RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
They've been operational since before opening day. There have been down times for individual theaters, but it has seemingly been running pretty well.
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Avatar Flight of Passage reviews, comments and questions
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
neoshinok
Well-Known Member
Has anyone figured out how they do the Avatar in the tank effect in the queue? I'm guessing it's not as straightforward as it looks
I have to say, in terms of looking 'straight out of the movie', this thing has to be the best effect I've ever seen in a park.
po1998
Well-Known Member
Thx!
Gulf Coast Anteater
New Member
Yes, he's real. I think he's awesome! Other than FOP, meeting him is going to be the highlight of my trip! I mean, come on. A REAL Avatar? This is heaven on Pandora! A quick question:
Do you think its possible for me to just go through the queue (maybe use an empty lane or something) at my own pace? I want to get EXTENSIVE video and pictures of the facilities. I mean, instead of trying to take pictures when everyone is moving forward, I don't want to be "pushed" along by the crowd. I actually WANT to take a long time to view everything before I fly with my Ikran. I can FP it when I'm ready.
Castle Cake Apologist
Well-Known Member
Has anyone figured out how they do the Avatar in the tank effect in the queue? I'm guessing it's not as straightforward as it looks
Indeed, what you see is what you get with this one it seems. It's simply an animatronic floating in a tank of water. It's so funny how one of the simplest effects has also turned out to be the most impressive.
Castle Cake Apologist
Well-Known Member
I would recommend just letting people pass around you, much like you would in the interactive queues if you wanted to stop and play. I promise you that nobody behind you will be mad that they get to cut in line.
Chef Mickey
Well-Known Member
I just got back from a 10 day stay at WDW and wanted to give some quick thoughts FOP.
We rode FOP 6 times, 2 with Fast Pass and 4 times in standby. Honestly, the waits in standby weren't too bad as we took advantage of the 1am operating hours. Fast Pass works flawlessly and essentially brings you directly to the pre-show. Good luck getting one. I checked endlessly to get the ones I had, but it's possible if you're diligent.
The queue is easily the most interesting, detailed, and expansive queue at WDW. I would say the Everest Queue is a close second, but the floating avatar alone is worth the wait in the sometimes very long lines. It's simply beautiful on the outside and detailed on the inside, particularly in the lab areas. It was a little too warm in some parts of the inside queue.
Pre-show - I thought the pre-show was slightly odd and too long. You essentially have to walk through 2 staging areas where you are matched with an avatar explained by an awkward Dr. Stevens. After decontamination, you are sent to yet another area where you watch an explanation of why you're here video with Dr. Ogden, who pioneered this experience. The questionable "acting" by Doctor Stevens is just strange. Predictably, the process gets old with every ride after the first and you're anxious just to get to the flight itself.
The Attraction - Once I got to the ride vehicle, I was almost shaking with excitement. The first time actually takes your breath away. It's incredible, an E-Ticket Attraction, no doubt about it. The scene in the wave is one of the most amazing experiences I've had on a ride at any park. The screen is HUGE and beautiful (It has to be 4K HD?). Feeling the Banshee's lungs expand, smelling the environment, and getting hit with water mist are SUPER immersive elements that really pull you hard into the experience. The dives actually feel like you're nosediving into a canyon.
However, I found myself getting less and less impressed after each subsequent ride. Normal law of diminishing returns, sure, but I think it's a symptom of AR/VR experiences in general. Hear me out on this.
With no real "physical" experience other than short movements of the ride vehicle, your brain becomes conditioned to the sequence of events. This is less of an issue with truly physical experiences like Tower of Terror, Everest, or even Splash Mountain. By the 4th time, I was noticing the screen edges, other peoples' feet, and was actually quite bored maybe except for the wave scene. I question its re-rideability. Perhaps they can "update" the ride more easily in the future, but I can't help but wonder if this was the right move over an actual "ride" versus essentially a screen.
I find myself wondering, could they have incorporated the same concept with a more moveable ride system with additional screens....maybe more like the Harry Potter ride concept but with the better technology of today? I don't see HP as a direct comparison, but the reliance on the screen concerns me and leaves me a bit empty. This should be the best attraction at WDW, but it's still not. Tower of Terror and Everest are better E-Tickets and have better re-rideability.
Some notes and Summary:
We rode FOP 6 times, 2 with Fast Pass and 4 times in standby. Honestly, the waits in standby weren't too bad as we took advantage of the 1am operating hours. Fast Pass works flawlessly and essentially brings you directly to the pre-show. Good luck getting one. I checked endlessly to get the ones I had, but it's possible if you're diligent.
