Guests Wait an Hour For Half Functional Ride

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A screen replaces the Shaman of Songs animatronic on Na'vi River Journey.

When Pandora: The World of Avatar opened in 2017, Disney Imagineers took care to build the attractions and atmospheric details to be easily repairable. This is especially evident on Na’vi River Journey, a slow-moving boat ride showing flora and fauna on Pandora.

Credit: Disney

The Shaman of Songs, an impressive and life-like animatronic, is built on a platform that can be easily slid out from the ride for repairs. Disney’s Animal Kingdom learned from its mistake after the Expedition Everest Yeti Animatronic had to be turned off to protect the foundation of the mountain – it has yet to be fixed.

Related: Magic Kingdom Is a Ghost Town as Crowds Vanish From Walt Disney World

However, when The Shaman of Songs is out of service, the ride doesn’t stop. A screen version replaces it, as shown in this TikTok from @austincastrotv:

@austincastrotv

I’d expect this from Universal, but not Disney 😭 #disneyworld #animalkindgom #pandora #avatar #naviriverjourney #disney #disneyparks #flightofpassage #themepark

♬ BIZCOCHITO – ROSALÍA

Castro waited an hour to see The Shaman of Songs and was disappointed to see a screen instead. “I’d expect this from Universal, but not Disney,” he wrote.

Related: Fans Devastated by State of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Newest Land

The Shaman of Songs animatronic has since been repaired and returned to its place in Na’vi River Journey.

More on Na’vi River Journey

navi river journey
Credit: ITM

This dark boat ride opened alongside Avatar Flight of Passage and the rest of Pandora: The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2017. From Disney:

Take a mystical journey by boat deep into Pandora’s glowing bioluminescent rainforest.

A Mystical River Ride

Feel a sense of wonder as the full beauty of the extraordinary dreamscape unfolds before your eyes.

On this visually stunning and mysterious river, you’ll glide through a series of caves and into a bioluminescent rainforest alive with the sights and sounds of exotic plants and creatures on all sides—even overhead.

Na'vi River Journey
Credit: Disney

Soon, you’ll join the legendary Na’vi Shaman of Songs, who demonstrates her deep connection to the life force of Pandora—and sends positive energy out into the forest through the power of her music.

Na’vi River Journey offers explorers an experience that has to be seen—and heard—to be believed!

Have you ever seen Na’vi River Journey in “B-Mode?” 

Please note that the story outlined in this article is based on a personal Disney Parks Guest experience. No two Guest experiences are alike, and this article does not necessarily align with Inside the Magic’s personal views on Disney Parks operations.

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