VIDEO: Disney Imagineers Show How They Made Pandora – The World of AVATAR Feel Like a Real Place

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

When Pandora – The World of Avatar opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this May, guests will be able to explore a brand-new world unlike they’ve ever experienced before.

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In the film AVATAR, the planet of Pandora featured an ecosystem all its own, with lush bioluminescent flora, precious fauna, and a culture of people who saw and respected the value of their precious planet. In order to create this new land for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the project team approached bringing Pandora to life as if they were building a real world – unlike one anyone had experienced before – based on the world in the film.

Walt Disney Imagineering just shared this video, in which we learn how Imagineers and Animal Programs worked together to create a uniquely interactive ecosystem exclusively for Pandora – The World of Avatar. The park’s Animal Programs department, which includes conservation biologists and scientists, lent their expertise in order to help the land seem as authentically real as possible

“We’ve had this group sit down and try to understand what would Pandora really look like? How would it feel? What sounds would you hear if you were taking a nature trail along Pandora,” said Dr. Mark Penning Vice President, Animals, Science and Environment, Disney Parks.

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BREAKING: Annual Passholder Previews Begin Soon for Pandora – The World of AVATAR, Dates Revealed

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

Walt Disney World annual passholders will be getting a first-look at Pandora: The World of AVATAR with exclusive previews of the land scheduled to happen in just-a-little-over two weeks time.

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Floating mountains grace the skyline while exotic plants fill the colorful landscape inside Pandora – The World of Avatar, which opens May 27, 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Pandora – The World of Avatar will bring a variety of new experiences to the park, including a family-friendly attraction called Na’vi River Journey and new food & beverage and merchandise locations. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

Online registration should open very soon for annual passholders to sign up for one of two preview dates for Pandora: The World of AVATAR, April 8th or 9th, 2017. It is possible that more preview dates will be scheduled later, but these appear to be the first two, at least.

Rumor has it that there will be some restriction on “technology use” for guests who partake in the preview, perhaps a ban on photography and video recording, but we will have to wait and see exactly what that means. Again, this preview would be over a month and a half before the official opening of the land to guests.

As the project is still being finished up, these dates can still change, but it seems the previews will take place before the month of April 2017 is over, at the latest.

Beauty Salon to Replace Trout Pass Pool Bar at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

The recent opening of Geyser Point Bar & Grill, a quick-service restaurant located at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, has enabled the Walt Disney World Resort to re-imagine the former Trout Pass Pool Bar, which will soon become the “Salon by the Springs”.

The former Trout Pass pool bar

“Salon by the Springs” will offer a variety of manicure, pedicure, and hair services. Construction on this  transformation officially began on March 20. The construction team will continue to work during the resort’s approved noise hours of 9 a.m. through 6 p.m. until the project is completed.

New Cake Decorating Class Being Offered at Amorette’s Patisserie

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

Beginning March 31st, 2017, Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs will have a brand new cake decorating class where you’ll learn how they seamlessly blend artistry and storytelling in cake design, starting with the elegant glaçage (that’s French for “mirror glaze”) and ending with the finishing touches such as chocolate sculpted ears, tail, belt and buttons –  which are all edible, of course.

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Reservations are now, and the experience (which must be booked in advance) will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. every Friday through May 5. While in the class, you can enjoy complimentary specialty coffee, Mimosas and bellinis as you work on making your very own Mickey Dome cake. Space is limited. Cost is $129 plus tax for ages 10 and up, for one to two guests working on a single cake. A second cake can be purchased for an additional $40. Reservations are available now, and can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dining.

New “Music of Pixar Live!” Show Coming to Hollywood Studios this Summer

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

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Some new entertainment will be coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this summer in a limited time engagement.

This new event called “The Music of Pixar Live!” will showcase some of the wonderful, yet memorable music from a selection of Pixar Films. There will be a live orchestra, as well as appearances from beloved Pixar character she such as Woody and Sully.

Starting May 26, “The Music of Pixar LIVE!” will be presented three times nightly at Theater of the Stars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (following the regular daily performances of “Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage”). The show will also feature highlights from some of Pixar’s greatest scores, from films like “Toy Story” to “Cars 3.

CONFIRMED: 2-Hour Nightly Extra Magic Hours Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom This Summer for AVATAR

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

Last week, we told you that it was rumored that Disney’s Animal Kingdom would offer nightly Extra Magic Hours to resort guests so that they could more fully enjoy Pandora: The World of AVATAR once it opened. Today, the Swan and Dolphin resorts are confirming our suspicions…

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With Animal Kingdom park hours locked at an 11pm closing time during these early Summer months, the Extra Magic Hours will take place night from 11pm until 1AM until July 4th, 2017. This benefit will only be available to Walt Disney World Resort guests, and the Swan and Dolphin hotels fall within that category despite being operated by another company.

FastPass+ Reservations Open Tomorrow for Pandora: The World of AVATAR

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

FastPass+ reservations for the two attractions in Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will become available for booking tomorrow, March 24th.

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The Na’vi River Journey and Flight of Passage will be separated in the FastPass+ reservation system so guests can not book both initially. Once guests use all their FastPasses for the day, they can book more, but chances are that the availability for these two rides will be slim-to-none the day-of.

VIDEO: Another Behind the Scenes Look at Magic Kingdom’s New Fireworks Show, Happily Ever After

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

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Tonight, the Disney Parks Blog hosted a live stream of Wishes, and at the very end they gave us an exclusive sneak peek at their new fireworks spectacular, Happily Ever After. The sneak peak isn’t until the end of the stream at around 19:56, but you are more than welcome to watch the fireworks beforehand if you desire. Happily Ever After debuts to the public May 12th, as the last performance of Wishes is May 11th.

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