Disney's Animal Kingdom: Pandora

You remember that movie called Avatar? Not the air bender (bald guy with an arrow on his for head). Avatar. Blue naked people running around in a jungle on some other planet, ring any bells? It was really popular, like, 8 or 9 years ago. I can't blame you for not remembering it.

Well... Disney remembered it. And they spent $400M and over three years to build the Pandora land that resembles the movie. The original plan was to time the opening of the park with the release of a second Avatar movie. But the Avatar movie is at least a year behind schedule, so, Disney opened the park under the threat no one would remember the movie.

I have to admit that I didn't remember the movie very well. We rented the movie the night before going so we could figure out what this land might be all about! In the movie, Humans found a planet six years away from earth that contains a valuable mineral. But the planet's inhabitants aren't cooperating, so, humans do what humans do and go kick some but! Until it back fires on them and the planet itself fights back.

First, the Navi River ride (see the video above). You board a boat that takes you down a river through the caves of Pandora. In the caves you'll get to see many of the Pandora elements that were in the movie... except the elements are all around you. Just when the ride gets really good? It ends! The ride is a little short, so, if you don't have a fast pass? I don't think it would be worth a long wait.

 Next, the drum show. Entertainers take to the drum stage in the middle of Pandora and put on a high energy fifteen minute show with crowd participation.

Third, the Banshee ride. If you want to ride a Banshee, you have to go up into the floating mountains where the Banshee live. And so up the winding path you go, high above the jungle floor. I didn't ride it, but my kids say you get splashed by the water and you can smell everything you fly past. See their comments in this video made at the ride's exit.

Fourth, the dinning area. The Pandora land mixes in the Pandora jungle along with the buildings and equipment left when the humans were kicked off the planet. Which is really good - have you every tried to use a Pandorian bathroom? You'll be thankful the human bathrooms were left intact! And lucky the food center is human too. You might get a little Pandora twist to the food (odd glowing drinks), but you'll be happy to find all your human favorite meals.

Finally, Pandora itself. I heard that you have to see Pandora during the day and then return at night because the land looks completely different in the night time. And it does. Daytime. Night time. It is incredible. It is amazing to see waterfalls coming from the floating mountains and to be able to actually walk right under those mountains. The plants and decorations are great. I would have thought the land would have been larger with more things in it, but Pandora is just part of the larger Animal Kingdom experience.

Was it worth the three year wait to see this land? Honestly, Disney fans love and appreciate anything new Disney does, and this is certainly new.  It is an experience worth checking out the next time you visit the Animal Kingdom.