UPDATED October 30, 2024
Pandora – The World of Avatar is an entirely immersive land in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Those who have seen the movie AVATAR will recall that space travel to Pandora was limited to members of the Resource Development Administration (RDA) seeking its own gain of Pandora’s unobtanium. But now, Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE) is able to welcome interplanetary travelers (that’s you and me!) on peaceful expeditions to Pandora’s Valley of Mo’ara as restoration of the once-exploited land takes place…
Pandora in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
When the land opened on May 27, 2017, it delivered two new attractions to Animal Kingdom: Na’vi River Journey (a relaxing boat ride through a bioluminescent rainforest), and Avatar Flight of Passage, which has remained one of the most in-demand attractions in all of Disney World ever since!
If you’d like to jump directly to the following topics about Avatar Flight of Passage, click either link below:
- The Flight of Passage Ride Experience (Ride Vehicle and 3-D Flight Simulation)
- Rider Access — Ways to get on Flight of Passage
Avatar Flight of Passage — The Queue and The Story
You’ll begin your “Flight of Passage” by winding your way through stunning flora amidst the floating mountains of Pandora.
Facing Flight of Passage
The queue continues into carved hallways inside the mountain decorated with intricate Na’vi paintings and art pieces paying tribute to Pandora’s mountain banshees.
Na’vi Artwork inside the Queue
Further on in the queue, Pandora’s famous bioluminescence is on full display.
Bioluminescence in the Queue
Next, step into the lab where the scientists of the Pandora Conservation Initiative conduct their research.
Laboratory Room
You’ll see a life-sized Na’vi avatar within the laboratory as well!
Flight of Passage Queue
To prepare you for what is known as the Avatar Program, Cast Members will direct you into an assigned Genetic Matching Room.
Genetic Matching Room
Here, Dr. Stevens will inform you of the steps that you will undergo for your own “Na’vi Rite of Passage” of riding on the back of what the Na’vi call an Ikran (a banshee).
Dr. Stevens
As Dr. Stevens explains, you’ll be “genetically matched and linked to an Avatar,” a process reintroduced by Dr. Jackie Ogden who leads the science team of the Pandora Conservation Initiative and is the foremost expert in studying banshees and their environment on the Valley of Mo’ara.
You see, the banshees “live high in rookeries and humans can’t get anywhere near them without becoming their lunch.” Fortunately, the Na’vi — and AVATARS — can, which is how YOU are able to go on this Rite of Passage!
Time to, uh, fly!
Next? You’re matched with an Avatar body, so you can be linked to that Avatar… “and, uh, FLY!”
“And, uh… Fly!”
Once everyone has been matched, it’s time to proceed to the next room and receive Flight Visors (3-D glasses) from a cast member and flight instructions from Dr. Jackie Ogden for what the Na’vi call “Iknimaya,” the important rite of passage of flying on the back on a banshee.
From here? It’s into the Link Chamber for your FLIGHT of Passage!
Avatar Flight of Passage — The Ride Experience
On Avatar Flight of Passage, as Dr. Jackie Ogden explains, “You’ll experience the breathtaking beauty of Pandora, but you might also face some of its greatest challenges. Some of this flight might be intense. But trust your guide and be brave. As the Na’vi say during this important rite of passage, ‘Sivako.’ Rise to the challenge.”
Flight of Passage is a 3-D flight simulation experience. It is somewhat similar to Soarin’ Around the World in EPCOT in that guests experience the scenery by way of a screen.
Avatar: Flight of Passage in Disney World
However, as opposed to a chair, guests board seats similar to a bike, and the experience is presented in 3-D.
Flight of Passage ride vehicles
Guests are advised put on their Flight Visors when seated to enjoy this truly unique 3-D FLIGHT over Pandora!
Interested guests should be aware that Disney classifies Avatar Flight of Passage as a Thrill Ride that is fitting for kids, tweens, teens, and adults. Guests must meet the 44-inch height requirement.
Cast Members inform guests that they will be restrained at a height above the ground and that the floor will move in case fear of heights or motion sickness is a concern. Guests may always speak to a cast member if they wish to opt out of riding. (But keep in mind that this ride remains incredibly popular with good reason, and that most have an incredible time!)
Avatar Flight of Passage — Rider Access
Standby Line and Wait Times
Avatar Flight of Passage offers a traditional Standby line for rider access. Guests can monitor current Wait Times through the My Disney Experience app. Additionally, the current wait time is posted at the entrance to the ride itself, as well as on information boards throughout the park.
Flight of Passage
It may be helpful to know that, as one of the most popular rides in Disney World, it is not unusual to find very high Wait Times, often around or exceeding 90 – 120 minutes.
Pay-Per-Ride Lightning Lane
Flight of Passage is also available through Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Premier Pass.
Lightning Lane
Guests can opt to purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass (pay-per-ride) for Flight of Passage to bypass the Standby line for a fee that varies by date and time, typically between $11 – $18 per guest. (You can read our thoughts on IF you should purchase a Lightning Lane for Avatar Flight of Passage HERE.)
Lightning Lane Premier Pass is an inclusive option grants one-time entry into EVERY Lightning Lane entry in a given park for one price, including Flight of Passage. You can learn more about this option here.
Early Theme Park Entry for Eligible Guests
Avatar Flight of Passage is available during Early Theme Park Entry, a benefit available to all Disney World Resort hotel guests. Avatar Flight of Passage is also available when Animal Kingdom hosts Extended Evening Hours, a benefit available to select Disney World Resort hotel guests. (Typically, Animal Kingdom only hosts Extended Evening Hours during especially busy seasons such as the winter holidays.)
Avatar Flight of Passage — Hidden Detail
While we chatted about the queue to enter Flight of Passage above, there is also a special detail to point out as you EXIT the ride. Now, depending on where you are seated on the attraction, you may not have the opportunity to see this detail. But if you are seated on the ride’s lowest level then exit down the right stairwell, you may see this bright pop of red on the wall (to your right as you exit)…
Avatar Flight of Passage Handprints
These three handprints displaying initials underneath are those of James Cameron (JC), the director of Avatar, Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde (JR), Creative Director of Pandora, and Jon Landau (JL), co-producer of Avatar!
“Sivako! Rise to the challenge.”
Find out more about PANDORA in Disney’s Animal Kingdom HERE!
The Latest News About Avatar Flight of Passage
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