Annual Pass Previews of Pandora - The World of Avatar beginning May 13

[Jones14]

Thanks! Glad you got on Flight of Passage. Sounds like it's impressive!

It was incredible. As of my first ride, it's the best ride I've ever been on. Obviously I won't set that in stone until I've gotten some rerides in, but I will say that it is the best simulator on the planet by far, and that I will say without hesitation. They've come a LONG way since Star Tours.

The theming is gorgeous all around.

If you like Living With The Land and the beginning of Pirates, Na'Vi River Journey is gonna be right up your alley. Don't expect it to be the headliner, though; it is a very nice C Ticket.

 

[Jones14]

I should add: I was amongst the people skeptical of it being placed in Animal Kingdom initially. After going through it, I think AK was by far the best choice for the placement of the land.

 

[Jones14]

There will be a drum performance at the stage when the land officially opens, per the CM stationed at the drum area.

 

[matt9112]

I'm waiting for my slot now . Sounds good. How busy is the land during your slot? Packed or?

 

[doctornick]

There will be a drum performance at the stage when the land officially opens, per the CM stationed at the drum area.

This is consistently with what had been rumored, so I'm not surprised. I wonder if there is anything else planned that won't debut until the official opening.

 

[matt9112]

Ice cold water fountain AND bottle fill station in navi river que..... slick

 

[Jones14]

I'm waiting for my slot now . Sounds good. How busy is the land during your slot? Packed or?

Not crowded at all! River Journey is a literal walk-on, and Flight of Passage takes about twenty minutes due to the staggered pre-shows. Everyone only gets to ride Flight of Passage once, which keeps the wait down. It's almost like having the place to yourself.

 

[matt9112]

Man whoever does previews I have one word of advice! EAT HERE!!!!

The pods! EAT the pods!

Little lemon ball things eat those too!

 

[brb1006]

Apparently if you have pineapple cream cheese it squirts as mentioned by one of the visitors today.

 

[matt9112]

Rain stinks but man Disney did it right.

Like really right.

Edit don't go in the store unless you plan to empty the wallet.

 

[matt9112]

I seen photos and love the water fountains. I also heard you get free refills for your sodas.

Yup sodas are at bar area. Along with real silverware. Disneyland take that!!!!

 

[Kman101]

Heard FoP was down for a bit today. Still working things out?

 

[matt9112]

Heard FoP was down for a bit today. Still working things out?

I'm sitting down in the line right now with everyone else.

Somethings wrong.

Just got the intercom (longer than expected announcement)

 

[matt9112]

Wow! Flight of passage is amazing.....forbiden journey has just be topped.

 

[Kman101]

I've been hearing nothing but praise for Flight of Passage. Sounds like they knocked it out of the park with this one.

 

[Jones14]

I've been hearing nothing but praise for Flight of Passage. Sounds like they knocked it out of the park with this one.

You know how Forbidden Journey made you realize just how cool a dark ride could be? That's what Flight of Passage does for simulators. It's not so much that it has one particular element that's so cool about it, like Everest's backwards section or Yeti, or Gringotts' first drop, or Hunny Hunt's trackless design, but that every single element, no matter how simple (see: air bladders) works together to help you buy into the illusion. It, like Spider-Man, is telling a visual story that grabs your attention from beginning to end.

 

[donsullivan]

Jut got home from my Pandora Preview a few minutes ago. WOW!!! That layers upon layers of detail just cannot be described.

I have no idea if this will hold out for others but on the 6-8P preview this afternoon, they started scanning credentials (bands or cards) a couple minutes after 5PM. Right after they scanned our credentials a CM came by with a stack of paper FP's with 15 minute windows for FoP. Due to problems continuing with FoP right now they did not give out enough FP's for everyone to get one. Some further back in the line got a voucher for a free drink at Satuli as consolation. So if this model plays out going forward you'll want to be there 90-120 minutes before your scheduled preview window to be toward the front of the line. I'm sure as FoP gets more reliable that will change but this is what we experienced earlier today. There will be a pretty epic line just waiting to get into the land.

You do not need any paper or emails or anything else. As long as you can see the Rivers FP in your MDE, all you need is your MB or card which they'll scan with the hand-held scanner and you're good to go.

