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Thread: Pandora reveiws and opinions

  1. #1
    still romantic at heart
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
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    chicago

    Pandora reveiws and opinions

    Hi Everyone.

    I don't post here very much, although I did back in the day... I now live just a few miles from the front gate of the World, and spend a bit of time there. As luck would have it we were staying at the Villas at the Grand Floridian for my daughters birthday and were able to visit Pandora for the DVC preview. So I wanted to offer my views and opinions, and hope others will add to this as they visit this new land

    First of all I will state that it is beautiful, and in creating the world of AVATAR Disney has done a marvelous job. This is perhaps the best themed area in not only WDW, but all of the theme park industry. Disney was challenged with the wizarding world over at Universal, and they rose to the challenge, in many areas even surpassing them. The main area they succeed in is site lines. I love both Hogwarts and Diagon Alley, but they are relatively small, and in many places the real world intrudes. Not so here, from the moment the visitor crosses the bridge they are completely immersed in Pandora, at no time in the 3 hours we spent there did we see anything, with the exception of Disney price stickers on merchandise, did we see anything that gave away where we were, we were in Pandora. While the scenery fails to convince the mountains are actually floating (an impossible task in the real world) they offer a majesty unseen elsewhere. the use of forced perspective in the mountains, both floating and anchored was very well done, giving the illusion the landscape is much larger than it really is.
    Now unto the rides.
    Flight of Passage did not disappoint. I admittedly am one of the few people who never watch the movie this place is associated with, yet I felt at home and not lost, yet one of our traveling companions who is well versed in the story was able to identify much of what she saw. The ride itself is located inside a mountain, well really a show building with a mountain range facade, and boasts the longest line perhaps in the world. A cast member told us when the line is full it can contain 4 hours worth of guests. This might actually mean 8 hours, I will get back to that in a minute. That long line is uphill almost all the way, we had a wheel chair with us, and while we only waited minutes it was a very long hall, and very tiring. In the hot Florida sun the outside portions may be very difficult for some people, just a suggestion, but if the line is long, bring water...
    The ride itself is a variation of Soaring, but the ride vehicles don't go up in the air, rather guests are queued into three levels before boarding their Banshees. the preview movie the first time seemed almost as if it was being made up as we watched it, which in a way is good themeing for first time visitors, but ended up being a long slow bit upon return visits. There is some cool effects here that I will leave up to you to enjoy unspoiled by me at this time.
    The ride itself is very well done, and takes Soaring to new levels. While it was never hard to forget we were watching a computer generated movie it was none the less immersing even for a complete novice. I saw someone say that it was intense, none in are party thought it was any more intense the a lot of other rides although that might be because we were on the bottom level on all our rides. So if fear of heights is a problem ask for the bottom level, this may help.
    Now onto the bad about the ride. Indeed Disney has gone the way of Universal and made a ride that many may not be able to ride if they have certain body dimensions, or, based on my observations, unable to transfer out of a wheel chair. On our first trip (when I say this part I mean NO DISRESPECT to anyone) a lady was unable to ride because of the size issue. In my opinion she was not that overly large, perhaps in the 250lbs range. The sad part is in repeated visits that day we saw no test seats for visitors to try before the went up the mountain. Can you imagine waiting HOURS for the ride only to find out you can't go? Disney may get MANY complaints about this. Now on to what I alluded to before. A cast member friend of mine (actually 3rd party friend) who works there said they are having significant problems with the ride. Apparently they have multiple theaters but all of them have a nasty habit of overheating and needing to be shut down for cooling. While we were there something like this must have happened as we had to wait while the people in the theater we were in were escorted out and to another theater, then when it was our turn we also were led to the other theater. If this is true the the real capacity of the ride is half of what they expect and long lines will be the rule for some time.
    Na'vi River ride was also well done, but somewhat of a disappointment. I had hoped for something along the lines of Pirates but what we got was a dark (lighting) jungle cruise. This ride is geared for "families", but I feel those between the ages of 8 and old enough to have kids under 8 will not be to interested after their first ride. While this ride boasts the most amazing animatronic I have perhaps ever seen the rest of the sort trip is just floating through a florescent jungle with projections of creatures. They must not be expecting a whole lot of people as the boats hold only 4 adults and maybe 2 more kids. Although the ride itself only lasts about 4 minutes from my recollection it was a pleasant distraction from the heat. The line area is nowhere nearly as themed as Flight, with just a corral of switch back for much of it.

    On a side note, a nice touch as we were leaving cast members welcomed us back to earth.
    I have left out much here as I think it is best explored and discovered on ones own. A visitor can expect to devote several hours here even if perchance (ha ha) the lines are short. I will add in closing that while the food choices other than the fried wantons similar to what the have at Yak n Yeti did little for us the shopping was good. and there is a lot of little things to explore and discover. This was a fine addition to the AK and may make it an all day park finally.

    Grateful for all God has done for me, and for having Wfoxx by my side.

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  3. #2

    Thanks so much for this review. I'm not planning on going back to WDW until October so I have a few months to wait.


  4. #3
    still romantic at heart
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    chicago

    Just a quick update. Today a test seat appeared out in front of the queue entrance. It's obvious this was a recently planned and hastily constructed addition as both the location and the test seat are not really well executed. This is one point where Disney should have paid attention to how Universal did it at Forbidden Journey.

