***Official*** Pandora: The World of Avatar Information Thread

[FastPasser]

It's true. Yesterday, entertainment CMs were told to park at MK beginning this Saturday. With the CM Previews being held this Saturday, parking lot CMs wouldn't know if the CMs coming in were arriving as guests or for work. That will add on an hour+ to their work day... without additional pay.

Wow, that's unbelievable and ridiculous that they would ask CMs to do that without pay. I haven't been told or read anything regarding that yet. It's never happened at AK, but during certain events at DHS, DHS CMs parked at Epcot and were shuttled to DHS. It was actually quicker in that case than parking at DHS. That's certainly not the case here.

 

[jods]

Does anyone know if FOP have seizure warnings on it? I'm fine on soarin and have done star tours and mission space green. I did skip mission space once because I wasn't feeling great and didn't want to risk it.

 

[AngiTN]

Let's see, finished up at 8, CM shuttle to the front, walk 1/2 a mile to my car, drive home, dinner, watch the end of the Red Sox game, oh, say hi to the wife and dogs, I think you get my point.

LOL.. clearly your priorities are not where they should be

Thank you so much for the info you are passing along. It's perfect for me as it lets me keep up with info on the new land but avoiding any specific spoilers. New stuff comes along so rarely I really want the first time I see it to be with my own eyes

 

[twebber55]

watching the disunplugged podcast yesterday has got me pumped for next Saturday
those guys seemed genuinely excited for the land

 

[yulilin3]

This morning was able to get fp for NRJ and RoL for June 2nd for a party of 5. FoP were all out

 

[TheMaxRebo]

They wouldn't even need that. They know how to build a W/C accessible boat, they could have done the same here with some modification.

I think it has to do with the size of the boat. No other Disney boat rides have this small of a boat.

It does seem a bit disappointing that some people might not be able to do either new attraction .... and yes, I get the boats are small and unique, etc. - but we give Imagineering credit for building this amazing land that is so immersive, you are telling me they couldn't figure out how to make a smallish boat fit a wheelchair?

Now maybe in reality this will wind up being a non-issue but if it is true some people can't do either ride that would, to me, be unfortunate

 

[FastPasser]

New stuff comes along so rarely I really want the first time I see it to be with my own eyes

As amazing as the visuals are, what stood out just as much was the audio background that's everywhere. They really kicked it up a notch, but I'm not referring to the volume. Pay special attention to the sounds as you walk by the different areas. You totally forget that it's not real.

 

[rteetz]

As amazing as the visuals are, what stood out just as much was the audio background that's everywhere. They really kicked it up a notch, but I'm not referring to the volume. Pay special attention to the sounds as you walk by the different areas. You totally forget that it's not real.

I think that's something that truly helps make it feel like you are on a new planet rather than inside a theme park.

 

[rteetz]

It does seem a bit disappointing that some people might not be able to do either new attraction .... and yes, I get the boats are small and unique, etc. - but we give Imagineering credit for building this amazing land that is so immersive, you are telling me they couldn't figure out how to make a smallish boat fit a wheelchair?

Now maybe in reality this will wind up being a non-issue but if it is true some people can't do either ride that would, to me, be unfortunate

My guess is that because the boats are so small they couldn't fit a wheelchair plus people to ride with that wheelchair guest. Not every wheelchair is the same size of course meaning it would be hard to make it a size that accommodates most wheelchairs plus have seating and remain within the same dimensions of the other boats.

 

[HopperFan]

Wow, that's unbelievable and ridiculous that they would ask CMs to do that without pay. I haven't been told or read anything regarding that yet. It's never happened at AK, but during certain events at DHS, DHS CMs parked at Epcot and were shuttled to DHS. It was actually quicker in that case than parking at DHS. That's certainly not the case here.

I'm not surprised though ... on our (March) trip after ROL and night hours started ... we were shocked to arrive and see the parking lot completely full on the entrance/bus side and halfway full on the handicapped parking side. We even said out loud "what in the world are their plans when Pandora opens? because this lot is surely too small for park capacity."

 

[Bay Max]

I obviously have my fears about fitting on FoP, but I'm not going to complain about it until I actually try to ride it and am turned away. If there's just a small percentage of folks that can't ride, I'm fine with it (however unhappy I'll be if I'm in that group), as there's no way of accommodating everyone for everything.

