Stepping into Pandora – World of Avatar – is unlike any experience I’ve ever had. This part of Animal Kingdom park transports you to the world created in the 2009 film written and directed by James Cameron. Every detail of this fantasy world is designed to bring Pandora to life and it is a must see destination when you visit WDW.
When you first walk into Animal Kingdom you’ll notice right away the feeling that you’re in a hot, humid environment. Or maybe that’s just because it was hot the day we were there. Either way you’ll feel like you’re in the jungle.
As you walk through the park the first think you’ll see is the Tree of Life. It’s a majestic tree right in the center of the entrance and you can’t miss it. We were given VIP access to the park a few hours before it opened as members of #DisneySMMC and I’ll tell you, morning light is the perfect way to see the World of Avatar.
We had breakfast at Satu’li Canteen complete with blue cinnamon rolls and regular color bacon and eggs.
An absolute must is the Night Blossom, a non-alcoholic specialty drink from Pongu Pongu, a little hut next to the Satu’li Canteen. This beautiful drinks is very sweet and tastes like a limeade with flavors of apple and desert pear, topped with passion fruit pearls. Plus it’s pretty for instagram pics!
There are two rides inside Pandora. The first one we tried was the After our early bird breakfast we sailed down the Na’vi River Journey. This ride transports you through a tranquil river where you’ll see bioluminescent creatures and plants from Pandora while you listen to the Na’vi Shaman of Songs. It’s a short ride but a great place to cool off during the hot Florida weather.
But the most memorable part of the World of Avatar, and the ride we still talk about, is Avatar Flight of Passage. It’s a 3D adventure where you can fly on the back of a banshee through Pandora. The cue for this ride is almost like a ride it’s self.
There was no line because we had the park to ourselves, but it still took almost 10 minutes to walk the cue. You climb up the mountain and into a hidden science lab where you can see an Avatar floating in water, and various science experiments taking place. The level of detail on this cue is phenomenal.
Eventually you get up to the ride and are shown a quick video about how you’ll be “linking up” with your own Avatar and banshee. Once you’re led into the ride area there are seats that resemble motorcycles but with no wheels. I got a little nervous because the told us the floor drops out and there are restraints that hold you in place in your seat. I was worried for Chan because she seemed a little scared about not being able to sit next to us like in a rollercoaster. But once she settled in she was having the time of her life. I also kept my hand on her arm the entire time so she wouldn’t feel alone.
Pictured: A scene from Avatar Flight of Passage, a 3-D thrilling adventure on Pandora Ð The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Avatar Flight of Passage offers guests the chance to connect with an avatar and soar on a banshee over Pandora. The journey begins in the queue, as guests get a peek inside a high-tech research lab to view an avatar still in its growth state inside an amnio tank. The room features charts and screens that show just how humans will “connect” with a fully developed avatar for their upcoming flight on a banshee. (Disney Handout)
If anyone has a big tummy like I do, or is really tall, the restraints on this ride might be a bit uncomfortable. I also get claustrophobic and was really worried about being restrained in my seat from the back and legs. You’re almost pushed forward in your seat. But once the ride started, we put on our glasses and let the ride take over. The sensation of flying through Pandora on the back of a banshee was indescribable. You can also feel the banshee breathing between your knees!
Pictured: A scene from Avatar Flight of Passage, a 3-D thrilling adventure on Pandora Ð The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Avatar Flight of Passage offers guests the chance to connect with an avatar and soar on a banshee over Pandora. The journey begins in the queue, as guests get a peek inside a high-tech research lab to view an avatar still in its growth state inside an amnio tank. The room features charts and screens that show just how humans will “connect” with a fully developed avatar for their upcoming flight on a banshee. (Disney Handout)
This is where Disney really shines in their ability to create realistic, colorful visual effects. You get lost in this world and can really believe for a moment that it’s real. We loved it so much, we rode it twice. And as we were leaving Pandora to go explore the rest of the park, there was a line almost to the exit to ride this ride.
Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom brings a variety of experiences to the park, including the family friendly Na’vi River Journey attraction, the thrilling Flight of Passage attraction, as well as new food, beverage and merchandise locations. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)
If you go to Animal Kingdom, make this your first stop or use a fast pass. The lines will always be long and you will want to ride it and get on with your day as soon as possible.
The dramatic daytime beauty of the land transforms to glow by night when bioluminescent flora and intricate nighttime experiences add a dreamlike quality to Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Pandora brings a variety of experiences to the park, including the family friendly Na’vi River Journey attraction, the thrilling Flight of Passage attraction, as well as new food, beverage and merchandise locations. DisneyÕs Animal Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)
Make sure you take lots of pictures. The details are almost like the set of a movie.
From flowers, to food, you won’t want to miss a thing. Then if you can, come back at night when the entire World of Avatar seems to have a bioluminescent river running through it. The cracks in the ground and the leaves in the flowers are all glowing. It’s the perfect way to end your day in Animal Kingdom.
Admittedly I wasn’t a huge fan of Avatar but seeing this world up close you can bet I’ll be re-watching the original and paying close attention to the sequels when they come out. There are 4 more Avatar sequels due to be released over the next several years and I can only imagine Pandora – World of Avatar will continue to be a top attraction, not just at Animal Kingdom, but at Walt Disney World.
