Avatar Coming to Disneyland

Disney CEO Bob Iger announced on Tuesday that the company is set to launch a new attraction based on the Avatar franchise. He referred to it as the “Avatar Experience” and promised that more details will be “coming soon”. This move by Disney comes as part of the company’s restructuring effort which includes 7,000 layoffs and a goal of reaching $5.5 billion in cost savings.

The Avatar franchise has become a core part of Disney’s success, as James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water has grossed over $2.17 billion globally and is currently ranked fourth among the highest-grossing movies of all time. With Avatar 3, 4, and 5 set to release in 2024, 2026, and 2028 respectively, the franchise has a lot of potential to leverage its success across various business lines and territories.

Disney’s parks continue to be the driving force behind the company’s growth, both in terms of revenue and operating income. For the first quarter of 2023, the parks division saw revenue close to $8.8 billion, a 21% increase from the previous year, and operating income rose by 25% to over $3 billion. This was a significant contribution to the company’s overall performance, accounting for all of its operating income and making up about a third of the total revenue.

The Avatar films take place in the visually stunning world of Pandora, a lush alien world whose atmosphere is toxic to humans. The films feature the Na’vi, the inhabitants of Pandora, who are primitive in appearance but highly evolved. Avatar: The Way of Water takes place 16 years after the first film and follows the story of Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington, as he raises a family with Neytiri while serving as the chief of the Omatikaya clan.

Disney’s new Avatar Experience is sure to offer fans of the franchise a new and exciting way to immerse themselves in the world of Pandora. With the success of the Avatar franchise and Disney’s continued growth in the parks division, the Avatar Experience is likely to be a huge hit.