After years of fervent participation, Pandora: The World Of Avatar has been set to open its gates to the public at Disney World in Orlando, Florida in the summer of 2017.
The largest expansion in Disney Animal Kingdom’s history (where the park is located), Pandora has been the subject of countless rumors, distant photographs through construction fences, and intriguing promises from those on the inside.
The huge project was first announced by Disney in late 2011. Construction began in 2014, and in 2015 the first tantalising artist renderings and concept art for the park began to surface.
But in a short video released by Disney on Christmas Day 2016, the magical world that only existed in our imaginations was shown to finally be materializing.
The video features Disney imagineer Joe Rohde, Avatar director James Cameron, and Avatar producer Jon Landau explaining the many mind-blowing attractions and experiences the park will have to offer.
The Bioluminescent Forest
Here, alien creatures and plant species come to life at night. Special carpets lining the forest floor react to the guests’ foot steps.
The Avatar Flight Of Passage
This simulator ride will allow visitors to feel like they are flying across the fantasy planet on the back of an Ikranay.
“Riding the Ikranay is a thrill. You’re gonna plunge, you’re gonna dive, you’re gonna see the world flying through it” says James Cameron.
The Na’vi River Journey
This water ride has guests floating down a dark river through the bioluminescent jungle, where they will encounter fascinating creatures and plants. The journey culminates in an encounter with a Na’vi shaman, a life like audio-animatronic Na’Vi who plays enchanting music to guests when they finish their journey.
After the latest release of this video teaser, anticipation continues to grow for the day when guests can really step inside the world of Pandora and experience the magic first hand.
Avatar director James Cameron has already committed to three sequels following the original film (released in 2009). The first is due in 2018, then the others in 2020, 2022 and 2023. That’s a 5-year saga yet to unfold.
Read more about Pandora World of Avatar, and stay up to date with the park’s progress at disneyworld.disney.go.com