Disney Reveals Openings Of World Of Avatar, Star Wars Land

Walt Disney’s ambitious Pandora—The World of Avatar will open May 27 at Animal Kingdom in Orlando, FL, CEO Bob Iger announced Wednesday during a shareholders meeting.

The 12-acre land is based on Pandora, the mythical world from James Cameron’s box-office hit Avatar— which currently is filming the first of four sequels. The project will bring the franchise to life; guests can explore the Na’vi River or ride gigantic flying lizards above the forests of Pandora.

“This is a very big land with unique design and architecture that really does make you feel like you’re in Pandora,” Iger said.

There will be a themed restaurant, “Satu’li Canteen,” plus a bar and a gift shop. There will be two main attractions: Pandora on Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey. The first ride will have guests flying over jungles and floating mountains atop a Mountain Banshee. On the latter, guests will sail down a river hidden inside a glowing forest.

The project is part of Disney’s larger plan to transform Disney’s Animal Kingdom from a day into a night-time theme park. It recently added Kilimanjaro Safaris, extending its hours past sunset so guests can experience nocturnal animals, and a “Rivers of Light” show in a new Discovery River waterside theater.

Iger also announced that the Star Wars-themed land for both Disneyland Park in California and Disney World in Florida are slated to open in 2019. Construction of the 14-acre expansion in Hollywood Studios started last April. While Disney has been mum on the park’s features, there reportedly will be a ride that allows visitors to pilot a full-size replica of the Millennium Falcon.

Star Wars Land concept. Photo: Disney