Just to be clear, the Avatar film is PG-13, but Pandora-World of Avatar, is for all ages. It is completely interactive and Seth and I were just as mesmerized, inspired, and excited as Kate (9 months) and Isabella (four years). The four of us were eco-tourists and eager to explore the thriving and mystical landscape. I thought my game of “guess which plant is from Earth” was fun. Then I opened the My Disney Experience app and was immediately contacted by the Pandora Conservation Initiative, calling me to accept my mission to find the animals and flora around the Valley of Mo’ara. In return, whether I accepted my mission or not, they would contribute to the earth animal of my choice, keeping true to Animal Kingdom’s adventurously active pursuit of conservation and stewardship. Accepting my mission led me to a conversation with a scientist, who provided me with a picture of a plant, told me about it, and asked me my theories as to different aspects of the plant. My lack of science was showing but she made me feel brilliant anyway.
Images: Jessica Marinello
There are two rides in Pandora. The first is Na’vi River Journey, an all-height friendly boat tour through a bioluminescent river flood with detail. From the little animals playing on the leaves above our heads, to the petals of each flower, it was sensory overload for Kate and she LOVED every second. I kid you not, Isabella was so overcome by its positive energy that she started singing Kumbaya with the Na’vi shaman. Ride it and you might also.
Images: Jessica Marinello
The second is the Avatar Flight of Passage. This ride was so high-tech it blew my mind. It begins by matching you up with your own Avatar and leads to you taking your rite of passage and into a better version of yourself. Pay close attention to the call on each of your senses. Each time I rode, I noticed new things. Imagine it as a mix between Soarin’, Mission Space, Star Tours, and a mechanical bull. I rode a Banshee, guys. It felt so incredibly real. So REAL. (SPOILER: You can feel the banshee’s rib cage expand as it catches its breath, I miss my banshee).
Image: Jessica Marinello
After you have completed your rite of passage, head over to Windtraders to adopt your own shoulder-perching banshee and create an Avatar action figure after your own likeness. Yes, you can be an Avatar action figure. Then head right outside to the Satu’li Canteen for some lunch. Stop by Pongu Pongu on your way there for a bioluminescent Night-Blossom (kid-friendly and refreshing) and a pineapple cream cheese spring roll the Na’vi call “Pongu Lumpia”. I’m craving them now so eat another one for me.
Image: Jessica Marinello
Have I mentioned the detail? I can’t begin to imagine the man power and tiny scraping tools used to create each crevice of these floating mountains. I am so thrilled for you guys to visit Pandora. Let the hype build, my friends. It will not disappoint.
A special thanks to Walt Disney World Studios for hosting us and to SheKnows Media for connecting me with my SheKnows and BlogHer family.
Im jelous. The images are amazing. Looks like an great place to visit. So i have to add it to my list of places to go to now.
Thanks for sharing.
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The images don’t even do it justice, you HAVE to see it in person!
Pandora looks and sounds out of this world! Very excited to see it!
So excited for you. It’s so awesome!
I’m dying to see it, and now with yours comments, I can not wait for see THE VALLEY OF MO’ARA…this weekend for my BD I’m going to make my reservation.
And the pictures are awesome love them
I’m so thrilled for you to see it. Happy birthday! Will you be there this weekend? We’re going also! ?
I can’t wait to take the girls, but the truth is I think I’m more excited. I love that it really looks like your in the movie since you enter. The details are SPECTACULAR. Your post and pictures make me want to pack up right now and go!!!
The pictures don’t even do it justice. The detail is incredible. And at night, it all glows!
I can’t wait to go. It opened the week after we were there. Bummer! I love the conservation efforts, what an awesome thing and a great way to teach your children about conservation. Thank you for sharing!
The Conservation initiative was really neat. It was fun to hunt for the different plants and learn what they did.
Your photos are so fun! That place looks magical 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! And thanks for passing by!
I want to go here! Looks like a fairy tale!!!
