Breaking: Interactive Pandora Conservation Utility Suit Coming to Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Yes, the amazing robotic suits we saw in AVATAR are coming to Pandora - The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The Pandora Conservation Initiative Utility Suit will make its debut inside the land on April 22. The Utility Suit was created in partnership between Lightstorm Entertainment, Disney Parks Live Entertainment, Michael Curry Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering.

It will be used to study wildlife, collect plant samples, and survive Pandora's terrain much like we saw in the film. Check out the video of the suit coming to life with the help of Walt Disney Live Entertainment's Tony Giordano, Robert King, and Laura Offerdahl.

Also, here is the video of the suit being tested in the parks:



The PCI Utility Suit will arrive just in time for Disney's Animal Kingdom 20th Anniversary. Be sure to check out the Times Guide for interaction with this amazing suit.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Avatar Land Preview Model Dazzles at D23 EXPO

Disney fans got an impressive first look at the Avatar Land Preview Model that debuted in the Disney Parks Exhibit area of the show floor at the D23 EXPO.

We have seen glimpses of Avatar Land over the months since they have began building but nothing compared to what is being showed off at the expo. This is Imagineer Joe Rohde's most amazing works yet. The details in the model not only show the unique world of Pandora with its flora and fauna but the model shows the existence of a military zone with large building and perimeter fences. 

There appears to be a possibility of two or three entrances including one where the old Camp Minnie Mickey used to be (located where the bridge is in the picture), another entrance appears to be near the Africa part of Animal Kingdom.  Other parts of the model of detail to notice, are the floating mountains in the back of the model. A cliff face which appears to force perspective that will make the cliffs look larger when they are actually smaller. The cliffs will hide the main building which will hold the main attraction of Pandora, the Banshee ride, which will feature similar technology to Epcot's Soarin'.  The other boat ride attraction set to be the second big attraction of the land is not shown in the model. 

Joe Rohde was on hand to answer any questions on the details of the impressive model, with nothing like it never seen before. A bust of a native Navi from Pandora was also on hand for photo ops with fans. 

Disney Offers Update On the World of Avatar at Disney World's Animal Kingdom

Disney today offered an update on what has been happening in the World of Avatar that is being built in Disney's Animal Kingdom. On a blog for the Disney Parks Blog, Chief Creative Executive of Walt Disney Imagineering Bruce Vaughn writes of how Disney and Avatar director James Cameron are recreating the world of Avatar by bringing it to life at Animal Kingdom. Imagineers are working to recreate the iconic elements of the land like the magnificent floating mountains, the interactive bioluminescent forest, and even the soaring banshees.

Vaughn writes that the creative process is one of the most dynamic and collaborative ones that Disney  Imagineers have ever undertaken. Everyone including Disney CEO Bob Iger has had their input on the design and the creative vision that is going into the building process. Recently, the team met in Glendale, California at Imagineering Headquarters to walk through the progress of the land, including getting an inside scoop of what is like to ride on a banshee.

When James Cameron was with the group he stated, "I think one of the things that people loved about the movie is that they have felt they had visited Pandora... now thanks to Disney's amazing Imagineers, people are truly going to experience Pandora firsthand. From the details in the plants to the production and design, extraordinary thought and care has gone into this world. The teams have really created something special, and it's not going be like anything else."

Vaughn ended the blog saying that the project of Avatar is really pushing the boundaries of what is possible. He stated that what makes Disney Parks special is the cast across the company bring out these experiences to life. Disney also released a sneak peak video where it appears that they are working on the walkways. They appear to really be technology enhanced responding to guests movements. It is literally glowing. What are you looking forward to most in seeing in the World of Avatar? Here is the sneak peek video that was released with the blog: