Height Requirement & FastPass + Information for Pandora: The World of AVATAR Rides

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

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According to the official Walt Disney World website, new information in regards to the rides in Pandora: The World of AVATAR has been released.

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Flight of Passage

Height Requirement: 44 inches tall

Age Interest: kids,tweens, teens, and adults

Official Description: “Get a banshee’s-eye view of the beauty and grandeur of Pandora on a rite of passage you won’t soon forget! Deep in the heart of the Valley of Mo’ara, discover Avatar Flight of Passage—an all-new expedition that lets interstellar explorers like you climb atop a mountain banshee for a breathtaking, first-person flight over the moon’s incredible landscape. Bonding with a mountain banshee is a crucial step in the life of a Na’vi hunter—and flying on the back of one of these powerful winged creatures represents an important rite of passage.Now, as a visitor to Pandora, you’ll finally have the chance to test yourself in a similar way!

FastPass+: yes

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Navi River Journey

Height Requirement: none

Age Interest: everyone

Official Description: “Glide down a gentle, mysterious river and feel a sense of wonder as the full beauty of Pandora reveals itself. Located within the Valley of Mo’ara, Na’vi River Journey offers explorers an experience that has to be seen—and heard—to be believed! As your expedition begins, climb aboard a reed boat and drift downstream. After coasting through a series of caves, and passing by exotic glowing plants and amazing creatures of the rainforest, you’ll soon find yourself face-to-face with the Na’vi Shaman of Songs. The adventure comes to a conclusion as the Shaman demonstrates her deep connection to the life force of Pandora—and sends positive energy out into the forest through the power of her music!”

Thrill level: slow rides

FastPass+: yes

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Valley of Mo’ara 

Height Requirement: none

Age interest : anyone

Official Description: “Walk about through the Valley of Mo’ara and get ready to discover a world like no other! There’s more to Pandora than expeditions like Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey… much more! All around its enormous floating mountains, you’ll quickly uncover the valley’s one-of-a-kind dining and shopping experiences—along with sights, sounds and experiences that include: Exotic plants that come to life with beautiful bioluminescence each night, A Na’vi-built drum circle containing instruments playable by all, Na’vi totems and other cultural items found throughout the land, Brand-new Wilderness Explorers challenges and badges to collect. You may even come across tour guides from Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE), scientists from the Pandora Conservation Initiative (PCI), or even an eclectic expat or two!

Stay posted for any future updates on Pandora: the World of Avatar in the coming weeks as the opening date draws closer. Pandora: the World of Avatar officially opens to the public on May 27th, 2017.

St. Patrick’s Day Festivities Returning to Raglan Road Irish Pub at Disney Springs

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

Bring out the green beer, get your corned beef and cabbage cooking, and hopefully, you might be able to find a leprechaun this year at the end of the rainbow because the St. Patrick’s Day celebration will be here in only 8 days.

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Raglan Road Irish Pub at Disney Springs definitely wants to make the ‘Irish” experience a traditional one for many guests. To do that, they will have their annual St. Patrick’s Day festival from March 16th through March 19th, 2017. The team at Raglan Road takes the Irish holiday so seriously they have actually put some tips together for guests on how to truly “celebrate like the Irish:”

  • Don’t call the holiday “St. Patty’s.” It’s either “St. Patrick’s Day” or “St. Paddy’s.”
  • A shamrock has three leaves (not four – that would be a clover).
  • Americans invented the St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1737 in Boston.
  • Most Irish pubs do a full month’s business on St. Patrick’s Day.
  • Guinness sells 13 million pints on St. Patrick’s Day versus the usual 5 million daily.
  • Green beer is an American invention. Raglan Road does not serve green beer.

New at this year’s festival is the Irish and hearty rock celebration band, The Young Dubliners, as well as Byrne Brothers who are 3 brothers ages 12, 10, and 7. Some of the bands returning again to the festival are the HanaLena Band, The Raglan Roots Coalition, Swingin’ On the Gate, Rollickin’ Rua and the Raglan Road Irish Dancers. For the full entertainment listing, visit raglanroad.com.

Not only is there amazing talent and entertainment, there will also be an assortment of traditional Irish food for purchase at the restaurant. Guests can order from popular brunch, lunch, bar and dinner menus, including loin of bacon and cabbage, the authentic Irish dish of St. Patrick’s Day. Also as a daily item, Fish and Chips will be available. Since St. Patrick’s Day can’t be it without the beer, Guinness, a Mighty Festival Brew, and  Bailey’s Shakes will all be available on tap. The Mighty Festival Brew which is new for the festival, is a brew made in collaboration with the Orange Blossom Brewing Company.

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Irish holiday attire is encouraged, but for those who need an extra dose of shamrock flair, complimentary face painting will be available from noon – 8 p.m. daily during the festival. Please note: On March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, guests will be seated on a first come, first-served basis with a cover charge of $10 for each guest age 18 and older. To make reservations for all other festival days, call 407-938-0300. The festivities take place from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. March 16-19, 2017.

Téigh go maith agus is féidir leis an Luck na hÉireann a bheith in éineacht leat!- which means go well and may the Luck of the Irish be with you!

