#VisitPandora

[GunnarCharles]

Disney needed a big win with Pandora, World of Avatar. From the looks of things today, they got just that. This expansion has been divisive among fans, and I'll admit I have gotten more frustrated than I should coming to its defense. From what I am reading even people who had serious doubts are starting to believe in it, which I have to say is very good to hear not just as a fan of Disney, but as a fan of theme parks in general.

After a short trip for marathon weekend, I had not anticipated going back to WDW till a big trip in 2019, but I can say with certainty I am planning a trip for 2017 now. I was not a big fan of Avatar the movie, but I am willing to go out of my way to see this place.

I believe now more than ever when you let creative and talented people do what they are capable of, you can get amazing results. Imagineering is alive and well folks, its game on again in Disney vs Universal.

 

[rteetz]

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

Visit this thread for everything Pandora!

 

[DLgal]

Disney needed a big win with Pandora, World of Avatar. From the looks of things today, they got just that. This expansion has been divisive among fans, and I'll admit I have gotten more frustrated than I should coming to its defense. From what I am reading even people who had serious doubts are starting to believe in it, which I have to say is very good to hear not just as a fan of Disney, but as a fan of theme parks in general.

After a short trip for marathon weekend, I had not anticipated going back to WDW till a big trip in 2019, but I can say with certainty I am planning a trip for 2017 now. I was not a big fan of Avatar the movie, but I am willing to go out of my way to see this place.

I believe now more than ever when you let creative and talented people do what they are capable of, you can get amazing results. Imagineering is alive and well folks, its game on again in Disney vs Universal.

What is this post based on? What happened today that is so signifcant?

 

[wilkeliza]

What is this post based on? What happened today that is so signifcant?

Media was allowed in and has been reporting using #visitpandora. They rode both rides, ate the food, and shopped.

 

[DLgal]

Media was allowed in and has been reportinf using #visitpandora. They rode both rides, ate the food, and shopped.

Eh...media is biased. Sorry. They aren't gonna bash it.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Eh...media is biased. Sorry. They aren't gonna bash it.

I don't totally disagree with this, but even knowing that the feedback has been glowing ... even Craig, who is a bit time Universal fan tweeted that Universal needs to respond to this and indicated that the FoP ride is amazing (and he worked the Forbidden Journey). Again, I agree it can be biased, but it seems overly positive to be just that

 

[rteetz]

Eh...media is biased. Sorry. They aren't gonna bash it.

No need to bring in media is biased stuff. I will also say when it comes to media with Disney no not all are bias and fan boy lovers.

 

[wilkeliza]

Eh...media is biased. Sorry. They aren't gonna bash it.

Eh so why comment at all then? Others can be excited based on media. The Dis team as well as Orlando sentinel doesn't use the type of language they are when they are just trying to play nice with the local theme parks but don't like it.

 

[DLgal]

Eh so why comment at all then? Others can be excited based on media. The Dis team as well as Orlando sentinel doesn't use the type of language they are when they are just trying to play nice with the local theme parks but don't like it.

So I can't comment unless I have something nice to say? I was asking for clarifcation on how Disney got a "big win" with Pandora land today. Sorry, but I think it is premature at best to declare this a "big win" since the only people talking about it are Disney fan site media outlets that rely on both a positive relationship with Disney and who may be inclined to hype up something just to get more clicks on their sites.

I will be more interested to see the reaction from paying guests who aren't being wined and dined...

 

[wilkeliza]

So I can't comment unless I have something nice to say? I was asking for clarifcation on how Disney got a "big win" with Pandora land today. Sorry, but I think it is premature at best to declare this a "big win" since the only people talking about it are Disney fan site media outlets that rely on both a positive relationship with Disney and who may be inclined to hype up something just to get more clicks on their sites.

I will be more interested to see the reaction from paying guests who aren't being wined and dined...

It was more of just the fact you are whipping the opinions because they are bloggers. The Orlando bloggers that I've been reading would be the first to say it is a miss if it is. Again the language being used is not the same as anyone who is just trying to play nice. Most why comment was more why rain on someone else's parade? They are excited so why not let them be?

 

[DLgal]

It was more of just the fact you are whipping the opinions because they are bloggers. The Orlando bloggers that I've been reading would be the first to say it is a miss if it is. Again the language being used is not the same as anyone who is just trying to play nice. Most why comment was more why rain on someone else's parade? They are excited so why not let them be?

I did not whip any opinions. I simply made a blanket statement that I stand behind. I'm glad the people who are already excited are getting some more concrete information and pictures. That's awesome. I just feel that the original post is kind of misleading. Why didn't it just come out and say "hey, look...media previews are going on and I think Pandora looks amazing! If you want to see, follow #VisitPandora on Twitter."

 

[GunnarCharles]

I did not whip any opinions. I simply made a blanket statement that I stand behind. I'm glad the people who are already excited are getting some more concrete information and pictures. That's awesome. I just feel that the original post is kind of misleading. Why didn't it just come out and say "hey, look...media previews are going on and I think Pandora looks amazing! If you want to see, follow #VisitPandora on Twitter."

