Na'vi River Journey reviews, comments and questions

[RustySpork]

I did a couple of times. Did no good.

It never does do any good, I've yelled at people for using flash before they just pretend to not hear you. Cast don't care either, they're not really allowed to confront guests to tell them to cut it out. It's guest entitlement mentality at its finest. On the bright side, those pictures are going to be pretty terrible. It's the worst to have a ride ruined like that.

 

[beertiki]

Told some girl to put her phone away on TOT yesterday. Got called a piece of male anatomy in return. Phone did not come out again, and none of the males with her would meet my gaze after the ride. Sometimes it's good to look a little scary.

The river ride is good for once or twice a year. 15 minutes or less wait time, and no chance of wasting a FP.

 

[Kman101]

It's really sad some can't live without their phone for a couple of minutes. Why bother riding something if all you are is on your phone? I noticed a teen girl next to me when I saw Rivers of Light in March and through the whole thing she was on her phone. I just kept staring forward. I really wanted to say something snarky but I didn't. I use my phone in the parks for certain things but I can't imagine being so attached.

 

[Dizney Crew]

It's really sad some can't live without their phone for a couple of minutes. Why bother riding something if all you are is on your phone? I noticed a teen girl next to me when I saw Rivers of Light in March and through the whole thing she was on her phone. I just kept staring forward. I really wanted to say something snarky but I didn't. I use my phone in the parks for certain things but I can't imagine being so attached.

This is so annoying when people are using their phones during a ride especially dark rides. Last wknd we were riding POTC and the kid in front of us was on his phone the entire time from the second he boarded the boat, even on the drop he was still texting away and didn't even move, so annoying.

 

[Kalima45]

Got to ride this over the weekend. The ride itself was very good and I can't pick out anything I didn't like about it, however the queue needs some work. No story line of what your about to encounter, and the overall feel did very little for me as well. Also got a survey and told them as much too. I know that some of the plants still have to grow out but the area around there just seemed like they ran out of time and threw it together, ie strings of lights without trying to hide them at all. The roof leaked a little as well, not sure if that was part of the plan. Hopefully next time we visit in a few years they will address some of this.

 

[roj2323]

Same day fast passes for this attraction are possible. I got one today while I was in line for the Banshee ride at around 4pm for a 6:55-7:55 time slot.

 

[Ricky Spanish]

Same day fast passes for this attraction are possible. I got one today while I was in line for the Banshee ride at around 4pm for a 6:55-7:55 time slot.

We got a same day fast pass, too.
Know why?
Because the ride is basically Living with the Land with fluorescent paint and a blue creature.
One and done.

 

[Kman101]

We got a same day fast pass, too.
Know why?
Because the ride is basically Living with the Land with fluorescent paint and a blue creature.
One and done.

You don't say?

 

[MisterPenguin]

We got a same day fast pass, too.
Know why?
Because the ride is basically Living with the Land with fluorescent paint and a blue creature.
One and done.

When Pandora was in previews, I watched a lot of vlog reviews. There was a lot of excitement for FoP, but for the NRJ, there were plenty who were like, "I guess it's OK. I rode it three times."

If one does not see the irony in that, let me highlight it: They rode it multiple times. And yes, there was no wait for them. But if it really was 'meh' to them, they wouldn't have gone on it three times in a row. NRJ fails when compared to FoP because it's the opposite of an adrenaline rush (and in the good way) and it suffers for a lengthy line precisely because it's a new ride... but maybe it's not worth such a long line.

One can find same-day FPs for IaSW and for the very popular 'mountain rides.' NRJ isn't going to ever be idle, especially when its one of the few child-friendly rides in DAK.

 

[GenerationX]

We rode this on Tuesday with a 45 minute wait. I wouldn't wait any longer than 60 minutes for the first time rider and no more than 25 minutes for the repeat rider. Well done and impeccably themed, but not particularly exciting.

Flight of Passage, on the other hand, is absolutely phenomenal. Youngest son (17) mentioned that he had never felt like he was actually PART of a ride before. I agree. The attraction is leaps and bounds ahead of anything similar at Disney or Universal.

 

[Kman101]

Agreed on the boat ride but maybe it worked for me because I went on FOP first so it was nice to see it "come to life" in the boat ride. But I think the criticism towards it has been fair.

 

[Marc Davis Fan]

For people who've been on both, do you think the Na'vi River Journey is better for first-time visitors to experience before or after riding Flight of Passage?

I originally thought "before" would be the obvious answer (so that it's not a let-down by comparison), but I can actually see FoP creating excitement about Pandora that makes visitors appreciate the content of NRJ more (as I think @Kman101 is describing above). It's sort-of like how the secondary attractions in Hogsmeade (e.g., Flight of the Hippogriff) are often more fun after riding Forbidden Journey because then one has become more engrossed in the Potter universe. Thoughts?

