AMAZING SKIMWING ENCOUNTER

NEW ADVENTURES ON PANDORA!

OCEANIC RESEARCH CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

PICTURED ABOVE: ACE-11, PANDORAN EXCURSION VESSEL

ACE STAFF

Ace Astro Disney Dad 3000 monkey92514 OSU Phantom PerGron Pi on my Cake Theme Park Priest

Our Founder: Michael Eisner

What’s Inside 4

Pandora: The World of Avatar at Disneyland

6

How ACE is reshaping Pandora

10

Avatar: Celebration of the Sea

19

Txampay Tavern

24

Ocean Habitat Restoration Tour

29

Gathering of Voices

32

Metkayina Village

38

Transportation, Streetmosphere & Shopping

After the success of the first Avatar movie, Disney quickly

started to plan an Avatar-based land for Animal Kingdom. Now, Avatar: The Way of Water has seen similar success, tracking to be a top 5 highest grossing movie ever. With the success of the sequel, a sequel to the original land was needed.

One issue with Disneyland is space. Disneyland doesn’t have the luxury Animal Kingdom had when it came to space so had to be effective with the space it used. The Submarine Lagoon, Autopia, and surrounding area has been on the chopping block for a while due to the amount of space it takes

up compared to the capacity it holds. This entire area will be demolished to be turned into Pandora: The World of Avatar. In both movies, James Cameron was very upfront about the technological advancements and new features that would be seen in the movies. It was then also seen on Na’vi River Journey with one of the most fluid and accurate animatronics ever made, and the trend will continue with this land too. A heavy focus throughout all aspects of the land is challenging the norm when it comes to theme park technology and using new and unused patents to bring the land and experience to the next level, fully immersing guests.

Much like the original land was themed to a location from the original movie, the new land will be themed to a location from the new movie: The Metkayina village. In the movie, we see the damages caused by Mick Scoresby and the rest of the Tulkun hunters. Unfortunately, in the years following the event, the hunters didn’t learn anything and continued to hunt Tulkun. The Mak’aui Lagoon was at one point set up as a base camp as a place to bring in the hunted Tulkun before shipping out the needed parts. After decades and decades of destruction and Tulkun hunting, the Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE) were brought in to help the conservation and re-growth of the area surrounding the Lagoon. The goal: bring the Mak’aui Lagoon, and the Metkayina Clan, the former beauty, growth, and ecological health the land had 100 years ago.

Pandora: The World of Avatar at the Disneyland Resort aims to bring the world of Pandora to the first ever Disney park. While the groundbreaking land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom focused on the jungles of Pandora found heavily in the 2009 blockbuster film, the land featured at Disneyland seeks to replicate the world of Pandora around the Metkayina people and their village. This particular village is set in the Mak’aui Lagoon, a functional and fully original portion of the vast Pandoran oceans.

The land features a massive lagoon in the center of it with many of the attractions surrounding it. Throughout the lagoon, the wreckage of an RDA Tulkun hunting vessel sits, a grim reminder of the terrible atrocities humans once caused here on Pandora. However, it also shows how with care and In order to fit a land of this size and scale effort put into it, nature can once again into Tomorrowland, some pre-existing reclaim even the worst human-caused infrastructure needs to be removed/ disasters as this new vessel is now home to a re-rerouted. All of the old PeopleMover tracks bioluminescent reef, full of corals, plants, and throughout this area will be completely algaes. demolished and cleared out all the way from Space Mountain through to Star Tours. Throughout the night, the lagoon glows Alongside this removal, the Monorail tracks also with bioluminescent algae that floats on top have to be rerouted. In several places through of the water. The algae here, Noctiluca this area, the monorail tracks dip quite low and scintillans, is actually a living Earth species in order to build anything of height in Pandora, that produces a blue bioluminescent glow at these tracks have to be rerouted. The new night as they float to the top of the waves. monorail track stays around the outside of These algae, despite being a marine species, Pandora the entire time, removing the loops can survive in freshwater as this lagoon is, over Autopia and staying above the Disneyland though Disney pumps small amounts of Railroad tracks for a longer period of time. The artificially generated saltwater into the lagoon monorail, and railroad stations are both to keep the plant cells healthy and glowing. unmoved through all of this.

