Pandora- The World of Avatar opens this week at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom! What can you expect?
Pandora is set to open this week at Animal Kingdom park at the Walt Disney World resort. With cast member and passholder previews over the media has taken over the land of Avatar. I had the chance to get an inside look at Pandora last weekend and wanted to give my honest, non-sponsored opinion of the land and what you can expect!
First off, let’s throw out some overviews of the landscape and the area itself. I love Animal Kingdom and the feel of the park and prayed to the Disney Gods that Pandora would not let me down. I am happy to say that Pandora really impressed me with the lush waterfalls, amazing overviews, rock formations and green space! The floating mountains are cool but were just there for me. Not something that really took my attention away from the tranquility of the area. I know that it will be a long time before I will be able to relax in Pandora again but I am already looking forward to the crowds going away and enjoying the natural beauty of the new expansion.
I had the chance to ride the two new attractions at Pandora, Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey. Let’s take a look at both rides!
Avatar Flight of Passage is a ride that allows you to connect with your Avatar and virtually ride on the back of a Banshee! The ride, which holds 14 people per flight, allows you to take a virtual ride through the floating mountains on the back of your banshee. This ride, which I can only describe as sorin’ on steroids is visually stunning! I know that this will be a huge hit for the fans of Avatar and the fans of Disney Imagineering! Here is where I go off the books and say to skip the FastPass line!
WHAT??!?! Did he just say skip the line to get you directly onto the ride? YEP, I SURE DID! One thing that you miss in the line is the attention to detail that you get in the main standby line! I rode the ride and then went back to make sure I got all the details from the long cue line! (Which can hold a ton of people I will add!) The animatronic figures in the cue were some of the most advanced figures that have been done by Disney and were breathtaking!
Na’vi River Journey is a visually stimulating boat ride thru the bioluminescence jungle in search of the Na’vi Shaman of songs! This slow moving ride is one of the most detailed and beautiful rides that Disney has ever put together. The attention to detail, vibrancy of the colors, and hidden secrets really puts this ride at the top of my must do’s at Walt Disney World!
We had the opportunity to ride this ride 5 times and I saw new and exciting things each and every time! The Shaman of songs really blew me away and was hard to tell that she was an animatronic figure! Disney Imagineering really outdid themselves on this ride!
I did get a chance to taste some of the food items as well at the Satu’il Canteen and try the drinks from the Pongu Pongu Lounge! I am not a huge fan of quick service restaurants, however, if I have to do it this is at the top of my list again! The food is top quality and the drinks were not only refreshing but also had a great and unique taste!
Overall, Pandora was a huge hit for myself and my family who joined me on the quest! I know that this area is going to be packed on a daily basis for some time, however, I must say to suck it up and stick it out! YOU WLL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! Next time you get a chance to experience Pandora- The World of Pandora, enjoy the journey! You will not forget it!!
Jason Mayhew
My name is Jason Mayhew, and I am the owner of OFF On The Go. When not traveling with the website, I own my own marketing and PR company, J Mayhew Marketing. I have the best job where I get to travel the world and showcase the most amazing and unique experiences!