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

[Juliet0778]

Has anyone gotten a toy Banshee yet? I'm just curious about what they actually do and whether they're worth 50 bucks.

 

[Lost Yeti]

Since they are having technical difficulties, our group got locked in, and then were left waiting, and waiting for quite a few minutes. A woman in the next room quietly began calling out for a cast member to please let her out. As the minutes passed she began shrieking. So I can see people with claustrophobia having issues if the ride doesn't start quickly

That's scary. I would hope there is some kind of manual release in a situation like that.

I haven't ridden the ride myself, but I would think someone who has moderate/severe claustrophobia would want to avoid riding right now since the ride has a relatively high chance of technical difficulties at the moment.

 

[Liljo22]

Has anyone gotten a toy Banshee yet? I'm just curious about what they actually do and whether they're worth 50 bucks.

If you go back a couple of pages, one of the posters "unboxed" one for everyone. The movement is controlled by you via a wired nonelectric remote.

 

[Lost Yeti]

Has anyone gotten a toy Banshee yet? I'm just curious about what they actually do and whether they're worth 50 bucks.

Go here. Someone posted pictures and there is a short video on that page as well.

 

[emmabelle]

Since they are having technical difficulties, our group got locked in, and then were left waiting, and waiting for quite a few minutes. A woman in the next room quietly began calling out for a cast member to please let her out. As the minutes passed she began shrieking. So I can see people with claustrophobia having issues if the ride doesn't start quickly

eeek, not sure what to do now...

could she walk through to where the ride vehicles are and then bail out? The pictures of the queue looked cool, would hate for her to miss that part.

 

[Cinderella94]

eeek, not sure what to do now...

could she walk through to where the ride vehicles are and then bail out? The pictures of the queue looked cool, would hate for her to miss that part.

I don't know if it's set up for this or not so it may not be encouraged but I can't imagine that they would force someone to sit down on the ride vehicle if they change their mind and want to leave.

 

[Juliet0778]

Go here. Someone posted pictures and there is a short video on that page as well.

Thanks guys! I'd still love to hear from other DIS folks on whether they feel tgey were worth the investment. Keep the reviews coming!

 

[twebber55]

I don't know if it's set up for this or not so it may not be encouraged but I can't imagine that they would force someone to sit down on the ride vehicle if they change their mind and want to leave.

when i rode, a guy sat down and before we started asked to get off
they (the cms) came and got him

 

[wilkeliza]

eeek, not sure what to do now...

could she walk through to where the ride vehicles are and then bail out? The pictures of the queue looked cool, would hate for her to miss that part.

All rides have a chicken exit. If she feels like it is too much she can walk through the room of banshee connectors and just keep going then she can wait in the gift shop.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

I'm surprised those Banshee's are only $50. I spent $99 for the remote control BB-8 I think, and this is a lot bigger than that. I thought these would have been at least that much especially since they are really popular.

 

[Lost Yeti]

eeek, not sure what to do now...

could she walk through to where the ride vehicles are and then bail out? The pictures of the queue looked cool, would hate for her to miss that part.

Earlier in the thread, I believe someone mentioned that anyone could tour the queue. Unfortunately, I can't remember where in this thread that was stated.

 

[wilkeliza]

Thanks guys! I'd still love to hear from other DIS folks on whether they feel tgey were worth the investment. Keep the reviews coming!

I mean only you can answer. I got mine and have played with him. He won't be making the journey back to Pandora later this year (well maybe we will see hehe) because the carrying cases aren't great they are just cardboard boxes.

Here's mine on his perch in a safe location for now.

 

[KayKayJS]

That's scary. I would hope there is some kind of manual release in a situation like that.

I haven't ridden the ride myself, but I would think someone who has moderate/severe claustrophobia would want to avoid riding right now since the ride has a relatively high chance of technical difficulties at the moment.

This was exactly my issue. We were waiting and waiting and waiting so long and it was so tight I nearly had to get off... there was no manual release and it freaked me out. For someone with anxiety (I don't have claustrophobia but this definitely induced it...) , I nearly had a panic attack. My fiance did call for a cast member and they finally came... and she then said it was going to start in a few seconds if I could wait. So I did and it was worth it... but I def will need to mentally prep myself next time and try to give myself a bit more space and not let them jam me in there so hard.

