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First Look! Pandora — The World of AVATAR in Disney’s Animal Kingdom!


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Welcome to Pandora — The World of AVATAR!

Welcome to Pandora -- The World of AVATAR!

Welcome to Pandora — The World of AVATAR!

We are THRILLED to bring you along with us on our very first visit to the newest land in Disney’s Animal Kingdom! (And we’ll have full food reviews on Monday and Tuesday, so stay tuned!)

Entrance into Pandora -- The World of AVATAR!

Entrance into Pandora — The World of AVATAR!

While Pandora doesn’t officially open to guests until May 27th, our roving reporter is, of course, a Disney World Annual Passholder, and pre-registered Passholder Previews kicked off on May 13th.

Sneak Peek sign

Sneak Peek sign

We’ve (thankfully!) received a couple of glimpses here and there, thanks to Cast Members who have already attended their own Previews and kindly shared some of their photos and thoughts.

Entering into the Preview

Entering into the Preview

These have only made us even MORE excited to see everything for ourselves.

Pandora

Pandora

Care to join us :) ?

Pandora — The World of AVATAR

Those who have seen the movie AVATAR will recall that space travel to Pandora was limited to members of the Resource Development Administration (RDA) seeking its own gain of Pandora’s unobtanium. But now, Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE) — as restoration of the once-exploited land takes place — is able to welcome interplanetary travelers (that’s you and me!) on peaceful expeditions to Pandora’s Valley of Mo’ara.

Pandora atmosphere

Pandora atmosphere

Pandora atmosphere

Pandora atmosphere

Pandora atmosphere

Pandora atmosphere

Highlights of the new land include two new attractions: Avatar Flight of Passage and the Na’vi River Journey.

Flight of Passage entrance area

Flight of Passage entrance area

Flight of Passage entrance area

Flight of Passage entrance area

Flight of Passage MagicBand entrance

Flight of Passage MagicBand entrance

Inside the Flight of Passage queue

Inside the Flight of Passage queue

Na'vi River Journey story

Na’vi River Journey story

Inside Na'vi River Journey

Inside Na’vi River Journey

Inside Na'vi River Journey

Inside Na’vi River Journey

But simply exploring the scenery of the Valley is truly an attraction in itself!

Pandora atmosphere

Pandora atmosphere

Pandora atmosphere

Pandora atmosphere

Having trouble identifying all the flora and fauna — not to mention unfamiliar language and items of the Na’vi — surrounding you?

Pandora Plants

Pandora Plants

Pandora Plants

Pandora Plants

Pandora Plants

Na’vi Artwork

Pandora atmosphere

Pandora atmosphere

Don’t worry… your Pandora Field Guide can help you sort things out.

Pandora Field Guide

Pandora Field Guide

Pandora Field Guide

Pandora Field Guide

Pandora Field Guide

Pandora Field Guide

Pandora Field Guide

Pandora Field Guide

Pandora Field Guide

Pandora Field Guide

And so can some terrific Cast Members (notice the unique Name Tags specific to Pandora!).

Pandora Cast Member Name Tag

Pandora Cast Member Name Tag

By the way, you know those drums in the Africa section of the park where the kids always love to stop and play while you’re trying to gather everyone up to get to your next FastPass+ destination? Yeah. Well, wait until they get a load of these!

Drum Area

Native Drums

Drum Area

Native Drums

We could spend all day wandering around…

Pandora paths

Pandora paths

… but we’ve got some specific spots to visit, involving all the FOOD in Disney World’s newest land!

Satu’li Canteen

When the RDA (Resource Development Administration) was seeking to exploit Pandora’s resources, a mess hall was built for the team.

Satu'li Canteen

Approaching Satu’li Canteen

Satu'li Canteen

Satu’li Canteen

However, in the time of peace that has since been established, ACE (Alpha Centauri Expeditions) has transformed the mess hall into a dining spot for travelers, and the result is Satu’li Canteen.

Entering Satu'li Canteen

Entering Satu’li Canteen

Even more, ACE ensured that the facility would celebrate the culture of the Na’vi through displays of art and useful items.

Satu'li Canteen atmosphere

Satu’li Canteen atmosphere

Satu'li Canteen atmosphere

Satu’li Canteen atmosphere

Indoor Seating

Indoor Seating

We’ve explored the menu and a few early reviews from Cast Members in previous posts, and we are working on our full DFB review as we speak (or, umm… write!). Expect that full review of Satu’li on Monday!