They let us stay in the land until a little after 8:30P when they began a very aggressive sweep to run everyone off. That meant we had 3 full hours in the land when it was all said and done. Despite the darkening skies they did not turn on any bioluminescence or lighting on the floating mountains. Some of what's on the paths was visible as the lights that drive those came on for basic safe walking. We were told that the full lighting package will not be turned on until the media preview and the official opening on the 27th and then it will be on for everyone going forward.

 

[tecowdw]

Jut got home from my Pandora Preview a few minutes ago. WOW!!! That layers upon layers of detail just cannot be described.

I have no idea if this will hold out for others but on the 6-8P preview this afternoon, they started scanning credentials (bands or cards) a couple minutes after 5PM. Right after they scanned our credentials a CM came by with a stack of paper FP's with 15 minute windows for FoP. Due to problems continuing with FoP right now they did not give out enough FP's for everyone to get one. Some further back in the line got a voucher for a free drink at Satuli as consolation. So if this model plays out going forward you'll want to be there 90-120 minutes before your scheduled preview window to be toward the front of the line. I'm sure as FoP gets more reliable that will change but this is what we experienced earlier today. There will be a pretty epic line just waiting to get into the land.

You do not need any paper or emails or anything else. As long as you can see the Rivers FP in your MDE, all you need is your MB or card which they'll scan with the hand-held scanner and you're good to go.

They let us stay in the land until a little after 8:30P when they began a very aggressive sweep to run everyone off. That meant we had 3 full hours in the land when it was all said and done. Despite the darkening skies they did not turn on any bioluminescence or lighting on the floating mountains. Some of what's on the paths was visible as the lights that drive those came on for basic safe walking. We were told that the full lighting package will not be turned on until the media preview and the official opening on the 27th and then it will be on for everyone going forward.

Awesome! Thank for the report!!

 

[Kman101]

Jut got home from my Pandora Preview a few minutes ago. WOW!!! That layers upon layers of detail just cannot be described.

I have no idea if this will hold out for others but on the 6-8P preview this afternoon, they started scanning credentials (bands or cards) a couple minutes after 5PM. Right after they scanned our credentials a CM came by with a stack of paper FP's with 15 minute windows for FoP. Due to problems continuing with FoP right now they did not give out enough FP's for everyone to get one. Some further back in the line got a voucher for a free drink at Satuli as consolation. So if this model plays out going forward you'll want to be there 90-120 minutes before your scheduled preview window to be toward the front of the line. I'm sure as FoP gets more reliable that will change but this is what we experienced earlier today. There will be a pretty epic line just waiting to get into the land.

You do not need any paper or emails or anything else. As long as you can see the Rivers FP in your MDE, all you need is your MB or card which they'll scan with the hand-held scanner and you're good to go.

They let us stay in the land until a little after 8:30P when they began a very aggressive sweep to run everyone off. That meant we had 3 full hours in the land when it was all said and done. Despite the darkening skies they did not turn on any bioluminescence or lighting on the floating mountains. Some of what's on the paths was visible as the lights that drive those came on for basic safe walking. We were told that the full lighting package will not be turned on until the media preview and the official opening on the 27th and then it will be on for everyone going forward.

Glad you got in, especially after all the issues you had getting the confirmation e-mail. Who knew we'd only need to see it in the MDE app? LOL

Appreciate the information. I'll line up next week as soon as I can, lol. Sounds like they let you in early and let you stay past your time as well? That's nice. I imagine it could vary though, like the FP for Flights of Passage.

 

[donsullivan]

Glad you got in, especially after all the issues you had getting the confirmation e-mail. Who knew we'd only need to see it in the MDE app? LOL

Appreciate the information. I'll line up next week as soon as I can, lol. Sounds like they let you in early and let you stay past your time as well? That's nice. I imagine it could vary though, like the FP for Flights of Passage.

Yeah, after all that mayhem to get things sorted out the actual access experience was a non-event. I'm sure things will change and adjust as they move forward with the previews in the coming weeks but I thought I'd share what we saw today, especially for those in the next few days. The biggest issue seems to be reliability with F0P. We were told that right now it's only running at ~25% capacity. Hopefully they knock the kinks out of it soon to get up to full capacity because it is by far the most astonishing attraction I've ever been on and has amazing re-ride potential.