REVIEW: Joffrey’s Coffee “Revive” Opens in the Magic Kingdom, Mission to S’mores Pays Homage to Classic Ride

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

For months, we have been watching the construction of the Joffrey’s Coffee “Revive” kiosk in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. This morning, the coffee and pastry shop opened with the park.

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Joffrey’s Coffee Revive in Tomorrowland, the Magic Kingdom

The kiosk is the first for the Magic Kingdom, with Joffrey’s operating several kiosks at other Walt Disney World theme parks. It’s sign is an homage to the old Tomorrowland attraction marquees of the 70’s and 80’s.

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Joffrey’s Coffee Revive in Tomorrowland, the Magic Kingdom

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Joffrey’s Coffee Revive in Tomorrowland, the Magic Kingdom

Exclusive to this location is Mission to S’mores, an homage to the Mission to Mars attraction that once stood in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. Mission to Mars was open from 1976 until 1992, replacing the instantly dated Flight to the Moon and then closing to make way for the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter (which would eventually debut in 1995).

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Mission to S’mores, Joffrey’s Coffee Revive kiosk at the Magic Kingdom

Mission to Mars, Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom, 1976-1992

Mission to Mars, Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom, 1976-1992

The signage for the drink even looks like the old Mission to Mars logo!

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Mission to S’mores, Joffrey’s Coffee Revive kiosk at the Magic Kingdom

I ended up being the only guest running to this at park opening (what a surprise that no one else wanted to rope drop coffee, but went to Space Mountain instead). As the first guest ever at Revive, I was given my drink for free!

So how was the Mission to S’mores? It was delicious! It wasn’t overly sweet, but instead was a latte with just enough of a marshmallow flavor for you to get your caffeine fix and not feel terrible about yourself afterwards (like some of the dessert drinks at Starbucks). I will be ordering this again for sure.

It is available hot or iced. I ordered it iced because it’s Orlando in March…

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Mission to S’mores, Joffrey’s Coffee Revive kiosk at the Magic Kingdom

Other than this specialty beverage, the Revive kiosk also offers a wide array of coffee drinks (all non-alcoholic at the Magic Kingdom, but you’ll find the alcoholic versions at other parks), as well as pastries.

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Joffrey’s Coffee Revive menu, the Magic Kingdom

Pastries are of the usual Joffrey’s kiosk variety, including the giant doughnuts, croissants, muffins, and cookies.

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Overall, the stand is a great addition to the park. With Casey’s Corner already discontinuing breakfast, it’s nice to have another location for pastries at breakfast time. I also really enjoy Joffrey’s coffee and prefer it to Starbucks, so I’m excited to have another good coffee drink location in the park (other than the Auntie Gravity’s coffee float).

Revive by Joffrey’s Coffee is now open daily at the Magic Kingdom, opening with the park every morning.

Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Now To Be Performed Twice A Night

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

Starting March 11th, Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be offered twice a night on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

On March 11th, an 8:30pm show has been added. Following that, with daylight savings time in effect, Rivers of Light will be offered at 8:45PM and 10PM on those select nights. Park hours on these nights have been extended until 9:30PM.

BREAKING: Hourglass Lake Overlook Being Built at Pop Century & Art of Animation; Is This the Gondola Station?

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

Disney will be constructing a scenic overlook over Hourglass Lake, the body of water located between Disney’s Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts.

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Permits were filed with the South Florida Water Management District and the image below is provided in the documentation.

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It appears as though this could be the spot for the station of the rumored gondola transportation system. The size of the plot would be big enough to hold such a item, and the placement directly between both resorts makes sense. Otherwise, it is unknown what the exact reasoning for building this overlook could be. There is already more than enough seating out in this area for those who wish to enjoy the view, so building more seating or standing space wouldn’t serve any real practical purpose.

Either way, this overlook is being constructed starting soon.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Latest Behind the Scenes Look Provides First Glimpse at Flight of Passage Queue, Pandora – The World of AVATAR

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

Disney is providing another behind the scenes look at the creation of Pandora: The World of AVATAR today. This time, they focus on “placemaking”:

In the video, Disney shared a quick glimpse at concept art for the queue of Flight of Passage, where guests will ride on a Banshee:

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They also shared looks at some other interesting details throughout the land:

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Pandora: The World of AVATAR opens May 27th, 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Look Inside Pandora – The World of AVATAR and the “Flight of Passage” Banshee Thrill Ride at Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

This morning, Good Morning America took us inside Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for our first “good” look at the Flight of Passage attraction where guests will fly on a Banshee, as well as the awesome scenery that will fill the planet.

In the video, Disney takes us inside the Flight of Passage ride, where we get some new information on this very secret new attraction.

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To experience Pandora from the back of a Banshee, special goggles (the likes of which we have never seen before) have been developed. They look larger than goggles used at other attractions, but it appears that they will fit better over eyeglasses that guests might be wearing. You may also notice that the lenses are not as dark as other 3-D glasses.

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Also, the pre-show experience will include a room where guests are matched to their AVATAR.

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Outside of Flight of Passage, the preview also brought us all over the land. This was our first time seeing the actual pathways of the land as guests will and the area looks to be as highly themed as Disney promised it would be.

