DAK Pandora and Universal Volcano Bay Grand Opening, Walkthrough Videos, and more

It was the Press Event and Grand Opening yesterday of Pandora - the World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom AND of Universal Orlando Volcano Bay and you'll find below the Disney live video of yesterday's ceremony at Pandora. You'll also find plenty of others videos of the Grand Opening of Pandora - and most in 4K definition on D&M Facebook page HERE, just scroll down the page to don't miss them.




Another picture of Pandora opening...



...and a  great drone video filmed over and inside Pandora has also been posted by Inside the Magic.




Let's move to the awaited Universal Orlando Volcano Bay water park !

You have a short video below and plenty of others showing a FULL TOUR of this new amazing water park also on D&M Facebook page HERE. I predict a huge success to Universal Volcano Bay!




We have also a latest drone video over Universal Volcano Bay, filmed three days ago, and in 4K. All the pools are filled with water and looks to me they're ready for today's Grand Opening, only the waterfall on the volcano was not working when they filmed. Now, if Universal can ask David Copperfield to make disappear this goddamn' highway right behind, it will be perfect!




And Theme Park Insider was the first one to post a video of the incredible Krakatau water coaster!




Videos: copyright Disney, Universal, Inside the Magic, Theme Park Insider

New Pandora - The World of Avatar Imagineering Video !

Pandora - The World of Avatar is opening on May 27 and a new Imagineering video was released, in which Joe Rhode and others WDI Imagineers talk about where they found the artistic inspiration for Pandora.


In addition the video include great shots of the giant model of Pandora at Walt Disney Imagineering!











Pictures and video: copyright Disney

Imagineers Partner With Avatar Filmmakers To Create Pandora - The World of Avatar

Imagineers Partner With Avatar Filmmakers To Create Pandora - The World of Avatar: Have a new fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how WDI project team has partnered with Lightstorm Entertainment and many of the original AVATAR filmmakers – including James Cameron and Jon Landau – to bring the new land to life.



In this video, several members of the Pandora “Super Team” share what the experience of bringing Pandora – The World of Avatar to life has been like for them, and some of the amazing moments that have exceeded even their imaginations.




Pictures and video: copyright Disney

D23 Expo Parks and Resorts Pavilion : Part Two : Pandora – The World of AVATAR - NEW Article With Andy Castro Pictures !

Editing: This is a brand NEW article with dozens of pictures shot by Andy Castro at D23. When i did the previous version as i couldn't find pictures from Andy i thought that he didn't shot the Pandora model. But today Andy posted his latest set of pictures in which was these fantastic pictures of the model! So, i've totally edited this article and it's a brand new one that you must not miss if you've read the previous one!

Make sure to follow Andy on his Dateline Disneyland site!


The other area inside the Parks and Resorts pavilion at D23 Expo is about "Pandora – The World of AVATAR" - as this is now the official name of the land - where was displayed the model of the land. Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests will journey into the magnificent world of Pandora at this new AVATAR-themed land – a world that includes floating mountains, a bioluminescent forest and the winged creatures known as Banshees, giving guests a transformational experience they will never forget.

Pandora – The World of AVATAR is a key part of the expansion of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and will feature awe-inspiring floating mountains, a nighttime jungle of bioluminescent plants as well as an amazing new attraction called A"VATAR Flight of Passage". This e-ticket attraction will allow guests to experience what it’s like to fly with banshees.

Let's have a close look at the Pandora model. By the way, Imagineer Joe Rhode - picture below - confirmed during the presentation that the boat ride is still part of the land. What is not 100% clear to me if it will be totally indoor or outdoor, or half an half.

And now, Andy's great series of pictures of the model. Please note that the model was presented with a day light and night time versions to show to D23 guests the electroluminescent lighting effects. Click on each picture for a better look in big size.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek shared the update on Pandora – The World of AVATAR at the D23 EXPO 2015 with Imagineer Joe Rohde who said one of the things that has made work on this project so special has been the collaboration with the Oscar-winning team behind the film – James Cameron, Jon Landau and the rest of the Lightstorm team:  “We’ve been working side-by-side with Jim and Jon to make sure that what we do is true to the story, characters and vision for the beautiful, mythical, epic land of Pandora,” Joe said. “We’re creating a transformational experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.” 

New visuals were also displayed!

Alpha Centauri Expeditions ( ACE ) will be the travel tours company supposed to help you totravel to Pandora. In the video below filmed by The DIS you'll see a short video explaining you in details what is Alpha Centauri Expeditions, as well as close shots on the model and in glorious 4K definition!




He was joined then during the D23 presentation by Imagineers working on these projects as well as legendary filmmakers James Cameron and Jon Landau who shared new details about Pandora – The World of AVATAR including the names of the land and E-ticket attraction – AVATAR Flight of Passage.




Don't miss in the next article below or HERE the great Pandora "travel" posters!

On Disney and more i've covered essentially the D23 Expo announcements about Parks or Imagineering but there was more so make sure to follow Andy Castro others updates on D23 Expo either on his Dateline Disneyland page HERE or on Mice Age HERE.

Pictures: copyright Disney

Videos: copyright The DIS