The queue is easily the most interesting, detailed, and expansive queue at WDW. I would say the Everest Queue is a close second, but the floating avatar alone is worth the wait in the sometimes very long lines. It's simply beautiful on the outside and detailed on the inside, particularly in the lab areas. It was a little too warm in some parts of the inside queue.
Pre-show - I thought the pre-show was slightly odd and too long. You essentially have to walk through 2 staging areas where you are matched with an avatar explained by an awkward Dr. Stevens. After decontamination, you are sent to yet another area where you watch an explanation of why you're here video with Dr. Ogden, who pioneered this experience. The questionable "acting" by Doctor Stevens is just strange. Predictably, the process gets old with every ride after the first and you're anxious just to get to the flight itself.
The Attraction - Once I got to the ride vehicle, I was almost shaking with excitement. The first time actually takes your breath away. It's incredible, an E-Ticket Attraction, no doubt about it. The scene in the wave is one of the most amazing experiences I've had on a ride at any park. The screen is HUGE and beautiful (It has to be 4K HD?). Feeling the Banshee's lungs expand, smelling the environment, and getting hit with water mist are SUPER immersive elements that really pull you hard into the experience. The dives actually feel like you're nosediving into a canyon.
However, I found myself getting less and less impressed after each subsequent ride. Normal law of diminishing returns, sure, but I think it's a symptom of AR/VR experiences in general. Hear me out on this.
With no real "physical" experience other than short movements of the ride vehicle, your brain becomes conditioned to the sequence of events. This is less of an issue with truly physical experiences like Tower of Terror, Everest, or even Splash Mountain. By the 4th time, I was noticing the screen edges, other peoples' feet, and was actually quite bored maybe except for the wave scene. I question its re-rideability. Perhaps they can "update" the ride more easily in the future, but I can't help but wonder if this was the right move over an actual "ride" versus essentially a screen.
I find myself wondering, could they have incorporated the same concept with a more moveable ride system with additional screens....maybe more like the Harry Potter ride concept but with the better technology of today? I don't see HP as a direct comparison, but the reliance on the screen concerns me and leaves me a bit empty. This should be the best attraction at WDW, but it's still not. Tower of Terror and Everest are better E-Tickets and have better re-rideability.
Some notes and Summary:
- It's not that hard to get yourself on the ride vehicle. It's essentially a bike you lean on the handlebars.
- The 3D glasses fall off your head easily. Terrible.
- Queue is incredible
- Pre-Show has some cool elements with camera tricks but overall is long and poor acting
- The ride is incredible your first time, but I'd bet you get conditioned to it quickly
- I had the opportunity to ride it again, but chose to do Everest 3 times instead. That kind of sums it up for me.
Gulf Coast Anteater
New Member
I would recommend just letting people pass around you, much like you would in the interactive queues if you wanted to stop and play. I promise you that nobody behind you will be mad that they get to cut in line.
I know, going to Pandora has been my goal for years. I am not much of a Star Wars fan anymore, so the SW Land, while neat, I am not really interested in (Shocker!). Avatar's got at least 4 more films
I suppose I can go book a FP as late as possible, go through the queue, and link up the first time. I plan on going the day after Labour day (the 5th) in September. How are the crowds then? I plan to link up with FOP 3 times (once standby, the next 2 FPs.
djkidkaz
Well-Known Member
Like all preshows ( Dinosaur, Mansion, Tower all come to mind ) you eventually just walk to the closest door so you can be first out.
I've seen people complaining about the 3D glasses falling off and I think this is partly due to the realism you feel on the ride. The first time I rode I found myself leaning over the bike and head down as we would nose dive and things. It was just my bodies natural reaction, but now I'm more aware and just stay focused on the action realizing that it's not necessary to lean or anything, which was causing the glasses to feel like they were going to slide off.
I'd say I've ridden FOP at least 10 times now, maybe more. Twice in standby and the rest is fastpass. I think standing in line numerous times, especially when the waits have been so long is going to cause you to ask yourself whether it's worth it or not. My last ride just two days ago, using fastpass, was still just as thrilling, still got goosebumps and still can't wait to share the experience with friends and family.
Castle Cake Apologist
Well-Known Member
I've seen this complaint about the pre-show being too long a few times, but I don't think there's really too much they can do about the length. If you weren't in a pre-show, you would just still be standing in line instead. It's not like you're watching the pre-show while the theaters sit empty... You're seeing the pre-show while another group cycles through. I think the acting thing is because he's trying to come across as unscripted. I personally thought the acting was fine considering this, but it seems many disagree lol.
