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Animal Kingdom is arguably Walt Disney World's most intricately-themed park.. and Pandora- The World of AVATAR is about to take things to a whole new level. D23 confirms the major expansion is nearing completion, and will officially open in the summer of 2017.
CEO of Disney Parks & Resorts, Bob Chapek, also unveiled an image of how guests will enter the world of AVATAR-- via this bridge:
Disney Parks:
According to the storyline developed by Walt Disney Imagineering and Lightstorm Entertainment, this bridge was built during a time when a destructive company called the RDA came to Pandora. Now that they’re long gone, nature is breaking down evidence of their presence. This bridge will soon serve as an entry into the base camp of Alpha Centauri Expeditions, the eco-tour group that is preparing Pandora for future explorers and adventure seekers. The story of the bridge is just our first look inside this land, which fulfills the original mission of Disney’s Animal Kingdom of being a park that honors animals and natural environments “real, ancient and imagined.”
This expansion will send guests on an excursion through the beautiful, mind-blowing land of the Na'vi. Guests will be able to witness the bioluminescent plants and take part in 2 attractions: a boat ride down the bioluminescent rainforest (Na'vi River Journey) and "Avatar Flight of Passage" which will send adventures flying through the land on the back of a banshee.
Pandora will also have dining options along with shops where guests can purchase artifacts and memorabilia from the land.
Satu'li Canteen will be the main eatery in the land, Pongu Pongu will have specialized drinks.. and Windtraders will be the store where travelers can find Na'vi cultural items.
People exploring the land of AVATAR will come face to face with a Na'vi warrior before boarding the Na'vi River Journey, here's a sneak peak at the adventure ahead: