"Adventure is Out There" Trip Report Part 1

It's been three weeks already since my trip and it just doesn't seem possible that it went by so fast. You've seen my review of our stay at Pop Century and the review of the amazing Caring for Giants Tour. Now its finally time for the trip report a trip that was full of adventure. 

We left for the airport around 8:30 for our 10:00 flight, we have a small airport hence the no need to rush. Our flight left on time and we got to Sanford right at 12:30 and this is where the problems began. Our pickup ran into some issues and had to go back to the depot because there windshield wiper was broke. It arrived 45 minutes late only to be told he didn't have a pickup permit. We did finally get going but after some other people were dropped off at Universal, we arrived at Pop Century finally around 3:45 p.m, more than 3 hours after we were supposed to get there.

Finally home!!!

After a quick trip to our room we headed to the food court and had a light lunch then headed over to Disney Springs. My mother and I walked around Town Center and did some shopping. We hadn't been to Town Center yet so just enjoying the sights of the area is quite nice. They did an amazing job. We headed over to The Polite Pig for dinner.

While I have no pictures of the newest restaurant in Disney Springs, it is a very nice restaurant. The food is delicious and was one of my favorite meals of the trip. I got the brisket along with a side of the Mac & Cheese and my mother got the half chicken along with a side of bbq cauliflower. Both meals were excellent and I wish I had gotten the bbq cauliflower because the taste and flavor was amazing. The Mac & Cheese was good but that cauliflower was great. I can't wait to go back there again sometime.

After dinner we just walked around Disney Springs for a little while longer before heading back to the resort to head to the pool. The Hippy Dippy Pool was quite cool on this June evening but it was relaxing. After the pool we headed back to our room, we were turning in early because we were heading to Pandora and Animal Kingdom early the next morning.

We awoke early, probably our earliest wake up call ever on a Disney trip at 5:30 and were down to breakfast by just after 6 a.m. We wanted to be sure we were on the first bus to Animal Kingdom to get in line for Pandora and Flight of Passage.

We did get on the first bus to Animal Kingdom and we arrived to see a mass of people heading over to Pandora: The World of Avatar. Here is the line of people waiting to get into the land:

The mass of people and us were all let into Pandora around 7:45 and we walked straight to Flight of Passage. The line was moving quite nicely until we got into the caves of the queue. This is where we waited the most of the 2 and half hours that we were in line. The queue itself is half the attraction. 

After about an hour in the caves we got through to the lab area of the queue. This area in itself is so awesome especially the Na'vi in the tank. We got through the lab area and got to the final room before the lines for boarding the attraction. That is when the problem arose, we were in that room when all of a sudden the lights all came on. There was then an announcement that everyone need to evacuate the building and the ride was shut down. Since our 2 and half hour wait came to an end without even riding it and it being in the same building as Na'vi River Journey (our FastPass for that was gone too). 

It was almost 10:30 when that happened and since we had to head towards Kilimanjaro Safaris for our Caring for Giants tour. If you want to check up on my thoughts on the amazing tour and see amazing photos of Baby Stella, check it out here.

After our tour, it was already time for lunch. I had made a reservation on Tusker House under the Rivers of Light Dining Package. Lunch was great and the character interaction with Mickey, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy was amazing. It was really great for my mom as she loves Goofy.

After a wonderful lunch, I headed back to Pandora and went ahead and purchased my own interactive Banshee. Since, I had only a carry-on with our short stay I had to ship him to my house. He arrived later that week, meet Bert the Banshee.

After successfully adopting Bert, we started heading over to the Finding Nemo: The Musical. What an amazing show and it was so nice to get out of the hot sun. After seeing the show it was almost time for one of mine and my mother's favorite rides in Expedition Everest, what a great roller coaster. 

It really is a thrill and so exhilarating.

While we were eating lunch, I had gotten an email that since Na'vi River Journey was shut down during our FastPass once it came back up we could use it at anytime until end of park operation. We were also told if we went to guest relations they might be able to help us get on Flight of Passage because we waited so long and we didn't get on it. We headed back to Pandora and rode River Journey. 

