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

[PrincessV]

well here is the question I have. If you you have FP's which I do have them for both FOP and NRJ on different days do you still have to wait in line to enter Pandora?

No. There is a wide path at the Pandora entrance and they had it split in half: on one side was the standby wait queue. On the other was a line of CMs blocking the path and a little area to wait if you have FPs. When they called our FP time, we were able to walk through, and a second line of CMs scanned MBs to confirm FPs. We just walked right in once it was our FP time!

 

[River Country]

No. There is a wide path at the Pandora entrance and they had it split in half: on one side was the standby wait queue. On the other was a line of CMs blocking the path and a little area to wait if you have FPs. When they called our FP time, we were able to walk through, and a second line of CMs scanned MBs to confirm FPs. We just walked right in once it was our FP time!

OK thank you very much

 

[Canesfan3234]

Don't think you are in the minority(maybe a slight minority). Getting a lot of reviews that its visually stunning but too short with no story.

Also, about the room for improvement comment, a couple of people in the know have said there is a possible expansion planned with an additional E ticket ride. That should help spread the people more but with no announcement yet, I don't see it coming anytime before SW is done.

That doesn't surprise me. My guess would be that they wanted to see how the initial expansion does before adding to it. I think FoP is going to be a top 5 ride resort wide for the foreseeable future and will convince them that another Pandora E-ticket ride would be a good idea. Also agree that it won't happen until after Star Wars is in the finishing stages.

 

[TXMemaw]

How far back were you in the RD crowd? That's just staggering. I mean SOMEONE has to get to wait for zero minutes, right?

We arrived at the security check point at 7:40 am and were at the gates about 10 minutes later. They were already letting guests in so not sure how early you'd have to have been there to be first - but yep, I guess someone gets zero minutes! Lots of people passed us on the way to Pandora (I was using a wheelchair this weekend due to recent knee surgery). CM's just kept telling guests to please walk.

 

[anna0513]

We arrived at the security check point at 7:40 am and were at the gates about 10 minutes later. They were already letting guests in so not sure how early you'd have to have been there to be first - but yep, I guess someone gets zero minutes! Lots of people passed us on the way to Pandora (I was using a wheelchair this weekend due to recent knee surgery). CM's just kept telling guests to please walk.

Was it extra morning hours the day you went? Otherwise I don't understand why they were letting people in before opening time.

 

[BigredNole]

Very long standby times at AK. I hope it smooths out over the next couple of weeks. I have FPs for Pandora, but don't like 60 minute waits for other rides.

 

[elaine amj]

Was it extra morning hours the day you went? Otherwise I don't understand why they were letting people in before opening time.

Many of the parks open 20-30 mins before "official" opening time. e.g. DHS and Epcot both do this regularly. MK opens after the the welcome show at the Castle - so a few mins before official opening time. I am pretty sure I read that AK did the same over the past weekend. Smart move considering the crazy crowds!

 

[anna0513]

Many of the parks open 20-30 mins before "official" opening time. e.g. DHS and Epcot both do this regularly. MK opens after the the welcome show at the Castle - so a few mins before official opening time. I am pretty sure I read that AK did the same over the past weekend. Smart move considering the crazy crowds!

So I guess we need to be at the gate at 7:30 then. Its getting earlier and earlier. lol

 

[Camama]

Help with no fastpasses. AP holder staying offsite and unable to get FP for Pandora. Heading to AK on Friday (non morning EMH day) when park opens at 8. Unsure as to when we should get there. Was thinking 6am. I have read through a ton of these threads and could not find many that did not have a FP so I am having a hard time figuring out a strategy. Have they been letting people in earlier than opening time? If we were to get there at 6am when they "open" at 8 do you think we could do both rides in Pandora in 3 hours? Thanks in advance! I really appreciate it!

 

[PrincessV]

One more thing I thought of: I really regretted not hauling around my Good Camera (35mm). My iPhone just wasn't up to the task of capturing what I wanted, especially after dark. If you enjoy photography and have the space to spare, I highly recommend bringing your Good Camera! I definitely will next time.

 

[mommyboys3]

I was wondering if FoP is more like Soarin or StarTours. My DH gets queasy on simulator rides like ST so he avoids them but his favorite ride ever is Soarin. He has no problem with multiple rides on Soarin. For those that have been on FoP, would you say it's closer to ST or Soarin? Thanks!

