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VIDEO AND ARTWORK: Avatar Theme Park Concept Art Revealed at D23 Japan

AVATAR-Inspired Land Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Tokyo, Japan — On Saturday, October 12, 2013, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs introduced original concept art for the new “Pandora” land to be constructed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park at Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort.  What follows is the text of Stagg’s post on the Disney Parks Blog, the artwork as presented in high resolution to InPark Magazine by Walt Disney World, and a video of Avatar director James Cameron and Walt Disney Imagineering’s Joe Rohde introducing the new land to attendees at Japan’s first D23 convention.  Click on the pictures for a larger image.

From the moment AVATAR was released, people were captivated by the mythical world of Pandora. When we announced that we’d be working with James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment to bring this world to life in our parks, we felt certain that this partnership and combination of talent and imagination would produce an experience unlike any other ever created.

AVATAR-Inspired Land Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Our combined team has taken huge steps forward in “imagineering” Pandora as a real place for our guests to see, hear and touch. At the first-ever D23 Expo in Japan, we shared an early glimpse of the plans for AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park and I wanted to share some of these breathtaking images and a short preview of what’s to come with all of you.

AVATAR-Inspired Land Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

As these concept renderings show in epic scale, in the world of AVATAR guests will encounter awe-inspiring floating mountains and wander through a nighttime jungle of bioluminescent plants that are alive with light and sound. Guests will also discover what it feels like to soar into the sky riding a Banshee.

And the new AVATAR-inspired land won’t be the only change coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

DisneyÕs Animal Kingdom Theme Park Expands

As part of the largest expansion in the history of the park, we’ll be adding all-new entertainment experiences, including a new nighttime spectacular where live music, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery all combine to bring a show to Discovery River that will delight our guests and truly cap off their day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The park will introduce more nighttime entertainment as well, including live performers on Discovery Island (pictured above) and a new nighttime version of the Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Shaping a Future Land at DisneyÕs Animal Kingdom

As the world of AVATAR becomes real at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the energy and passion shared by our Imagineers and the Lightstorm team for this monumental task continues to be remarkable. I can’t wait to see the reactions of our guests as they step into a world that until now has only existed on the screen.

Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

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