Disneyland has revealed exciting plans for a sprawling Avatar-themed land, promising visitors a thrilling experience based on the blockbuster franchise. The new addition will take fans on a journey to the captivating world of Pandora, building upon the stories from Avatar: The Way of Water and future films.
1. What’s Coming to Disney California Adventure?
At the recent D23 fan event, Disney announced that the new Avatar land will be part of its ambitious expansion plan. While not officially called a “land” yet, the project has been described as an “experience” or “destination.” Early concept art suggests it will be a large-scale project, potentially as immersive as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland.
The Avatar land will highlight the natural wonders and dangers of Pandora, taking inspiration from the second movie, The Way of Water, and future installments of the franchise.
2. Exciting Attractions in Store
The highlight of the new land will be an innovative boat ride that promises an intense adventure through the glowing rainforests of Pandora. Riders will encounter majestic landscapes and wildlife along the way. Disney has revealed concept art that shows boats gliding through a massive rock structure, under waterfalls, and past bioluminescent flora.
There are also hints of additional attractions, including interconnected Quonset huts and tiered ponds with geysers. Fans speculate that a second major ride may be in the works, though details are still under wraps.
3. Pandora’s Creatures Come to Life
One of the standout features of this new Avatar experience will be the lifelike creatures that inhabit Pandora. The concept art depicts fierce Viperwolves, elegant Arrow Deer, and the massive Hammerhead Titanothere. These creatures will add a sense of wonder and danger to the journey through Pandora.
In addition, the passive and intelligent Tulkun will make an appearance, captivating visitors with their graceful movements and artistic expressions. These creatures, along with Pandora’s unique flora, will make for a visually stunning experience.
4. Pandora’s Lush Plant Life
Pandora’s flora will also play a big role in the new land, with concept art showing plants like the Panopyra and Helicoradian. These bioluminescent plants will create an otherworldly atmosphere, making visitors feel like they’ve stepped onto a different planet.
The lush forest scenes promise to be one of the most visually engaging elements of the land, with glowing plants and towering trees.
5. Immersive Na’vi Environments
The land will feature interconnected RDA (Resources Development Administration) structures and Na’vi villages, blending military-style base buildings with the natural beauty of Pandora. The floating Hallelujah Mountains, made famous in the first Avatar movie, will also be part of the landscape.
In addition, a massive animal-like rock formation and tiered ponds with geysers will add to the immersive environment. Visitors will feel like they are truly part of the world of the Na’vi.
6. Where Will It Be Built?
The Avatar experience will be housed in Disney California Adventure, although the exact location remains a mystery. One possible location is Hollywood Land, an underused area that could provide the necessary space for such a large project.
Disneyland’s expansion plans, known as DisneylandForward, suggest that the new land could also be built in the Downtown Disney area. Wherever it ends up, it’s sure to be a stunning addition to the park.
7. When Can We Expect the Avatar Land to Open?
While no official opening date has been set, it’s likely that the Avatar land will take several years to complete. A full-scale land on the level of Galaxy’s Edge could take until 2028 or 2029 to open, with construction potentially beginning in the next year or so.
Fans of the Avatar franchise and Disney theme parks have a lot to look forward to as this exciting new world takes shape at Disneyland.