Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
A key area in the Pandora–World of Avatar land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been unexpectedly shut down due to refurbishment.
Pandora–The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of those places that immediately reminds you just how far Disney theme park storytelling has come, dropping guests straight into the alien world of Pandora from James Cameron’s Avatar films. Since the land’s opening, two more movies have followed 2009’s Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) and Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025).
Opened in 2017, the land is set years after the events of the movie and invites visitors to explore the Valley of Mo’ara, where towering floating mountains dominate the skyline and winding pathways are filled with otherworldly plants and sounds that make the area feel truly alive.
By day, Pandora is visually stunning, but at night the land takes on an entirely different personality as the ground and foliage glow with bioluminescent effects, creating one of the most memorable after-dark experiences anywhere at Walt Disney World.
At the heart of Pandora is Avatar Flight of Passage, a wildly popular attraction that continues to draw some of the longest lines in all of Walt Disney World. The ride places guests on the back of a banshee for a breathtaking flight across Pandora using cutting-edge simulation technology, massive screens, and physical effects.
Because of its demand, Flight of Passage is part of Disney’s Lightning Lane Single Pass program, allowing guests to purchase individual access rather than waiting in the often hours-long standby queue. The land also features Na’vi River Journey, a slower, family-friendly boat ride through a glowing rainforest that showcases Pandora’s spiritual connection to nature.
Pandora is a very high-traffic area, which is why the current, unexpected closure could hinder the guest experience at Animal Kingdom. As seen by Kenny the Pirate, an entire guest walkway has been closed–but it may be good news for fans.
According to the report, Disney is working to reestablish the iconic bioluminescent paint that lights up after dark. There has been discourse surrounding this part of Pandora, as guests don’t usually get to see much of the bioluminescence due to Animal Kingdom’s early closing hours.
That said, the closure of this Avatar location could cause congestion, especially for weekend crowds.
Luckily, there is a lot to do in Pandora that can keep guests off the tracks. Dining and shopping round out the experience, with Satu’li Canteen offering surprisingly customizable and flavorful quick-service meals and Windtraders serving as the land’s main gift shop.
Pandora’s impact extends beyond Animal Kingdom as well, with Disney already confirming that a new Pandora-themed area is in development for Disneyland Resort in the coming years, further cementing Avatar’s place as a major pillar of Disney’s theme park future.
How do you feel about Disney reportedly refurbishing the bioluminescent elements of Pandora? Let us know in the comments down below!
