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Pandora The World of Avatar Sneak Peek
I recently experienced Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This section is still under construction. We went into Pandora fully suited up with long sleeve shirts, jeans, hard hats, construction boots, bright orange safety vests, and even safety goggles.
The new Pandora section is located towards the entrance to the park (on the left of Rainforest Cafe) and behind Tiffins restaurant. Pandora – The World of Avatar will bring a variety of new experiences to the park, including a family friendly attraction called Na’vi River Journey and Avatar: Flight of Passage. There are even new food & beverage and merchandise locations.
During our visit, we only got to see the outdoor areas of Pandora. We got to see the landscaping, bridge, and floating mountains. Here are some of my thoughts of the new Pandora.
What, Avatar? I Finally Get It!
When Disney mentioned they were adding the Avatar section to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, my first thought was “what?” I remember seeing Avatar once years ago, when it came out in the theaters. It was a cool movie, but I only saw it once. Then years later, Disney is adding this section to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I thought it was crazy!
After seeing Pandora first hand, I can honestly say it is spectacular. I actually cannot wait to see it completely finished in May. I am not sure if you heard, but there is an opening day for Pandora – The World of Avatar. It is opening on May 27, 2017.
How Does Pandora Look? Way Better Then Renderings
After seeing Pandora in real life, I looked at the renderings that Disney released to the general public. The real life version of Pandora is so much better than the renderings. The focus point of Pandora is the floating mountains. You can see the floating mountains in the video picture below. The floating mountains look amazing in pictures, but the real life version is just breathtaking.
The floating mountains look just like this rendering with green moss and vines hanging down. However, the color is so much more vibrant! You can see a quick glimpse of the floating mountains and colors in this new video from Disney Parks.
We spent much of the time in Pandora, just soaking in the atmosphere. It really transports you to Pandora, right from the movie. Disney incorporates the unique plant life of Pandora with the bright blues and purple colors with tropical plants of Florida. I loved how the Imagineers blended the two landscapes. One of my favorites are the plants that look like blue shark teeth growing up from the ground. These are scattered throughout the landscape. I also loved the blue, purple, and white colors of the plants that look like huge sea anemones. You can see these Pandora landscape in the rendering below. It is truly spectacular!
In the evening hours, the landscape just glows. We left Pandora in the evening hours. I glanced back at Pandora (as we were leaving) and I was just in awe by the colors. It just glowed. It was spectacular!
What to Expect?
There are two rides in Pandora, including Na’Vi River Journey and Avatar: Flight of Passage. Disney just released a video clip from this brand new ride called Na’Vi River Journey.
This ride is a family-friendly water ride taking you down the sacred river. The adventure begins as you set out in canoes and venture down a mysterious, sacred river hidden within the bioluminescent rainforest. The full beauty of Pandora reveals itself as the canoes pass by exotic glowing plants and amazing creatures.
The other ride is Avatar: Flight of Passage, where you can fly across Pandora on a Banshee. This one sounds amazing! The spectacular flying experience will give guests a birds-eye view of the beauty and grandeur of the world of Pandora on an aerial rite of passage.
There will also be dining and shopping in Pandora. You can dine at Pongu Pongu or shop at Windtraders. Pandora is a true immersive experience for the whole family.
After my recent visit to Pandora – The World of Avatar, I can honestly say I cannot wait until opening day in May. We are counting down the days…
What are you most excited about Pandora?