10 Hidden Secrets of Disney’s Pandora World of Avatar that You NEVER Knew Existed!

Are you ready to uncover the best-kept secrets of Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for your next vacation? 

Officially opening on May 27, 2017, The World of Avatar continues to draw millions of visitors each and every year. Disney Imagineers absolutely nailed it when it comes to creating an immersive and magical Disney journey with the Na’vi people. 

The land of Pandora is filled with surprising details to be discovered by super fans of the movie Avatar. 

But anyone who appreciates the Avatar film and has a childlike wonder will enjoy this park and have fun uncovering the hidden secrets within.

Pandora-The World of Avatar will exceed all your expectations and beyond. It is out of this world incredible! 

So, let’s unearth 10 of the fun and hidden secrets at Disney’s Pandora World of Avatar to explore on your Disney Animal Kingdom adventure! 

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1. Treat Yourself to a One of a Kind Pandora Snack 

If you are on the search to refuel in true Pandoran style, then Pongu Pongu is where you want to take your journey.  

Located in Pandora – The World of Avatar just at the corner of Windtraders is home to the elusive sweet snack Pongu Lumpia. 

So, treat yourself to this rare delight Pandora fans– you won’t find this Pineapple-Cream Cheese Spring Roll anywhere.  

It’s a Pandora local specialty! 

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2. Take a Glimpse into Pandora’s Past 

Another one of Pandora’s eateries, Satu’li Canteen, holds some unseen photos that will have you taking a peek into the world before. 

Don’t just simply pass by the hanging pictures on the wall.

This is where you can have a deeper look and even see the back story into parts of the film like what it was before when the RDA took center stage.  


One even shows you a scene of life prior and how the Mess Hall once looked. It is a super cool look at life before the Navii rule and how the RDA went about things.  

Also, be sure to look up and all around so you don’t miss out on the Navi artifacts.  

3. Experience a Touch of Stardom  

Here is hands down one of the best ways to have your own touch with fame.

When you are coming out of Avatar Flight of Passage over by the exit corridor you will see three handprints on the wall.  

They weren’t just made by someone passing by that was bored.

One of them is actually the handprint of James Cameron, the director of Avatar.

The others are Jon Landau the producer of Avatar and Joe Rhode the Disney Imagineer. You will be able to identify each handprint by the initials underneath.  

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4. Spot the Fake Waterfalls 

Not all is what meets the eye within the Avatars World of Pandora and this includes the gorgeous falling waters.  

Take a look over at Avatar Flight of Passage at the back of the land then up at the top.

You will see what appears to be cascading waters, when in fact Disney Imagineers were able to create the illusion of not 1 but 2 waterfalls.  

These are actually rotating wheels with water cascading over them fooling the eye thanks to slowing down the speed of the water and playing with perspective.  

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5. Find the Cryptic Handprints 

We have covered the human-looking handprints within Disney’s Pandora World of Avatar but what about the other ones you will see when you are over at Pongu Pongu picking up your secret Pandora snack?

Pandora World of Avatar on a Cloudy Rainy Day Pongu Pongu Menu Moara Margarita Drink Disney Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Keep reading to find out more hidden secrets at Disney's Pandora The World of Avatar.
Moara Margarita Drink from Pongu Pongu at Pandora World of Avatar on a Cloudy Rainy Day

Those are definitely not from Mickey himself! 

Well, those are actually Na’vi markings.

They have left their handprints all within the queue for Flight of Passage along the walls of the cave.  

6. Walk in the Steps of the Navi People 

I know you may be excited to ride into the bioluminescent rain forest in search of Na’vi Shaman of Songs but slow down for a moment and take a look around.

There are ginormous footprints impressed within the ground at the Navi River Journey.

Pandora World of Avatar on a Cloudy Rainy Day Navi River Journey Entrance Disney Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Keep reading to uncover all the best kept secrets of Pandora The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Navi River Journey Entrance at Pandora World of Avatar on a Cloudy Rainy Day at Disney Animal Kingdom Theme Park

When you come across these interesting prints take a moment and step into their footprints. Then you can see firsthand how incredibly grand the Navi truly are and how you compare to the Navi People.

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7. Enter a Lab Laden with Famous Books 

Since we are on the topic of the queue for Flight of Passage let’s dive into another of the hidden secrets of Disney’s Pandora World of Avatar that you never knew existed, the famous books throughout here.  

Pandora World of Avatar Flight of Passage Disney Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Keep reading to find out more hidden secrets at Disney's Pandora The World of Avatar.
Researcher Station

If you can pull yourself away from the cryo chamber take a closer look at some of the books within the display.

You will see one by one of my personal favorite conservationists, Jane Goodall.

Another by one of the main characters of the Avatar film, Dr. Grace Augustine and Dr. Jaclyn Ogden who you should remember seeing from the preshow for the ride and banshee expert.  

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8. Beware of the Predatory Bats 

Don’t let your excitement get the best of you over at Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Slow down and right before you enter the Avatar Flight of Passage you will want to take a look around. 

Here you can see the sleeping sting bats over to your left.  

9. Spot the Dangers of Pandora 

You may feel like you are surrounded by beauty and the harmonious sounds of nature in a fantastic journey through Pandora. 

But over by the drum circle area in the center of the land where you can catch a performance or play around a bit yourself there is a harsh reminder that not all has been magically safe. 

Here you will come across seriously giant scratch markings. What predator has wreaked havoc here we do not know?

Check out the markings yourself and see if you can identify the danger.  

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10. Create Your Own Avatar 

Now that you have located some of the best hidden secrets of Disney’s Pandora World of Avatar it’s time to unveil the most exciting one of all.  

Pandora Flight of Passage Gift Shop Avatar Maker. Keep reading to uncover all the best kept secrets of Pandora The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Pandora Flight of Passage Gift Shop Avatar Maker

Did you know you can create your own Avatar to bring home?

At the Windtraders shop in Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney you can personalize and bring your own adventure to life.  

Taking your facial features and creating your own personalized profile into their system you can literally immerse yourself into an Avatar figure.

Customizing with features that resemble your own including hairstyles and body types you can make your avatar truly one-of-a-kind and bring a piece of Pandora magic home with you.  

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Wrapping Up the Best Hidden Secrets of Disney’s Pandora World

So ThemeParkHipsters, those were some out of this world hidden secrets of Disney’s Pandora World of Avatar don’t you think. 

Which ones did you not even know existed and which hidden secrets are you excited to go discover the next time you visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom?

10 Hidden Secrets of Disney’s Pandora World of Avatar
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Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

Sarah Jordan Theme Park Writer and Florida Travel Expert Writer

About the Author

Sarah Jordan is a solo traveler enthusiast, professional travel writer, and proud mama to her rescue dog Coconut.

With a love for destinations across the globe, she made Epcot her first theme park and still treasures her EPCOT World Showcase passport to this day.

After finally following her inner wanderlust, she discovered the freedom and empowerment that solo travel brings. 

(Original Article Date: January 10, 2014/Updated by Editor on August 7, 2024)

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1 thought on “10 Hidden Secrets of Disney’s Pandora World of Avatar that You NEVER Knew Existed!”

  1. hell yeah, i quite alot drop by this blog nowadays and thank-u for spending time to bring this topic up on the net. hey buddy, i have just forwarded this onto my friends on fb. ‘am glad reading your article. please, update this blog frequently. if you get busy just taking break for some times hahaha. well, good job cheers!

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