Pandora: The World of Avatar Announcement, Construction, & Preview Discussion

[darkridelover]

Is this ride like ground breaking, Or just a good addition to the park?

I think it's a really amazing experience but there was no new "Ground" that was broken. It was just done really well. I would call it a giant evolutionary step forward in motion simulators. But it wasn't revolutionary.

 

[Joel]

I had a dream last night that I got to ride this (probably because I'm leaving for Disney today!), it was on the edge of being too dizzying for me, hopefully that holds true just for my dream.

For those that have ridden (@epcyclopedia), do you think I'll be ok based on:

I have no problem with:

• DM
• Jimmy Fallon
• Gringotts
• Spiderman

I can handle (with some extra effort):

• FJ screens

I cannot handle:

• Simpsons

 

[Alicia]

Disney Blog posted lots of info and pics on the mini banshees!

Connect With a Banshee at The Rookery inside Windtraders in Pandora – The World of Avatar | Disney Parks Blog

At the Rookery, a Naturalist from Alpha Centauri Expeditions will assist a guest with identifying a favorite banshee from among 10 unique styles. Each interactive banshee includes three ranges of motion – mouth, head, and wings – that are controlled by hand. Guests will also hear them make authentic banshee sounds provided by Disney’s partners at Lightstorm Entertainment.

“We worked closely with [Lightstorm Entertainment] when designing the banshees,” continued Cody. “Their colors were inspired by banshees seen in the ‘Avatar’ motion picture. Their sounds make them feel as though they flew directly into Windtraders from the attraction. Guests will determine each banshee’s personality through a combination of hand movements and sounds.”​

Guests can either display a banshee on their shoulder or cradle them in their arms. We will also offer a banshee perch that is sold separately.​

 

[LieutLaww]

I may need to take an extra bag for all the Banshees I may have to acquire

 

[Alicia]

I may need to take an extra bag for all the Banshees I may have to acquire

Yea, my definitely getting a tail and ears may have just switched to definitely adopting one of these little cuties.

 

[epcyclopedia]

Banshees come in a special box with a handle that says Rookery on it.

 

[Alicia]

Banshees come in a special box with a handle that says Rookery on it.

There better be little air holes on that box!

 

[epcyclopedia]

I had a dream last night that I got to ride this (probably because I'm leaving for Disney today!), it was on the edge of being too dizzying for me, hopefully that holds true just for my dream.

For those that have ridden (@epcyclopedia), do you think I'll be ok based on:

I have no problem with:

• DM
• Jimmy Fallon
• Gringotts
• Spiderman

I can handle (with some extra effort):

• FJ screens

I cannot handle:

• Simpsons

Ive always found Simpsons to be painful ever since it was BTTF. The ride system is just very jerky. FOP is very smooth. It's like the drops in the quidditch scene, and when you sort of flop down in front of the dragon at FJ.

I think if you can get off FJ without being deathly ill you'll be ok.

 

[hishedale]

It seems as though Banshees are Disney's response to wands, as they are marketing them as something that you're "paired" with.
There are also lots on those shelves, so they expect to be selling them like Wonka bars with golden tickets hidden in them.

 

[epcyclopedia]

The banshee perch is an additional $15 on top of the price of the critter $50.

 

[Alicia]

The banshee perch is an additional $15 on top of the price of the critter $50.

Thanks, was wondering the price. Disney just said it was sold separately. My little friend will look fantastic on my desk.

I assume this is puppeteered by cable pulling, and not electronics? (Only the sound effects would be electronic I'm guessing.)

Examples:



How they work, (starts halfway in)

 

[TDBLMT]

Was able to visit Pandora today.

Seems much less like a land and more like a massive facade for two attractions.

The scope / scale of the land is impressive and Flight of Passage from start to finish feels very epic and grandiose. From the queue to the exist I thought it was a really incredible experience.

River Journey on the other hand feels much smaller and claustrophic. Super short. Blends practical and screen effects really well. And HOLY MOLY THAT SHAMAN.

Both beers are pretty good. The margarita is fantastic.

 

[rhino4evr]

Those $50 dragons will be ALL over the parks in a couple weeks...and most likely seen in UOR parks as well.

 

[Evan]

Thanks, was wondering the price. Disney just said it was sold separately. My little friend will look fantastic on my desk.

I assume this is puppeteered by cable pulling, and not electronics? (Only the sound effects would be electronic I'm guessing.)

Examples:



How they work, (starts halfway in)

I am pretty sure they are electronic, like a Furby.

 

[Alicia]

I am pretty sure they are electronic, like a Furby.

The ones on display are certainly using servo motors to show their movements, but at the end of this video you don't hear any electronics for the one perched on the cast member's shoulder when it moves. That's what makes me think it's cable controls. That would actually be more reliable, inexpensive and even create a wider range of motion than tiny motors inside the banshee itself.



Anyone that's seen them in person, have you seen what the hand controls look like? Buttons or squeeze triggers?

EDIT: Plus, cast members refer to them as "puppets."

 

[LieutLaww]

Yea I can see those Banshees everywhere no matter the park.

 

[Alicia]

For anyone that remembers this toy in the 90s, this is how I would imagine the controls to be like, or something similar.

Each interactive banshee includes three ranges of motion – mouth, head, and wings – that are controlled by hand.
​

Each control pulls a wire cable, that creates tension and either turns the head, opens the mouth or flips up the wings. I see a lot of variation in the speeds and combinations of movements when the cast members are controlling it -vs- the movements always looking the same and at same speed when the perched display models in the store move (controlled by electronic motors triggering the movements.)

I could be wrong, but in my mind that little banshee would need to be a lot fatter to utilize three electric motors for independent motion that create that much range.

 

[Evan]

Just read the parks blog, said they are indeed controlled by hand.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Those $50 dragons will be ALL over the parks in a couple weeks...and most likely seen in UOR parks as well.

I dunno about that, carrying around a wand is annoying let alone this.

 

[darkridelover]

The ones on display are certainly using servo motors to show their movements, but at the end of this video you don't hear any electronics for the one perched on the cast member's shoulder when it moves. That's what makes me think it's cable controls. That would actually be more reliable, inexpensive and even create a wider range of motion than tiny motors inside the banshee itself.



Anyone that's seen them in person, have you seen what the hand controls look like? Buttons or squeeze triggers?

EDIT: Plus, cast members refer to them as "puppets."

There is this little black handle. It has a two cable pulls on it. One to open the mouth and one to move it left and right. I thought they were really cute at first until I saw how it was operated. I can imagine playing with it for an hour and getting bored with the toy. It doesn't do anything. It's not worth the money they are charging. There is however a banshee puppet on a stick with a trigger for the mouth that I had a ton of fun playing with making it soar around the shop.