Slightly disappointed in flight of passage

[anna08]

I am an admitted big fan of Avatar and Disney, but was really underwhelmed by Pandora. Thought after 6 years this would be the greatest Disney project yet, but I'm nowhere near that emotion. Don't even feel the need to take my family who couldn't attend the next time we are in Orlando. The animatronics of the Navi person on the river ride were outstanding, but that was the only part that I thought was new or novel. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I don't see any reason to attend AK or DHS in next few years, at least until Star Wars land opens.

 

[OSUPhantom]

I will have to disagree. I felt Flight of Passage was amazing. Incredibly immersive and breathtaking.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I wonder how many Disney fans would be so ga-ga over Pandora if it was built exactly the same but at Universal.

 

[book_junkie]

I think part of the issue is that, like the Dino area in AK, Disney has lost the story in Pandora. We rode the River Ride and were surrounded by people who didn't realise that it's supposed to be however many years AFTER the last movie- they're looking for the people from the one they knew.
The FoP was amazing- the second time- because the breathing and heartbeats actually worked. First time one side was out of sync with the other, it kept buzzing before loading, etc. We didn't wait long on out FP (8 pm) but they were definitely having issues with it that time. 6 years and one month, not sure it should be malfunctioning already.

 

[rteetz]

Star Wars Land was delayed because Iger wanted it to be strongly related to the new SW movies, more than the originals.

Have any evidence of that? This new land isn't tied to the new movies. It's tied to them all.

 

[rteetz]

What I read was that Rowling wanted a Potter land, and Disney wanted to build just a ride. And negotiations were going too slowly, so she just decided to go to Universal. She walked out with a deal the very same day. Maybe Disney has too much bureaucracy and red tape.

That ls not the case. Disney wanted control and Rowling didn't want that. Rowling wanted creative control and Disney didn't want to do that.

 

[AngiTN]

I am an admitted big fan of Avatar and Disney, but was really underwhelmed by Pandora. Thought after 6 years this would be the greatest Disney project yet, but I'm nowhere near that emotion. Don't even feel the need to take my family who couldn't attend the next time we are in Orlando. The animatronics of the Navi person on the river ride were outstanding, but that was the only part that I thought was new or novel. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I don't see any reason to attend AK or DHS in next few years, at least until Star Wars land opens.

What an interesting POV. I felt that was the one thing that wasn't new or novel. It was outstanding, don't get me wrong. I loved it. But animatronics are something Disney has done well. Groundbreaking for years. So I didn't see her as new or novel for that reason.

 

[Juliet0778]

Star Wars Land was delayed because Iger wanted it to be strongly related to the new SW movies, more than the originals.

But back to FOP. If you go in with sky high expectations (no pun intended) it's hard for any ride to live up to that. Whenever I experience a new ride or land, I go in with one thought in mind: I hope I'll like it. That's it, that's all. It doesn't have to be the greatest thing ever. I never respond very much to hype. I hope it'll be good, and I hope I'll like it. Try it with an open mind; you won't often be disappointed.

True. I went into the River Journey not expecting much because so many people bashed it, and I really, really liked it. I think if you don't expect the moon, it's easier to be impressed.

 

[dbavis]

We rode FoP and NRJ twice last week. I can't imagine waiting for more than 15 minutes to ride NRJ again. Our FoP rides were both via FP but i could see waiting some time for that ride. The difference for me is that FoP is a really cool ride where NRJ was just a fairly short boat ride themed to something that I don't care about.

FoP is a great ride. A generation or two newer take on Soarin. We rode Soarin a day or two later and it felt different/less after riding FoP.

 

[Davey Jones II]

What about the land itself? Is it beautiful at night? (We will be there at the end of October).

 

[bryanb]

What about the land itself? Is it beautiful at night? (We will be there at the end of October).

It is beautiful but it is so dark. Several people in my group and strangers remarked how one had to stumble around in the darkness before they got used to it. I can see why: they wanted to lighting effects to a maximum impact.

That ls not the case. Disney wanted control and Rowling didn't want that. Rowling wanted creative control and Disney didn't want to do that.

Rowling's control turned out to create an excellent result, as painful as that was for anyone who was going to work with her. She clearly cares deeply about the worlds she created.

 

[BigredNole]

That was my initial thoughts before getting there and riding it. Not once are you ever told you are riding a banshee. You are making a virtual connection to an Avatar that is riding the banshee.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

That was my initial thoughts before getting there and riding it. Not once are you ever told you are riding a banshee. You are making a virtual connection to an Avatar that is riding the banshee.

I can certainly see how given Disney's marketing on this ride people would expect to be riding a banshee... no?

 

[DisBuckMan]

Not once are you ever told you are riding a banshee. You are making a virtual connection to an Avatar that is riding the banshee.

Unless you read almost anything regarding the ride. Direct from Disney's website:

Fly on the back of a mountain banshee during an exhilarating, 3D ride above this vast moon, only at Pandora – The World of Avatar. /QUOTE]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/avatar-flight-of-passage/

 

[dbavis]

You certainly have the feeling of flight on the ride. I didn't feel like l was missing anything by not having the back of the banshee's head in front of me.

 

[BigredNole]

Unless you read almost anything regarding the ride. Direct from Disney's website:



https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/avatar-flight-of-passage/

Watch the video in the ride queue and you are told what it is.

 

[BigredNole]

I can certainly see how given Disney's marketing on this ride people would expect to be riding a banshee... no?

Yes, Disney genetically created an imaginary creature from an imaginary world for you to ride.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Yes, Disney genetically created an imaginary creature from an imaginary world for you to ride.

Oh, come on. No need for snark.

I mean something that you boarded that actually looked like something alive (even maybe a banshee!) rather than like a motorcycle. It's weird that it "breathes" but looks like a motorcycle!

I couldn't care less one way or the other. I was speaking to what MIGHT be someone's expectation given how Disney talks about this ride:

"Avatar Flight of Passage
Fly on the back of a mountain banshee during an exhilarating, 3D ride above this vast moon, only at Pandora – The World of Avatar. "