Disney reaches accord for 'Avatar' attractions
9/21/2011GLENDALE, Calif. — Walt Disney Co. said yesterday that it has agreed on an exclusive deal to build attractions based on James Cameron’s Avatar at its theme parks, starting with Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Fla.
The first Avatar land is to begin construction in 2013 and open about three years later. It is to cost around $400 million.
Tom Staggs, Disney’s chairman of parks and resorts, said the land would be similar in scope to the 12-acre Cars Land, based on the town of Radiator Springs in Disney/Pixar’s Cars movies. Cars Land is to open next summer at California Adventure Park in Anaheim.
Mr. Cameron said the attractions based on the top-grossing film of all time would bring the planet of Pandora to life and would include animatronics and 3-D and holographic technology.