Brown/Orange - Avatar: Celebration of the Sea show buildings & Mountain facade Pink - Gathering of Voices Red - Txampay Tavern Peach - Metkayina Village Tan - Ocean Habitat Restoration Tour Dark Grey - Monorail Station Light Gray - Train Station White - Mattherhorn

These algae, in universe, are a hybridized species with Pandoran algaes that allow it to breathe in the toxic Pandoran atmosphere and produce oxygen so that the humans visiting can breathe. This was in an effort to terraform Pandora to human survival. The Na’vi are able to continue to live here, thanks to the algae also producing small amounts of their native gasses, not deadly to humans but enough for the Na’vi to breathe healthily. The rockwork across Pandora floats, much like the Hallelujah Mountains, but less mountainous and more tropical. These mountains, mixed with plants surrounding them, create a sort of berm around the land, allowing guests to be fully immersed in the world of Avatar without the impedance of the nearby Matterhorn or Tomorrowland. Throughout the land, on top of the traditional Na’vi buildings as well as old RDA Tulkun hunting facilities, guests will encounter small features of the land to build the world. Static figures and animatronics of the wildlife of Pandora can be found sprinkled throughout the land, as can signs of the Na’vi’s presence like staffs, bows, and other weapons kept around in the land. One such addition to the land are the Singing Reeds, a set of water-born reeds that fill a large chunk of the seaside near the village. These reeds are called the singing reeds as they actually produce music. These reeds are actually instruments! Guests can come up and press buttons hidden within the reeds that allow wind to push through it, puffing out the top or the many holes throughout the reeds to produce beautiful music as an addition. Plugging the different holes with your fingers will also produce wholly unique sounds, giving this hidden element of the land to add a lot to the experience. Entering into the RDA area, guests will notice a unique shift from the naturalistic seaside village and into the desolate and militaristic buildings of the RDA. While these buildings have been long-since abandoned and repurposed by the Na’vi and ACE, the hauntingness of the old structures remains. Around this area are also photo spots featuring downed helicopters and other machines run by the RDA. These structures fill the land with more thematic elements as well as help to tell the story of Pandora finally recovering.

TRAVEL TO

KETERA WITHALPHA

CENTAURI EXPEDITIONS

Boat ride page 1

Entrance/Queue As guests approach the Mak’aui Lagoon that serves as a centerpiece to the land, boats full of excited guests can be seen floating by. This kinetic excitement does more than just harken back to the former Submarine Lagoon; it serves to draw guests in to the signature experience of the new land. Although for all the wonder that awaits, the entrance is refreshingly understated. A Skimwing effigy crafted out of seaweed and driftwood at the water's edge signals the theme of the attraction while guests enter nearby through the simple ACE basecamp setups seen in Animal Kingdom's Pandora.

The queue begins with a winding outdoor portion by the water's edge. Guests looking out at the lake can see the Pandoran Sea Otter (from a deleted sequence in the second film) relaxing on a rock in the center. Occasionally yawning or looking around at guests with some simple motion. A fun call back to the "Mine Mine Mine" birds from the Nemo version of the submarine lagoon or the mermaids from early Disneyland history. Next, the queue will take guests through a seaside cove. Bioluminescent algae and coral growing in this cave provide lighting for the guests. The sound of rushing water can be heard as can the distant calls of Pandoran sea life such as the mighty Tulkun. A hole in the rock work reveals a waterfall just outside the cave serving as a lovely water feature. Guests then exit the cave for another brief outdoor segment before heading into a cement building labelled "Alpha Centauri Expeditions Intern Dormitory." Inside the dorms, the space feels very posters, graffiti and more small touches to lived in. Half finished board games of both establish their own identity on their living human and Na'vi origin. Dirty dishes left in the space. sink of a kitchenette. A fleece blanket left haphazardly on a couch. A sketchbook full of The queue then leads into the briefing drawings of Pandoran wildlife. A stack of room. This doubles as the workspace for the textbooks (many written by Dr. Jackie Ogden interns with walls lined with research on the as a reference to Flight of Passage). aquatic wildlife of Pandora as well as the details of the restoration project. This room is Leaving this living room/common area, not full of switchbacks, but rather is a large guests continue on through the bunks. These open space for guests to find their own spot to are small capsule beds, but each one is stand as a pre-show plays on a large screen at personalized by the intern with family photos, the front of the room.

responds. The Na'vi teen face lights up as he runs off excitedly to prepare for the Festival. Dr. On the screen, an incoming call alert signals guests that it is time to pay attention. Stevens explains that some of the younger Na'vi Once the call comes through, an older, teenage have been trying to learn English so they can hang out with the interns easier. He then tells Na'vi from the Metkayina Clan greets guests. He does not know much English though, so Dr. guests that there are boats ready at the dock to Stevens (the Uhhh... Fly Guy) is there to help take us to the Takutai Hui and that these boats will allow us to be lashed to our own Skimwing translate. Dr. Stevens serves as the head of so we can join in the exciting ride, but to be the intern program, so his presence is very careful because the only river that lead to the fitting. ocean cuts through the ruins of an old RDA ship The Na'vi youth is there to invite us to a used for hunting Tulkun. And that sometimes Lesser Ikran can set up nests in the old ship. special festival on the edge water thrown by his village. The Takutai Hui! An annual festival While not as large or as aggressive as the Mountain Banshees, the Lesser Ikran still grown to celebrate the wondrous gifts the ocean bestows upon them and the life found within! to a mighty size and will not hesitate to defend their territory. Music! Food! Dancing! Then it all culminates with a celebratory riding of the Skimwings! After the pre-show ends, guests are He then excitedly tells us in slow, broken ushered back outside to the docks which serves English "It.. is like.. uhhh... an Earthen Beach... as an outdoor loading area. a few safety Party! Surfs Up!" He then turns to Dr. Stevens, warnings from Dr. Stevens can be heard over speakers, but this is an experience meant for all "Did I... say it... right? ages so the safety spiel can be kept pretty "That was perfect! Mahi Pai!" The Doctor simple.

