Disney Announces 'Avatar'-themed Disney World Addition

Yesterday, Disney made the surprise announcement that James Cameron's Avatar would be developed into a new attraction at the Disney World theme park in Florida. Today, new details have emerged that reveal that Disney plans on adding an entire Avatar area to Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. The new addition would feature "multiple attractions, entertainment, merchandise locations, restaurants and other immersive elements," with Cameron heavily involved in the development. Read on for more details.

The move is definitely surprising considering the strength of Disney's current roster of movie properties (Marvel anyone?), but it's nothing that new considering the parks' very successful Indiana Jones and Star Wars rides. It might not be as buzz-worthy as Universal's Harry Potter expansion, but considering Avatar's $2.8 billion in earnings, it's certainly a property with an established fanbase.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Tom Staggs talked to the official Disney Parks blog and revealed a few more minor bits.

He revealed that the design has has just begun, and so construction isn't expected to begin until 2013. The addition will take around 5 years to design and build, and no specific location has been set.

As for other parks, it's a possibility, but right now they are focusing on opening the initial set of attractions at Disney World. And how exactly does this addition fit into the Disney "theme"?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the perfect place for our first AVATAR land because at its core, the park gives guests the opportunity to experience the worlds of animals and nature – real and mythical – in whole new ways. With AVATAR, we’ve found the perfect opportunity to let our guests explore one of the most compelling mythical worlds ever conceived. Animal Kingdom also celebrates adventure, living in harmony with nature and environmental stewardship – themes that are deeply rooted in the story of AVATAR.

An interesting announcement no matter how you look at it, what are your thoughts? Would you visit Disney World to see an Avatar-land?