Good review overall, I have had the same feeling about the repeat ride appeal... but I feel that way about all simulators lol. I think this one (for me personally) was different and compelling enough that I haven't had any boredom issues on return trips.
Chef Mickey
Well-Known Member
To be honest, I don't disagree. My only thing is, they tried on the pre-show. Since they put effort into it, it could have been more entertaining...maybe not. Maybe just less weird? The Dr. Ogden part was better, but the other part is just kind of strange. It also has some variability depending on technical issues that may be going on with the ride (we had many) or even just slightly different effects depending on what's going on in front of you.
I do think this particular ride needs a pre-show, but I'd rather see it in 1 room and shorter. Make the line longer because the queue is more interesting than the pre-show after the first couple times. For me, the whole ride degrades with each ride, but the pre-show is pretty much dead to me already. Mission Space's pre-show is also too long and it seems they used that blueprint.
Chef Mickey
Well-Known Member
I'm glad to hear you're still enjoying it. I don't feel like the 3D glasses fit well, even with a "head up" position. They just feel too big and I have a large head. It's a minor detail though.
I almost have the opposite feeling. The anticipation of riding after a long queue almost makes FOP or really any ride better for me. Walking straight on and riding almost feels like a letdown.
I'd also argue Dinosaur and Tower are very SHORT pre-shows that almost have no impact. The 2 pre-shows in FOP are much longer and even require you to walk up stairs. FOP is also just worse. The Haunted Mansion's preshow is so good, it never gets old to me.
Figment2005
Well-Known Member
It's quite possible the tank is full of mineral oil. It is non-conductive and is many times used by enthusiasts to cool PC's. This would give the "floating in water" effect without the potential damage to an animatronic.
Figment2005
Well-Known Member
I agree with you about the preshow and the glasses. It is possible that these things can be adjusted as the preshow is a simple film, and the glasses can be redesigned to better fit if necessary.
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
Still no Single Rider Line?
Rteetz
Well-Known Member
They probably won't ever use it. They ask for Single Riders in the standby and FP lines instead.
Castle Cake Apologist
Well-Known Member
That's fair. I did find it strange how you basically go through two pre-shows. I think that definitely contributes to how long it feels. Especially since your anticipation for the ride is at its highest once you reach the pre-show portion of the queue and you don't necessarily care that much about the sacred link between the Na'Vi and the banshees at that point.
I agree. It's so sad that everybody just talks over it now. Plus, with the questionable changes to the show cycle that were made in 2007, the pre-show is already half over before you even walk in the door.
I might be wrong, but I believe the "official" single rider line was removed as of a few days ago. Like the signage and everything. They've just been pulling people out of the regular line instead.
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Disney Dad 3000
Well-Known Member
So for those that have rope dropped the park since summer is in full swing, how early were you getting to the parking lot in order to keep the standby wait to say under 45 min or so after park open? 645-7?
We planned a last minute trip for next week and managed to get FP for NRJ but want to avoid a 2-3;hr wait if we can.
And I guess from what I've read, motion sickness on this actually not as bad as Soarin? I know it can be different for everyone. Wife may have to just go through the queue and skip the ride.
We planned a last minute trip for next week and managed to get FP for NRJ but want to avoid a 2-3;hr wait if we can.
And I guess from what I've read, motion sickness on this actually not as bad as Soarin? I know it can be different for everyone. Wife may have to just go through the queue and skip the ride.
Kamikaze
Well-Known Member
Or its water and the skin of the animatronic is waterproofed in some fashion.
Chef Mickey
Well-Known Member
It must have something to do with getting people in just the right orientation before getting on to the ride to avoid confusion. I still think they could accomplish that in 1 pre show room, since you're already standing on numbers. It might have more to do with the layout of the building.
AGREE AGREE AGREE. They have somewhat ruined the Haunted Mansion's preshow by being loose with the doors, allowing people to talk, and essentially just allowing people to roam freely. I blame management for not training cast members to say, "quiet, please" and having tighter timing on entry/exit of both rooms and foyer. It's such a simple show, but has a lot of power to get you into the right mindset if it's allowed to work as intended. It seems they are rushing people in and out of the stretching rooms, but you end up waiting in the next roomed to be squeezed down to a single file line. We don't need to hurry up just to wait in the cattle room before boarding...