Pre-Show

Ride System / Vehicle The boats guests will be riding in will look familiar to Disney guests. Visually they are not far off from the classic large capacity boats seen on classic Disneyland rides such as Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean. They are themed to look handmade by the Na'vi of the Metkayina Clan with a hook on the front so that the tether can be attached to connect the boat to a Skimwing. Aside from the theming, the only real visible difference from the classic boat design and this one is the addition of individual lap bars similar to those seen on WDW's Splash Mountain. A very simple restraint able to accommodate all body types.

The really impressive part is what guests cannot see!

This ride will use the same technology as Shanghai Pirates of the Caribbean. While the boat will be free floating and will feel as if it is moving naturally, it is actually being towed along a track connected by tether that allows it to actually float. Since it's movement is controlled by the tether though, Imagineers have complete control of the speed of the boat, the timing between boats, where the boat should be in relation to when effects are triggers, etc. Allowing for a much more dynamic and engaging boat ride than the very passive style of the classic boat rides. This is YOUR story and this tech makes it feel personal to you! As an added bonus, there are separate tethers in the front and the back of the boat each on independent tracks. Allowing the boats to freely rotate, point in any direction, and have more dynamic motion while still continuing forward. Also, this ride system removes the need for obvious/ugly visible tracks for the flume. The track is hidden and the boats seem to simply float along the water on their own. The boat itself is far from the end of this ride's technical achievements! At the end of the ride's first Act, there will be an innovative new Swing Drop Track effect.

The boat will come to a dead end and lock into a piece of track. After a dramatic encounter with an animatronic creature, the floor will drop out from under guests causing them to swing forward and connect back with the flume. This will take up less space than a traditional drop while still adding some thrills. Plus, boats will launch off the drop giving a boost of speed as they head into the next portion of the river.

The climax of the ride will involve a simulator segment using more recently patented technology from Disney. Boats will float into one of two projection domes (two seperate domes for added capacity) and then their boats will attach to a hidden motion base. This is similar to how the simulator segment in Rise of the Resistance works, just with all the technology hidden under the water and a wrap around screen giving the feeling of being out on the open ocean and riding the waves! With the added benefit of allowing for the ride to take guests through larger and more expansive environments without taking up much space. The innovative ride system blending with cutting edge new technologies to create the "wow moments" that both the Avatar franchise and the Disney Parks are known for will be paired with impressive animatronics and projection mapping enhanced environments to create a truly exhilarating experience and perhaps the most technologically advanced theme park ride of all time. All while make smart use of techniques to conserve space and keep the attraction compact.

The boat leaves the station and loops along the lagoon, past the rock with the otter, and into the looming RDA Tulkun Hunting Vessel remains. It winds through the flooded and long-abandoned insides of the wreck. Nature has started to reclaim the walls. A broken control panel is partially submerged. Also present is an askew conveyance belt, which the boat moves onto and takes up to an upper level. Luckily, there is water for the boat to float in up here as well. The boat moves into the what had been the command bridge. Now it is the nesting site of a Lesser Ikran. The boat has reached a dead end right in front of the creature. It seems to be snarling at us. Suddenly, the floor gives way (thanks to swing drop technology) and deposits the boat into the water on the other side of the wreck. And luck if all luck, this is the location of the Metkayina village. Now, the boat slowly reaches the edge of the Matkayina village. Guests can see the Na’vi running throughout the village (via screens) as they all get ready and prepared for the start of the Takutai Hui.

From there, the boat pulls further ahead to get closer to the beach of the village. The boats turn to face the beach where a large campfire has been set up with simple AA’s dancing around the fire. The Na’vi around the fire can be heard singing traditional Na’vi celebration songs as the boat pulls further along. “Get ready for Takutai Hui!” can be heard from multiple Na’vi around the campfire as the boats circle around the sandy water edge. The boats then straighten out and move into more “open” water just outside the village. Once out here, a large Tsurak (Or Skimwing) charges towards the boat which causes the boat to veer “off track”. After the boat and skimwing both slow down, guests in the boat can see that the skimwing “attack” was caused by two younger Metkayina boys who are sitting on it’s back laughing now. The clan’s leader can be seen rising out of the water on his skimwing to scold the boys before telling the boat that they were already for the festival to get started. All that was left was for the boat to get tethered to an Ilu of their own out under the sea wall and in the open ocean.