It’s pretty neat. Feels like you jumped into the Avatar movie.
I’m so jealous! I have been craving a trip to Disney for SO LONG. And these photos and information just makes me want to go back that much more. Seriously, I need to go plan a trip ASAP. Thank you for sharing!
You HAVE to go! Let me know if you need any recommendations. We’re there often!
This place looks so surreal that it is almost a little scary, but also amazing. I am not generally a ride person, but you have made me consider changing my mind, at least for a day..
The ride is definitely worth trying. It’s amazing!
This looks amazing! Last we went to Disney they were still building it! I can’t wait to check it out!
It is worth the wait. You need to definitely go back! If you plan a couple of months out and stay on property, you get first dibs at fast passes for Flights of Passage!
What?! This is amazing! I would love to go see it in person.
It’s pretty great in person. Pictures don’t do it justice!
What an amazing adventure and experience. Disney always has it all for children and adults. I was lucky to visit DisneyWorld many times as a child and teen growing up. Then I became an adult and suddenly couldn’t afford to take my own family there! One day it would be amazing to visit once again and explore this world too. Wow! Picture perfect
Here’s to hoping you can visit them soon. It will be so much fun!
These pictures are AMAZING. The movie was very nice aesthetically, so I can only imagine the level of detail that was put into this attraction. I would love to be able to see it soon.
Thank you!! Schedule time to see it at night. Everything glows! Including the floor!!!
You had me at boba lol. The only rides I recall from Disneyland were Star Tours and the Tower of Terror lol. I’ll have to check out Avatar’s ride, it looks cool, the next time I can muster up the insanely high asking price of admission. Thanks for the share!
It’s definitely worth a visit. Especially if you do a park hopper.
So wonderfully written with wonderful photos to match!
Thank you!
Nice detailed info 🙂
Wow! You deliberately posted this to make us jealous. I don’t even know where to begin. Great job . Love the amazing scenery.
Go! Go! Go! It really is pretty neat!
Now it’s on my wishlist. I wanna go there. Such a beautiful place. ???
I’ll wish it with you. Hope you can visit soon!
Wow, looks and sounds like quite the adventure! I love taking 4-year-old kiddos on excursions — such a fun age and they are so curious and eager to soak it in. Sounds like your little one is no different 🙂
Isn’t it so fun to see things through the eyes of a 4-year old? It’s so fun to hear her talk about it also.
Your photos look like they belong in a magazine. I have never heard of this place before but it sure dose look magical.
Oh my goodness, you are too kind. Thank you! It is pretty magical!
Wow, beautiful place! Thank you for your useful article! 🙂
You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for sharing this, picture are great and so inviting. I wish O could visit this place one day. Such magical place.
I wish you could visit it also! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you and hopefully the fairy dust will work the magic.
Amazing ! I would like to go next time
I hope you can make it there!
Seems like a really fun experience, love the pictures. Makes me want to go there, thanks for sharing!
It was loads of fun. Let me know how you like it, if you go!
We will have to make a trip back to Disney! It looks awesome and I’m sure the kids will love it!
Yes! The kids always have the BEST time!
This looks amazing! Thank you for such a nice review of Pandora. I didn’t even realize this was being built. Is this at the Magic Kingdom? We are hoping to make a trip to Disney World this fall or early next spring.
This is in Animal Kingdom! A spring trip is a great idea. Heads up, it’s less crowded on Mother’s Day weekend!
This seems like really interesting. The bioluminescent river flood and the colourful fauna. Pandora looks like a fun place to go to.
These photos are absolutely breathtaking!
Thanks so much! The whole place is breathtaking!
Oh my god! That’s an amazing place! It’s looks like a garden. Nice post 🙂
Oh my god! That’s an amazing place! It’s looks like a garden. Nice post 🙂 pls post more 🙂
wow great articles… i wish to visit there
I hope you can. It’s a fun place to visit!
Where is this? What country? What town? Gorgeous!
This is in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s in the US in Orlando, Florida!