ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.,None — Walt Disney World announced on Tuesday that it will build a new attraction area at Animal Kingdom based on the blockbuster movie, "Avatar." Disney CEO Bob Iger said the company will build an entire "Pandora" themed area that will bring the fantasy of the film to the amusement park.
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"We think we've got an opportunity to do just that with the characters and the land that inhabit Pandora," said Iger.
The new attraction will include multiple rides and shows. Disney will spend $500 million on the project.
"The scope and the scale of this thing are pretty incredible," said James Cameron, director of Avatar.
Cameron's film generated almost $3 billion worldwide.
Disney's announcement comes one year after Universal Orlando opened its popular, Wizarding World of Harry Potter. When it opened, ticket sales at Universal went up nearly 50 percent.
"I think it's new. It could be the greatest hit for Disney," said Disney tourist Timo Immermann. "So, let's see what the people think about it."
Disney said it's team is still designing the original plans.
Construction on the new attraction is scheduled to start next year. It is slated to open to guests in about five years.
WFTV