The boat continues on forward and pulls into a small opening in the large wooden and rocky sea wall at the edge of the Metkayina village. Once inside the sea wall, the boat arrives in an open pool-type space section. A little hole in the wall ahead looks out to the open sea. A Tulkun's eyes pass by the other side of the hole. The boat continues to the left or right and exits out of the grotto into the open ocean (one of the two sim rooms).

Two teens, Ngaru & Pauna, are already waiting there on their skimwings. A friend of theirs comes up from below water and gives them a thumbs up. A Ilu rises from the water with some ropes harnessed to it as Ngaru says "Secure! Hold on tight!" They start off. So does the Ilu, pulling us along.

The boat speedily zooms around the sea. Curves, near misses with other Na'vi out in the water. A pod of Tulkun appear and swim alongside us, much to the Ngaru & Pauna's delight. The two of them quip something in Na'vi (it translates to "Try telling your friends back home about this!" "No one will believe you anyway!"). After leaving the Tulkun, we all head back towards [the base]. Pauna says that we're "Almost back," then suddenly a Lesser Ikran flies into the water between the boat and Ilu, severing the ropes. Its head rises out of the water (not the simulated water, the actual water surrounding the boat). The yellow diamond marking on its head indicates that it's the same one we had encountered earlier in the ruins. It looks at us, its thought process indiscernible. Then it blows some watery mist out of its nostrils. The teens laugh. "He likes you!" Ngaru says. The Lesser Ikran goes back below the surface, then (back on screen) flies out and away. The boat leaves the sim room as Pauna says "Kìyevame!" As we approach the docks, Dr. Stevens is heard welcoming us back and providing the stay-seated-until-complete-uh-stop announcement.

Txampay Tavern Literally translated from Na’vi to English as “Seaside Tavern,” Txampay Tavern is a casual table-service restaurant coming to Pandora: The World of Avatar at Disneyland. Set near the Metkayina Village walkthrough attraction, Txampay Tavern’s goal is to blend in with the attraction’s infrastructure. Utilizing the seaside Na’vi architecture, this restaurant is a unique and neo-tropical experience around the Mak’Aui Lagoon. The restaurant’s building is a larger version of the sea-top pods that make up the village, with its home-weaved aesthetic to the walls of the building and the animal skin roofing that covers the roof. The outside of the restaurant blends in with the other village pods with the major difference being it’s taller and larger in general. Smoke also billows out of the central roof shaft where inside all of the cooking goes on in the central community kitchen. Mangrove roots grow up around the sides of the building, creating a fence that surrounds a patio that juts out into the central lake, providing an outdoor dining area with a scenic view of the surrounding land. Once inside the restaurant, guests are welcomed into a Metkayina home, filled with carefully selected decorations from hand-woven wicker baskets holding bioluminescent lamps made of algae specially molded into bulbs and pods to glow. Na’vi artifacts such as statues and idols carved from mangrove roots or corals line the walls, sitting in caverns illuminated by bioluminescent lighting. In the center of the restaurant is a huge open-air kitchen with flat top grills and open flame grills where meats and fish are roasted on spits or sitting directly on top of the flat tops. Vegetables and cloves of garlic hang from the ceiling as they’re freshly plucked and cooked right in front of guests eyes as the savory smell of roasted meats and vegetables permeate the atmosphere across the restaurant. The tables are prepared uniquely as well, utilizing materials that would’ve been found near the lagoon, using lava stones, mangrove wood, coral, and even fishing nets to create wholly unique tables throughout the restaurant. Some tables and chairs are even made out of old repurposed RDA and whaler metal and technology. The wooden floors are carved to look crudely done with screens underneath emulating the sea that you can peer through the cracks to observe fish, Ilu, or skimwing beneath you as you dine, possibly even encountering a Na’vi themselves as they make a pass and wave. These subtle touches aim to enhance the dining experience with new things to see every time you visit. The restaurant’s menu seeks to bring a unique Pandoran flavor to the Earthly dishes being served. With fresh foods served from the seas and jungles of Pandora put into the human dishes, you’re guaranteed to experience an all-new exotic flavor only found at Txampay Tavern.

