Flight of Passage, Inside Pandora – The World of Avatar
I am going to start this out by saying that Flight of Passage is the best attraction that Disney has ever done. I’m usually the “count me out” kinda guy when it comes to rides. Though I have come a long way, I still would not consider me a thrill seeker by any stretch of the imagination. In fact on this particular trip when everyone else was excited about spending the day in Universal I decided to take my talents to the golf course instead.
So when it came time to check out Pandora last May the new rides were not at the top of my wish list. I was excited about seeing the addition to Animal Kingdom and perhaps finding something good to eat at Satu’li Canteen (Cheeseburger Pods. I promise) but as far the rides went I was just mostly along for the ride. Flight of Passage was described to me as another version of Soarin’ which, to be honest, I was totally ok with. But before I continue let me say that comparing this ride to Soarin’ would be a huge understatement.
A little backstory on the ride if you are not familiar with the movie Avatar. After years of abuse to the Pandora ecosystem, the Pandora Conservation Initiative along with the Na’vi are studying Ikran also know as Banshees. In order to do this guest must be linked with an Avatar to be able to ride on the back of a Banshee in a fully immersive 3D simulation experience
Now, I have had problems with getting sick on simulator rides in the past. I rarely ride Mission Space or Star Tours anymore because of this. Flight of Passage intrigued me enough that I decided that the reward could be worth the risk and jumped in line. Due to Tiffany’s diligence, we are able to get fast passes for opening weekend which took us past much of the lines queue which I have to say is done really well. While you are waiting in line you get a pretty immersive experience which makes you feel like you are in the movie.
Inside and on the attraction you are linked with an Avatar and escorted to your banshee where your adventure really begins. Upon mounting your banshee all the technical linking takes place as you are finally to become immersed in all that is Pandora. The first thing you will notice as you sit straddled on the back of your banshee is that you can feel it breathing between your legs which I must say is a really nice touch and just goes to show that Disney really does think of everything.
Soarin’ meets Star Tours on steroids as you are transported to the Valley of Mo’ara on the back of your banshee. You travel through a series of ups downs throughout the beautiful scenery of Pandora. Let me tell you this thing actually makes you feel like you are flying. There are times where you actually flinch because if feels as if you are going to collide with or actually drop out of the sky on a 300 ft drop. Now as I said this is a simulator. At one point I peered to the side of me over my 3D glasses just to try to figure how Disney was pulling this amazing ride off and you are literally barely moving.
Now, as for the content of the ride I think is best you experience that for yourself. So I won’t give more detail on the ride itself.
What I will say is remember when I told you I get motion sickness certain rides? Well, this one was no different. I felt so bad in fact that I went back to the resort and I never do that. After a nap, some AC, and something to settle my stomach we went back to the park to see Pandora at night. The wait time was rather low for a new attraction despite not having fastpasses, and my party decided to ride it again. Now I know what you are thinking. I rode the bench on this one.? Nope. I HAD to experience it again, despite getting sick, Flight of Passage was that amazing. So I did. And I got sick again. Probably a little worse than the first time but it was completely worth it.
Flight of Passage is a one of a kind attraction and Disney truly broke the mold. Never in my life have I experienced a rise quite like this one. A few months later the family took a Disney Cruise out of Port Canaveral. We decided while we were so close we would take in a couple of days in the parks. We hit up Magic Kingdom and you guessed it, Animal Kingdom. I wanted the kids to be able to experience this amazing ride and yes I rode it again. Only this time I made sure to the Dramamine. The kids LOVED it and I gotta give credit where credit is due. Dramamine for the win. So I leave you with 2 bits of advice. 1. Go see Pandora. And 2. Take Dramamine if you get motion sickness.
When you are ready to experience it for yourself, we can help make that happen. Have you experienced Flight of passage? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
Avid Disney fan, husband to Tiffany, father of three, Brock, Bailey, and Brennan. Lover of travel and blogger for the Wish Upon Afar travel blog, The Travelers Journal.