The Shaman of Songs is so interactive and so life-like, Joe Rohde and Disney Imagineering really out did themselves with Pandora. It was such a peaceful boat ride along the river and hearing the sounds of the wildlife and from the Shaman of Songs was breathtaking. 

After that we headed over to Guest Relations and thanks to them they were able to get us a FastPass that could be used at anytime for Flight of Passage. Instead of heading straight to Flight of Passage we stopped at Pizzafari for a quick meal. Not my favorite but it was nice and quiet in there. 

We headed over to Flight of Passage and got right through the FastPass line in 15 minutes. When everyone says this is the best ride ever, they really are telling you the truth. Flight of Passage, and I won't spoil it for those who haven't rode it yet, is absolutely amazing and it doesn't disappoint. On a scale of 1 to 10 with the 10 being the best its a 12. That how awesome this ride is. 

We finished with Flight of Passage and it was already time to head back over to the Discovery River and see Rivers of Light. What an amazing show to see the reflections of the images on the water. I thoroughly enjoyed the show seeing the animals and the music was absolutely my favorite part of the show.

Once the show was over and traveling through the crowds to get back to Pandora for the Extra Evening Magic Hours exclusive to the new land. Cast Members scan guests Magic Bands to prove they are staying at a resort and they are then allowed to get in line for the ride. We waited another two hours for Flight of Passage. It was so worth it because the ride is that amazing. Here are some shots of Pandora: The World of Avatar at night.

After 17 hours at the park it was finally time to head back to the resort. It was such a successful day in both Pandora and at Animal Kingdom. 

That's all for part 1, next week I will dive into part 2 and our adventure to the Magic Kingdom. See you all real soon. 

Inside Look at Pandora: The World of Avatar; Jungle Cruise to be Re-Imagined at All Parks

Inside Look at Pandora: The World of Avatar:

Yesterday, Walt Disney World gave a few media members an all-day preview of Pandora: The World of Avatar, the new world opening in less than a month at Disney's Animal Kingdom. During the preview a select group got to experience the new world including riding both new attractions in The Na'vi River Journey and Flight of Passage. 

The group also got to taste the new amazing and exotic cuisine and drinks from the Satu'li Canteen and Pongu Pongu. They even got a chance to step into Windtraders and see the brand new merchandise coming to Pandora: The World of Avatar.

Disney also released another sneak peak of the Na'vi Shaman of Songs inside the new attraction of the Na'vi River Journey where boats seat up to 8 guests.

During Na’vi River Journey, guests float down the river searching for the Shaman of Songs, an incredibly lifelike, nearly ten-foot tall Na’vi woman that plays music and sings as they float by. Music and a connection with nature are so important to the Na’vi in the world of Pandora, and the ride really helps guests feel that connection. - Oh My Disney

Check out this new clip released of the Na'vi Shaman of Songs:



See the Na'vi Shaman of Songs on the Na'vi River Journey and experience Pandora: The World of Avatar when it opens inside Disney's Animal Kingdom on May 27.

Jungle Cruise to be Re-Imagined at Disney Parks Around the World:

Earlier this month, it was revealed officially that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson would be starring in a live-action film based on the classic Disney attraction. Yesterday, Johnson revealed in an Instagram post that he was working with Walt Disney Imagineering to update and re-imagine the classic attraction at Disney Theme Parks around the world. Here is the post:

