Pandora – The World of Avatar Comes to Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Park

Are you an Avatar fan? I was excited to attend a luncheon recently where were learned all about Pandora – The World of Avatar at Walt Disney World as well as the new at the Disneyland Resort, both which are projected to open on May 27.

 

Pandora – The World of Avatar is an all new land, coming to Disney Word’s Animal Kingdom Park. Pandora will transport guests to a mystical world of bioluminescent rainforests, floating mountains and soaring banshees.

In collaboration with filmmaker James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment, Disney is bringing to life the fantasy world of Pandora, inspired by Cameron’s epic film AVATAR. We learned about Avatar Flight of Passage – where guests will fly above the jungles of Pandora while riding on a mountain banshee. While it may sound like Soarin – in Epcot, it’s much different. I can’t wait to see it the next time I’m at Animal Kingdom! 

Another experience is the Na’vi River Journey, where guests will board reed boats for Na’vi River Journey, a family-friendly excursion down a rainforest river to see the Na’vi Shaman of Songs.

And yes, you can use your Fast Pass+ for both experiences. 

Check out the Valley of Mo-ara —  all around its enormous floating mountains, you’ll quickly uncover the valley’s one-of-a-kind dining and shopping experiences—along with sights, sounds and experiences that include:

• Exotic plants that come to life with beautiful bioluminescence each night
• A Na’vi-built drum circle, containing instruments playable by all
• Na’vi totems and other cultural items found throughout the land
• Brand-new Wilderness Explorers challenges and badges to collect

You may even come across tour guides from Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE), scientists from the Pandora Conservation Initiative (PCI), or even an eclectic expat or two!

Dine at Satu’li Canteen, where you can tuck inside the Quonset-hut structure —long ago an RDA mess hall, now a peaceful dining facility adorned with Na’vi art and cultural items. It’s a fast, casual restaurant and you will be able to use some of the Disney Dining Plans. Make reservations here:

Make sure to stop in Windtraders, a marketplace where the walls have long since been overtaken by natural root structures—which nowadays serve as still-growing displays for a variety of mementos and take-home treasures.From Na’vi cultural artifacts and animal toys to science kits and Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE) apparel, you’ll find something exciting for every member of the family here.

Also at Animal Kingdom, don’t miss the dazzling new after-dark show, Rivers of Light, which treats  guests to a celebration of nature in an experience that features water, floats, projections, fire and light choreographed to an original musical score. You can see our video below, we were at Disney in early February. 
 

At Disneyland Resort in California, also opening on May 27 is Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! at Disney California Adventure Park.The chaotic and hilarious adventure combines a breathtaking free-fall sensation with all-new visual and audio effects, plus the attraction’s “awesome mix tape” of music inspired by the films’ soundtracks. Guests will board a gantry lift for multiple, random ride experiences in a pulse-pounding rise and fall as they join Rocket, one of the most unusual heroes a guest will encounter, in a daring plan to free the captive Guardians from The Collector’s Fortress. Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is the cornerstone of the summertime celebration, Summer of Heroes, where guests will enjoy Super Hero encounters; an awesome dance-off featuring Star-Lord and Gamora; and, for a limited time, a challenging “Avengers Training Initiative” for young recruits.

Also coming to the Disney World Parks this summer:

• • A new nighttime experience premieres at Disney’s Hollywood Studios May 26. A full orchestra will provide the soundtrack for a 40-minute visual journey into The Music of Pixar LIVE!
  • Additional movie replicas from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story welcome guests to Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
  • A new family-friendly raft adventure, Miss Adventure Falls, recently debuted at Disney’sTyphoon Lagoon water park.
  • A May 12 opening is set for “Happily Ever After,” the most spectacular fireworks display in the history of the Magic Kingdom.
  • Disney Springs rocks out with more new, food and beverage locations to complete its transition from Downtown Disney. See our review and video of The Boathouse at Disney Springs here or click the video below. 

Extended Theme Park Hours 

For a limited time from May 27 to July 4, 2017, Disney’s Animal Kingdom park will be open from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM, giving you more time than ever to explore Pandora – The World of Avatar.

“Extra” Extra Magic Hours
In addition, Guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels will have the chance to enjoy “Extra” Extra Magic Hours—available exclusively in Pandora – The World of Avatar from 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM, May 27 to July 4, 2017.

Please note: this benefit is in addition to the Extra Magic Hours already available to Disney Resort hotel Guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park.

Planning Ahead with FastPass+ 
And finally, don’t miss out on the exciting expeditions this all-new land has to offer! Be sure to book FastPass+ selections for Avatar Flight of Passage or Na’vi River Journey long before you arrive.

I was not compensated for this post, I was invited to a luncheon and given a swag bag. Pandora – The World of Avatar Comes to Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Park