You make a fair point, I'll be the first to admit I can get ahead of myself. Just an excited fan/nerd, what can I say

 

[PuppyJonathan]

#iwanttovisitpandorabutitneedstobeinsoftswhileimthere

 

[Matthew Ackerman]

So I can't comment unless I have something nice to say? I was asking for clarifcation on how Disney got a "big win" with Pandora land today. Sorry, but I think it is premature at best to declare this a "big win" since the only people talking about it are Disney fan site media outlets that rely on both a positive relationship with Disney and who may be inclined to hype up something just to get more clicks on their sites.

I will be more interested to see the reaction from paying guests who aren't being wined and dined...

100% Correct

 

[ahoyle]

Yeah, while the rides do sound good, and I am optimistic, its best to take all these early impressions with a grain of salt. How do the rides hold up after waiting in line and building anticipation for a hour? How do they hold up to repeated rides? How do they hold up mechanically over the first couple of months? All of these are factors not taken into account with these early impressions.

If I had just walked onto Mine Train a few years back I might have thought it was ok. But after trying to get fast passes for weeks and the hassle that involved, I was less than impressed and haven't ridden it since.

With that said, I hope and expect Pandora to be really good. I have just been disappointed with most new Disney things in Orlando over the past 5 years.

 

[Madonna3]

Yeah, while the rides do sound good, and I am optimistic, its best to take all these early impressions with a grain of salt. How do the rides hold up after waiting in line and building anticipation for a hour? How do they hold up to repeated rides? How do they hold up mechanically over the first couple of months? All of these are factors not taken into account with these early impressions.
Yeah, while the rides do sound good, and I am optimistic, its best to take all these early impressions with a grain of salt. How do the rides hold up after waiting in line and building anticipation for a hour? How do they hold up to repeated rides? How do they hold up mechanically over the first couple of months? All of these are factors not taken into account with these early impressions.

If I had just walked onto Mine Train a few years back I might have thought it was ok. But after trying to get fast passes for weeks and the hassle that involved, I was less than impressed and haven't ridden it since.

With that said, I hope and expect Pandora to be really good. I have just been disappointed with most new Disney things in Orlando over the past 5 years.

I agree 100%. Get out of my head. LOL.

So far, I am very disappointed in the River Journey ride. A POV video was posted of it for the media weekend and while absolutely visually stunning, it looked extremely boring. There was no build up. I'm sure there is a story there, but it was a slow moving ride through some pretty impressive visual effects. That's it. No splash at the end, nothing. It kinda reminded me of POTC. I would never wait an hour to ride POTC. Ever.

So, I am divided on my opinion of Pandora, so far. Like the person above, I am been very disappointed with what Disney has brought to the table the past few years. I remain optimistic that Pandora will just blow me away. Maybe the River Journey ride is one of those things you just have to experience. I'm not writing it off yet, but I worry I anticipated it too highly.

 

[rteetz]

I agree 100%. Get out of my head. LOL.

So far, I am very disappointed in the River Journey ride. A POV video was posted of it for the media weekend and while absolutely visually stunning, it looked extremely boring. There was no build up. I'm sure there is a story there, but it was a slow moving ride through some pretty impressive visual effects. That's it. No splash at the end, nothing. It kinda reminded me of POTC. I would never wait an hour to ride POTC. Ever.

So, I am divided on my opinion of Pandora, so far. Like the person above, I am been very disappointed with what Disney has brought to the table the past few years. I remain optimistic that Pandora will just blow me away. Maybe the River Journey ride is one of those things you just have to experience. I'm not writing it off yet, but I worry I anticipated it too highly.

Considering the Navi River Journey is labeled as a C ticket I wouldn't expect to be blown away by it. Flight of Passage on the other hand is an E. The major thing within NRJ is the animatronic, the most advanced AA ever done. I could watch the video of the AA all day, however I agree with you that I am not sure I would wait over an hour in the coming years either. Being that I will be there May 31st I am expecting to wait a long time to get into the attraction.

 

[Madonna3]

Considering the Navi River Journey is labeled as a C ticket I wouldn't expect to be blown away by it. Flight of Passage on the other hand is an E. The major thing within NRJ is the animatronic, the most advanced AA ever done. I could watch the video of the AA all day, however I agree with you that I am not sure I would wait over an hour in the coming years either. Being that I will be there May 31st I am expecting to wait a long time to get into the attraction.

We'll be there with you on the 31st. Don't forget, AK will be open every day until 1am so I am sure you can ride it with a reasonable wait.

I agree a million percent, the visual effects of that ride are absolutely stunning. The animatronic is amazing and I hope this is what we have to expect from Disney. I hope these are the new generation of Disney animatronic and we'll see these incorporated into other attractions. I'm just surprised they put in something so anti-climatic in what I believe to be the most anticipated expansion Disney has ever built.

 

[rteetz]

what I believe to be the most anticipated expansion Disney has ever built.

Until Star Wars

 

[Madonna3]

Until Star Wars

agreed. Now that's it's out, everyone will be looking toward Star Wars, but this will appease the masses... for now. Including me.