Reviews of Pandora — the World of Avatar
Reviewed by Jellybean Review Date: 10/06/2017
Rating: (10) Recommended
Overall it was a great ride one of the best we experienced at Disney. If the line-ups weren't so long I would do it over and over again. Unfortunately, we were unable to get fast passes. We had to wait 90 - 120 minutes first thing in the morning. We did it twice and both times in the morning. On our last day the plan was to do it at night as well, but my 9 year old was feeling tired. We did get to see Pandora at night, which is beautiful I might add.
Pros:
In my opinion this was by far the best ride at disney for me. I'm not a fan of roller coasters, but this was just enough trill for me and my family.Cons:
Size limitations should be posted. I had a young girl sitting next to me crying because her father was either to large/tall to fit on the bike. Her mother stayed with her, but it was sad to see someone crying at Disney.Reviewed by Linda22227 Review Date: 06/19/2017
Rating: (9) Recommended
About Avatar Flight of Passage: my adult son weighs nearly 300 pounds and carries his weight in his torso due to medication weight gain. The cast member assisting us was unable to lock him into the ride vehicle during passholder preview. He was forced to leave and it was a very frustrating and embarrassing experience for him. There are no other rides at WDW that he has an issue with.
Pros:
wonderful experienceCons:
slight motion sickness issuesReviewed by beachpup Review Date: 06/09/2017
Rating: (8) Recommended
Visited May 30-June 5th. I've never been a fan of Avatar. Saw it, thought it was an okay movie, still not convinced this is a good fit for Disney. I went in with an open mind, and honestly was kind of disappointed in the theming. The fake plants are obvious, and not numerous enough to make it feel totally alien. At night there isn't really enough illumination to match the movie which was surprising. After visiting a second time at night it seemed better since it was less crowded, the best part being the 'glowing' walkways. We had a fastpass for Flight of Passage and walked right on, with the standby line ridiculously long. We got all the way to the ride vehicles and the person I was with , who is not that large, couldn't ride since the restraint wouldn't fit to his leg. This is totally upsetting since he has never been unable to ride any other Disney ride. Out of respect for him I didn't ride either, and was told we would get a fast pass for any other ride we wanted, EXCEPT the Na'vi River Ride. Thanks, welcome to our new land, you can't ride anything! Walking out another man was waiting for his party and the same thing happened to him, his calf wouldn't allow the restraint to set. Not cool Disney. We went again one early morning and I got on, and the ride is extremely well done, very cool, like Soarin on steroids. What's odd is, this time the leg restraint didn't even come close to the back of my leg, and seemed unnecessary. What gives? Disney has their Universal fighter.
The Na'vi River Journey ( which we had a fastpass for another day) is short but done well, the best thing being the animatronic at the end.
We ate breakfast at the Satu'li Canteen, which was pretty good, we had the 'steak and eggs' which was a generous portion of meat, and the french toast, each made to look a bit alien.
I was excited since this was 'new Disney' and not Avatar. I was underwhelmed to be honest, and I really wanted to like it. The Flight of Passage is a fantastic ride, one of the best. The rest all feels a bit... alien... and not very Disney.
Pros:
well designed new landCons:
friend couldn't ride Flight of PassageReviewed by free2div Review Date: 06/06/2017
Rating: (10) Recommended
This is by far the BEST RIDE EVER ANYWHERE...I almost chickened out but so glad I didnt..I laughed and screamed the whole ride..LOVE IT
Pros:
The best ride EVERCons:
none for meReviewed by alfy Review Date: 05/31/2017
Rating: (10) Recommended
After frankly being disappointed by a low-budget Frozen Ever After ride, it was reassuring to see that the Walt Disney World imagineers haven't lost their touch, after all. I think the most impressive thing was the totality of the whole Pandora zone -- barely a square inch that wasn't covered with themed decoration. The blend of natural plantings with man-made ones was done very well. Na'vi naturalistic structures were meshed with "leftover" artifacts from the human interlopers, even in the ride entrances. Both rides were as good as anything in WDW and in fact have advanced the goalposts considerably. Our early preview was uncrowded and we were able to experience both rides multiple times. There was considerable delay in one instance on the flying ride and a couple of guests had to leave the queue in the 16-person chambers, one due to the heat and claustrophobia and another who couldn't stand up for long without her walker. Cast member said the delay was a "guest issue," not a mechanical glitch. Everything in Pandora seemed to be finished and working well, even at that early date. Well done. We look forward to further expansion of this unique and creative mini-park.
