NEWS: Disney Imagineers Give More Details on Pandora-The World of Avatar

With only a little over two months away, Disney is starting to ramp up our excitement over the new land coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Pandora – The World of Avatar, is opening on May 27, 2017. Disney and other news sources will be releasing videos to give sneak peeks and give information on Pandora. Below you’ll find the videos and what we can expect from Pandora-The World of Avatar.

Keep checking back. We will update this page as more videos are released.

All in the Details: Populating Pandora – The World of Avatar with Plants & Animals

Imagineers Partner with Avatar Filmmakers to Create Pandora-The World of Avatar

Creating Pandora – The World of Avatar as a Real Place

First Look at Disney World’s Pandora – The World of Avatar on Nightline, ABC News

James Cameron Gives Exclusive Look at Pandora on The View

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Placemaking Pandora – The World of Avatar 

How Pandora – The World of Avatar Will Continue the Values of Animal Kingdom

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RELATED ARTICLE: Pandora – The World of Avatar: What You Need to Know

by Mike and Jamie Sylvester

Pandora – The World of Avatar… A place where Disney fans let their inner Avatar spirit go! It’s hard to contain our excitement about Animal Kingdom’s newest dimension of design and attractions. So, what’s all the hype about? Check out this “what you need to know” guide.

1 – Opening Date

May 27, 2017 – the epic day that Pandora – The World of Avatar has been announced to open at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom theme park. With construction beginning in January of 2014, it’s been a tease trying to make sense of the odd items erected in the previous Camp Minnie and Mickey location from behind the walls. We’re ready for what adventures Pandora holds!

2 – What Are “Pandora” and “Avatar” Exactly?!

Great question! In 2009, a movie titled Avatar was released that beckoned the interest of movie goers making Avatar explode with popularity. The movie, written and directed by James Cameron, Avatar is a science fiction film about humans attempting to colonize on a habitable moon called Pandora. While living on Pandora sounds like a great opportunity for this cast of humans, they are met with resistance from the local tribe of Na’vi. The title “Avatar” comes into play when humans attempt to better understand the Na’vi tribe by using an Avatar (a created/manufactured body of a Na’vi person that their human, living soul can thrive in). Humans using their Avatars look like the Na’vi people so they can better attempt to fit in. Sounds strange, but it’s rather entertaining! If you haven’t had a chance to watch the movie, we recommend doing so before May 27.

 3 – Unfolding the Story

Animal Kingdom unfolds the story of Avatar by bringing this lush, colorful, and intricately detailed moon known as Pandora to life! A valley nestled on Pandora known as the Valley of Mo’ara is where the discovery begins. Since Animal Kingdom is the hub of all things valued in nature, Pandora fits right in! The Na’vi people are especially one with nature which is obvious in how it plays a crucial role in all ways of their lives – just like Earth does for us. Walking through Animal Kingdom’s Pandora is said to provide guests of all ages an exotic adventure where the value of nature is supreme.

4 – What to Expect?

It’s Disney, so right off the bat we expect great things! James Cameron and Joe Rohde, Senior VP Creative, Walt Disney Imagineering, have teamed up to blow us away. Disney Imagineers have stated that guests visiting Pandora should expect a visually stunning world complete with floating mountains, bioluminescent plants, immersive adventure, and experiences that comes to life when you interact with them. We expect a land that is both beautiful in day and at night, from overwhelmingly lush landscape that pops during the day and glimmering lights that illuminate the land at night. The latest technology and innovative expeditions take center stage in discrete yet subtle experiences. Our senses are heightened just thinking about it! Plus, Imagineers have announced there will be interesting creatures (possibly the Na’vi people?), themed dining, shopping opportunities…. and of course, new attractions! Watch a special behind the scenes video to learn of some of the amazing technology we can expect.

5 – Attractions We Know About

Information on three attractions has been released and we are SUPER excited about both of them!

• AVATAR Flight of Passage 

This attraction sounds like it’s a little more on the thrilling side and will have health and height requirements. In the Avatar movie, we learn that as a rite of passage a person of the Na’vi tribe must climb aboard a banshee (a winged, dragon-like creature). Well, with the Avatar Flight of Passage attraction, guests will have the chance to fly through a simulation of having the wind in their hair on a tremendous flight on a banshee through Pandora!

Height Requirements: 44 inches or taller

• Na’vi River Journey 

Families are welcome on what sounds like a MUCH calmer attraction than that of the Flight of Passage. This attraction is a boat voyage on the Pandoran River encountering creatures and a Na’vi elder as your journey down the Na’vi River – a sacred river that flows through a bioluminescent rainforest! We expect this journey will be an especially beautiful and peaceful oasis.

Height Requirements: none

• Valley of Mo’ara 

Guests of all ages are invited to walk through the Valley of Mo’ara and discover a world like no other. This valley is marked its enormous floating mountains and will include exotic plants that come to life with beautiful bioluminescence each night. The area will include a Na’vi built drum circle, containing instruments playable by all, Na’vi totems and other cultural items, as well as brand-new Wilderness Explorers challenges and badges to collect.

6 – Dining We Know About

Details on Pandora’s themed dining are few and far between but here are two dining options we have learned about so far…

• Satu’li Canteen

We now know that this restaurant will be a quick-service restaurant with some Disney Dining Plans accepted. From the Disney website:

Discover healthful dishes and familiar flavors from another world—wholesome grains, fresh vegetables and hearty proteins. tuck inside the Quonset-hut structure called Satu’li Canteen—long ago an RDA mess hall, now a peaceful dining facility adorned with Na’vi art and cultural items. Featuring international-inspired cuisine, vegetarian options and specialty libations, it’s the perfect place to refuel as you venture through the Valley of Mo’ara.

• Pongu Pongu

Drinks will be served up at Pongu Pongu which will be a lounge style option with some Disney Dining Plans accepted. From the Disney website:

Quench your thirst the Pandoran way at an otherworldly pit-stop offering Na’vi-inspired refreshment. Hike to the corner of Windtraders where you’ll find Pongu Pongu—when you spot a friendly expat serving out-of-this-world drinks, you’ve come to the right place. Meaning “Party Party” in the language of the Na’vi, Pongu Pongu welcomes weary travelers to try our bioluminescent frozen cocktail, indigenous beers—or even a sweet snack you won’t find elsewhere!

7 – Shopping 

What would a new land be without some shopping! Disney has released details on one merchandise location.

• Windtraders

In this store, you’ll discover exotic merchandise and souvenirs celebrating the flora, fauna and culture of Pandora. The walls of the building have been overtaken by natural root structures, which now serve as display areas for a variety of mementos and other merchandise. You’ll find Na’vi cultural artifacts, animal toys, science kits, and Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE) apparel.

8 –  More to Come! 

Walt Disney World will be providing glimpses into Pandora over the next couple of months, leading up to opening day. Plus, with three Avatar movie sequels on the way, we are sure the love for Pandora will continue to flourish at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for several years to come. Stay tuned!