Mountains floating in the sky, rainforests pulsing light and breathtaking flights for explorers soaring above an alien moon on the backs of great winged banshees! Now where else could this be but in Orlando?
Pandora – The World of Avatar has opened at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. Inspired by the blockbuster motion picture AVATAR from filmmaker James Cameron, the new 12-acre land transports guests into the lush world of Pandora in a time frame a generation after the human-Na’vi conflict in the Oscar-winning film.
There are two major rides – Flight of Passage, which simulates a ride aboard flying banshees as seen in the film, and Na’Vi River Journey, a boat ride into the rainforest under a canopy of exotic glowing plants, passing rock formations and Pandoran creatures on the move.
Disney chief Bob Iger said: “Working with Jim and his team was a dream come true for us, as we pushed the limits of creativity and innovation to bring the digital world of Pandora to the real world of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
“Now anyone who has ever dreamed of visiting this extraordinary world can explore the astonishing landscape and ecosystem, soar on the back of a banshee and actually become part of the AVATAR adventure.”
Some of the most creative sculptors in the world were recruited to help shape the new land. James Cameron said: “I never thought I’d see the day when the Pandora I imagined could be made physically real. Working with Disney to bring this world to life has been an amazing experience, and the result is something I think everyone will love for generations to come. It really feels like you’re stepping into a dream.”
Joe Rohde of Disney’s creative team said: “It’s not the movie AVATAR that we are portraying. It is the planet Pandora where you can come, you can visit, and have your own unique adventure. Rather than reliving the adventures of characters from the film, you’re going to come to the planet where those things happened — and have your own set of adventures you can own.”
Virgin Holidays offers seven nights in Orlando with Virgin Atlantic flights from Gatwick to Orlando on August 31, room only accommodation at Disney’s All Star Music Resort, car hire and Disney’s Ultimate Tickets from £925 per person. See www.virginholidays.co.uk
