N and I were so disappointed in January when we were unable to ride the new ride in Avatar, Avatar Flight of Passage. So when we went back in August we knew that it would be number one on our list. It was a long wait, but so worth it!
Avatar Flight of Passage is a 4D ride, similar to Soarin’, you sit in a stationary indoor seat and watch the screen in front of you as the floor moves as if you are flying. The concept is that you are linking to a Na’avi avatar and flying on a Banshee through Pandora. As you travel the world, scents and feelings are used to make it seem real.
Sadly for me, Avatar Flight of Passage is a ride that is on the do not ride when pregnant list. So I was unable to go on it. I did wait with N on line and then stepped off right when we got the end, he boarded a rider station, and I stepped out the exit and waited on a bench until he was done.
As with all Disney Lands and Imagineer created things, the theming is amazing!! The experience of crossing the bridge and entering the new land, is akin to entering a new world. The plants are different, the animals are different, even the bugs are different. Different, alien and beautiful.
The 2 and 1/2 hour long line for the ride snaked from the back entrance from Harambe Market and wound through Avatar Land. We passed right under the floating islands. It was pretty hot out, but the line was mostly shaded so it wasn’t too bad.
After a while, the line snaked inside a cavelike structure with beautiful cave paintings. As you go through the caves you can see handprints high on the wall as if made by the Na’avi. There are glowing plants through one section. Even the water fountain is themed so that it looks futuristic and is in the Ace colors.
After a while the line went into the lab. The lab was really cool, filled with working experiments, notes, information about the world of Pandora and the ecosystem. There was even Jake’s avatar in a growing pod, the Na’avi avatar twitches and moves as it did in the movie, as if it is indeed a sleeping Na’avi.
The line next moves into a large open space with a huge mural on one wall. Another wall has a giant tracking screen showing in progress links and where they are flying over Pandora. The rest of the room is themed as if you are inside a multistory research building.
Then, you are separated into groups of 16 and enter the information rooms. Each taking a number. Here a video plays explaining the ride concept, introducing the scientists and discussing some of the safety needs for the ride. Finally, each person is “matched” to a Na’avi avatar.
You are then ushered into the ride room to mount your vehicle. On your way in you are given a pair of 3D glasses. After the ride is over, the glasses are returned via a large bin on the way out.
N said the ride was incredible and he only wished we could have ridden it together. That will have to wait until our next visit, after the baby is born. I’m looking forward to it!