    Grateful for all God has done for me, and for having Wfoxx by my side.

  5. #4

    Good to hear, though. Looks like I'll be dragging my big ol' bod into the test seat!

    The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
    - James Taylor

  6. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by efoxx View Post
    Just a quick update. Today a test seat appeared out in front of the queue entrance. It's obvious this was a recently planned and hastily constructed addition as both the location and the test seat are not really well executed. This is one point where Disney should have paid attention to how Universal did it at Forbidden Journey.
    The test seat was out there during media previews.

  7. #6
    Waiting impatiently for next trip quackinup's Avatar
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    Jul 2009
    Location
    Ventura County, CA
    Quote Originally Posted by efoxx View Post
    On a side note, a nice touch as we were leaving cast members welcomed us back to earth.
    Sometimes those little things like that can make a big difference. I can't remember what the ride was for the life of me but I remember exiting a ride, at a different level than I entered (like on ToT) and as the doors open there is a janitor sweeping the floor who looks up and says something like "What are you guys doing here? You shouldn't be in here. Lets get you out." Totally finished off the ride right! Wish I could remember what that one was. Anyone?
    Zip-a-dee-doo-dah!
    Next trip: Disney World May 1-9 2020

  8. #7

    Pandora reveiws and opinions

    I've just seen a photo of the test seat elsewhere. I cannot figure out how you sit on it al all?

     

    If no-one out there understands, start your own revolution and cut out the middle man (Billy Bragg)

  9. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by scoobydooby View Post
    I've just seen a photo of the test seat elsewhere. I cannot figure out how you sit on it at all?
    I got curious seeing your post and did some searching. I also didn't clearly "get it" it from a few still photos.

    The young lady who runs this page has a nice video with explanation showing her getting into the seat. It also shows the seat being locked without her in it so you can see the mechanism.

    This has got to be one of the more interesting and unique seats for any ride in central Florida, I'd say. I can certainly see some people being uncomfortable with it, though I don't suspect it will bother me.

    See here for link.
    -Dave

  10. #9

    Pandora reveiws and opinions

    Ah now I get it! I can see a lot of people struggling with that it's not the roomiest ride seat I've ever seen. Do they have a different version for wheelchair users?

     

    If no-one out there understands, start your own revolution and cut out the middle man (Billy Bragg)

  11. #10

    Everything I have read (both efoxx's original post here and stuff I came across while searching) seems to indicate wheelchairs must transfer.

    I didn't come across any references to any special type of seat available for people using wheelchairs.

    I did read a detailed account on another board where a person who could not ride counted up the empty seats from people turned away (as she was) during her experience, and it was a little over 20% of people who could not be secured in the seat. Obviously that is a small single sample at only 32 people, but it's still potentially significant.

    This was during previews, and it seems the process may be evolving a little as the limitations of the seat and/or potential adjustments may be understood better as the ride gets more exposure to larger groups of people.

    I think that's fair since it only opened "for real" 2 days ago now. Time will tell though.

    -Dave

  12. #11

    I think the seat might turn some away. You are leaned forward which puts some weight on your hands. When I was locked in, there was a delay before the ride started. My back felt sore holding that position but I couldn't really shift because I was locked in.
    I'm very glad they have a test seat. I didn't see one on 5/22, but I admit that I wasn't looking for one.
    It's the stairs exit at the end that I can't do. Four levels equaling around 6-8 flights of stairs to get down. And I didn't see any sign for that coming up. I asked the CM for another route and figured she'd just tell me it was around a corner. But nope, she would have to wait for someone to take her spot and then take me to a way down. ???? Has anyone used some other way down than the stairs?


  13. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by Dave1313 View Post
    Everything I have read (both efoxx's original post here and stuff I came across while searching) seems to indicate wheelchairs must transfer.

    I didn't come across any references to any special type of seat available for people using wheelchairs.
    Both new rides in Pandora require wheelchair users to transfer. There is no alternate experience available. In addition, there is no alternate load area to accommodate someone who might be slower to load (as is the case in some rides). All ride units must wait for the passenger to transfer.

    The test vehicle outside allows users to see if they will fit. Some of the issue is with the restraints being able to lock in place even if the user can fit in the seat.

  14. #13

    I'm just back from a quick trip to the World. I found Flight of Passage to be one of the most amazing theme park experiences of my life. I was half way through the attraction before I realized that my jaw was practically dragging on the floor from the expression of amazement on my face. The queue is an attraction unto itself. Pandora is the most immersive land anywhere. Everyone should go and see it!

    Tony S.
    "It's kind of fun to do the impossible." - Walt Disney

    url=http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timers/][/url]

  15. #14
    Registered User
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    Sep 2006
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    Blue House

    Glad to hear the queue is an attraction! We had to move our trip so we lost all our FP to Flight of Passage, there are not any available any of the days we are there! So we will have to stand in line for this one but I am very much looking forward to riding this ride.


  16. #15
    Read Everything-Assume Nothing GusMan's Avatar
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    Let me say something about the test seat.
    Im a big guy. I tried the test seat. They said I would not be able to ride.
    A friend that was with me... also a big guy... said that he had a 50-50 chance of being able to ride.

    We were able to both ride without issues.
    We were not squeezed in tight either... had enough wiggle room to be comfortable.

    I think that test seat is set up a little different than the real ride.

    And yes... it was an epic and awesome attraction.

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