In September 2011, Walt Disney Studios announced that the world of James Cameron's Avatar would be coming to Animal Kingdom at the Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Just yesterday, the first photos of the new theme park were released at the D23 Expo in Tokyo.
"AVATAR is a uniquely powerful franchise that has global appeal with audiences of all ages. Its spectacular settings, intriguing characters, imaginative creatures, and strong themes of family and loyalty make it a perfect fit for Disney," said Thomas O. Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "We can't wait to give our guests the ability to journey to Pandora and explore the incredible immersive world of AVATAR in person." (via Press Release)
Although the park is not scheduled to open until 2017, these images are already sparking excitement. This will be the biggest expansion that Animal Kingdom has ever had.
“Our combined team has taken huge steps forward in ‘imagineering’ Pandora as a real place for our guests to see, hear and touch,” “As these concept renderings show in epic scale, in the world of ‘Avatar,’ guests will encounter awe-inspiring floating mountains and wander through a nighttime jungle of bioluminescent plants that are alive with light and sound. Guests will also discover what it feels like to soar into the sky riding a Banshee," Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts told Variety.
Photos Courtesy of Walt Disney World News.
In the meantime, you can get your Avatar fill from two sequels currently filming simultaneously which are expected to be released in 2015 and 2016.
Top Image: Wikimedia Commons.
