5 Other-Worldly Facts About the Na’vi River Journey

1. The Journey Begins

The entrance to the Na’vi River Journey mimics that of Flight of Passage in that it is very understated, as compared to other Disney headliner attractions. This technique is very effective in helping to blend the attraction into the surrounding Valley of Mo’ara. For the Na’vi River Journey, Guests will see two non-descript entrance points for standby entry and FastPass+ entry, respectively. The attraction entrance to River Journey also includes a sign for “A.C.E.” (Alpha Centauri Expeditions, who specialize in eco-tourism).

2. Alien Waterways

You are here as a special guest of the Shaman of Songs, who has arranged your visit with the cooperation of A.C.E. in order to introduce you to the exo-moon of Pandora and to demonstrate its spiritual meaning to her people. Your journey takes place on the Kasvapan River, one of the most secluded and sacred spots on the planet, where you’ll enter a world filled with bio-luminescent wonders.

3. The Inhabitants of the Kasvapan River

Keep an eye out for the “viper wolves” as seen in Avatar, you can spot them throughout the attraction. Although these exotic beasts are depicted by way of video screens, the effect is so well done that they appear real to the naked eye. Another astonishing visual effect can be spotted near the ceiling of the attraction as a series of special effects, including lighting, shadows, and fabricated movement, make it appear as though lizards are jumping to and from the leaves that hang above your head. As the boats travel further into the cavern, the ambient noises of animals and water in the background begin to increase as video screens display other native Pandoran animal species. It is at this point that Guests begin to hear Na’vi music playing in the background, a precursor to the most stunning portion of the entire attraction: the Shaman of Songs.

4. The Shaman of Songs

Standing at nearly ten feet tall, the Shaman of Songs was the most advanced and most complex Audio-Animatronic figure ever created by Disney at that time. Guests pass by the Shaman of Songs as she is in the middle of a ceremony, playing Na’vi musical instruments and singing native songs. Disney describes this ceremony as follows: “The adventure comes to a conclusion as the Shaman demonstrates her deep connection to the life force of Pandora – and sends positive energy out into the forest through the power of her music!” The Shaman of Songs moves with a level of fluidity not seen in any other Disney Animatronic, including impressive figures such as the Wicked Witch of the West in the former Great Movie Ride, and Hopper from It’s Tough to Be a Bug. This movement, combined with the intricate detailing of the facial features and musculature of the Shaman of Songs, will make Guests feel as if they are literally watching a real Na’vi creature.

5. “O Eywa!”

Translated into English, “Way Tiretuä” is about everyone in the forest connected as one and calling out together to Ewya, the Great Mother.The lyrics for the song were written by Paul R. Frommer, an American communications professor at the University of Southern California, who was also tasked by James Cameron to create a language for the Na’vi to be used in the film Avatar. Frommer based some Na’vi grammar on Polynesian languages and used ejectives (voiceless consonants) and word-initial velar nasals that do not occur in Western languages, while omitting common Western sounds like “b,” “d,” and “g.”

The actual translated lyrics are:

O beautiful forest, There are tears in the forest.
Woodsprite(s). We cry out, calling,
“O Eywa!”

Connected as one, O Great Mother.
Woodsprite(s). We cry out, calling,
“O Eywa!”

By the People’s will, The forest is singing.
Woodsprite(s). We cry out, calling,
“O Eywa!”