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

[FastPasser.]

That's not too far off from what I did, and it worked.

It was nice to meet you.

 

[FastPasser.]

The big development today, and as a PP alluded to it, no return time, aka FP. FoP is running well enough that everyone who enters Pandora can just go to the Standby Que and experience FoP. That being the case, it's not necessary to line up early to enter Pandora.

 

[wilkeliza]

There are only a handful of CMs facilitating the entry process. I'll be among the first you see when you approach the courtyard area where check-in occurs. We're not Pandora CMs, so we have the standard WDW name tag and not the Pandora name tags.
Due to the social media policy for CMs, I actually will not and do not post any insider info. It's all available to any website, and there are many, that have access to the internal CM website. I just get to see it before they do.
As Beesly said, it worked for her. She found me and we had a nice chat before and after her preview.
It poured last Sat. too. Just embrace the experience.
My favorite resort and also my first assignment as a CM 100 years ago.
I'll be there.
The 8 seats are mounted on a articulating platform inside the room which is separate from the room enclosure. That's where the motion occurs. If you look back after the initial drop, you'll see that the platform has dropped about 2 feet, see fuzzy photo.

Wow! Thanks for the blurry photo! I've been on it and still am amazed as we find out more and more how it works.

 

[beesly]

It was nice to meet you.

It was nice to meet you, too! I'm glad to hear everything ran smoothly again today!

 

[hickorysss]

I found an annual passholder t-shirt during the preview tonight, but I was wondering if anyone has seen any merchandise specifically for dvc members during the dvc previews

 

[rteetz]

The big development today, and as a PP alluded to it, no return time, aka FP. FoP is running well enough that everyone who enters Pandora can just go to the Standby Que and experience FoP. That being the case, it's not necessary to line up early to enter Pandora.

Any idea what the cycle times were running at? If everything worked better today it would Ben interesting to see how close they were to their expected capacity numbers.

 

[wilkeliza]

I found an annual passholder t-shirt during the preview tonight, but I was wondering if anyone has seen any merchandise specifically for dvc members during the dvc previews

I didn't see any DVC stuff just passholder.

 

[Stitch813]

What are everyone's thoughts on which to fastpass? Thinking will FP the river journey and rope drop FOP since the queue looks amazing!

 

[kmc8826]

I have the passholder preview for Friday. I had kept on this thread (mostly) but now here looks like some recent developments.

So our preview is 3-5. If I plan on being there by 2:30 is that ok? Super early now not as necessary?

We are a party of 6 but I have the preview booked for 7. Wrinkle is that 4 of us have AP's, but the other 2 here are my parents and they do not. (The other 3 booked is one for DH not here and because the system reserved them because of AP certificates I had in my account. I didn't even realize it until it was done and I couldn't modify). Should I bother to have my parents try to come in with us or just have the 4 of us (me and the three girls with AP's who can just scan our bands and have it come up). An help would be appreciated. Hopefully that makes some sense.

 

[wilkeliza]

I have the passholder preview for Friday. I had kept on this thread (mostly) but now here looks like some recent developments.

So our preview is 3-5. If I plan on being there by 2:30 is that ok? Super early now not as necessary?

We are a party of 6 but I have the preview booked for 7. Wrinkle is that 4 of us have AP's, but the other 2 here are my parents and they do not. (The other 3 booked is one for DH not here and because the system reserved them because of AP certificates I had in my account. I didn't even realize it until it was done and I couldn't modify). Should I bother to have my parents try to come in with us or just have the 4 of us (me and the three girls with AP's who can just scan our bands and have it come up). An help would be appreciated. Hopefully that makes some sense.

Whose name is showing under the FPs? Your big issue may be that now your AP vouchers are assigned to those guests and if they use them in any way they can't be transfered to someone else.

