Director James Cameron has taken actress Whoopi Goldberg on a tour of the new Avatar-themed zone at Disney Animal Kingdom, Orlando, Florida. He showed her around the park, created to look like the magical planet of Pandora from Cameron’s 2009 film Avatar, revealing details of what guests can expect when the park opens on 27 May.
Pandora — the World of Avatar features a number of sites unique to the world of the movie, including its floating mountain ranges and glowing bioluminescent rainforests, plus a number of rides and attractions, such as the family-friendly Na’vi River Journey and the Avatar Flight of Passage over the alien planet of Pandora.
“We have a mixture of Earth plants and exotic Pandoran foliage that’s been sculpted by sculptors. It gives the illusion of a real ecosystem,” Cameron says during his talk with Goldberg for ABC programme The View.
“It’s fine to see something in a movie where you know it’s a visual effect, but when you’re standing in it and you’re looking around in every direction, you’re on Pandora everywhere you look,” he says.
Cameron has worked closely with Joe Rohde and his team of Disney Imagineers on the realisation of the area. He says the setting for Pandora — the World of Avatar is in the future, long after the existing film and its four sequels – which do not have release dates yet – take place, in a time when Pandora’s Na’vi inhabitants and humans are at peace. “The Na’vi have welcomed us to Pandora to help us understand nature and ourselves better.”
Cameron says: “This whole land will light up at night. All these plants will glow purple and cyan and these beautiful colours. I think it’s even more magical at night.”
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Director James Cameron has taken actress Whoopi Goldberg on a tour of the new Avatar-themed zone at Disney Animal Kingdom, Orlando, Florida. He showed her around the park, created to look like the magical planet of Pandora from Cameron’s 2009 film Avatar, revealing details of what guests can expect when the park opens on 27 May.
Pandora — the World of Avatar features a number of sites unique to the world of the movie, including its floating mountain ranges and glowing bioluminescent rainforests, plus a number of rides and attractions, such as the family-friendly Na’vi River Journey and the Avatar Flight of Passage over the alien planet of Pandora.
“We have a mixture of Earth plants and exotic Pandoran foliage that’s been sculpted by sculptors. It gives the illusion of a real ecosystem,” Cameron says during his talk with Goldberg for ABC programme The View.
“It’s fine to see something in a movie where you know it’s a visual effect, but when you’re standing in it and you’re looking around in every direction, you’re on Pandora everywhere you look,” he says.
Cameron has worked closely with Joe Rohde and his team of Disney Imagineers on the realisation of the area. He says the setting for Pandora — the World of Avatar is in the future, long after the existing film and its four sequels – which do not have release dates yet – take place, in a time when Pandora’s Na’vi inhabitants and humans are at peace. “The Na’vi have welcomed us to Pandora to help us understand nature and ourselves better.”
Cameron says: “This whole land will light up at night. All these plants will glow purple and cyan and these beautiful colours. I think it’s even more magical at night.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Promotional feature: IDEATTACK
IDEATTACK is working on a magical destination resort in Hunan Province, China.
Founders Natasha Varnica and Dan Thomas walk us through the fairytale experience
Science centres: Sparks Fly
The Wolf Museum of Exploration +
Innovation (MOXI) is a brand new science
centre in Santa Barbara, with a refreshing
approach. CEO Steve Hinkley tells all
Theme parks: Speed Demons
PortAventura’s COO Mark Robinson on the
company’s latest investment – Ferrari Land
Promotional feature: Simworx
UK-based attractions manufacturer Simworx is building on its global
portfolio with a range of new projects in Dubai, China and Spain
Attractions: That’s the Spirit
Jameson’s visitor experience centre has
been revamped by BRC Imagination
Arts. Tom Anstey went to Dublin and
talked to the team about the project
Promotional feature: FORREC
FORREC has worked with some of the world’s
most recognisable characters and IPs. Here Steven Rhys
shares some tips on bringing those cherished worlds to life
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
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COMPANY PROFILES
Maison d'Asa Maison d'Asa, founded in 2013 by Asma El Mernissi in Casablanca, is the world's first spa concept ho [more...]