Universal, however, really bothered me w/ the HP attractions because SO MANY people can't ride. 2/3 of Americans are overweight or obese. And many people are tall or busty. I saw so many people there (including me) who couldn't ride. That just doesn't seem right, especially because, as I said, I am able to fit on EVERY WDW ride. And I'm just scared that Disney saw that it didn't hurt Universal's bottom line and that it costs less to make less accommodating rides.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Flossbolna]

It might have been a long time ago now, but I do remember a lot of excitement about people not fitting into the train when Expedition Everest first opened. I am not sure if it is still there, but that is why a test seat was installed there as well. So, FoP ist not the very first ride at WDW to open with concerns about people fitting in/on seats. After the first couple of years of EE being discussed in regard of whether people fit or not, the excitement died down. It seems to be less of a concern now. So, I think part of the whole discussion about who fits on FoP is mainly just because so few people hae experienced it. I would be surprised if size would be more of an issue than on the 7DMT. Those seats already feel tight for me and I of average height and not overweight.

 

[FastPasser]

So, I think part of the whole discussion about who fits on FoP is mainly just because so few people have experienced it. I would be surprised if size would be more of an issue than on the 7DMT.

Agreed, although we're talking about very different parts of the body.

Those seats already feel tight for me and I of average height and not overweight.

I thought so too, and I'm below average height and certainly not overweight. Well, maybe by a few pounds.

 

[cigar95]

It does seem a bit disappointing that some people might not be able to do either new attraction .... and yes, I get the boats are small and unique, etc. - but we give Imagineering credit for building this amazing land that is so immersive, you are telling me they couldn't figure out how to make a smallish boat fit a wheelchair?

When the subs reopened at DLand a few years ago, the accommodation they made for wheelchairs was to build a booth next to the boarding area in which those guests could experience a "virtual ride". Seems something similar could be done for NRJ, and with the innovation that these imagineers have done, I have to think it could be quite immersive. I can see something similar being done for FoP. It wouldn't be the same as the full experience, but it's something - if they made the effort and if there's room for such a facility.

 

[JennLTX]

LOL.. clearly your priorities are not where they should be

You know, I wasn't going to say anything but now that you've pointed it out...


All kidding aside, I appreciate so much all the reports here, and how respectful everyone has been about keeping spoilers to a minimum. I'm so excited about this I can't EVEN.

 

[HopperFan]

So, I think part of the whole discussion about who fits on FoP is mainly just because so few people hae experienced it. I would be surprised if size would be more of an issue than on the 7DMT. Those seats already feel tight for me and I of average height and not overweight.

On the flip side, the fact that so few people have been on it, and yet there are multiple reports across sources, of folks being turned away from riding once they get to the vehicle ... MAY mean that the number of those who can't ride are more than any other Disney ride.

 

[Kindermouse]

I obviously have my fears about fitting on FoP, but I'm not going to complain about it until I actually try to ride it and am turned away. If there's just a small percentage of folks that can't ride, I'm fine with it (however unhappy I'll be if I'm in that group), as there's no way of accommodating everyone for everything.

Universal, however, really bothered me w/ the HP attractions because SO MANY people can't ride. 2/3 of Americans are overweight or obese. And many people are tall or busty. I saw so many people there (including me) who couldn't ride. That just doesn't seem right, especially because, as I said, I am able to fit on EVERY WDW ride. And I'm just scared that Disney saw that it didn't hurt Universal's bottom line and that it costs less to make less accommodating rides.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

I was feeling much the same as you are- a little nervous about not fitting and missing out but hopeful at least that most could ride. FJ was the first time it ever occurred to me that I might not fit on a ride one day. I did ride it and its not like I had to squeeze or hold my breath or anything but seeing the height of my over head restraint I realized that It may well not fit people too much larger than me and I was only a size 16 which, nowadays is only a little above average.

But I have been look at pictures of people who have ridden and the videos of people in the queue and it seem like size is a much smaller issue here than on FJ and plenty of people of varying size will be able to ride.

 

[FastPasser]

You know, I wasn't going to say anything but now that you've pointed it out.

They may have not been in the correct order. That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.

and how respectful everyone has been about keeping spoilers to a minimum.

And with that, I don't have to feel guilty about not doing a review. Take that Rteetz.

 

[AngiTN]

I was feeling much the same as you are- a little nervous about not fitting and missing out but hopeful at least that most could ride. FJ was the first time it ever occurred to me that I might not fit on a ride one day. I did ride it and its not like I had to squeeze or hold my breath or anything but seeing the height of my over head restraint I realized that It may well not fit people too much larger than me and I was only a size 16 which, nowadays is only a little above average.

But I have been look at pictures of people who have ridden and the videos of people in the queue and it seem like size is a much smaller issue here than on FJ and plenty of people of varying size will be able to ride.

Yeah, I think no matter how it works out with FoP more will be able to ride it than they do with FJ

 

[JennLTX]

And with that, I don't have to feel guilty about not doing a review. Take that Rteetz.

What I MEANT was I appreciate that when videos and pics have been posted, the majority have been with the spoiler tags. You are NOT off the hook for a review.