limited.
In addition to welcoming an “Avatar” experience to the Disneyland Resort, Imagineers working at Disneyland and Walt Disney World in Florida will soon be turning Splash Mountain into the highly anticipated “The Princess and the Frog” themed attraction.
While the attraction itself is not being torn down, it will undergo a complete makeover and rebrand as “Tiana Bayou Adventure,” which is scheduled to open in late 2024.
Splash Mountain’s last day of operation will be May 30 and the ride will officially close on May 31, Disneyland officials announced in April.
Disneyland also recently opened the Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction during its Disney 100 celebration. The ride is Mickey and Minnie’s first stand-alone ride at Disneyland and features the classic characters that many have come to love, but portrayed in a new animation style similar to modern Mickey Mouse shorts.
The attraction takes guests on a journey filled with nostalgic memories, but also implements modern technology, such as a trackless ride system.
