Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom have reopened for a special Cast Member preview today and we’ve been bringing you along with us — all day LONG!
Pandora
We’ve already gotten to ride a newly reopened Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and took our first plunge on Splash Mountain since mid-March! Now we’re hopping over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom where the other Disney World Cast Member preview is currently underway.
Since we couldn’t be in two places today, our friend @allisonxella on Instagram let us know what’s was happening over at Animal Kingdom! First of all, we couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw Avatar Flight of Passage only had a five-minute wait time! Is the My Disney Experience app broken or something? This ride usually has a least a two-hour standby line!
Screenshot From My Disney Experience App
But the reports actually appeared to ring TRUE! Our friend pretty much walked straight through the line in record time! We’ll be curious to see how the wait times hold up for the rest of the week once Annual Passholders and the general public return!
Waiting in Line
At present, every ride at Disney World is only utilizing standby queues during the initial phased reopening. That means there’s currently no FastPass option to ride Flight of Passage “and, uh… fly!” But, with a five-minute wait, who needs a FastPass?!
Social-distancing markers have been placed at roughly 6-foot intervals throughout Flight of Passage’s rather lengthy standby line space. They’re prominently positioned outside along the winding mountain trail…
Social-Distancing Markers
…as well as inside! Guests were being moved quickly through the laboratory area of the queue. Normally we don’t mind spending a little extra time in this room to appreciate all the details and science experiments that are happening, but our friend said the line moved so FAST that the room was all a blur!
Flight of Passage Queue
And just like that, she reached the end of the line! A plexiglass barrier has been installed in this section where the queues break apart and guests are assigned to their boarding groups.
Flight of Passage Queue
We were wondering what would happen next since Flight of Passage has a rather long pre-show experience before your journey officially begins.
Pre-Show
Before you get to “SIVAKO!” (That’s Na’vi for “Rise to the challenge!”), you normally have to pause in a briefing room. That’s where your body is scanned for “Pandoran micro-parasites” and ultimately, you’re paired up with an Avatar!
Pre-Show Skipped
For now, guests will walk straight through this part of the pre-show — but Dr. Jackie Ogden still wants to have a word with you right before you board the ride.
The Ride Experience
Cast Members hand out 3D glasses (like they normally do). Two link chairs are left empty between each party and up to three parties are seated per row.
Flight of Passage Link Chair
Aside from having to wear a face mask the entire time, our friend reported that the rest of Flight of Passage looked and felt just as she remembered it! You know — breathtaking visuals, lots of swooping and diving, all while feeling your banshee panting and flapping its wings! At the end of the ride, 3D glasses get returned in the same bins they normally use for sterilization before being redistributed.
We still can’t quite get over only having to wait FIVE MINUTES to ride one of Disney World’s most popular attractions! It remains to be seen if those wait times increase during Annual Passholder previews and during the official park opening to all guests on July 11th, but we will be there to check it all out firsthand and will most definitely keep you posted!
What’s your favorite attraction in Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!
From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Featured, Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom reopening, Avatar, Avatar Flight of Passage, Disney World reopening, disney’s animal kingdom, flight of passage, Pandora, Pandora — The World of AVATAR
