Pandora – The World of Avatar

Development

In early 2011, James Cameron was approached by The Walt Disney Company's chief executive officer, Bob Iger, regarding the possibility of Avatar-themed attractions in Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Originally, discussions were held about creating an Avatar-themed attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios, perhaps at the park's then-functioning Studio Backlot Tour. Tom Staggs suggested to incorporate the film into a newly designed "land" at Disney's Animal Kingdom to improve the park's attraction roster. On September 17, 2011, Disney entered into an exclusive, long-term licensing agreement with Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox Filmed Entertainment for the worldwide theme park rights to Avatar. This deal was officially announced to the public on September 20, 2011. The highlight of the announcement was that Disney's Animal Kingdom would receive a new themed area entirely devoted to Avatar. The area is set to cost approximately $500 million. Construction began in January 2014, with an initially planned opening date in 2016. The deal could see Avatar attractions added to other Disney theme parks in the future, however, there are no immediate plans to do so. The opening date was later revised to summer 2017. In February 2017, the official opening day was confirmed to be May 27, 2017.

Design

Pandora – The World of Avatar is designed by Walt Disney Imagineering and Lightstorm Entertainment with Avatar producers James Cameron and Jon Landau acting as creative consultants. The area is being built in the former location of Camp Minnie-Mickey, which was originally earmarked for the Beastly Kingdom, a never-built themed land which would have been based around mythological creatures. Disney and Cameron decided to set the land's timeline a generation after the warring conflict between the indigenous Na'vi and the Resources Development Administration (RDA) that sought to exploit Pandora for its unobtanium in the first film. According to the backstory, the Na'vi and humans have achieved peace and Alpha Centauri Expeditions–a fictional tourism company–has partnered with the Na'vi to present Pandora as a new destination for ecotourism.

Disney showcased a first look presentation of the land at the 2013 Japan D23 Expo. In September 2011, Cameron confirmed that a flying attraction featuring "3-D projections and creature designs that were cut from the original film" was a concept on the drawing board for the area. Pandora – The World of Avatar includes elements from the original Avatar film as well as its four, yet-to-be-released sequels.

A major visual feature of Pandora is the Valley of Mo'ara and its floating mountain ranges. The 156 foot (48 m)-tall mountains employ forced perspective to appear larger than they physically are, and are held aloft by steel beams concealed with rockwork and vinery. Pandora's bioluminescent species of flora will be found throughout the area. The landscaping consists of real Earth plant species mixed with sculpted Pandora flora. New motion sensor technology developed by Disney Research, will allow the plant life to respond to tactile interaction from guests.

Attractions

At Disney's 2015 D23 Expo, Walt Disney Imagineering confirmed two major attractions.

Pandora – The World of Avatar will also contain Satu'li Canteen, a full-service restaurant, and Pongu Pongu, a food and beverage stand.