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

[Jfine]

FP: Based on what I can see around 4th of July, there is already limited fp for FOP and quite a bit more for NRJ. It looks like FOP has one time slot for July 2 (as of this AM). At 60 days out (before ap/dvc previews though) there was no issue with reservations, but I am hearing some stories of people making fp under 60 days and not able to get FOP. If anyone is making fp under 60 days, I'd try for FOP before making other reservations. I think with all the hype about FOP, that will have a long stand by and fp will be the first to go.

 

[rteetz]

Here is @WebmasterJackie interview about the seating issues.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/some-unable-to-meet-restrictions-for-new-avatar-themed-disney-ride

 

[Flametamr]

BuckeyeBama we are in the same situation as you were I think. We were given some Pixie Dust by guest relations and got our reservation for tomorrow night 6-8 pm. I have two emails about the confirmation but as of now it's still not showing in our MDE. Who did you see about getting your's fixed ?

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Here is @WebmasterJackie interview about the seating issues.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/some-unable-to-meet-restrictions-for-new-avatar-themed-disney-ride

I'd be as frustrated as anyone else if I couldn't ride, but I think this is an unreasonable standard: "I hope they can get it to where they can just make it more adaptable for everyone and all body types".

If the rates of people not able to ride turned out to be as high as this anecdotal account claims, then I would think some adjustments would be in order. But no one should expect them to make EVERY ride accessible to EVERYONE on the planet.

 

[FastPasser.]

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?

Over the last two days, guests began to be allowed in at 5:15 and 5:05. The tail end of the line was in by about 5:30. Some people were in line by 4:30, but to me that's too early. It's hot, sunny, and you're assured of getting in no matter when your arrive. As long as the rides were up, everyone was able to do both rides no matter when they got in.

If you're first in line will you be the first in line for FoP? Not necessarily as many people from previous sessions will still be inside when you enter. They don't do a hard close after each session and you're not required to leave except for the last time slot.

 

[AngiTN]

Did they add more AP Preview sessions and I missed an announcement about them? I thought they were originally only on the weekend. Granted, it may be that I only looked at the weekend dates as we couldn't make weekday anyway

 

[FastPasser.]

BuckeyeBama we are in the same situation as you were I think. Who did you see about getting your's fixed ?

Guest relations at the Pandora entrance.

If the rates of people not able to ride turned out to be as high as this anecdotal account claims

I'm not buying those numbers. I've seen hundreds of some really big people that were able to ride FoP. And I've talked to some not so big people that weren't.

Did they add more AP Preview sessions and I missed an announcement about them? I thought they were originally only on the weekend. Granted, it may be that I only looked at the weekend dates as we couldn't make weekday anyway

The DVC sessions have been at 9-11 every day during the AP/DVC previews. Having said that, GR has made exceptions and have been accommodating some DVC guests who couldn't make it during the 9-11 DVC time slot.

 

[wilkeliza]

Guest relations at the Pandora entrance.
I'm not buying those numbers. I've seen hundreds of some really big people that were able to ride FoP. And I've talked to some not so big people that weren't.
The DVC sessions have been at 9-11 every day during the AP/DVC previews. Having said that, GR has made exceptions and have been accommodating some DVC guests who couldn't make it during the 9-11 DVC time slot.

I'll add to your experience. While I don't think Jackie is lying I don't think it is nearly as bad as 7 people out of 32. We were in a pod of 16 with many people of different body shapes and sizes and all of us got to ride. This includes someone who had limited mobility and was big. Yes 7 seats were unoccupied but it is possible that maybe 1 in the other group was unable to ride and their whole family unloaded out of support. We don't know how many actually couldn't ride and how many left on their own. Also an empty seat does not automatically equal a rider who couldn't ride. Some of the seats were having issues and they get taken out so the ride can still run but they just don't load that specific seat. Unless you see the person leaving there is no way to know for sure why a seat was empty.

 

[rteetz]

Apparently there will be a nighttime lighting ceremony

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2017/05/detai...dora-world-off-avatar-disneys-animal-kingdom/

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I'll add to your experience. While I don't think Jackie is lying I don't think it is nearly as bad as 7 people out of 32. We were in a pod of 16 with many people of different body shapes and sizes and all of us got to ride. This includes someone who had limited mobility and was big. Yes 7 seats were unoccupied but it is possible that maybe 1 in the other group was unable to ride and their whole family unloaded out of support. We don't know how many actually couldn't ride and how many left on their own. Also an empty seat does not automatically equal a rider who couldn't ride. Some of the seats were having issues and they get taken out so the ride can still run but they just don't load that specific seat. Unless you see the person leaving there is no way to know for sure why a seat was empty.