Restaurant page 2

Restaurant page 2

Restaurant page 3

Ocean Habitat Restoration Tour Alpha Centauri Expeditions has

its tan color. In the queue, guests see newspaper stories and magazine articles of the destruction caused by the hunting of the tulkin–the destroying of reef communities, the overpopulation of akulas, the outrageous “black market” of the anti-aging serum from the tulkin, beached tulkin carcasses, etc.

created a partnership in Pandora to promote healthy ocean environments following the hunting of the tulkun. The Na’vi still around (mostly of the Metkayina tribe) are ambassadors and partners of ACE. The major focus of the Animal Strengthening To Re-enter Ocean (“ACE ASTRO” for short) As guests make it to the front of the Lab is to help the sustainability of the tulkun queue for the lab’s tour, they walk onto a population, although it also aids in the moving walkway that allows them to enter research and care of all things related to into the ocean pods (Omnimover vehicles) marine life. that can carry up to three riders. Each pod has the ability to project high quality holograms. A Guests enter the ACE ASTRO Lab off of blonde-haired ACE researcher named Carley the walkway along the water. The building, although not in the traditional Metkayina hut (a descendant of ACE Founder Marshall Lamm) narrates (via screen) on the automatic tour of style but rather in a modernist style, fits in stylistically with the land, especially through the ASTRO Lab.

Omnimover Ride Technology In actuality, the Ocean Pods that guests ride in do not project holograms. It will look like that to guests the same way it will look like fully realized 3D CGI animated creatures are swimming through the practical sets and environments as if by magic. In reality, this effect is achieved through an updated take on Musion technology that Disney has recently patented. Regular musion tech can be seen in the Party scene of the iconic and beloved ride Fast & Furious Supercharged. It is a play on a Pepper's Ghost effect that can project videos seemingly onto thin air so they can interact with real props. Disney has used a similar effect for the hologram of Rey in Rise of the Resistance and the animated fish at the end of the Seas with Nemo and Friends. The updated version of this effect used on the Ocean Pods personalizes it and combines it with eye tracking to create a much more real looking projection. Akin to glassesless 3D AR. Tracking the guests eyes and heads to adjust the projection in real time to provide the most impressive and dimensional displays possible. Allowing imagineers to solve the two biggest problems with musion (too bright and too flat looking).

The tour begins by going through a series of high-tech blue-hued labs (similar in the design to those seen through Pandora in the Avatar movies). Lab 1: The monitoring and purification of water is the focus of the first tank. Carley states that sometimes pollution changes the acidity of the water, which leads to some plants and animals having difficulty thriving. Lab 2: The growing of corals and undersea plants is shown here. Carley explains that when they discover brittle corals, it is a sign that something is amiss in the ecosystem. Lab 3: The final lab looks at the healing of injured animals. A “sedated” ilu is seen on an operating table with several researchers, including some Na’vi, assisting.

The second part of the tour includes tanks of animals (in Audio Animatronic form) that are being nurtured before heading back out into the ocean. Carley mentions that the waters in these tanks have been filled with vitamins and minerals to help the animals get back to full strength. The tanks are clear plexiglass with bubbles going up through the glass to produce an underwater effect similar to what is found at 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at Tokyo DisneySea. Tank 1: The first tank contains several species found in Pandora–the cuirass crab, gill mantle (i.e. the sting ray that is worn), fishes, hammerbrow fish (i.e. yellow light-up), and the pincer fish. Tank 2: Guests may recognize the inhabitant of this tank that is also viewable in The Celebration of the Sea walk-through–the Pandoran sea otter. Like gills, his scales on his back can rise up to create ridges. The sea otters swim around the plants and rocks in the environment. The last several tanks rely heavily on the Augmented Reality technology (i.e. the on-board holograms)

Tank 3: The green seal is longer than its Earth counterpart and contains ridges on its back. It swims up and down around the tank (and through coral and rock structures) and splashes out of the water.

Tank 4: Before going to the next tank, Carley explains that the shark-like akul has been given a device that makes it non-violent while at ASTRO. He stays far away from the guests although comes slightly closer to give them a feel for perspective in the tank. Some ocean “plant” set pieces scattered throughout the tank give the illusion

Tank 5: Even more than in the previous tank, the grand scale of the tulkun is felt in the final tank. Starting from far away, she comes up close to look at the guests with two of its eyes on one side. After leaving the tanks, the ocean pods bring the guests back to the tour launching point. The narrator thanks them for their interest in strengthening the oceans and encourages them that they are always looking for the next set of researchers to join their team!

Gathering of Voices Special Effects Show

Summary/Premise Na’vi culture is deeply tied to their connection with the environment of Pandora and many great trees hold spiritual and cultural significance. Much like their forest brothers and sisters the sea tribes maintain a deep connection to their ancestors. After the destruction of the sea tribe’s Tree of Voices the Na'vi partnered with the scientists of the Pandora Conservation Initiative to heal the land where it once stood. The partnership has sought to repair the soil in the grotto that once supported that sacred place and slowly it began to grow again breathing new life in the voices of the ancestors.

are similar to the ways we restore habitat destruction on our own planet (how about that)?

