Disney's Animal Kingdom: Land of Pandora
27 October | Anna Trosper
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park is not just a Zoo. There is so much more to this park, and one of my favorite parts is the Land of Pandora.
Pandora — The World of Avatar is a land in Disney’s Animal Kingdom based on James Cameron’s 2009 film, Avatar. Pandora is home to two of the most popular rides at Animal Kingdom. You'll find that it also has a street show, one quick service restaurant, and a store to buy your Pandora souvenirs!
To me, the best part of Pandora is the amazing landscaping. You are in an alien world, so naturally the landscape is nothing you have ever seen. The landscape of Mo’ara is dominated by floating mountains, and thoroughout the valley you will find Pandora flora unlike anything you have ever seen. OH! and at night this landscape takes on a new look. This is my favorite time in Pandora. It is not to be missed at night! Honestly, the landscape in Pandora, particularly at night, is one of the most stunning features in any Disney Park. Photos simply don’t do it justice.
There are two major attractions in Pandora: Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey. Na’vi River Journey is located in the far south of the land. Just stay to the left when entering the land, you will walk right up to it. Flight of Passage is centrally located, Just look for the floating mountains and that is where Flight of Passage is.
Avatar Flight of Passage is currently one of the most popular ride in Animal Kingdom. So the line can get very long! I have waited over 2 hours before.
If you’re planning to ride Flight of Passage, you’ll need to do one of five things:
- Buy a Lighting Lane pass - which usually costs $12-$15 plus tax per person.
- Arrive early (before park open) and plan for a wait of 30 - 60 minutes.
- Plan to wait 90 minutes to 3 hours during the day
- Get in line right before park closes, waiting time 30mins to 2 hours
Of course, this all depends on how crowed the park is.
On Avatar Flight of Passage, you’ll experience one of the tour operations offered by ACE—the experience of the Na’vi ritual of “Iknimaya.” The technology was actually re-developed (based on the tech from RDA Avatar program) by PCI scientist Jackie Ogden, whom you’ll hear from before the ride.
I’ll save you the details of Iknimaya—you’ll learn those on the ride—but in short, you’ll be riding on a Banshee (or Ikran, as the Na’vi call them).
The ride is somewhere in the nature of Soarin’ in that the combined effects of a gigantic screen and a moving ride vehicle create a sensational experience of flight. But really, there’s just no ride like Flight of Passage. If you tend to get motion sickness this one will get you! This is my favorite ride at Disney!
Na’vi River Journey is a leisurely and beautiful boat ride down a dark river illuminated by the bioluminescence of Pandora’s plant life and animals. The story behind the Na’vi River Journey is that it is operated as a tourist operation by ACE. The river of the ride is the Kapsavan River, and the ride culminates in an encounter with the Na’vi Shaman of Songs. You really need to watch the movie to know what is going on in the ride! To me it is a one and done ride, I feel they could have done a lot more with this ride.
Entertainment in Pandora - the Pandora Drummers and the Pandora Utility Suit.
The Pandora Drummers show takes place at Swotu Wayä, the heart of the Valley of Mo’ara. Entering the land, it will be on the far left along the way to Na’vi River Journey.
Swotu Wayä is essentially a drum circle with connections to the rest of the island. A Na’vi, with their large size, can play the drums on their own. For humans, a team of three is required.
The show consists of a drum ceremony performed by three local humans, presumably employees at ACE or PCI.
TIP: When everyone in the audience joins in on the action, the song will earn an audible response from the mountains from the local Na’vi community and a banshee.
The Pandora Utility Suit, the show consists of a human in a giant utility suit. He explains some history of the area. After that, he “shows off” the suit. The kids might be impressed, and the history is worth hearing
There is one major store in Pandora—Windtraders. The store is pretty cool itself and offers much of the standard merchandise you’d expect, but you can get things here you can’t get anywhere else! Na’vi ears and a tail! I have a set – You can build your own Aavatar – they will scan your face and place it on an Avatar. You can adopt a Banshee – it is like getting a wand in Harry Potter world at Universal, the idea here is that you’re supposed to find the banshee that fits you best. The banshees themselves are pretty cool—they’re controlled by a wired remote and can-do various motions—and again the price point ($50) isn’t awful for an Avatar fan.
Satu’li Canteen, a quick service restaurant, is the main restaurant in Pandora. Its setting is a reclaimed mess hall that was originally built by RDA (again, this is detailed in the letters on Satu’li’s wall). Satu’li Canteen offers build-your-own bowls, where you choose a base, a sauce, and a protein.
Pongu Pongu is a snack stand just outside Satu’li Canteen, next to Windtraders. “Pongu Pongu” means “Party Party,” and it’s where you’ll find some of the more exciting food items in Animal Kingdom. Night Blossom is my favorite.
AVATAR TIPS
Plan on visiting Pandora twice—once during the day and once in the evening. Even 15 minutes in the evening is worth it. If you can’t fit it into your preset Animal Kingdom plans, try to sneak over after the park officially closes—you’ll often, but not always, be able to walk through the land.
Try to Rope Drop Flight of Passage
Mobile order and eat at Satu’li.- this is a great way to get your food quickly at Satu’li.
Above All, Have A Magical Time, In Pandora — The World Of Avatar!
I would love to talk with you about your next trip to Disney World and help you plan a very magical trip. You can contact me at annat@wishesfamilytravrl.com and follow me on Facebook .
Thank you and have a magical day!