animal kingdom – Page 2 – Orlando Attraction Tickets blog

November 21, 2016January 11, 2017

Pandora – The World Of Avatar Opening Summer 2017!

Hey Thrill Seekers,

The highly anticipated addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Pandora – The World of Avatar has been confirmed to be opening this summer! Eeeekk!!

Check out this video update: 10/01/2017

Back in 2011 Disney had begun plans to build the first Avatar themed land at Walt Disney World – with its main emphasis being all about living in harmony with nature – Animal Kingdom was the perfect location. James Cameron, the filmmaker for the Avatar films has previously stated:

“I’m chomping at the bit to start work with Disney’s legendary Imagineers to bring our AVATAR universe to life. Our goal is to go beyond current boundaries of technical innovation and experiential storytelling, and give park goers the chance to see, hear, and touch the world of AVATAR with an unprecedented sense of reality.”

As well as recently learning that this land is opening in the summer of 2017 Disney have also released a few very intriguing images relating to the new land. My favourite being of the bridge that will connect Pandora – The World of Avatar with the rest of Animal Kingdom. The scaffolding has been removed from around the bridge!! (no i’m not crazy and i’m not excited over scaffolding) The chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Bob Chapek has actually released a photograph of the bridge in all its glory! Bam.

The storyline developed by Walt Disney Imagineering and Lightstorm Entertainment has given the idea that the bridge was built during the time when a ‘destructive company called the RDA’ entered Pandora and now that they’re long gone nature has begun to break down all evidence of their unwanted presence.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a park that “honours animals and natural environments real, ancient and imagined.” The story behind the bridge appears to be the first glimpse we have of how out of this world the new land is actually going to be. There will be loads of cool, realistic details throughout the whole adventure such as Na’vi artifacts that you should look out for during your visit.

Disney have also released images of what some of the restaurants, shops and attractions the land is looking to entail.

Pandora – The World of Avatar is said to include a flight simulator based banshee attraction as well as a boat ride through the landscape of Pandora. Disney want guests to be able to experience two new excursions that will take ‘adventure’ to a whole new level. Na’vi River Journey is a family friendly ride which will enable visitors to travel down a sacred river which is hidden within a bioluminescent rainforest. The journey will end in an encounter with a Na’vi Shaman. The Avatar Flight of Passage excursion will allow guests to experience the incredible feeling of riding on a Banshee over the world of Pandora. Sound amazing doesn’t it?!

At night the land will take on a whole new image with ‘bioluminescent flora and special nighttime immersive programming.’ (now if all of those long words went straight over your head like they did mine then just take a look at the picture below to see how unreal it is going to be) Basically the ground is set to literally glow beneath your feet!

Imagineer Joe Rohde stated:

“We want the world of Pandora to be believable,” Jon said. “When visitors come to Pandora they’ll experience and they’ll believe — and they’ll look at the world a little bit differently.”

So if you’re like me and physically cannot wait for this magical land to open then the good news is there’s not long to wait now! Summer just can’t come quick enough. The whole land when it opens is set to ‘transport guests to a visually stunning world complete with floating mountains and bioluminescent plants.’ How unreal does that sound?!

Smiles Included..

Jess

October 23, 2015October 23, 2015

Disney Passes with Orlando Attraction Tickets

Hey Thrill Seekers,

About Disney Passes

If you are going on holiday to Orlando there is a pretty high chance that you will be spending some of that holiday time at Walt Disney World and with more and more first timers heading to Orlando, its sometimes tricky to choose the right Disney pass for your trip. So, with that in mind, we have compiled a quick over view of the current Disney options available to pre-purchase here in the UK before you go!

Which parks are included within our tickets.

We offer Disney Ultimate tickets which offer unlimited access to the 4 main Disney theme parks;

Magic Kingdom
Epcot, Disney’s
Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Plus the 2 Disney water parks;

Blizzard Beech
Typhoon Lagoon

ALL OUR DISNEY PASSES INCLUDE DISNEY’S MY MAGIC+ AND FOR 2016 TICKETS, DISNEY’S MEMORY MAKER

Orlando Attraction Tickets Disney Passes

Walt Disney World 7 Day Ultimate Ticket

This ticket offers seven days access to Disney parks over a 14 day period – so visits to Disney do not have to be on consecutive days. the ticket will expire 14 days after first use.

Recommended for anyone travelling to Orlando for 5-7 days

Walt Disney World 14 Day Ultimate Ticket

This ticket offers unlimited access to Disney parks over a 14 day period – This is the most popular Disney ticket by far!

Recommended for anyone travelling to Orlando for 8-14 days

Walt Disney 21 Day Ultimate Ticket

This is a ticket designed for the truly die hard Disney fans! 21 Days unlimited access to the Disney parks.

Recommended for anyone travelling to Orlando for 15-21 days

Click here for the latest prices: Disney Passes

Why pre-buy Disney passes?