The queue eventually enters a collection of underground grottos, our path lit with a diverse array of bioluminescent plants and animals. The pools of water around us also glow with a clear blue as we listen to the softened sounds of the waterfalls, echos, and Queue creatures. The queue approaches a smaller We enter the queue from the human room where we wait for the doors to the settlement side of the land, the entrance is chamber housing the restored Tree of Voices marked by a simple sign for the attraction to open. Above the doors is a mural painted by next to habitat restoration equipment; in the Na’vi depicting a Na’vi and human standing progress of healing the scars left by the side by side; a small sapling of the Tree of destruction of Colonel Quaritch. We see the Voices between them. The text beneath PCI equipment preparing the land for the informs us that the Na’vi and PCI worked reintroduction of Pandora’s rich collection of together to restore the Tree of Voices of the flora. As the queue snakes its way through the sea tribe which was destroyed in the attacks land’s rockwork we start to see the progress of by the sky people. We have been invited to the partnership’s efforts as the plants grow attend a sacred ceremony of the Na’vi to larger beginning to overtake the remnants of celebrate the rebirth of the Tree of Voices as the damage. Along the way signs educate us honored guests in what is to be a cultural on the PCI’s efforts and the importance of exchange to build trust and partnership repairing the natural habitat; these methods between the Na’vi and humans.

Show We enter the showroom; a large chamber within the grotto. In the center of the room slightly below us is a pool of water filled teeming with bioluminescence. The theater seats are arranged around the pool of water on one half of the room with a large rock formation and the large branches of the reborn Tree of Voices across the water from us. While we take our seats the room hums and chirps with life as we take our seats. The massive Tree of Voices whose branches and leaves have grown to weave in and out of the rocks of the chamber. They emit a dim light that pulses. The lights in the theater begin to dim. Across the pool of water appears the Tsahìk of the tribe (an advance AA) who welcomes us to the reborn Tree of Voices for this celebration of rebirth.

“We welcome you to this sacred place for our people, a place that has been reborn from the fires of destruction to once again let the voices of our ancestors sing their song.” The Tree of Voices begins again to shine and hum with the sounds of voices then fades to a slight glow. We are told the story of the sea tribes' great connection with their ancestors through the water with the pool in front of us coming alive as she speaks. The life from the water begins to move up through the roots of the tree; bringing it to life. As her story continues we see the entire Tree of Voices brought into full glory.

“But with life also comes death and loss…” With her words shifting to a darker tone the environment around us feels disturbed; from the edges of the room flames begin to crawl in across the tree’s structure putting out its glow soon engulfing the whole room and then leaving nothing more than a charred remains of the mighty plant. A soft moment of silence fills the room.

“Even in the shadows of what is lost the water remains, prepared to breathe new life…”

The pool again illuminates with activity and begins once again to move up through the roots of the charred remains. As it advances it heals and restores the tree branch by branch restoring the voices until the entire room is once again filled with the life of light and sounds.

“The water once again gives voice to the ancestors who sing their song…” The hum of the Tree of Voices becomes a chorus singing a song of the Na’vi treating us to a celebratory song. The tree and water are both alive with the melody as our Tsahìk guide joins in. Even our seats seem to pulse and glow with the song. It reaches its crescendo and fades again to a hum.

“Now you know the way of our people and have heard the song of the ancestors. May it guide and inspire your connection with our world. I wish you well as you continue on your journey. Kìyevame.” The lights rise and the door to our left opens. We leave the room still alight and alive with hums as the Tsahìk wishes us well as we return to our journeys across Pandora.

Situated along the eastern edge of

Mak’aui Lagoon sits the picturesque Metkayina Village. This inviting and in-depth walk-through experience provides guests with a firsthand look at this oceanic Na’vi clan. While the attraction flows seamlessly with the land’s aesthetic and creates great photo opportunities, guests are afforded the opportunity to enjoy a nature walk of sorts as they explore the village and observe many of the wonderous flora and creatures that call this side of Pandora home.

Guests approaching from the south via the train and monorail depots or the ACE labs will make their way along the lagoon before entering a thickening canopy of trees. This eventually leads to a mangrove forest that extends around this portion of the lagoon and out from the mountainside to the lagoon itself in either direction. Showing that once a great idea, always a great idea, many of the landscape design choices in this area take from the work of original Disneyland landscape architect

Bill Evans and team on the park’s Jungle Cruise. While much of the “natural” design work in the attraction has been crafted by Imagineers, some of the techniques like planting orange and walnut trees upside down to mimic the mangrove roots are essential to the design aesthetic of the village and the land. The village itself, built almost entirely over water, is an interconnected series of structures known as marui pods that are nestled under the oversize roots of mangroves extending out into the lagoon. Seven pods in total, a fraction of the density one would find in a typical clan make up the attraction, connected by bridges that are themed to look they are constructed from native Pandoran materials. The pods themselves are all large in scale, but keeping within the design style from the film, in order to allow as much throughput as possible.

