Disney to live stream official opening moment for Pandora

May 22, 2017, 6:20 AM · ORLANDO — We are in Orlando this week for the opening of two new major theme park attractions: Pandora - The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom, and the Volcano Bay water theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort.

Wednesday's the big day, with both resorts scheduling their media previews between 10am and 3pm. I am planning to hit both events during that window, starting at Pandora then heading up the road to Volcano Bay.

...If the weather cooperates, of course. After months of drought in Central Florida, Wednesday's forecast calls for thunderstorms. Perhaps Mother Nature is looking to remind the Orlando parks why they shouldn't be doing concurrent press events in late May and the summer thunderstorm season?

Wherever you are and however the weather is there, you can join in the opening moment for Pandora on Wednesday morning, as the official Disney Parks Blog will live stream the event at 9:25 am Eastern. (In fact, watching from home you probably will have a better view than most reporters attending the event will have, as Disney's trying to encourage people here just to watch the live stream from the Lion King theater.)

Volcano Bay's opening moment happens the next morning, at 8:30am Eastern. No official word yet on a live stream of that, but I would expect one from Universal, too. Update: And here it is! Universal's webcast starts at 8am on Thursday, May 25.

After that event, I will be hopping into a car and heading directly to the Orlando airport to fly back to Southern California, where I will be covering the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout at Disney California Adventure that night.

Confession time: I've already been on Guardians, as Disney allowed a small group of invited reporters to ride last week. However, our reviews, photos and video of that are embargoed until Thursday morning, so look for that report then.

It's going to be a busy couple of days here on Theme Park Insider! Please keep reading here on the Web, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for all the latest from Orlando and Anaheim.

Replies (7)

May 22, 2017 at 8:58 AM · Have fun! Thanks for keeping us up to date (and very jealous). Where do you typically stay when you're in Orlando? Do you have a preference?
May 22, 2017 at 12:37 PM · I actually stay with family on most visits to Orlando. As for the parks' hotels, my personal favorite might be the Royal Pacific for the unlimited Universal Express. I also like not having to drive and just being able to walk while on vacation. (LOL at that for this week!)
May 22, 2017 at 11:07 AM · I'm not sure what the appeal here is for a live stream. It's a ribbon cutting that will likely be live streamed by dozen of other outlets, a nothing that will provide any additional insight or views of PtWOA that most perspective guests haven't already seen.

I'm still waiting to see well produced footage of the transition from day to night and what the land looks like after the sun goes down. We're not going to get that during a 9:30 AM live stream.

May 22, 2017 at 12:34 PM · I'm going to try to do a walk-around video during the evening media session in Pandora on Wednesday. Universal isn't allowing filming during the evening party at Volcano Bay, so I'm planning to skip that. (I'm going to guess that the lack of recording is due to some musical act that will be performing. Or maybe they just want to avoid camera crews in a dimly lit environment. IDK.)
May 22, 2017 at 12:42 PM · You will be busy for a couple days. Sounds like you got there early to spend time with family. Very nice. Looking forward to the coverage.
May 23, 2017 at 11:35 AM · I'd be most interested in reading a review of the new attractions. How about it, Robert?
May 23, 2017 at 2:14 PM · Awesome! On my short trip to Orlando next month, instead of checking out Volcano Bay, I am going to Pandora.
Although part of that was just me wanting to ride Universe of Energy again before it closes.

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