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NEWS
Disney's World of Avatar opening in summer 2017
POSTED 22 Nov 2016 . BY Alice Davis
The first photograph shows the bridge to the base camp of Alpha Centauri Expeditions, the eco-tour group that will host explorers on their Pandora adventure Credit: Walt Disney World
Pandora - The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, has been given a confirmed opening date of summer 2017.

The themed zone is set to include a number of sites unique to the world of the 2009 Avatar movie, including its floating mountains and bioluminescent rainforests, and a number of rides and attractions, such as the family friendly Na’vi River Journey and the Avatar Flight of Passage ride over the alien world of Pandora.

“I think the thing I’m most excited about right now to experience would be everything in Pandora,” Bob Chapek, chair, Disney Parks and Resorts, said at the D23 Conference. “From the place-making to the two extraordinary attractions that will be in the land – both the Na’vi River Journey as well as Avatar Flight of Passage, these promise to set new high-watermarks for our experiential magic we give our guests.”

Disney signalled more details about the themed land would be unveiled soon.

Director James Cameron’s sequel, Avatar 2, is not expected to hit cinemas until December 2018, almost a decade since production was first announced.
RELATED STORIES
  James Cameron spills the beans on new Avatar theme park


Director James Cameron has revealed new details on the forthcoming Avatar theme park, set to open in 2017 at Disney World Florida’s Animal Kingdom.
  Anticipation builds for Avatarland


Two years after announcing the film, Avatar, will be brought to life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lightstorm Entertainment, the creators of the film and Walt Disney Imagineering are working on new ways of taking immersive environments and interactivity to the next level.
  Avatar land planned for Disney World


Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide yesterday announced that it has finalised an agreement with filmmaker James Cameron and production company Fox Filmed Entertainment to create a number of Avatar-themed lands at its parks.
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Marriott International partners with Fitwel for wellness solutions across its residential portfolio
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Anna Bjurstam steps down from Six Senses to build new company Wahayla
Anna Bjurstam has left her role as Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels and Resorts and launched a new wellness, longevity and “consciousness consultancy” called Wahayla.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, opens with spa philosophy of ‘Wellness without Walls’
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) in the Northwest of England with a 1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’ concept.
'Minor wellness hotels' recorded the strongest growth across top KPIs in 2025, finds RLA Global
Wellness hotels generating less than US$1 million (€932,700, £785,200) – or 10 per cent of total revenue from wellness and leisure – recorded the strongest RevPAR and TRevPAR growth in 2025 across categories when compared with 2024, according to the latest Wellness Real Estate Report by RLA Global, produced in partnership with P and L benchmarking firm HotStats.
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23-26 Aug 2026

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©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Disney's World of Avatar opening in summer 2017
POSTED 22 Nov 2016 . BY Alice Davis
The first photograph shows the bridge to the base camp of Alpha Centauri Expeditions, the eco-tour group that will host explorers on their Pandora adventure Credit: Walt Disney World
Pandora - The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, has been given a confirmed opening date of summer 2017.

The themed zone is set to include a number of sites unique to the world of the 2009 Avatar movie, including its floating mountains and bioluminescent rainforests, and a number of rides and attractions, such as the family friendly Na’vi River Journey and the Avatar Flight of Passage ride over the alien world of Pandora.

“I think the thing I’m most excited about right now to experience would be everything in Pandora,” Bob Chapek, chair, Disney Parks and Resorts, said at the D23 Conference. “From the place-making to the two extraordinary attractions that will be in the land – both the Na’vi River Journey as well as Avatar Flight of Passage, these promise to set new high-watermarks for our experiential magic we give our guests.”

Disney signalled more details about the themed land would be unveiled soon.

Director James Cameron’s sequel, Avatar 2, is not expected to hit cinemas until December 2018, almost a decade since production was first announced.
RELATED STORIES
James Cameron spills the beans on new Avatar theme park


Director James Cameron has revealed new details on the forthcoming Avatar theme park, set to open in 2017 at Disney World Florida’s Animal Kingdom.
Anticipation builds for Avatarland


Two years after announcing the film, Avatar, will be brought to life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lightstorm Entertainment, the creators of the film and Walt Disney Imagineering are working on new ways of taking immersive environments and interactivity to the next level.
Avatar land planned for Disney World


Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide yesterday announced that it has finalised an agreement with filmmaker James Cameron and production company Fox Filmed Entertainment to create a number of Avatar-themed lands at its parks.
MORE NEWS
Marriott International partners with Fitwel for wellness solutions across its residential portfolio
Marriott International has partnered with Fitwel, a healthy building certification system that aims to optimise occupant health.
Anna Bjurstam steps down from Six Senses to build new company Wahayla
Anna Bjurstam has left her role as Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels and Resorts and launched a new wellness, longevity and “consciousness consultancy” called Wahayla.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, opens with spa philosophy of ‘Wellness without Walls’
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) in the Northwest of England with a 1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’ concept.
'Minor wellness hotels' recorded the strongest growth across top KPIs in 2025, finds RLA Global
Wellness hotels generating less than US$1 million (€932,700, £785,200) – or 10 per cent of total revenue from wellness and leisure – recorded the strongest RevPAR and TRevPAR growth in 2025 across categories when compared with 2024, according to the latest Wellness Real Estate Report by RLA Global, produced in partnership with P and L benchmarking firm HotStats.
Lefay Resorts introduces emotional dance classes to offer experiences that foster connection
Lefay Resorts, the portfolio of two luxury wellness properties in Italy, has added emotional dance classes and group cold plunge sessions in response to market demand for social connection.
Robert Thurman: a life dedicated to enlightenment
Robert Thurman, an expert on Tibetan Buddhism and the spiritual director of Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Woodstock, has died, aged 84.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

HPO Tech brings design-led hyperbaric systems to the spa floor
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has moved well beyond the clinic and spa operators represent the fastest-growing market for the technology. [more...]

MSpa Oslo series: a timeless bestseller
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Omnisens

Rooted in nature and guided by a holistic philosophy, Omnisens' treatments and products are crafted [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
10-12 Sep 2026

ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Malaysia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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