A simple queue provides a tranquil entry towards the village from the main path. Shrouded on either side by plant life, and eventually mangrove roots, visitors come up close and personal with several other worldly plants. Pending the crowd levels within the park, the queue area also provides the opportunity to space entry into the walk-through as needed on busier days. The first of the seven pods, one of the two largest within the group, starts things with a bang as guests are greeted by a native Metkayina Na’vi. With higher profile attractions in land using state of the art animatronics, the walkthrough relies more on well-placed design and simple features with which to wow and entertain guests. Such is the case with the Na’vi in this first pod. With a truly authentic look and feel from head to toe, the costumed cast

member remains in a seated position to help with the believability factor due to the discrepancies in Na’vi to human anatomy. The inclusion of Na’vi characters within the attraction and land at large help provide a lived-in vibe.

pod.

“Welcome to Mak’aui Lagoon and our village” booms the Na’vi’s voice around the

Through a partnership with ACE, the clan has adopted some technology (it took some convincing), to assist with communication and information within the village experience. The Na’vi in this room is able to communicate with human visitors via a voice translator affixed to his ceremonial necklace. “I am called Tayom and I have lived in this village for 52 of your Earth years” “Around this marui you can see my family and my ancestors that have come before and the history of this place” as he gestures to the various motifs lining the canvas like walls of the pod. “Our clan is one with the oceans and the life around us, and today you will get a small glimpse into the way of water” As Tayom finishes his welcome and goes back to his task, guests are given a moment to study the pod before being released into the walkthrough, allowing for another group of guests to begin their journey. As will be the case with all the remaining pods, they maintain a similar layout and canvas-like interior. Each offers several large viewing openings with which to look out around the village and water. While the décor of each is quite similar, unique features of the inhabitants and theme are present. Artwork, plant samples, models, and a small video panel in each provides detail on that pods focus with an accompany version available via the Disney Play App.

With the 4th Pod, guests meet their first Pandoran creature on this nature walk, the Turtapede. Not yet seen in the film franchise, this slow-moving creature offers several striking features with its shell, fin and platypus like face. While the creature is typically found inland in freshwater, it has recently adapted to saltwater oceans. Walking through the pod, guests can see the shell of a Turtapede that has returned to Eywa and is currently being converted into a raft. Outside of the pod, a resting, live example of the creature can be observed floating in the shallows showing off small controlled movements thanks to the simple animatronic hardware within.

Pods 2 and 3 focus on plant life that has grown up against the beach side of the village. Similar to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Pandora, the plant life here is other worldly in keeping with the visuals seen in both Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water. Various varieties grow in the shallows including silkleaves and the gnarled roots of the mangrove which help create the village. Short, glowing, reed-like plants seemingly whispering in song with the wind grow up around the base of these 2 pods with something resembling Earth’s lily pads dotting some of the open water. As is the case with Animal Kingdom, the plant life all has a bioluminescent quality so nighttime viewing in and out of the attraction is something to behold..

Entering the 5th pod, the edge of the lagoon’s reef comes into view as guests cross over the natural bridge. Both pods 5 and 6 offer near 270 degree views to provide as many viewing angles as possible with the canvases still providing ample cover. Thanks to the shallowness of the water (kept clear thanks to the hidden separation from the main lagoon), all of the life in and around the coral is easily seen. The information panels in each pod provide more detail on the reef and its inhabitants with small underwater fans giving motion to the life seen below. The final pod and finale of the walkthrough introduces visitors to the Ilu, an ever important component of life for the Metkayina. Seen extensively in The Way of Water, first glimpses of the creature come via the Ilu pen that starts between huts 6 & 7. Attached to a rotating motor, cast versions of two Ilu swim about the pen, with their heads and portions of their torso occasionally breaking the water. The lagoon facing side of the pod has complete, uninterrupted views of the pen that stretches along it entirety providing ample space with which to observe them and Pandora beyond before exiting the attraction.

Monorail Station Updates Cutting through the surface of Pandora is the infrastructure that supported the industry responsible for so much of the damage the Pandora Conservation Initiative (PCI) is working to repair. The elevated tracks that once ferried valuable unobtanium and amrita that the Resource Development Administration harvested across the world were left abandoned and have started, like much of the human infrastructure, to be retaken by the natural world. Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE) and PCI have recently partnered to restore the tracks and use them to operate the Pandora Transit Authority (PTA) helping visitors and scientific staff to access the world’s diverse ecosystems. Though no replacement for the ikran, the Na’vi have also agreed to work with the PTA to transport materials needed to environmental restoration and trade goods. Make sure to pick up your

Frrfeien Pass to enjoy unlimited travel during your stay on Pandora! Conveniently located, Metkayina Village Station provides visitors easy access to other destinations on Pandora. A repurposed RDA freight depot, the station has been retrofitted to provide passengers with all the amenities and information needed to make their travels comfortable. The open-air structure contains schedule video boards providing arrival and departure updates. A large network map shows where one can travel to giving you ideas for your next visit to Pandora and supply crates on the platform contain research materials and Na’vi supplies. While much of the structure is the concrete and steel of RDA architecture the Na’vi helped transform the space with a large collection of woven lamps and beams.