Pros:
Astounding, immersive environmentCons:
It's going to be overcrowded for a long timeReviewed by pubal1 Review Date: 05/31/2017
Rating: (9) Recommended
Visited Pandora Saturday May 27th (opening day for regular guests) around 3 p.m. and they weren't letting people into Pandora. We stopped at Tiffins restaurant/bar which is normally empty to find it at capacity. Had a beverage to cool off and went back and after asking several castmembers for directions found our way to the River Ride (our daughter somehow got a FastPass for it the day before). Lots of blacklights and some holograms. There was only a couple of animatronic characters and mostly seemed like forest and water. The line for the Flight line said 180 minutes. In the restroom another guest said he wouldn't wait that long for the river ride but would for the flight ride. It was 95 degrees and decided to wait. The line started outside and the breeze made it o.k. However, after around a hour the line went into a cave. It was stiffling hot with no air conditioning or fans or water. Everyone was complaining and after an hour there was finally a water fountain. Relief!!! Suggest bringing water and ice to anyone willing to wait that long. The wife gets motion sickness and "almost" didn't get on the ride after 2:45 minute wait, but she did and absolutely loved it. She said she closed her eyes when the banshee would dive down toward the forest grounds or under branches. We left the ride and it was dark. The use of black lights on the walkways to show Pandora symbols was nice. They made us walk out the long way and the lines looked to be between 3-5 hour wait time. I've never seen Animal Kingdom this busy. We were too tired to see the new water show and not sure we even could of because the line snaked for what looked like forever. I'd say the Flight ride is the most amazing use of 3D technology, Virtual Reality, seating structure, smells and water misting of any ride I've ever been on which is all of them.
Pros:
Detailing very impressiveCons:
Crowds out of handReviewed by GoldieK Review Date: 05/26/2017
Rating: (6) Recommended
An interesting and challenging land to walk through. Some aspects seemed grotesque and creepy. My adult daughters loved the Flight of Passage. River Journey was colorful and a nice place to sit and cool down. We did not find the gift shop or restaurant particularly appealing. I am glad we got the sneak preview, but won't hurry back. I have not seen the movie, which might make a difference to enjoying Pandora more than I did.
Pros:
elaborate, unique themingCons:
no emotional connection for meReviewed by dianev Review Date: 05/24/2017
Rating: (10) Recommended
We were fortunate to be able to preview Pandora as DVC members on May 17, 2017. It was AMAZING! The atmosphere in the area was spot on! We were able to enjoy the Na'VI River Journey (when it was finally up and running) and also Flight of Passage 3 times. Flight of Passage is incredible. It is so realistic, you can even feel your banshee breathing! We shopped at the gift shop and at Pongu Pongu we had a frozen beverage and lumpia, which is kinda like a pastry that has warm cream cheese and pineapple, it was delicious! Can't wait to go back,although I am sure we won't be able to go on "Flight" 3 times in a row!!
Pros:
Breathtakingly beautifulCons:
NoneReviewed by Diznegal Review Date: 05/22/2017
Rating: (7) Recommended
We went to an Annual Pass Holder preview of Pandora. The theming was fabulous and I thought it represented the movie very well. We waited about an hour in the queue and it was an awesome queue. One section is positively amazing!! After waiting all that time, I was admitted into the main ride area and mounted the ride vehicle. It took a few tries to latch the back security plate but I have rods and screws in my back and while I have never had any problems on any ride, ever, it felt like my spine was going to crack. I am on the plus side so I suspect that's why it was such a tight fit. But then came time to latch the leg harness. My legs are small and thin (not plus sized) but very short. Try as she might, the CM could not latch it all the way. She said for me to lift my legs off the floor and dangle them so it would fit properly. I didn't really want to do an ab workout for the length of the ride but I was willing just so I could ride the new ride. As soon as she latched it closed, I got the two worst charley horses in my legs. At that point the CM told me I couldn't ride and I had to get off because the leg device just wasn't on properly. I was so disappointed. I have heard a fair number of people have been turned away and this is the only time at either WDW or DL that I couldn't ride a Disney ride. I plan to send a letter to Disney and hope they can make adjustments so the ride more can be more accommodating to a larger audience. I heard from everyone who went that it was the best ride they had ever been on at Disney. I know you will all love it. Just be prepared to be disappointed if you are over-sized.
Pros:
Amazing ThemingCons:
Not designed for people of sizeReviewed by JackieB Review Date: 05/20/2017
Rating: (9) Recommended
Pandora is gorgeous. I have never seen the movie Avatar but I really enjoyed both of the rides and the scenery in Pandora. The Flight of passage was very intense. If you are a person of size you may not fit. I fit but it was tight. I did think I was going to be sick on it. If you have motion issues this ride may not be for you. The Na’vi River Journey was a slow boat ride. It was very well done. I am disappointed that Disney has not made either of these rides handicap accessible. You must transfer from a wheelchair for both rides. I went to Pongu Pongu and had the Pongu Lumpia (pineapple cream cheese spring roll) and they were delicious. I also had the Mo'ara Frozen Margarita which was delicious as well. Overall it was an enjoyable experience and I can't wait to go back.
