![]() There was even an incredible moment where the seat mimicked the panted breathing of the banshee. ![]() It was completely immersive and multi-sensory, with bursts of wind whipping my hair, sea spray splashing my face and a sweet, earthy scent permeating the air when flying through the rainforest. It is one of the best rides I have ever experienced. ![]() It essentially provides the rider with the same experience that Jake would have had in the film. Riders sit astride the body of a bike and are clamped into place, before they are neurologically connected to their avatar. Riders are taken on a spectacular journey across the Pandoran landscape, on the back of a banshee (a large bird-like predator native to Pandora). I have since heard that the staging is incredible, reminiscent of a film set, with meticulous attention to detail and a floating avatar in an incubation tank serving as a spectacular focal point, but when on a short trip as I was, I just couldn’t justify the time.Īvatar Flight of Passage is a 3D augmented reality flying simulator ride. The only downside to the fast pass queue was missing out on the extensive theming throughout the queue line. Realising that I was facing a three hour wait by myself – an unthinkably tedious task – the Cast Member felt sorry for me and gave me fast pass access, becoming my favourite person in the process. Queue times were in excess of three hours and unfortunately there were no single-rider queues and fast passes for the day for both rides had long since sold out, and I’d been unable to get them through the app. Once the technical issues had been resolved, I headed back to Pandora. It wasn’t made clear why we were being evacuated. The Cast Members at this time were courteous and professional, but not particularly helpful. Now it seemed queues would be inevitable. Anticipating huge crowds, I’d headed early to Pandora in an attempt to avoid the long lines. Having opened only two weeks previously, hiccups were to be expected, but I couldn’t help feeling disappointed. The Na’vi River Journey was shut due to technical difficulties and Avatar Flight of Passage due to an emergency that was never fully explained, but was rumoured to be a fire. I was brought back down to Earth with a bump, however, when I arrived at Avatar Flight of Passage to find it was closed, alongside Pandora’s other major attraction, the Na’vi River Journey. Accomplished with a combination of steel rods, forced perspective and the magic of Disney’s Imagineers, it’s these mountains, more than anything, I think, that make you believe you’re on another planet. I spent my first 15 minutes in Pandora taking in the spectacle, before heading straight for Avatar Flight of Passage ride, stopping only to look on in awe at the floating mountains. On entry, guests are welcomed with a sign briefly explaining the Na’vi partnership with ACE and are greeted by a gigantic alien plant, a purple and green pod known as a Flaksa Reclinata, that interacts with guests by spouting steam and water when touched. With its floating mountains, interesting and beautiful plant life, stunning water features and the sounds of exotic and unknown animals filling the air, Pandora is captivating. It’s easy to believe that you’ve arrived on a lush and beautiful planet, that is both alien and familiar. From the first step, you’re in the world of Cameron’s imagination a world originally achieved through CGI technology, now flawlessly rendered in real life. The theming, in typical Disney style, is breathtaking, with the Pandora experience starting the moment guests set foot on the bridge that connects it to Discovery Island. They have also developed a partnership with travel agency Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE) to showcase Pandora as a conservation site, research facility and spectacular eco-tourist destination, dedicated to the study and preservation of the native flora and fauna. The Na’vi (Pandora’s indigenous humanoid species) have achieved peace with humans – thanks to the film’s protagonist, Jake Sully – and have reclaimed their land from the RDA mining company. The new land is a standalone experience, separate from the story of the films, and set a generation after the events of Avatar. Replacing Camp Minnie-Mickey, Pandora – the World of Avatar is a $500m (€446m, £386m) immersive land inspired by James Cameron’s 2009 Academy Award-winning blockbuster. Disney’s Animal Kingdom has recently welcomed a new addition to the park, the long anticipated Pandora – the World of Avatar.
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