Train Station Updates

At the southeastern portion of the land, the old tracks from the RDA Railroad run north and south following a similar path to the elevated monorail. Unlike the monorail that was utilized for unobtanium, the railroad was used mostly locally as part of the now defunct Tulkun operation. The station itself is connected to an old garage used by the RDA for their whaling expeditions and the repair, storage and upkeep of numerous vessels.

operating thanks to the return of power to the station, reflect the last day’s schedule of the garage as if frozen in time. From the loading platform the station opens up into a warehouse like room. While the floor space is mostly empty, the walls and corners of the facility lie cluttered with equipment, diagrams, and dusty office in the corner.

Guests looking to make their way into Pandora can exit out into the plaza just Once trains pull into the covered bay of outside the station. Those interested in lingering around can take the stairs to the 2nd the station, guests immediately notice the floor roof space that has now been converted stark contrast in location from where they into a seating area with which to relax and boarded as they exit. Long since defunct loaders and hydraulic platforms, thanks to the provides great views looking out towards the waters below. lack of use for many years, bely what the facility was once used for. Video boards still

Wokau Kato After decades of reclaiming the land, the Metkayina embraced their connection to their Tulkun brethren by continuing to include them into their rituals. One such ritual is the Swotu Waya, a sacred celebration in which the Na’vi use their music, their drums, and their voices to tell the stories of their ancestors to everyone visiting. Within the skeletal remains of a Tulkun named Payasha, who was hunted by the RDA Tulkun Hunters back during the Pandoran occupation, this sacred ritual continues, including this important creature into their celebration, same as it would be should the creature be alive, singing its song. Now, the echoes of the drums bouncing through the bones sing a different but equally as important song. The Swotu Waya, titled Wokau Kato, begins with humans who have assimilated into Na’vi culture telling the stories through percussion instruments that line the skeletal remains. They tell the tales of Metkayina and their connection to the Tulkun, then a story of a hunter pursuing a Tulkun only for it to outrun the hunter and survive. The final performance comes up and this is where a cast member wearing a Na’vi costume and stilts appears in the back, making their way up to the large drum set in the back. This Na’vi then performs the final song, obscured by the drum set to give the illusion of a giant 10 foot tall Na’vi. The performance lasts about 12 minutes and runs twice every hour.

Oare Goods Located nearby the Metkayina Village is a massive shop selling all the best goods this side of the Reef. Located in a converted villager pod, Oare Goods utilizes a very similar architectural style as the other pods, featuring mangrove roots that make up the structural support with wicker walls handmade by the Metkayina people and the roofs made up of the animal skin tarps and roofing. Inside features similar decorations as the other pods, including bioluminescent algae pods that light up the interior of the building. Within the shop is a large chunk of merchandise already found at Pandora: The World of Avatar in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Guests here can make their own Avatar figurine utilizing their own likeness in the Avatar chambers or can pick up plush versions of the creatures found in the first and second films, such as the ikran, viperwolf, direhorse, tulkun, ilu, and more. Hats, t-shirts, stickers, and more are also all present in the shop. And, of course, the most iconic feature of Windtraders at DAK, have to return with the Banshee Rookery where forest banshees, the smaller species found on people’s shoulders, have been imported into Metkayina in order for explorers to encounter them. Other, more unique offerings at Oare Goods include hand-carved artifacts made out of corals, bone, and wood to replicate the creatures and people of the lagoon and surrounding village. This shop is the main flagship shop of the land and thus features the most merchandise.

The Ilu Pen Ever wanted your own Ilu? Well maybe not always, but ever since Avatar 2: The Way of Water, guests have been clamoring to get their hands on these iconic animals. However, imagineers and toy designers struggled to find a way to make the Ilu a unique offering from the shoulder banshees available at the major shops in both coasts Avatar lands. However, it was finally realized when the concept of rather than having a shoulder-perching toy, instead perhaps this toy could be something guests ride on. That’s where the Ilu Pen comes in. Guests can enter the Ilu Pen, a small stand nearby the Lagoon, where they can pick up their own Ilu, a puppet much like the Banshees, but rather than perch them on your shoulders, guests attach the Ilu to their arms where they can hold them out in front of them, being “carried” much like holding onto the creature as you swim through the water would be. At the Ilu Pen, guests purchase their Ilu for $69.99/piece, but even guests not looking to purchase may want to pop in to see the animatronic Ilu, a head that pops up by the dock and interacts with guests as its controlled by a cast member nearby.