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And of course, how could we not talk about the nighttime lighting?

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Pandora: The World of AVATAR opens May 27th, 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: James Cameron Provides Tour of Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Look at “Navi River Journey” Boat Ride

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

This afternoon on The View, James Cameron toured host Whoopi Goldberg around Pandora: The World of AVATAR. Take a look:

Revealed in the video, we can see some new sights around the Valley of Mo’ara, and also a better look at the Navi River Journey attraction:

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At night, the land comes alive with bioluminescence, even in the ground.

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They also rode the Navi River Journey attraction.

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Pandora: The World of AVATAR open on May 27th, 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

VIDEO: The Cast of ABC’s The Chew Tries Lumpia Dessert from Pandora: The World of AVATAR

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

Today on ABC’s The chew, the hosts got to try Lumpia, which will be served at the Pongu Pongu bar in Pandora: The World of AVATAR:

The snack is just one of the food offerings that was revealed earlier this week by Disney, and you can read more about the Lumpia and other drinks and desserts in our comprehensive post on the offerings in Pandora.

Pandora: The World of AVATAR opens May 27th, 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

New Details on Rides and Stunning New Image of Pandora: The World of AVATAR

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (March 9, 2017) – Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom opens May 27 at Walt Disney World Resort. The all-new land will immerse guests in a mystical world of massive floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests and breathtaking new experiences.

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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)

The largest addition in the history of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Pandora carries on the park’s tradition of celebrating the intrinsic value of nature, transformation through adventure and a personal call to action.

Based on Oscar-winning filmmaker James Cameron’s record-breaking box-office hit, AVATAR, the new land welcomes guests to the lush world of Pandora long after the human conflict with the native Na’vi inhabitants has ended. The dramatic daytime beauty of the land transforms to glow by night when bioluminescent flora and intricate nighttime experiences add a dreamlike quality to Pandora.

Pandora – The World of Avatar is a creative collaboration of Walt Disney Imagineering, Cameron and Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment.

“We are taking our guests on a journey to this world in an experience that’s as realistic and immersive as possible,” says Joe Rohde, Walt Disney Imagineering portfolio creative executive. “In the movie, the world of Pandora is a setting for the action and characters whose story we follow. Here, guests are the primary characters immersed in an extremely vivid, authentic experience.”

Guests to Disney’s Animal Kingdom cross the park’s Discovery River into Pandora – The World of Avatar and continue along a winding rainforest path for their first glimpse of the land’s iconic floating mountains.

“When guests come across the bridge, they are transferred light-years away, to the Alpha-Centauri solar system and Pandora,” says Jon Landau, AVATAR producer, Lightstorm Entertainment. “It’s an otherworldly, fully-themed experience.”

As guests explore the verdant terrain sprawling beneath mountains that appear to float in the sky, they see waterfalls cascading down the mountainside into meandering streams and pools, and they discover two thrilling new expeditions: Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey.

Avatar Flight of Passage launches each guest on an exhilarating, wind-in-your-face experience on a winged mountain banshee over the awe-inspiring world of Pandora. Guests will actually feel the banshee breathe beneath them as they soar through the forest and past floating mountains. What was a rite of passage for Na’vi in Cameron’s film becomes a multisensory experience for guests seeking the ultimate adventure – a faceoff with the most feared predator of Pandora, the Great Leonopteryx.

The Great Lenopternyx will appear in the AVATAR Flight of Passage attraction.

The Great Lenopternyx will appear in the AVATAR Flight of Passage attraction.

On the family-friendly Na’vi River Journey, guests travel down a sacred river deep into a bioluminescent rainforest. The eight-seat reed boats float past exotic glowing plants and Pandoran creatures into the midst of a musical Na’vi ceremony. The mystical journey culminates in an encounter with a breathtakingly realistic Na’vi Shaman of Songs who is deeply connected with Pandora’s life force and sends positive energy through her music into the forest.

“The Pandora landscape will be alive with creatures,” Rohde says. “We’re bringing to life everything from the largest creature you might encounter to the most microscopic. Animals will appear out of the underbrush – big Pandoran animals will appear at the edge of the forest and you’ll hear the very complicated calls they issue back and forth.”

The thriving Pandoran landscape conveys intrinsic park messages of the value of nature, transformation through adventure and conservation and stewardship.

The artful storytelling in Pandora continues as guests stop for sustenance at the land’s Satu’li Canteen (pronounced “Sa-too-lee”), a Quonset-hut-style building. The fast-casual restaurant is inspired the healthful bounty of Pandora – wholesome grains, fresh vegetables, and hearty proteins. Guests can grab a drink at nearby Pongu Pongu.

Windtraders is a shopper’s delight where guests can choose from Na’vi cultural items, toys, science kits and more.

Authenticity and realism were drivers in the creation of Pandora, and the result is a world beyond belief.

“The attractions have very deliberate emotional moments crafted into them, the way a good story does, the way a good film does.” Rohde says. “It’s not as simple as just coming to a place that looks realistic. It’s a place that’s been deliberately imbued with the emotions of awe, of wonder, of respect, of harmony.”