7 Things You May Not Know About Pandora

1. Bringing the World of Avatar to Life

More than five years in the making since the 2011 reveal of the concept, Pandora forced Imagineering to dig deep into its bag of technical tricks. Joe Rohde, the man responsible for spearheading Animal Kingdom’s design from its inception, once again stepped up to the plate to translate the cinematic brilliance of Avatar into a physical experience worthy of the Disney name. While elaborate steel structures and advanced Audio-Animatronics would help bring Pandora to life, Rohde built the true foundation of Pandora on that oldest of Disney principles: storytelling. As such, the immersive experiences – the sights, sounds, and sensations – are what bring this mythical land to life.

2. Setting the Stage

The time-line in which the new land’s backstory takes place is a generation after the warring conflict between the indigenous Na’vi and the Resources Development
Administration (RDA) that sought to exploit Pandora for its Unobtanium, as seen in the film.

3. It’s All In the Story

According to the backstory, the Na’vi and humans have achieved peace, and Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE) – a fictional tourism company – has partnered with the Na’vi to present Pandora as a new destination for ecotourism and scientific research. Here in the Valley of Mo’ara, an entire generation has passed since the conflicts of Avatar. This land now speaks to the importance of working in harmony – humans and Na’vi – to build a better future together and preserve nature’s many gifts.

4. Floating Mountains

The visual focal point of Pandora is the Valley of Mo’ara and its jaw-dropping floating mountain ranges. The 156-foot tall mountains employ forced perspective to appear larger than they physically are.

5. But How Do They Float?

The mountains are indeed impressive and are a true engineering masterpiece. The immense steel foundations for the floating mountains alone required a year to complete. The mountains are held aloft by steel beams concealed by rockwork and vinery.

6. Beastly Kingdom

A mythical land of creatures was always part of the original plans for the Animal Kingdom, first known as Beastly Kingdom. (You can see an image of a dragon in the Animal Kingdom logo representing this planned-for but never-built land). Conceptual plans for the land began with Guests confronting a most consequential fork in the road. One way would have led to Dragon Tower, a headliner roller coaster that would heavily inspire the eventual design for Expedition Everest. The opposite choice sent Guests to The Quest for the Unicorn, an attraction housed within an elaborate hedge maze. Participants would have had to band together to find five golden idols scattered throughout the flowered labyrinth, ultimately revealing the unicorn’s hiding spot. Beastly Kingdom never came to pass of course, and instead the torch was passed to Pandora and its uplifting message of man’s harmony
with nature.

7. “Kaltxi!”

Pandora may stand apart from the typical Disney park experience, but it does share one very important similarity – amazing Cast Members. And, in the Animal Kingdom’s newest land, they play a most vital role, starting with the first “hello.” Don’t be surprised to hear “Kaltxi!,” the traditional Na’vi greeting, ring out as you enter Pandora. Additional surprises wait around each turn, as Cast Members have learned several Na’vi phrases for use in Guest interactions.