Five things you need to know about Pandora – the world of Avatar

You’ll enter the property through the Moala Valley. Be sure to take the time to read the warnings on the signs and check the map. As you cross the bridge from Discovery Island, you’ll immediately realize you’re no longer in Kansas. The scenery here is stunning: lush and green, and very different from anywhere else. More than 250 plant species are utilized here, and the Imagineers created some of the plants native to Pandora.

A short distance down the path you’ll come to the park’s “highlight”: Pandora’s floating mountains. It’s hard to tell from photos how spectacular they are, but trust us – they are truly stunning. There’s a lot to see here, and the attention to detail makes Pandora a visual spectacle, especially at night when the entire landscape sparkles.

Throughout, keep an eye out for elements of Na’vi culture; Cast Members will even greet guests in Na’vi! All in all, Pandora – The World of Avatar is a testament to the prowess of Disney Imagineers and a truly immersive environment.

2. You can fly or float.

Two of Animal Kingdom’s most popular attractions are located in Pandora. Avatar Flight Channel is the biggest attraction here, and for good reason. A 3D flight simulator (but that’s understating it) that lets guests experience what it’s like to ride across Pandora on the back of a Banshee. Stunning visuals, a great story, and a truly immersive experience combine to give guests an experience like no other in the park.

At the other end of the spectrum is Na’vi River Trip. Treat your eyes and ears to a feast on a slow, peaceful boat ride through the glowing rainforest, admiring Pandora’s native flora and fauna. Your relaxing journey ends with the Singing Shaman, perhaps the most impressive audio-animatronic character Disney has ever created.

3. You can also eat and shop on Pandora.

There’s no table service, but it’s worth stopping by Satu’li Canteen for lunch or dinner—it’s the No. 1 fast-food restaurant in Animal Kingdom. The menu features healthy, delicious dishes inspired by the Pandora ecosystem, such as grain bowls, salads, and a popular and unique cheeseburger.

Another option is Pongu Pongu (which means party party). This is basically a kiosk where you can have breakfast and some snacks for the rest of the day. Pandora-themed drinks include the popular Night Blossom (a non-alcoholic layered drink) and the Mo’ara Margarita. The Pongu Lumpia, an egg cone filled with pineapple cream cheese, is also a specialty of this shop!

As for shopping, Windtraders is Pandora’s main store. Visitors can purchase a variety of Avatar-themed merchandise, including banshee dolls and some customizable souvenirs. You can also adopt a banshee, see what you’d look like as the Avatar, and make jewelry. Colors of Mo’ara is a merchandise kiosk located near Na’vi River Journey where you can find less themed merchandise.

4. Pandora also has its secrets.

When visiting, it helps to know that the story of this land takes place 10 years after the first Avatar movie. It’s clear that the bad guys (RDA) have left Pandora. The good guys (ACE) have begun working with the Na’vi to undo the ecological damage that the RDA has caused to the planet. That being said…

⭐ Follow the trail and see if you can spot the wreckage of the RDA helicopter half-hidden in the forest.

⭐ Note that the signs left over from when RDA existed are old and rusty; the signs placed by ACE all look newer.

⭐ Outside the Banshee Flight area is a woven sculpture of a Banshee – there are Na’vi footprints on the path before you enter (see how your footprints look).

⭐ Outside of the Na’vi River Journey, you’ll see a weaving shaman sculpture at the end of the journey.

⭐ At Pongu Pongu, you’ll see a lot of dog tags hanging in the back. They have the names of people who work on Pandora (Avatar World) on them.

⭐ Also, on the back of the Pongu Pongu you can see a small replica of the Death Star from Star Wars. Anyone knows why?

5. Here is a message for all of us.

Pandora fits in nicely with the ecological themes of the Animal Kingdom, which places great emphasis on conservation, environmental stewardship, and the connection between nature and culture. While Pandora is subtle and doesn’t hit you over the head with any obvious statements, it bears witness to the damage done to the environment by thoughtless exploitation of resources. It also illustrates the impact of this damage on indigenous peoples. Pandora reminds us how much work it takes to restore balance and undo the damage caused by greed.

Bottom line.

Pandora is a must-see attraction at Animal Kingdom. It blends cutting-edge technology, great storytelling, and immersive environments. All of these elements come together to create an unparalleled experience for guests. Pandora at night is an entirely different experience, but it’s worth noting that during certain times of the year, Animal Kingdom closes before dark, and you won’t be able to truly see the landscape glow. Plan your plans!

Have you been to Pandora? What did you think? Let us know in the comments.