 

[Canesfan3234]

Help with no fastpasses. AP holder staying offsite and unable to get FP for Pandora. Heading to AK on Friday (non morning EMH day) when park opens at 8. Unsure as to when we should get there. Was thinking 6am. I have read through a ton of these threads and could not find many that did not have a FP so I am having a hard time figuring out a strategy. Have they been letting people in earlier than opening time? If we were to get there at 6am when they "open" at 8 do you think we could do both rides in Pandora in 3 hours?

It seems they are letting people into the park before the official opening but not letting anyone into pandora until park opening. If your goal is to wait as little as possible, you need to be at the entrance by 6:00 IMO.

 

[anna0513]

Help with no fastpasses. AP holder staying offsite and unable to get FP for Pandora. Heading to AK on Friday (non morning EMH day) when park opens at 8. Unsure as to when we should get there. Was thinking 6am. I have read through a ton of these threads and could not find many that did not have a FP so I am having a hard time figuring out a strategy. Have they been letting people in earlier than opening time? If we were to get there at 6am when they "open" at 8 do you think we could do both rides in Pandora in 3 hours?

I think 6 is way early. It will be hot too to stand outside the gates for 2 hours. Someone just posted that they do open the gates a little early from time to time. I'm assuming they probably open them at 7:30 or so if it is scheduled to open at 8. I'm planning on getting there at 7:30 unless others tell me that is too late.

 

[Canesfan3234]

I was wondering if FoP is more like Soarin or StarTours. My DH gets queasy on simulator rides like ST so he avoids them but his favorite ride ever is Soarin. He has no problem with multiple rides on Soarin. For those that have been on FoP, would you say it's closer to ST or Soarin? Thanks!

I would say it is in between. It is more "thrilling" than soarin, but the movements aren't as "jerky" as Star Tours. Your husband should be fine

 

[TXMemaw]

Was it extra morning hours the day you went? Otherwise I don't understand why they were letting people in before opening time.

Sunday was not EMH but the park did open at 8 and I think that I remember reading that they start letting guests in a little earlier than that. I don't know what time they actually started letting guests in, but I do know that when we got to the tapstiles at 7:50, guests were already going in. We visit WDW 3-4 times per year, but rarely (if ever) make it to park openings unless we have a tour so I'm not really sure if this was just because of the large crowds this weekend or if that's the norm.

 

[anna0513]

Sunday was not EMH but the park did open at 8 and I think that I remember reading that they start letting guests in a little earlier than that. I don't know what time they actually started letting guests in, but I do know that when we got to the tapstiles at 7:50, guests were already going in. We visit WDW 3-4 times per year, but rarely (if ever) make it to park openings unless we have a tour so I'm not really sure if this was just because of the large crowds this weekend or if that's the norm.

Were there a ton of people already inside when you got there at 7:50?

 

[TXMemaw]

One more thing I thought of: I really regretted not hauling around my Good Camera (35mm). My iPhone just wasn't up to the task of capturing what I wanted, especially after dark. If you enjoy photography and have the space to spare, I highly recommend bringing your Good Camera! I definitely will next time.

Agree with this 100%! I was really glad that I had my good camera with me. Those pics are much better than the one's I got on my phone especially in the evening.

 

[tinydancr06]

This is such a great thread! Thank you to everyone who's been contributing such great info!

I've been trying to keep up so I'm sorry if my question has already been covered but how has parking been for the night EMH? My husband and I are going for a short trip in two weeks and have a lot to squeeze in in a short time period. For one day we have FoP and other AK FPs earlier in the day and then I was thinking of heading over to MK to catch Happily Ever After before heading back to AK for EMH to see Pandora at night and hopefully ride NRJ. I'm wondering if this is crazy and if we'll have trouble finding parking. We're WDW pros but trying to see all the exciting new stuff in just a few days is throwing my planning off.

 

[OhStuffandFluff]

The lines are longer than normal due to people going to AK for Pandora but bailing on that plan upon seeing the line. Assuming you can get Fast passes for the main non-pandora rides you should still be able to do everything you want to do in AK that isn't pandora.

Thank you for this info! We do want to do the other non-Pandora stuff and have a fast pass for the safari, EE, and Navi River ride. So hopefully we will still get to walk around Pandora, but also enjoy the other sights and sounds of AK!

 

[BigredNole]

To go along with this "early" question, it was my understanding the parking lot did not open until an hour before park opening. How many hours early can you get through the parking gates?