I definitely think that could be part of it - especially if children were involved. So fully agree with you, I am sure Jackie is right in how many seats were empty/people were led out of the room, but doesn't necessarily mean ll those people had issues fitting

That said, even if it is just the public perception of the issue (that is is much more significant than perhaps it is in reality) Disney will need to address it - and hopefully reports come out after opening day that CMs were great and got 99.9% of people to fit, etc.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Apparently there will be a nighttime lighting ceremony

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2017/05/detai...dora-world-off-avatar-disneys-animal-kingdom/

oh good to know that it will be at 8pm every night. Makes me think of Car Land how when the turn the lights on it is a bit of an event each day and something cool to see happen

 

[aviva5675]

Interesting that perspective of the ride might be different depending what level you are on. I was taken to B3 both times, and thought was in the same capsule/area... but when we got off the first time we were told we were on 4 go to 3 to exit, second time we were on 5 and signs said to go to 2 to exit. Our first exit led shortly to the store, the 2d a long maze of outside exiting and eventually to the store. I thought my second ride felt more wind, water, smells... but put that down to either a slight glitch in first ride, or me paying less attention to mechanics second time around. Also, our 2d pre-show was different than the first, so wonder if they rotate or are different in different capsules.

 

[ashleyrm]

Over the last two days, guests began to be allowed in at 5:15 and 5:05. The tail end of the line was in by about 5:30. Some people were in line by 4:30, but to me that's too early. It's hot, sunny, and you're assured of getting in no matter when your arrive. As long as the rides were up, everyone was able to do both rides no matter when they got in.

If you're first in line will you be the first in line for FoP? Not necessarily as many people from previous sessions will still be inside when you enter. They don't do a hard close after each session and you're not required to leave except for the last time slot.

Thanks for the info. I've been hearing reports that at some time slots people have not been getting FP for FoP. Also heard that Saturday has sessions for AP/DVC/D23 and Media. Anyone know if that is all at the same time? I have the 6-8 slot on Saturday and am concerned that it may be more crowded due to people hanging around from earlier time slots and increased "groups" of people being included.

 

[ashleyrm]

Did they add more AP Preview sessions and I missed an announcement about them? I thought they were originally only on the weekend. Granted, it may be that I only looked at the weekend dates as we couldn't make weekday anyway

I thought the same thing. Hmmmm.

 

[starjazz]

Short of going through this whole thread, could someone easily link me to photos and/or video of the new rides and queues? I'd greatly appreciate having a look see! Thanks!

 

[rteetz]

Short of going through this whole thread, could someone easily link me to photos and/or video of the new rides and queues? I'd greatly appreciate having a look see! Thanks!

There are photos and video on the first page. There is one video of FoP online but I will not post that here.

 

[CarolynFH]

Did they add more AP Preview sessions and I missed an announcement about them? I thought they were originally only on the weekend. Granted, it may be that I only looked at the weekend dates as we couldn't make weekday anyway

I thought the same thing. Hmmmm.

We found out about the AP previews the day they were announced, and when we called to register were told there would be sessions from May 13 to 21 or 22, at 12-2, 3-5 & 6-8. We signed up that day for 6-8 on Friday 5/19. So I think the weekdays were available from the beginning.

 

[adamreisinger]

I just got to WDW and have my Pandora preview spots set for Saturday (9-11 DVC, 12-2 D23). As someone more Baloo-sized than Pooh-sized (56" waist on a good day) my expectation is set that I won't fit on Flight of Passage, but I'm at least going to make the attempt. Worst case is I don't fit, and I wasted half a hour or so of my time, and I maybe even get a sense of how much weight I have to lose before I can fit -- and I've already started my weight loss plan in an attempt to be lighter on my feet for my December trip.

 

[AngiTN]

I just got to WDW and have my Pandora preview spots set for Saturday (9-11 DVC, 12-2 D23). As someone more Baloo-sized than Pooh-sized (56" waist on a good day) my expectation is set that I won't fit on Flight of Passage, but I'm at least going to make the attempt. Worst case is I don't fit, and I wasted half a hour or so of my time, and I maybe even get a sense of how much weight I have to lose before I can fit -- and I've already started my weight loss plan in an attempt to be lighter on my feet for my December trip.

I'm going in with more or less the same plan. I am going to try. If I fit, I fit. If I don't, I don't. DH is doing the same. DGD is 9 so she will ride no matter what, thank goodness. We have a FP so we aren't wasting tons of time. If it turns out we can ride then we know we will spend time later in the trip to ride stand by

Unless the have the test seat installed and working well before opening day

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I just got to WDW and have my Pandora preview spots set for Saturday (9-11 DVC, 12-2 D23). As someone more Baloo-sized than Pooh-sized (56" waist on a good day) my expectation is set that I won't fit on Flight of Passage, but I'm at least going to make the attempt. Worst case is I don't fit, and I wasted half a hour or so of my time, and I maybe even get a sense of how much weight I have to lose before I can fit -- and I've already started my weight loss plan in an attempt to be lighter on my feet for my December trip.

Would love to hear your take after your sessions, especially the D23 one