Disney CEO Bob Iger recently announced that the long-awaited ‘Avatar’-themed park, Pandora, will open at Disney World in Orlando, Florida on May 27.
‘Pandora – The World of Avatar’, which will be in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, will take fans to the home of the Na’vi world introduced in James Cameron’s 2009 movie ‘Avatar’.
In December 2016, Disney released a new video showing off more of the park’s development. Since then, a few more images and videos teasing the park have been released. A website for the park has also launched.
We’ve rounded up everything we know about the upcoming park. Keep reading to take a peek at how Pandora will look when it opens in May.
Construction first began on the Avatar-inspired land at Disney World in 2014.
It’s being designed by Disney Imagineers and director James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment.
In February 2015, Disney Parks showed off the first concept art for the park which will transform Disney’s Animal Kingdom into the world of Pandora.
Director James Cameron has been working closely with Disney to bring the world to life from his imagination.
The park will consist of hundreds of plants, such as this one.
In 2015, Disney Parks showed off a cool carpet that will change colours as guests walk across it.
One of the rides in Pandora will take you on the back of a mountain banshee, the giant bird-like creatures the Na’vi ride in “Avatar.”
It will allow guests to ride upon banshees with flying scenes shown on screens, similar to Disney’s “Soarin'” ride. According to Variety, vehicles will move along to the action in a theatre.
“Riding the ikranay is a thrill,” says Cameron. “You’re going to plunge, you’re going to dive, you’re going to see the world flying through it.”
“The Na’vi River Journey is this beautiful, lyrical ride into the bioluminescent forest,” says Disney Imagineering senior VP of creative Joe Rhode.
The Disney Imagineers will make it appear as if they’re floating up high.
Those won’t be the only things to see in Pandora. The main restaurant will be named Satu’li Canteen and will also have Na’vi art and cultural items. A store called Windtraders will sell science kits in addition to toys and other Na’vi items.