There a two ride attractions located in the Valley of Mo'ara. The first of the two we got to experience was the Na'vi River Journey. This was a boat ride, much like Pirates of the Caribbean or It's a Small World. However, it takes place through the much alive, bioluminescent night landscape of Pandora. Featuring viperwolves, direhorses, fan lizards, & more. This is the ride that ends with a full-size Na'vi Shaman chanting. For which the animatronics are bewildering. This is the realest audio-animatronic character I've ever seen. Walt would be very proud of this achievement. The use of screens (which I usually think is a big cop out in Disney rides) is awesome. The screens almost feel layered so you're looking at a 3-dimensional character. I don't know if they were, or they just had that good a picture, but I was impressed nonetheless. This is definitely a sight to see. Just another taste of how much they take you to another world. Check out my ride through on YouTube here.
The second ride might have been one of the most intense things I've ever rode in my life. Don't consider that an exaggeration either. You can see in corner of the picture below the device you spend the ride in. This is your "banshee", your vessel to experience Flight of Passage. It kinda resembles a futuristic motorcycle of sorts. You get in the back come up from behind to secure you. You place on your 3D goggles, & as the door lifts up you "sync" with your animal. To signify this you go through a quick plasma-like wormhole of sorts. From that point you even feel your banshee breathing between your legs. The 3D is sharp, no falters at all. If you've ever rode Soarin' at Disney's EPCOT you kind know the basics of this ride, ultra-real simulator complete with air, scents, & even water in places. Except for one major difference, this is Soarin' with a dose of rocket fuel. This thing starts at high speed & just keeps goin. This is the closest you can get to this without just finding some creature to fly on. Obviously, opening day there were long waits for this ride, but through it all I didn't hear one person say it wasn't worth the wait. Two amazing rides, helping to make this land an all around great addition to even out the face of all the parks that make Disneyworld. For more on opening day Pandora click here.