Satu'li Canteen outdoor menu

Satu’li Canteen outdoor menu

Satu'li Canteen Breakfast Menu

Satu’li Canteen Breakfast Menu

Satu'li Canteen Lunch and Dinner Menu

Satu’li Canteen Lunch and Dinner Menu

But since there is SO MUCH to explore today, we are starting with just a quick look, starting with a couple of the entree choices: the Wood-Grilled Chicken Bowl (from the Create-Your-Own Satu’li Bowl options), and the Vegetable Curry Pods, served with a crunchy slaw and vegetable chips.

Wood-Grilled Chicken Bowl

Wood-Grilled Chicken Bowl

Vegetable Steamed Curry Buns with crunchy slaw and  vegetable chips

Vegetable Steamed Curry Pods entree

Vegetable Curry Steamed Pods

Vegetable Curry Steamed Pods

And we haven’t forgotten the kiddos, who are likely going to love the “Teylu” All-Beef Hot Dog wrapped in dough. We totally dug it!!

Kids' Teylu Hot Dog Meal

Kids’ Teylu Hot Dog Meal

Specialty beverages include the Pandoran Sunrise (garnished with pineapple, this one has received a makeover since our Eat This Not That post!), Dreamwalker Sangria (the blue drink), Hawks Grog Ale (green beer!) and Mo’ara High Country Ale.

Satu'li Canteen Beverages

Satu’li Canteen Beverages

Hawks Grog Ale

Hawks Grog Ale

Even the desserts are like Na’vi works of art, like the Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse.

Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse

Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse

We can’t wait to show and tell you more VERY soon!!

Pongu Pongu

You may just love your explorations of Pandora so much that you might decide to stay!

Approaching Pongu Pongu

Approaching Pongu Pongu

At least, that’s exactly what happened to an expatriate who traveled to Pandora with ACE and subsequently moved and set up Pongu Pongu, a drink stand built to serve thirsty travelers.

Pongu Pongu sign

Pongu Pongu sign

Translated as “Party Party” in the language of Na’vi, Pongu Pongu celebrates all the “wild and memorable times” shared between the Na’vi and humans in the Valley. And the party is ON with the playful, colorful hues that adorn not only the signage…

Pongu Pongu Menu

Pongu Pongu Menu

… but the drinks as well!

Night Blossom and Mo'ara Margarita

Night Blossom and Mo’ara Margarita

Specialty sips here include the non-alcoholic Night Blossom, which is Limeade with apple and desert pear flavors, topped with passion fruit boba balls.

Night Blossom

Night Blossom

Adults can try the Mo’ara Margarita, made of Sauza Conmemorativo Añejo Tequila with strawberry and blood orange flavors topped with strawberry boba balls.

Mo'ara Margarita

Mo’ara Margarita

Pongu Pongu is also where you’ll find Pandora’s signature snack, Pongu Lumpia!

Pongu Lumpia

Pongu Lumpia

Pongu Lumpia is a pineapple and cream cheese spring roll.

Pongu Lumpia

Pongu Lumpia

Find out what we thought about it — and the drinks! — in our full review of Pongu Pongu on Tuesday!

Windtraders

Finally, we couldn’t resist a quick stop at Windtraders, Pandora’s merchandise location. We knew they’d likely have a DFB favorite — MUGS ;) !! And this Floating Mountain Mug sure doesn’t disappoint!

Floating Mountain Mug

Floating Mountain Mug

But there is some seriously unique non-food related merchandise as well. For instance, if you’re curious as to what YOUR Avatar might look like, here’s your chance to find out!

Pandora World of Avatar Windtraders Merchandise 1

Build Your Own Avatar

Get outta here!!

Build Your Own Avatar

Build Your Own Avatar

If mini-me’s aren’t your thing, you might be interested in another Build-Your-Own item, with the Na’vi cultural necklaces.

Necklace Display

Necklace Display

Build Your Own Windtraders Necklace

Build Your Own Windtrader Necklace

Necklace Pieces

Necklace Pieces

Of course, that’s just a small peek. We will have SO much more to show you from both Satu’li Canteen and Pongu Pongu in the coming days!

And make sure you are following us on Instagram and YouTube for more photo and video fun, along with some realtime footage on our Disney Food Blog Facebook Page!

OH, and remember that AJ will be in Pandora on Monday afternoon and will surely be live streaming over on facebook and instagram! So tune in!

Pandora is THE place to be, and we’d love to have you join us there. You won’t want to miss a minute! Be sure to join us for our full reviews of Satu’li and Pongu Pongu this week!

What are YOU most excited to experience in Pandora — The World of AVATAR? Please let us know with a comment!

Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and:


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