Disney Pandora – The World of Avatar opens to the public May 27th but I got the chance to check it out and share all the magic with you! Thank you to Walt Disney World for hosting my accommodations and travel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation I was invited by Walt Disney World to spend a few days in the Florida sunshine along with a few other Disney family bloggers to learn more about all the wonderful things WDW has added recently. Goes without saying that I was excited about this trip, but when I received our itinerary and read that we would get to visit Pandora, Disney’s newest theme park attraction, I freaked out. That’s really the only way to describe my reaction… I totally freaked out with excitement!

Watch our YouTube video for a first look at Pandora, World of Avatar

Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation You guys, Pandora should be at the top of your list of trips you’ll want to make this summer! It’s bucket list travel for anyone with kids or without. You’ll be absolutely amazed by the sights and experiences that Disney has brought to life in this new world. Let’s take a little tour…

Did you know that guests of Walt Disney World resorts get extra, extra Disney Magic Hours from 11 PM to 1 AM, May 27th thru July4th. Read more on my Reasons to Stay at a Disney Resort 

While you’re planning your Orlando vacation, check out this great read on what to do at Legoland with older kids.

Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation

 Disney’s Animal Kingdom — Pandora, World of Avatar 

Stepping inside Pandora you instantly feel like you’ve been transported to another planet.  The 12-acre park was created to represent the World of Avatar 40 years after the movie takes place. With floating mountains above and tropical landscape all around it’s hard not to feel a sense of awe as you take it all in. Around every corner you’ll find something new and amazing. Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation The plant sculptures look incredibly life-like as if they might reach out and touch you at any second. I couldn’t believe how much detail Disney imagineers put into creating the Valley of Mo’ara, the mythical habitat the Avatars call home. Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation At night the plant life in Pandora give-off a bioluminescent glow. The botanical gardens turn into a brilliant spectacle of lights, a neon wonderland of giant flowers and plants illuminating the jungle. Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation

Rides at Pandora – Na’vi River Journey

The Na’vi River Journey will take you down a sacred river hidden away in the bioluminescent rainforest. Reed boats float through a glowing world of magic in this family friendly ride that all ages will love.

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Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation

Look around and you’ll see plants and creatures come to life in a dazzling display of neon colors. The sites and sounds make you feel at one with this new world. You feel connected to the life force that flows along this river and ends with a spiritual encounter with a Na’vi Shaman of Songs.  Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation

Pandora Rides – The Flight of Passage

Follow the path just past the floating Hallelujah Mountains and you’ll find Pandora’s other main attraction, the Flight of Passage ride. Once you step inside the airlock chamber you are matched up with your own Avatar and ready to take flight aboard a mountain banshee for a breathtaking virtual reality experience you will never forget. This ride was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced! It’s so realistic you feel as though you are truly soaring through the rainforest. You feel the wind and smell the tropics, your heart races with every climb and you can even feel a heart beat synchronizing as you connect with this mythical winged creature. After the ride I was in a complete state of exhilaration, it was so exciting and I can’t wait to ride it again.

Height requirements for Flight of Passage ride — guests must be 44 inches or taller to ride

Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation

Disney World Food – Pandora Eats

Disney food lovers will not be disappointed by  Pandora’s two fast casual dining options. Satu’li Canteen and Pongu Pongu. Create your own Satu’li Bowl at Satu’li Canteen and wash it down with a Dreamwalker Sangria or Pandora Sunrise.

Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation

Or try a tasty Cheeseburger Pod, a steamed bun filled with cheeseburger and served with root vegetable chips and slaw. Goes great with a light green beer like the Hawkes’ Grog Ale! Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation

Pongu Pongu (means “Party Party” in Na’vi) is the where you’ll want to head next to order the Night Blossom drink. It’s a non-alcoholic mix of frozen limeade, apple juice, and pear juice topped with passion fruit boba.

Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation

The Night Blossom was so cool I had to Instagram it and share with all the Disney Food fanatics out there. This one will be on your WDW foodie bucket list for sure!

Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation

Pandora Giftshop Goodies

Of course no trip to a new Disney theme park would be complete without picking up a few souvenirs from the gift shop. Windtraders is full of Avatar inspired merchandise for all ages. But the most exciting eye candy takes up the side wall and will be something your kids will LOVE! Who am I kidding, I want one too and so will you.

Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation

Pandora Interactive Banshee Toy

Bring home your own Banshee, sure to be the most coveted souvenir in all of Pandora.  The hand-controlled creatures move their heads, mouths and wings and emit sounds realistic to the Avatar movie.

Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation  Inside the Banshee Rookery a Naturalist from Alpha Centauri Expeditions is there to help guests choose which banshee fits their personality from the 10 different styles. Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation

Want to create your own Avatar? Well, you can do that too inside Windtraders.

Step inside the ACE Avatar Maker transformation booth. An Alpha Centauri Expedition Scan Technician will use a state-of-the-art, facial capture scanner to enter your data into the Hybrid Digitizing System.

Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation

Select your avatar’s body style from four different choices in youth or adult size. Choose eye color, facial striping pattern, and hairstyle to complete your Avatar’s look.

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Once the customization process is completed, guests receive an ACE identification tag, a keepsake card is used to pick up your completed action figures. Reservations are required for this experience, and can be made on a first-come, first-serve basis inside Windtraders.Create Your Own Avatar at Windtraders Disney Pandora Avatar World Animal Kingdom Walt Disney World Resorts Disney family vacation via mom blogger Misty Nelson family travel blog #WDWresorts #visitPandora

 

And if you just want to add a little Avatar style to your look for the day there are lots of awesome pieces you can purchase. Like this Avatar headband!

Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation

Disney Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Walt DIsney World Orlando Florida via travel blogger Misty Nelson family vacation