One of the most compelling reasons Disney passes are pre-purchased here in the UK is because of the savings offered compared to buying tickets on the gate when you arrive. A single 14 Day Disney Ultimate ticket can save you up to £200.00* when compared to buying at the gate. PLUS we cant forget that these tickets include Disney’s My Magic+ system which will allow you to pre-book rides, shows, parades, restaurants etc. 30 days before you travel and 60 days in advance if you are staying in a Disney property.

Learn more about Disney’s My Magic+

Top tips for when you hit the Disney Parks

1. Check timetables for shows and parades when you first arrive in the park. This way you can either aim to get a good spot or plan the rides you want to do as the queues will be shorter. Make sure you get to the ride before the parade or you won’t be able to get through the crowd.

2. Disney transportation is a lot quicker than travelling yourself if you visit more than one Disney park on the same day. Take advantage of the free transport as much as you can.

3. On hot days, ask for a cup of ice. Cast members will give you the ice for free to cool you down and once its melted you have a free drink.

4. In any parks, wear comfortable shoes. There is more walking involved than you might think and it is made so much more difficult with blisters.

5. All Disney parks have wi-fi so you can log in to do your fast passes while you’re in the park if you haven’t done so already. You can also use the fast pass booths to book your slots throughout the day too. Try to do these early as the time slots can sell out very quickly.

6. Take a photo of your car park character sign so you don’t forget where you’re parked.

7. Allow yourself time at the end of the day to go in the gift shops before the parks close. This way you don’t have to carry it around with you all day.

8. Arrange a meeting point for your party in case you separate or get lost.

9. Take a look at the direction of the majority of the crowd and go the opposite way. This way you will avoid the longer queues.

10. Look out for some hidden Mickey’s. They are hidden all of the place from on the floor to on a ride.

For more information on Disney passes please call us on 0845 226 8523 or visit www.orlandoattractiontickets.co.uk

Smiles included…

Karl

August 16, 2015

Disney Confirm New Land Will Be Called Pandora – The World Of Avatar

Hey Thrill Seekers,

Disney’s D23 expo has proven to be very insightful in terms of theme park news, on top of the Star Wars bombshell and the Toy Story Land confirmation Disney also confirmed the name of their Avatar offering at Animal Kingdom.

Pandora – The World of Avatar will emerge guests into the magnificent world created by James Cameron. Disney confirmed the following will appear in the park;

AVATAR Flight of Passage – The centerpiece of Pandora – The World of AVATAR, brings guests into one of the most thrilling scenes from the film, in which they will soar on a Banshee over a vast alien world.
“Rivers of Light” – Expected to open next spring, “Rivers of Light” will be an innovative show unlike anything ever seen in Disney Parks, combining live performers, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery.

Disney will also be extending parks hours with the introduction of Sunset Kilimanjaro Safaris –guests will travel through the African savanna amid the magically extended orange glow of the setting sun and discover two species new to the attraction: African wild dogs and hyenas.

Disney are absolutely flying at the moment, the other parks best take notice!

Smiles included…

Jamie

July 22, 2015July 21, 2015

What Can We Expect From Disney’s Avatar Land?

Hey Thrill Seekers,

A lot is happening at Disney these days they’ve recently closed the Magic of Animation and DisneyQuest is set for retirement in 2016 but it’s not all about closures. As we’ve reported several times Disney are busy building Pandora, the world in which the 2009 film Avatar is set.

Scheduled to open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2017 the Avatar Land is a massive investment and shows that along with the new Star Wars area Disney are investing heavily in content after the huge expense of My Magic Plus but what can we expect from Disney’s Avatar Land?

Avatar Land will take over a location once occupied by the Disney character meet-and-greet area and the “Festival of the Lion King” show, which has been relocated to a new theater.

Pandora’s flagship attraction will be a banshee flight simulator similar to Soarin’ at Epcot however Disney are stating it will be “considerably more thrilling”!

Also being touted is an indoor boat ride with similar dynamics to Pirates of the Caribbean will take riders on a river journey through the illuminated forest of Pandora.

Disney are also looking to to introduce a some nighttime entertainment featuring music, performers and water screen projections which will take place on Discovery River. For the new show, Disney is reportedly teaming up with Cirque du Soleil and WET, the design firm responsible for the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas.

The LA Times also reports that;

After dark, lighting effects will play a prominent role in Avatar Land, with LED-lighted sidewalks and illuminated plants that respond to the touch. The man-made Tree of Life, the centerpiece of the park, is expected to undergo a major makeover that will incorporate lighting effects into every branch and leaf.

By day, the futuristic Avatar Land will be populated by lush jungle foliage, floating mountains and the ruins of a military base camp sprinkled with audio-animatronics, 3-D projections and hologram effects. An area themed as the Pandora landing station mess hall could serve as a quick-service restaurant.

The major announcement that seems to be missing from any reports I’ve read is if Avatar Land will incorporate any kind of flying experience around the Mountain Banshee’s, the flying dragon type creatures depicted in the films….Surely they will?

What would you like to see in Avatar Land?

Smiles included…

Jamie

February 26, 2015February 26, 2015

Disney Reveal More Avatar Details

Hey thrill seekers,

It seems like a long time ago that Disney officially announced that they’d be building an Avatar land at Animal Kingdom, we’ve seen some artistic impressions and we knew Disney had broken ground but little else.

