DISNEY GOES ALL OUT
Attractions in California, Florida
We were flying on the backs of mystical beasts. Banking around trees, dipping into canyons, carving through a curling surf to be splashed by a whale-like creature. I turned to look at my daughter. Her hair blew behind her as she screamed like an Avatar while we careened towards the blue world. Our banshees settled on a rocky outcrop, panting from the exciting journey — and bam! The doors shut. We were back in reality. I felt like crying. I have never felt so immersed in an amusement ride — ever.
VISIT PANDORA — THE LAND OF AVATAR
Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World in Florida has always been a wonderful place to experience lands dedicated to animals and cultures from far away but now, with the opening of Pandora — the World of Avatar, they are taking you to a whole new world. This bioluminescent land of make-belief is inspired by the movie AVATAR and anyone who saw that movie will be in awe of the near-real alien landscape.
But before you rush to stand in the line for the attractions, check out the landscape and make sure you see it at night. More than 250 varieties of live earth species mingle with the odd Pandoran rainforest. If you visit in the evening, the paths wandering through the land glow due to a treatment that charges from the sun and glows with the help of strategically placed black lights.
Fly on the backs of mountain banshees through waterfalls and around hanging mountains during the Avatar Flight of Passage. OK, not really — but this is as good as it gets and describing the experience doesn’t do justices. The 3-D motion simulator takes you on an aerial tour but you never leave your seat — which looks a lot like a motorcycle — but “Whoa Nelly” it’s not! As soon as the action on the giant screen starts, your ride turns into a Banshee simulating its movements through the air, its efforts to dip and dive and yes, to breathe. Like riding a horse, the swell of its lungs panting is felt between your knees.
Far gentler is the Na’vi River Journey where you float in bamboo boats on the waters of the bioluminescent forest of Pandora. You start in a dark cave but it slowly gets brighter and brighter with plants and animals and weird things glowing everywhere you look. Trees shake, shadows shift and animals like mysterious Viperwolves and six-legged Direhorses dart through the Pandora plant life. The lazy drift ends after you come face to face with the Shaman of Songs, a larger than life animatronic who sings and sways with the music. If you’ve ever seen the robotic Mr. Lincoln in the Hall of Presidents in the Magic Kingdom, you will be amazed at the sophistication that has transpired.
If you head off to Walt Disney World, leave time in your evening to witness the new fireworks/projection show splashing over the castle and the skies of the Magic Kingdom or stay in Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the Rivers of Life where glowing house-sized animal shaped lanterns float gracefully through the lagoon all choreographed to sync with lights, fire and music.
ROCK INTO ANOTHER GALAXY AT DISNEYLAND
Disneyland over in California won’t be left behind in the shift to send you into alien lands. What used to be a terrifying ride in a scary hotel elevator in Disney California Adventure has been transformed into Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT!
If you recall, the Guardians of the Galaxy movie has a great soundtrack based on a cassette the Star-Lord guards with his life so the music is paramount in this adventure. Guests are accompanied on this zany tour by Rocket Raccoon who, just like in the movie, is a cheeky brat. And of course, things go wrong. Very wrong. But in a fun hair-raising way.
There are six different ride sequences your elevator can follow so every time you buckle up will be a different adventure filled with movie scenes every time the doors burst open. If you can keep singing Elvis Presley’s Burning Love while dropping 13 stories — you are amazing.
Watch for Guardian of the Galaxy merchandise throughout the theme park, including “I am Groot” sourdough bread in the shape of Groot’s head. It flies off the shelves daily.
Disney World and Disneyland are stepping up the thrill factor big time by introducing new attractions and new lands in record speeds. Don’t worry, Peter Pan’s Flight is not going anywhere but the new thrills will take you into lands you’ve only dreamed of — till now.