 

[ImagineerTHAT]

There are only a handful of CMs facilitating the entry process. I'll be among the first you see when you approach the courtyard area where check-in occurs. We're not Pandora CMs, so we have the standard WDW name tag and not the Pandora name tags.
Due to the social media policy for CMs, I actually will not and do not post any insider info. It's all available to any website, and there are many, that have access to the internal CM website. I just get to see it before they do.
As Beesly said, it worked for her. She found me and we had a nice chat before and after her preview.
It poured last Sat. too. Just embrace the experience.
My favorite resort and also my first assignment as a CM 100 years ago.
I'll be there.
The 8 seats are mounted on a articulating platform inside the room which is separate from the room enclosure. That's where the motion occurs. If you look back after the initial drop, you'll see that the platform has dropped about 2 feet, see fuzzy photo.

Great info, thanks! I was wondering how the platform disconnected from the main structure. So it looks like there are hydraulics under each platform, and as the main door swings back, the platforms disengage from the main structure and show the screen simultaneously. Not a super unique design, but with all the elements it seems pretty impressive!

 

[FastPasser.]

Any idea what the cycle times were running at? If everything worked better today it would Ben interesting to see how close they were to their expected capacity numbers.

And that's the down side of not issuing return time tickets in 15 minute blocks, the Standby Que can be longer. I've heard of hour waits at some points because it's the more popular ride and people are doing it more than once.

So our preview is 3-5. If I plan on being there by 2:30 is that ok? Super early now not as necessary?

As long as FoP operates as it has been, 30 minutes before your session is good. They'll be little to no line by that time. All bets are off if it's not. AFAIK, all guests wanting to ride it, have, beginning last Sunday.

We are a party of 6 but I have the preview booked for 7. Wrinkle is that 4 of us have AP's, but the other 2 here are my parents and they do not. (The other 3 booked is one for DH not here and because the system reserved them because of AP certificates I had in my account. Should I bother to have my parents try to come in with us

They've been very flexible regarding situations like yours. There are Guest Relations CMs at the entrance dealing with glitches in guest's reservations. They don't want to break up families and as long as it's legit, I'm confident you'll be fine.

So it looks like there are hydraulics under each platform, and as the main door swings back, the platforms disengage from the main structure and show the screen simultaneously. Not a super unique design, but with all the elements it seems pretty impressive!

Yup, mechanically, nothing earth shattering. It's the combination of fairly compact motion simulators plus a perfectly synced 3D movie with a few environmental special effects thrown in.

 

[HydroGuy]

What are everyone's thoughts on which to fastpass? Thinking will FP the river journey and rope drop FOP since the queue looks amazing!

It seems that most are concluding FOP will be more popular and to me that means use FP on FOP. Then RD the NRJ ride.

 

[FastPasser.]

It seems that most are concluding FOP will be more popular and to me that means use FP on FOP. Then RD the NRJ ride

And it's not even close. NRJ has been a walk-on to a short wait just about every day. And considering the small number of people allowed in, FoP without a FP can have a fairly decent wait.

 

[Stitch813]

And it's not even close. NRJ has been a walk-on to a short wait just about every day. And considering the small number of people allowed in, FoP without a FP can have a fairly decent wait.

I'm sure once it's open to the public and not just CM and passholder previews NRJ will have a long wait as well....especially since there are no restrictions for that ride. I'm sure both will be crazy lol.

 

[CAS239]

Testing for a job tomorrow morning then I'll be on my way up there! Hoping FoP stays operating smoothly and no FP slips are needed

 

[aviva5675]

I only went yesterday but if they are letting people in an hour before (at 11 for a 12:00 slot ie) and you want a short wait for FOP, I'd still go half hour before (1030 in this example)...we were close to front, and were able to walk right to FOP and literally right on. When we went back for 2d ride 45 minutes later there was a short line but due to a glitch in the ride we waited about 25 minutes before riding...

After thinking more about FOP I'd say it is hard to describe how immersive it was. If you can suspend thoughts of wearing glasses, being next to others, don't think about did the seat drop down, etc, you can get really enthralled and feel the experience... Unless you are super into the details of the mechanics, try at least your first time, to just let yourself experience it.

