A visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park is not like a typical day in a traditional “theme park.” Instead of a park built on fantasy, Disney’s Imagineers have brought experiences that you may have in the real world and placed them inside the park’s lands, like Africa and Asia. Authenticity was and continues to be a key part of Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park.
In creating Pandora – The World Avatar, Imagineers took the same care in researching a realistic culture that would exist on this fictional planet. In the film AVATAR, the Na’vi people saw and respected their lush planet, an ecosystem with lush bioluminescent flora and precious fauna. Since conservation and respect for our planet Earth has been a key value of Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park since it’s opening, the tie in to Pandora – The World Avatar was an easy one. But building a real world unlike anyone had experienced before with every detailed researched proved to be more difficult.
When you cross the Discovery River via bridge from Discovery Island® to Pandora – The World Avatar, it feels like you’ve entered a rainforest. But as you continue along the path, you quickly realize through sight and sound that you’ve been transported light-years away onto a different planet. The Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE) Base Camp situated in The Valley of Mo’ara is where your exploration of Pandora – The World Avatar begins. With mountains that appear to float in the sky and waterfalls cascading down the mountainside into meandering streams and pools, the Valley of Mo’ara has a totally different look and feel during day and night.
Pandora – The World Avatar has two thrilling expeditions, food, beverage, and merchandise locations to enjoy, and pathways throughout the valley to hike and enjoy.
Avatar Flight of Passage
Climb aboard a winged mountain banshee as Avatar Flight of Passage launches you on an exhilarating flight through the world of Pandora. Once considered a rite of passage for the Na’vi, your flight on the banshee will be the ultimate adventure!
Na’vi River Journey
The Na’vi River Journey is a family-friendly attraction that takes you down a sacred river deep into a bioluminescent rainforest, floating past exotic glowing plants and Pandoran creatures. When you enter the musical Na’vi ceremony, the Na’vi Shaman of Songs sends positive energy into the forest through her music.
Satu’li Canteen, Pongu Pongu, and Windtraders
When hunger calls, visit the land’s Satu’li Canteen (pronounced “Sa-too-lee”), a fast-casual restaurant serving some of the healthful bounty found of Pandora, including wholesome grains, fresh vegetables, and hearty proteins. Nearby, Pongu Pongu serves out-of-this-world beverages including a bioluminescent frozen cocktail and indigenous beers and a sweet snack you won’t find elsewhere.
You’ll have an opportunity to interact with the native Na’vi when you visit Windtraders, a shop offering Na’vi cultural items, toys, science kits and more.
This is so beautiful, so magical. My family enjoys disney and have made several trips there. This however we sadly cannot make it with our final.2 kids in college (they visited disney in elementary school), my paying off bills from knee surgey as well as my sons chrones disease, our budget cannot afford the visit. But i truly have enjoyed just this little snippet of pandora! Hopefully in our not too distant future we will be able to see this unbelivable place! Amazing job!