Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom brings the beauty and magic of nature to life. From the moment you walk into Pandora you are immersed in the nature, colors, and music of this beautiful land.
During the 2018 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, we had the opportunity to get an up-close and personal look at Pandora – The World of Avatar. Disney Imagineers partnered with Avatar filmmakers to bring Pandora to life. You really have to see it to believe it. It is breathtaking!
What is Pandora – The World of Avatar?
Pandora – The World of Avatar is located inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The land is Before we share our favorite things to see and do in Pandora – The World of Avatar, let’s go over a few words that may not be familiar, especially if you haven’t seen the movie, Avatar.
- Pandora: In the science fiction film, Avatar, Pandora is one of the many moons of a fictional planet called, Polyphemus. Pandora is inhabited by a human-like species called the Na’Vi. Pandora is covered by a beautiful rainforest filled with all kinds of colorful and unique plants and animals.
- Avatar: According to the Frequently Asked Questions about the film, Avatar, on imbd.com, “Avatar” is a Sanskrit word meaning incarnation or embodiment. An Avatar is an image or figure that is a representation of a person. In the film, the main actor is human. Scientists create a hybrid Na’Vi body, or an Avatar, that he enters remotely in order to learn about the Na’Vi and their culture.
- Na’Vi: A human-like species native to Pandora. The Na’Vi have blue skin, long tails, and are 9 to 10 feet tall.
What is there to do in Pandora – The World of Avatar?
There is so much to take in just walking through the 12-acres of Pandora – The World of Avatar. The floating mountains, the trees, and the bioluminescent plants in the Valley of Mo’ara are incredible to view during the day.
Pandora is a completely different experience at night! Pandora is absolutely stunning at night. The mountains, trees, and plants are colorful and glowing with bioluminescence. There are two attractions in Pandora – World of Avatar, and places to eat and shop.
Avatar Flight of Passage
This is the most amazing attraction ever! The cue to get to the attraction is magnificent on it’s own. We got to experience more of the nature of Pandora while in the cue and then go through a lab where we saw an actual Avatar floating in a water tank.
The setting for Avatar Flight of Passage is on Pandora a generation after what we see in the film, Avatar. The Na’Vi and humans are working together to preserve Pandora and make it a destination for ecotourism and scientific research. Before the flight, we were matched to an Avatar. Once matched, we hopped on a mountain banshee and went on an exhilarating flight through Pandora. I don’t want to spoil it by saying too much, but it is unbelievably realistic and beautiful. When the flight was over, we all looked at each other in astonishment. It was unlike anything we’ve experienced before. One little boy in our group turned to his Dad and said, “Dad, I was really flying!”
When planning your next trip to Animal Kingdom, be sure to schedule your Fast Pass for this ride in advance! If you aren’t able to schedule a Fast Pass, we highly recommend arriving at Animal Kingdom early – at least an hour before the park opens. This is a very popular ride, and wait times can be long. If you get to the park before opening, you can go through security and the ticket gates and be there for “rope-drop” when the Disney crew members open the park. Head straight for this ride in Pandora. We did this on our first visit to Pandora, and we didn’t regret it. We were on the ride within 20 minutes. Later in the day, wait times were 2-3 hours.
Na’Vi River Journey
This attraction took us on a journey through the bioluminescent rainforest in search of the Na’vi Shaman of Songs. While on the river, we were fascinated by the lights, colors, music, and beauty around us. It is a relaxing and enjoyable ride for all ages. The sights and sounds on this attraction exceeded all expectations. It is like being in a completely different world.
Plan ahead and schedule your Fast Pass!
Satu’li Canteen
Be sure to bring your appetite to Pandora – The World of Avatar. The Satu’li Canteen is a quick service restaurant with a Pandora inspired menu. The menu features healthy proteins, grains, and vegetables. We tried the Sustainable Fish Bowl and the Cheeseburger Steamed Pods. Both were delicious. We shared a Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse for dessert. It reminded me of cheesecake, and it was so colorful!
Avoid lines by ordering ahead on your Smartphone on the My Disney Experience App. This feature on the app is so helpful and time-saving when you are visiting the Disney parks.
Pongu Pongu
Pongu Pongu means “Party Party” in the Na’Vi language. Pongu Pongu is a drink stand in Pandora – The World of Avatar. The drinks are full of color and flavor. We loved the Night Blossom. Layers of apple and desert pear limeade are topped with passion fruit boba balls. It is the perfect combination of tart and sweet. The boba balls are my favorite!
Windtraders
Windtraders is the place to find the perfect souvenir from Pandora – The World of Avatar. There are all kinds of cool products from the Na’Vi culture at Windtraders like interactive banshee toys and glowing Na’Vi headpieces. You can also find science kits, jewelry, trading pins, puzzles, and more. My son bought a hat from Windtraders that he wore every day for the rest of the trip.
More themed lands and attractions coming to the Disney Parks!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Toy Story Land
Avengers Attractions
Pixar in the Disney Parks
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
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