Flights Of Passage: Everything You Need To Know For Your Visit

Avatar Flight of Passage is the newest attraction at Animal Kingdom, and one of the most popular in Disney World. For good reason! It’s unique ride system and stunning visuals take you out of this world and into the heart of Pandora.

The Flights of Passage History

Flight of Passage is a groundbreaking attraction that debuted in Pandora – The World of Avatar on May 27, 2017. Inspired by James Cameron’s blockbuster film. This thrilling ride allows guests to soar on the back of a banshee over the breathtaking landscapes of Pandora.

A mural depicting a Na'vi riding a banshee on the wall in the queue for the Flight of Passage attraction in Pandora - The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

The journey begins in the queue, where visitors are immersed in the lush environment of the Valley of Mo’ara and guided through the scientific facilities of the Pandora Conservation Initiative. Here, guests learn about the symbiotic relationship between the Na’vi and the mountain banshees, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience.

The attraction itself is a marvel of modern theme park engineering, combining cutting-edge technology with immersive storytelling. Riders are linked to their own Avatar and seated on individual ride vehicles designed to simulate the flight of a banshee.

As the ride begins, guests are launched into a stunning 3D world, complete with exhilarating dips, swoops, and breathtaking vistas.

The realistic visuals, synchronized movements, and sensory effects create an unparalleled sense of flight, making Flight of Passage one of the most popular and critically acclaimed attractions at Disney‘s Animal Kingdom.

Close-up view of the floating mountains in Pandora - The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom, showcasing the intricate details and lush vegetation against a bright blue sky.

This ride perfectly captures the magic and wonder of Pandora, leaving guests with memories that will last a lifetime.

Rider Requirements

Guests must meet certain rider requirements to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for everyone. First and foremost, there is a height requirement of 44 inches (112 cm).

A wide-angle view of the stunning landscape in Pandora - The World of Avatar, featuring vibrant plants, floating mountains, and exotic vegetation under a cloudy sky.

You’ll also be wearing 3D glasses for this experience with sudden drops, sharp turns, and intense visual and sensory effects. Individuals with motion sickness, fear of heights, or certain medical conditions such as heart, back, or neck problems should carefully consider whether this attraction is suitable for them.

How to Ride

Avatar Flights of Passage is insanely popular, with average wait times around 90 minutes to two hours. It’s good, but it’s not that good. There’s far too much to do in Animal Kingdom to be stuck standing around waiting for two hours.

Rope Dropping Flights of Passage

Animal Kingdom opens at 8:00am, most days, to standard daytime guests. Which means guests staying on property can enter as earlier as 7:30am.

Guests wearing blue and white ponchos walking through Pandora - The World of Avatar in Disney's Animal Kingdom during a rainy morning, with blooming trees and wet pathways."
PSA: Walk don’t run – especially if it’s raining

Unfortunately, there aren’t many places for the rope drop crowds to go once inside the park. Kilimanjaro Safari‘s does not open early for hotel guests – and sometimes opens later than the park. And Expedition Everest is in the back of the park, with a Single Rider line.

Most guests are headed directly for Pandora, and Flights of Passage. Despite the early morning mad dash, rope dropping this Avatar adventure is still a good bet for guest staying on property. Plan to arrive at the park at least 30 minutes early (7:00am for on property guests).

A sign at the entrance to the Valley of Mo'ara in Pandora - The World of Avatar, providing visitor information against a backdrop of tall bamboo plants.

Be prepared to wait 30-45 minutes – still better than 2 hours. If you aren’t staying at Disney World resort, rope dropping will still help shorten your wait time. But be prepared to wait upwards of an hour, even if you are the first guest through the gate at 8:00am.

Late Night

Don’t worry if you’re more of a night owl, as park closing is the second best time to ride Flight of passage. That’s because if you enter a queue at Disney before the park closes, they will let you wait to ride as long as it takes.

Sadly, the wait still tends to hover around 90 minutes even at the very end of the night. But at least you’re not missing out on other attractions around the park. And it’s usually much cooler.

Lightening Lane Status

The fact that Avatar Flight of Passage still pulls a consistent wait time nearing 2 hours, more than 7 years after opening is a testament to this timeless adventure. It’s a must-do attraction for many park guests and we agree!

So, if you’re not interested in rushing around to experience it there is another option: Lightening Lane. Disney‘s newest Skip the Line Service allows you to pay a single price to bypass the standby line, and basically walk on to this attraction.

Historically we’ve seen the price range between $11 and $16 per person, per day, for Avatar Flight of Passage. And for the most part, the Lightening Lane Single Pass is available all day. But this could change drastically with the upcoming changes.

If this is the ride that is going to make or break your trip – buy the Lightening Lane Single Pass as soon as you can. That’s 7 days before arrival if you’ll be staying at a Disney World resort, and 3 days before your visit to the parks if not.

Have you ridden Flight of Passage? How do you beat the line?

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