Grateful SOB to have Walt and Mickey watching over my shoulder as @danygarciaco and I embark on this amazing project. For our big #JungleCruise creative meeting at DISNEY's highly secure R&D facilities, me and @danygarciaco were escorted into THE VAULT. A legitimate vault where all of Disney's biggest secrets and plans are kept. Curtains were pulled back for us to reveal the actual drawn up plans that Walt Disney had his brother, Roy Disney take to New York to present to the bankers in 1950 for the potential loan to build what's now known as Disney Land. Cant imagine what that meeting with bankers was like. Roy: Alright gentlemen, so me and my brother Walt, want to build the greatest multiple theme park attraction in the world. Banker: Oh that seems fun, Mr. Disney. Roy: *smiles in a playful mischievous manner, Oh yes my good man, it will have a few things that are in fact, fun. Well, clearly I don't know how the hell men were actually talking in the 50's, but what I do know is being able to star in and produce #JungleCruise is a dream come true. BUT what takes this to the next level, is that we'll partner with Disney's brilliant Imagineers to help re-engineer and re-design the #JungleCruise ride in all the Disney theme parks around the world. A very special opportunity for us and our @sevenbucksprod to create an unforgettable and fun EXPERIENCE for families around the world. And as Walt Disney himself would say... it's magical. Next step is finding our visionary director. Exciting times. #JungleCruise #TheExperience #DisneyStudios #Imagineers #SevenBucksProds #WaltAndRockWouldveBeenBesties #AndWorkoutBuddies #WaltWouldveLovedMyJackedUpPickUpTruck 😉🤙🏾

A post shared by therock (@therock) on Apr 29, 2017 at 9:59am PDT

I hope they don't to much to the Jungle Cruise as I like it just the way it is. I just viewed this attraction as untouchable on the MouseLife podcast last week. What does everyone think, do you want to see the Jungle Cruise re-imagined.

More Details on Pandora - The World of Avatar from Destination D: Amazing Adventures

The panel on Pandora - The World of Avatar with James Cameron, Jon Landau, and Imagineer Joe Rohde just ended and the detail that has gone into this world is amazing. Here is what was shared during the panel.

Cameron and Rohde were in character for the panel making Pandora a real place and that the movie was a documentary. The world that is being built will be the Moara Valley in Pandora set 100 years after the movie has ended. The floating mountains that we have seen floating is caused by the magnetic force in the world called unobtanium. 

The entrance into Pandora will be called the Alpha Centauri Expeditions opening the world of Pandora to guests. The Na'vi people will be there to teach explorers and visitors about their culture and connecting them to the nature of Pandora. The world guests enter will have evidence of the human inhabitance and structures from the war on Pandora. 

Flight of Passage will allow guests to link up with Banshee bonding them in an almost virtual reality ride experience. The journey will take guests around the planet swooping and diving in a majestical flight through waterfalls, islands, and more. Guests will be wearing 3D goggles and as they straddle the seat for the ride Cameron said guests should hold on tight for the E-ticket attraction. It will be flying right of passage guided by the Na'vi so guests don't get eaten. It will provide a majestic and magical flight through Pandora.

They gave more details on both Wind Traders and the Santu'li Canteen. The Wind Traders travel the world to trade, keep language united, and to share news. At the Santu'li Canteen guests will enjoy food that is completely unique, "alien cuisine" as Rohde called it. The food will not be 3 feet long like the Na'vi eat it will adapt to portions that humans are use to Rohde also stated. 

They finally got into the bioluminescent plants the guests will be able to interact with just by touch. The world will light up just after sunset where it will reach the mountains to the forest right down to the paving that we walk on. It will be like walking on clouds of light. They then moved onto the Na'vi River Journey which sounds like it will be amazing at night. 

Rohde said it will be a "beautiful, lyrical, musical" attraction that is more relaxing then what guests will experience with Flight of Passage. In the ride guests will be greeted by the The Shaman of Songs, an amazing musical Na'vi that sings a song that makes the forest react to her with stunning lights and sounds. The forest has its own conscious that is called "Eywa" which is almost like a "biological internet." Attendees got a preview of the Shaman of Songs which was released to the public shortly after. Here it is:

It sounds like the Na'vi will not be wandering around the park like originally thought just in the attractions. Pandora sounds amazing including both attractions in the Flight of Passage and the Na'vi River Journey. I said two months ago when I got back Animal Kingdom at night was amazing without Pandora, but when it does open hands down I'm not sure anything will be able to compare to it. Pandora - The World of Avatar opens Summer 2017 at Disney's Animal Kingdom.