Walt Disney World Resort has allowed ABC film crews to tour Pandora – The World of Avatar causing speculation that soft openings may begin soon.
The Walt Disney Company owns the ABC Television Network and their relationship means national exposure for the new land, which opens May 27th. During the testing period, rides may be closed to make changes. Disney also uses the land for promotional production, which will mean no public entry. So access during soft openings are iffy and and unpredictable.
Invitations to preview Pandora May 13-22 were sent to members of the Disney Vacation Club. Disney also contacted annual passholders to reserve time slots for exclusive previews starting on May 13, suggesting that a soft opening could happen in early May, according to Robert Niles, author of the Theme Park Insider blog.
Animal Kingdom’s newest attraction has been ready for weeks and ABC viewers have been given a tease of what’s to come.
“Good Morning America” ran a segment about Avatar Flight of Passage, where guests climb atop a mountain banshee for a flight over the moon’s surface.
Avatar creator and director James Cameron took Whoopi Goldberg from “The View” on a tour of the new land. It gave viewers a glimpse at the Na’vi River Journey, the high-tech boat ride through lush bioluminescent foliage.
Chefs from “The Chew” took a look at the food offerings in the new land and prepared, Lumpia, a crispy pineapple-cream cheese spring roll that will be offered at Pongu Pongu, which means “Party, Party” in the Na’vi language,
Finally, “Nightline” gave an in-depth look at the new attraction.