The 'strobes' were quick and not intense. When you see the avatar link connect close your eyes if you feel like you want to avoid them. There are some, fewer, at the end.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

First, thanks for all of the information and help offered in this thread. My wife and I attended the event last night and here is a synopsis of our experience:

• We got there at 4:10 for the 5:00 event (6-8 PM)
• We were among the first few people in line, but the line really started to build at about 4:25.
• The event never appeared in MDE for us, so I approached a CM and asked to get this sorted out before we attempted to enter Pandora.
• It was a good thing that I had my email proving my reservation, because we were not in the system (Note - we were one of the families that got a confirmation page but not the email. Our email came from Guest Relations after phone calls, not the "regular" way).
• Because I had the email (which had the dates/times), he added it to MDE and we were set.
• As others have said - no paper FoP FP for our group. Standby line only.
• We went straight to FoP. Standby wait time said 60 minutes. It only took 30 minutes, so this was a pleasant surprise.
  
• Got off and saw the wait time posted at 30 minutes so we jumped back in the line. This time it took us 94 minutes, but the ride was worth it.
• Then we rode the river ride. No line at all. Walked right up and were put into a boat by ourselves. It was awesome, but very short (to me).
• We headed over toward the store and saw the posted wait time at 10 minutes. It was almost 8:00, so we decided to risk another longer line. Walked straight up to the loading area. It took 10 minutes because that is how long it takes at a fast walk to go through the entire queue.

So, one river ride and 3 FoP rides. Wow! Each ride was on a different loading level, and each felt different because of the difference in what is in your field of vision at the different heights in the theater. Others have covered the ride details so I'll just say that for us it is the best ride that Disney has ever produced and we have experienced WDW together for 30+ years.

Special note - after the last ride, when we were exiting the attraction, my wife had a low blood sugar (Type 1 diabetic). The stores were all closed (it was now after 8pm), but one of the CMs working in the store at the end of line exiting the ride gave me a Powerade for her since the registers were shut down. He had no way to charge me so would not take money, and CMs kept checking with us until she was okay. Scary moment, but the CMs were awesome! So thankful for the helpful people working the attraction.

 

[Dashcomplete]

@FastPasser. Thanks! Perhaps, I should have said "thanks for all the info from the front line!"

Just curious, but are guests still being admitted to the area earlier than their previously scheduled time as prior guests have reported? i.e. is it worth getting in line around 4:30pm with hopes of being let in around 5pm?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

First, thanks for all of the information and help offered in this thread. My wife and I attended the event last night and here is a synopsis of our experience:

• We got there at 4:10 for the 5:00 event (6-8 PM)
• We were among the first few people in line, but the line really started to build at about 4:25.
• The event never appeared in MDE for us, so I approached a CM and asked to get this sorted out before we attempted to enter Pandora.
• It was a good thing that I had my email proving my reservation, because we were not in the system (Note - we were one of the families that got a confirmation page but not the email. Our email came from Guest Relations after phone calls, not the "regular" way).
• Because I had the email (which had the dates/times), he added it to MDE and we were set.
• As others have said - no paper FoP FP for our group. Standby line only.
• We went straight to FoP. Standby wait time said 60 minutes. It only took 30 minutes, so this was a pleasant surprise.
  
• Got off and saw the wait time posted at 30 minutes so we jumped back in the line. This time it took us 94 minutes, but the ride was worth it.
• Then we rode the river ride. No line at all. Walked right up and were put into a boat by ourselves. It was awesome, but very short (to me).
• We headed over toward the store and saw the posted wait time at 10 minutes. It was almost 8:00, so we decided to risk another longer line. Walked straight up to the loading area. It took 10 minutes because that is how long it takes at a fast walk to go through the entire queue.

So, one river ride and 3 FoP rides. Wow! Each ride was on a different loading level, and each felt different because of the difference in what is in your field of vision at the different heights in the theater. Others have covered the ride details so I'll just say that for us it is the best ride that Disney has ever produced and we have experienced WDW together for 30+ years.

Special note - after the last ride, when we were exiting the attraction, my wife had a low blood sugar (Type 1 diabetic). The stores were all closed (it was now after 8pm), but one of the CMs working in the store at the end of line exiting the ride gave me a Powerade for her since the registers were shut down. He had no way to charge me so would not take money, and CMs kept checking with us until she was okay. Scary moment, but the CMs were awesome! So thankful for the helpful people working the attraction.

Thank you for the great feedback - very interesting about the experience of the ride being a bit different depending on what level you are on. Also glad to hear about the great CMs you encountered at the end!