 

[disneygeek90]

For people who've been on both, so you think the Na'vi River Journey is better for first-time visitors to experience before or after riding Flight of Passage?

I originally thought "before" would be the obvious answer (so that it's not a let-down by comparison), but I can actually see FoP creating excitement about Pandora that makes visitors appreciate the content of NRJ more (as I think @Kman101 is describing above). It's sort-of like how the secondary attractions in Hogsmeade (e.g., Flight of the Hippogriff) are often more fun after riding Forbidden Journey because then one has become more engrossed in the Potter universe. Thoughts?

I guess I could see both, but I for one would still recommend the boat ride first. It's more of the appetizer than the entrée, if you will. But gets you even more hungry for more.

 

[flyerjab]

For people who've been on both, so you think the Na'vi River Journey is better for first-time visitors to experience before or after riding Flight of Passage?

I originally thought "before" would be the obvious answer (so that it's not a let-down by comparison), but I can actually see FoP creating excitement about Pandora that makes visitors appreciate the content of NRJ more (as I think @Kman101 is describing above). It's sort-of like how the secondary attractions in Hogsmeade (e.g., Flight of the Hippogriff) are often more fun after riding Forbidden Journey because then one has become more engrossed in the Potter universe. Thoughts?

Agree.

This expansion to me is more of an overall experience as opposed to just a themed land with 2 rides and food/merch. Each individual experience compliments every other facet of the land.

We too rode FoP before NRJ and I think it is evident that the river ride compliments FoP. It is similar to me to how some of the pavilions are setup in Epcot. The Mexico Pavilion has several food options, merchandise setup in a street vendor type setup, an artifacts section, a boat ride, as well as a mariachi band. All of these things compliment each other to speak to park visitors, painting a unique picture of Mexicanc culture. Pandora is similar. The land and NRJ gives you a feel for the flea and fauna of Pandora. The shaman and the FoP gives you glimpses into the Na'vi culture. The FoP queue and things like the mech suite and shot down helicopter gives you a sense of history, as well as a respect for nature and conservation (tying in DAK mission). Add in the drum show and food (the QS also adds to the imagined culture of the Na'vi). All of these things work together to create a complete experience.

 

[startraveler]

I have a question about accessibility. I have heard that this ride has some sort of device to help wheelchair users transfer to the boat. Has anyone done this or seen someone transfer to the boat from a wheelchair? Starting to plan a trip and am trying to figure out it the device is a kind I could use. Thank you.

 

[Kman101]

I'd say ride FOP first and look at NRJ as a compliment to it and as a way to have what you saw in the simulator come to life. Maybe a different mind frame will lessen disappointment?

 

[correcaminos]

We got a same day fast pass, too.
Know why?
Because the ride is basically Living with the Land with fluorescent paint and a blue creature.
One and done.

Ha we like living with the Land and like to ride it at least once a trip. We enjoyed this one too - very visually stimulating. Will ride again

 

[correcaminos]

I have a question about accessibility. I have heard that this ride has some sort of device to help wheelchair users transfer to the boat. Has anyone done this or seen someone transfer to the boat from a wheelchair? Starting to plan a trip and am trying to figure out it the device is a kind I could use. Thank you.

I read there are no wheelchair boats. They have multiple steps to go down to make it easy but you must transfer.

 

[Eckert]

15 minutes or less wait time, and no chance of wasting a FP.

I'd actually suggest getting a FP for this one...in order to get the full experience in Pandora you should very well ride both rides, and only Flight of Passage is pulling waits worthy of the ride. Getting a fastpass for NRJ minimizes your time in a queue that isn't very different from what you see in the regular queue and gets you on a ride that isn't exactly worth a 60+ minute wait.

Flight of Passage is worth the wait, and has a very detailed queue that visitors don't get to see in the FP line.

 

[JimW]

I'd actually suggest getting a FP for this one...in order to get the full experience in Pandora you should very well ride both rides, and only Flight of Passage is pulling waits worthy of the ride. Getting a fastpass for NRJ minimizes your time in a queue that isn't very different from what you see in the regular queue and gets you on a ride that isn't exactly worth a 60+ minute wait.

Flight of Passage is worth the wait, and has a very detailed queue that visitors don't get to see in the FP line.

I totally agree with this assessment, even without having ridden the ride. I've mentioned before that my wife and I went during AP previews and didn't ride FoP do to my (excessively embarrassing) fear of heights. However, we made it a point to experience the queue. It was posted as 15 minutes, but was closer to 30-40. It didn't matter. The progression of the queue tells a story that not only mirrors the progressing narrative of the land itself; it totally enhances it. The lab which makes up most of the final section of the queue is stunning in both its story and detail. The AA included therein... while completely subtle, is also inexplicable.