It's a great ride, but if you have any anxiety/claustrophobia issues its definitely worth taking a pause.

In the survey from Disney I did mention this, hopefully they add a panic button. I think just having it would've eased my anxiety a LOT.

 

[wilkeliza]

This was exactly my issue. We were waiting and waiting and waiting so long and it was so tight I nearly had to get off... there was no manual release and it freaked me out. For someone with anxiety (I don't have claustrophobia but this definitely induced it...) , I nearly had a panic attack. My fiance did call for a cast member and they finally came... and she then said it was going to start in a few seconds if I could wait. So I did and it was worth it... but I def will need to mentally prep myself next time and try to give myself a bit more space and not let them jam me in there so hard.

It's a great ride, but if you have any anxiety/claustrophobia issues its definitely worth taking a pause.

In the survey from Disney I did mention this, hopefully they add a panic button. I think just having it would've eased my anxiety a LOT.

I think the problem with a panic button is it is not safe to exit once the ride has started. Also a panic button causes an estop and an estop means delays. Rides can not start up automatically once an estop happens. I imagine there is video so CMs can check on riders in case there is a real emergency but beyond that people will have to either deal with their claustrophobia or choose not to ride. Kind of like a roller coaster once you are in the restraint there is no turning back.

 

[Cinderella94]

I think the problem with a panic button is it is not safe to exit once the ride has started. Also a panic button causes an estop and an estop means delays. Rides can not start up automatically once an estop happens. I imagine there is video so CMs can check on riders in case there is a real emergency but beyond that people will have to either deal with their claustrophobia or choose not to ride. Kind of like a roller coaster once you are in the restraint there is no turning back.

I agree. I certainly understand the desire for a panic button but I think implementing one would be a disaster.

 

[KayKayJS]

I think the problem with a panic button is it is not safe to exit once the ride has started. Also a panic button causes an estop and an estop means delays. Rides can not start up automatically once an estop happens. I imagine there is video so CMs can check on riders in case there is a real emergency but beyond that people will have to either deal with their claustrophobia or choose not to ride. Kind of like a roller coaster once you are in the restraint there is no turning back.

True, but I was in there WAY tighter than I have been for a roller coaster...

ETA: I'm 5'2 and about 105lbs - for those wondering about size.

 

[Juliet0778]

I mean only you can answer. I got mine and have played with him. He won't be making the journey back to Pandora later this year (well maybe we will see hehe) because the carrying cases aren't great they are just cardboard boxes.

Here's mine on his perch in a safe location for now.

I LOVE that he's sharing space with Dr. Who, though.

 

[ziravan]

Has anyone gotten a toy Banshee yet? I'm just curious about what they actually do and whether they're worth 50 bucks.

There are essentially 5 actions:

1. There's a magnet base that goes under your shirt that the banshee sits on and the front and back claws are semi-flexible so that they can be positioned to hold on. In that way, the banshee can sit on your shoulder without you've having to touch it or balance it.

2. One control on the controller opens and shut mouth.

3. One control moves head left or right.

4. One control flaps wings.

5. It growls and snarls at a very low volume. This is the only part battery operated.

As far as value, I paid the same amount for a HP wand, and except for at Universal, it doesn't do much. So.......

 

[wilkeliza]

True, but I was in there WAY tighter than I have been for a roller coaster...

ETA: I'm 5'2 and about 105lbs - for those wondering about size.

Oh yeah I was tighter too. That's why I think people should know they have no say in how tight the restraint is before sitting down (seems clear to me in the preshow videos) and then make the choice before sitting to load.

 

[wilkeliza]

There are essentially 5 actions:

1. There's a magnet base that goes under your shirt that the banshee sits on and the front and back claws are semi-flexible so that they can be positioned to hold on. In that way, the banshee can sit on your shoulder without you've having to touch it or balance it.

2. One control on the controller opens and shut mouth.

3. One control moves head left or right.

4. One control flaps wings.

5. It growls and snarls at a very low volume. This is the only part battery operated.

My growl seems so much louder at home. So it has been nice to hear my banshee.