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Credit: DisneyOne of the most stunning lands that Disney has ever created is easily Pandora – The World of Avatar, and now, it seems that a large change has come to what is arguably the most popular area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park as a whole.
James Cameron’s Avatar franchise has become one of the most successful and groundbreaking film series in cinematic history. With a legacy defined by cutting-edge technology, breathtaking visuals, and environmental themes, Avatar has not only revolutionized the world of filmmaking but also established itself as a global cultural phenomenon.
The journey of Avatar began in 1994 when Cameron wrote an 80-page treatment for the film, envisioning a world that was far ahead of the technology available at the time. He waited nearly 15 years for CGI and motion capture technology to catch up to his ambitious vision, allowing him to fully realize the world of Pandora.
The first film, Avatar, was finally released in 2009, after four years of production and an estimated $237 million budget.
Avatar: The Way of Water, the long-awaited sequel, was released in 2022, 13 years after the original film. Cameron, known for his meticulous attention to detail and desire to push the boundaries of technology, dedicated over a decade to the development of this sequel and its planned follow-ups.
The sequel took time to develop due to the need for even more advanced technology, especially to accurately depict underwater motion capture, which was a key feature in The Way of Water.
The Avatar films are set on the lush alien moon of Pandora, inhabited by the Na’vi, a race of 10-foot-tall blue-skinned humanoids. The first film follows the story of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic Marine who is given the chance to inhabit an “avatar” body—an artificial Na’vi body controlled by a human mind.
Jake is tasked with infiltrating the Na’vi and gaining their trust so that humans can exploit Pandora’s natural resources. However, he falls in love with the Na’vi princess Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) and ends up leading the fight against the human invasion.
The sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, continues Jake and Neytiri’s journey as they now have a family and must protect their home from renewed human threats. The sequel focuses heavily on the oceanic landscapes of Pandora, diving deeper into the planet’s ecosystems and introducing new Na’vi clans.
Both Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water feature an ensemble cast, headlined by Sam Worthington as Jake Sully and Zoe Saldana as Neytiri. Sigourney Weaver, who played Dr. Grace Augustine in the first film, returns in a new role in the sequel. Stephen Lang reprises his role as the antagonist Colonel Miles Quaritch, despite his character’s death in the first film.
The Way of Water also introduces Kate Winslet as Ronal, a Na’vi leader from the water-dwelling Metkayina clan.
The original Avatar was one of the most expensive films ever made at the time, with a production budget estimated at $237 million. Despite its massive budget, the film became a box office juggernaut, grossing $2.923 billion worldwide.
It held the title of the highest-grossing film of all time for nearly a decade before briefly losing the crown to Avengers: Endgame (2019). However, after a re-release in China, Avatar reclaimed its top spot, solidifying its place in cinematic history.
Avatar: The Way of Water also had a staggering production budget, reportedly around $350 million. However, like its predecessor, it performed exceptionally well at the box office, grossing over $2.32 billion globally. Its success reinforced Cameron’s ability to create visually stunning films with mass appeal, and it became one of the highest-grossing films of 2022.
James Cameron has ambitious plans for the Avatar franchise, with at least three more sequels already in development. Initially, the series was planned as a trilogy, but Cameron expanded it into a five-film saga.
The next film, Avatar 3, is scheduled for release in December 2025, with subsequent sequels tentatively slated for 2029 and 2031. Each film will explore new regions of Pandora and introduce different Na’vi clans while continuing the story of Jake Sully and Neytiri’s family.
Cameron has stated that the overarching theme of the franchise revolves around the protection of nature, and each film will delve deeper into different elements of Pandora’s ecosystems. He’s also hinted that later films may take the narrative beyond Pandora, exploring other parts of the universe.
The Avatar franchise has not only redefined the sci-fi genre but also set new standards for visual effects and 3D filmmaking. Cameron’s use of motion capture and CGI in Avatar revolutionized the industry, while The Way of Water took underwater performance capture to unprecedented levels.
The success of the franchise has extended beyond the films themselves. Avatar has inspired theme park attractions, such as Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and has generated billions in merchandise and video game tie-ins.
Avatar Takes On Disney
Pandora – The World of Avatar, located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort, transports guests to the lush, alien moon of Pandora, inspired by James Cameron’s Avatar film series. The land opened on May 27, 2017, and features breathtaking landscapes, floating mountains, bioluminescent plants, and immersive experiences that bring the fictional world to life.
There are two main rides in Pandora:
- Avatar Flight of Passage: A 3D flying simulator that gives guests the experience of riding a banshee through Pandora’s floating mountains and lush landscapes. The attraction is highly popular due to its immersive experience and stunning visuals.
- Na’vi River Journey: A gentle boat ride that takes guests on a serene trip through the bioluminescent rainforest of Pandora. Guests encounter glowing plants and exotic creatures while being serenaded by the Shaman of Songs, a Na’vi spiritual leader.
Flight of Passage is one of the most iconic rides at Pandora and one of the most technologically advanced attractions at Disney. In this ride, guests are linked to an “avatar” and soar over Pandora on the back of a mountain banshee, a dragon-like creature.
The ride uses 3D projection, physical effects, and a motion simulator to create the sensation of flight, enhanced by wind, mist, and scents to make the experience even more realistic.
Riders sit on motorcycle-style seats, which simulate the feeling of riding a banshee. The queue for Flight of Passage is highly detailed, featuring a Na’vi avatar floating in a laboratory tube, caves with Na’vi drawings, and more. The ride lasts around 4 minutes and is praised for its beautiful visuals, smooth motion simulation, and immersive storytelling.
Flight of Passage has been a major hit since the land’s opening and continues to draw long wait times, making it one of the most popular attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Disney Alters Flight of Passage
While the ride is incredible, the technology is beginning to date, as it has been years since its opening, and now, it appears that Disney has done something about that.
Disney guest Nate shared a video of the attraction on a recent ride through, noting that the projections have been upgraded.
“WHOEVER FIXED/UPGRADED THE PROJECTORS ON FLIGHT OF PASSAGE DESERVES AYCE SATU’LI CANTEEN FOR LIFE”
WHOEVER FIXED/UPGRADED THE PROJECTORS ON FLIGHT OF PASSAGE DESERVES AYCE SATU’LI CANTEEN FOR LIFE pic.twitter.com/Ct0zI6WdW5
— Nate (@nateyagi) September 9, 2024
It seems Disney has been making changes and upgrades to the attraction, as we have recently reported, the Jake Sully animatronic was recently removed from the queue for refurbishment.
Soon, the World of Avatar will be expanding at Disneyland Resort, with Disney California Adventure adding the land into the space with an all-new attraction.
Do you think that Disney should make further changes to the attraction now that it has been around for years? Or are you still just as impressed when you ride it today?