Today Disney gave us an update via their blog, they speak about the artistic process and how many teams and cast members are envolved in the project, from the very top to the bottom. Although no real specifics are mentioned they did release this video showing Disney big cheeses including CEO Bob Iger, being shown models and details at a meeting in California. Have a watch and tell us what you think!

Are you looking forward to visit Pandora?

Smiles included…

Jamie

January 31, 2014January 31, 2014

Disney Confirm Avatar Land Details

Hey Thrill Seekers,

It’s no secret that Disney are looking to build an Avatar based land at Animal Kingdom, what we’ve been very short of though is actual details.

On the 28th of January Joe Rohde Disney Imagineer and Jon Landa Avatar Producer spoke to Disney cast members about the future of the land and some of the things we could expect, here’s a the video provided by BigFatPanda.com.

Here’s a quick breakdown;

Banshee Ride

The main attraction/ride will be a flying ride. As per the film riders will board “Banshee’s” we’re assuming in a similar riding position as you’d get on Manta at SeaWorld, the ride will feature 3D elements. Think Soaring meets Manta!

Interactive Land

In the video Landau states that the land will be an attraction itself, with interactive elements. With Disney spending Billions on My Magic+ could we see some kind of link here?

Disney are going big

This is Disney’s version of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and as Rohde is quick to point out Avatar is the highest grossing film of all time and with 2 more in the pipeline I think Disney are looking for a but of that Cameron magic to rub off.

Although we’ve previously posted these pics I thought you might like to see some of the renderings again.

Smiles included…

Jamie

January 15, 2014January 16, 2014

Disney Increase My Magic Plus Testing To Include Magic Kingdom

Hey Thrill Seekers,

Yesterday Disney’s Magic Kingdom has become the second park to start what they are calling the “test” period for their new system My Magic Plus which is replacing the old Fastpass system. This testing period is likely to continue right up until the end of March.

Testing for the My Magic Plus system is already in full swing at Animal Kingdom where the park has completely removed the old style fastPass machines. Although Disney have not confirmed that the testing period has finished at Animal Kingdom it is widely thought that the old machines will not return.

Key Details

My Magic+ enabled tickets allow visitors to reserve rides, attractions, positions in viewing areas for the parades and fireworks up to 60 days in advance.
My Magic+ enabled tickets also allow you to reserve tables at your favourite Disney restaurants up to 180 days in advance.
All Disney’s most popular Orlando theme parks include free WiFi this allows My Magic+ enabled ticket holders to amend their itinerary by using their smartphone while in the park.
You can tell a My Magic+ enabled ticket by the Mickey Mouse logo – click here to view a Disney enabled My Magic+ Ticket
Please note that although My Magic+ has been enabled for a section of users a full roll out isn’t expected until March 2014.

More details can be found on our post What is Disney’s My Magic+ and how does it work?

We’ll continue to update you when we hear more…

Smiles included…

Jamie

January 13, 2014January 13, 2014

Disney Start Work On Avatar Land At Animal Kingdom

Hey Thrill Seekers,

On the 8th January 2014 Disney representatives including George Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort; Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, United States and France and Tom Staggs, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts dug the first holes for what will become Pandora, the fictional World shown in James Cameron’s blockbuster film Avatar.

The new land will be located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and will be part of the plan to make Animal Kingdom a true full day park.

Tom Taggs said;

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is already home to some of our guests’ favorite attractions. With Avatar, we are adding a spectacular new world and an exciting set of attractions unlike any our guests have experienced. The expansion now under way will make the park a true full-day, must-see experience.

There has been no official time scale released for Avatar Land but the expansion represents the largest in Animal Kingdoms history.

You can view original concept art for Avatar Land here. For me this is one of Disney’s most exciting future projects and I can’t wait to see how the Land pans out.

Smiles included…

Jamie

October 29, 2012

We Prefer Green But Disney Prefer’s Blue, As Details Of Avatar Ride Are Leaked

Hi Thrill Seekers,

Ever since it was announced that Disney had agreed in principal to hook up with the blue men… not the Smurfs, but the 10 feet Na’vi from James Cameron’s epic 2009 film, the internet has been a wash with rumours about what the Pandora Disney World will include?

Here at Orlando Attraction Tickets we like to keep our ears to the ground and finger tips on our keyboards and this is what we’ve found out…

Pandora will be built in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the main Avatar ride will be a 3D effort much in the vain of Universal’s offering The forbidden Journey at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Simpsons or the Spectacular Spider-man.

One of the more interesting rumours is that the ride will be connected through-out Pandora, so riders will more between stages visiting different scenarios as if gliding through the air, similar to the gliders used in the film.

Blueprints of the project have been handed around to potential architects under the code name “Morpho” as Disney look to cost up the project. Although we believe this project will go ahead it is far from being confirmed and Disney have put a December the 7th deadline on completing negotiations with James Cameron. We are also lead to believe that Disney have a plan b already in mind in case negotiations can’t be reached.

We’ll keep you updated when we know more.

regards,

James