Pandora - The World of Avatar opening day reports

[RustySpork]

I agree with all of this. My post is based on the assumption that Avatar and, to a greater extent, Star Wars will continue to be hugely popular but certainly not at the levels we're seeing on opening day.

Either way, guests aren't really "turned away" from experiencing the Disney product. If they can't get into Pandora, they have the rest of AK to explore. If AK is too crowded as a whole, there are three other parks and tons of resorts to experience. As long as those things deliver positive experiences, the impact of the new "draw" lands will be greater than guests' specific reactions to the lands themselves. In other words, come for Pandora, stay for Walt Disney World.

I think the caveat to that though would be that they might be upset if they based their vacation around being at Pandora for opening day and couldn't get in. Then again, they should have expected this sort of crowd if they did.

 

[King Panda 77]

I can post that it's raining outside and someone will always be there to immediately to argue. The fact that some of you seeks out posts like this in order to start something is your problem.

Its sunny outside

 

[Rider]

New signs around the park

 

[GoofGoof]

So you think it was RANDOM that Disney planned the opening of Pandora on one of the busiest weekends of the year?

I thought they planned the opening to take away from the opening of Volcano Bay

Seriously, it's an odd choice of timing. Memorial Day weekend is not as large a crowd time as Spring Break, Christmas, Thanksgiving or July 4th week. WDW has been a 7 crowd level on average the last few years over Memorial Day weekend according to touring plans so not the most crowded time but definitely pretty busy. They definitely don't need a grand opening to bring in crowds for the weekend.

I think the timing has at least something to do with having it open in time for summer crowds. Once they knew they were going to miss Spring Break it was easy to push to Memorial Day. I doubt that it being a holiday weekend matters a whole lot for a grand opening crowd anyway. People would have gone no matter when it was. If anything they missed out on double dipping and having a typical holiday weekend crowd and then a grand opening crowd a week earlier or later. Maybe there actually is something to the conspiracy theory that it was done to snub Uni's grand opening.

 

[raven]

I thought they planned the opening to take away from the opening of Volcano Bay

Seriously, it's an odd choice of timing. Memorial Day weekend is not as large a crowd time as Spring Break, Christmas, Thanksgiving or July 4th week. WDW has been a 7 crowd level on average the last few years over Memorial Day weekend according to touring plans so not the most crowded time but definitely pretty busy. They definitely don't need a grand opening to bring in crowds for the weekend.

I think the timing has at least something to do with having it open in time for summer crowds. Once they knew they were going to miss Spring Break it was easy to push to Memorial Day. I doubt that it being a holiday weekend matters a whole lot for a grand opening crowd anyway. People would have gone no matter when it was. If anything they missed out on double dipping and having a typical holiday weekend crowd and then a grand opening crowd a week earlier or later. Maybe there actually is something to the conspiracy theory that it was done to snub Uni's grand opening.

...and there's that

 

[CaptainAmerica]

View attachment 207087 New signs around the park

Thank you, Disney, for going with "Pandora" and not "Avatar Land." I don't know who was in charge of DCA being called "Cars Land" instead of "Radiator Springs," but that guy should be fired.

 

[Rider]

Pandora line is much shorter and seems to be fast moving now.

 

[JustinB20]

Would it even be a smart decision for people to try attending tomorrow if normal admission guests have to wait 2+ hours to get into Pandora plus the additional time for a ride? Or is there a possibility tomorrow/Monday could be less crowded and today is only packed due to being opening day?

 

[Colter]

View attachment 207088 Pandora line is much shorter and seems to be fast moving now.

Rider is the champ, been posting things since rope drop

 

[Rider]

Almost no line actually. It's moving as fast as people can walk.

 

[Colter]

This time of day may be a good window in Pandora's infancy, the morning rush is over, and the masses haven't come for the night time displays. My guess would be around 6 or so you start see more crowds again.

 

[bethymouse]

I didn't see very many magical smiles on people's faces! As a Florida resident, I will wait.

 

[raven]

Would it even be a smart decision for people to try attending tomorrow if normal admission guests have to wait 2+ hours to get into Pandora plus the additional time for a ride? Or is there a possibility tomorrow/Monday could be less crowded and today is only packed due to being opening day?

Tomorrow and Monday won't be much better since it's still a 3 day holiday weekend.

 

[freediverdude]

Well I think this is shaping up to be a pretty expected grand opening. Nice size crowds, not near the Potter crowds from 2010 but still good, about what was expected. Nice addition to AK, turning it into more of a full day park.

 

[GoofGoof]

Well I think this is shaping up to be a pretty expected grand opening. Nice size crowds, not near the Potter crowds from 2010 but still good, about what was expected. Nice addition to AK, turning it into more of a full day park.

FAKE NEWS!!!! Trump says the crowds are Yuuuuuge....way bigger than Potter and definitely bigger than the Obama inauguration. The only thing in history that will be bigger is when HoP reopens

 

[peter11435]

Well I think this is shaping up to be a pretty expected grand opening. Nice size crowds, not near the Potter crowds from 2010 but still good, about what was expected. Nice addition to AK, turning it into more of a full day park.

Did we ever get numbers on what crowd size for potter in 2010 was? Just curious.

 

[NeonNinja]

is pandora a little better now getting ready to head back to see if its better and I can at least get in.

 

[Rider]

Rider is the champ, been posting things since rope drop

Thanks. Taking a break now though. Back later tonight.

 

[CJR]

Thank you everyone for the updates!

We were going to go today, but I feared the craziness and decided to stay home and watch movies instead. Looks like I made the right decision, I can wait until my Fastpasses next weekend. Seems like those are a golden ticket, haha.

 

[Jabbas]

Kudos to everyone braving the crowds!

 

[freediverdude]

Did we ever get numbers on what crowd size for potter in 2010 was? Just curious.

I don't have numbers at the ready, but the lines just to get in the Potter area were 8 hours plus and stretched around the park, after waiting for hours in the Citywalk area trying to get in. I remember seeing the whole sidewalk in front of the Hard Rock Cafe completely full with lines, lol. I don't think we will ever see something like that again, maybe Star Wars who knows.