Na'vi River Journey — Attraction in Bay Lake

Na'vi River Journey is a slow boat ride through the dark, luminescent landscape of Pandora. It's about the speed of Small World, though shorter at about a 4 minute run time. It's been compared to Pirates of the Caribbean. However, this ride doesn't have any drops or splash downs like Pirates, and there are fewer animatronics. Instead, the ride features many more annimated projections.

While beautiful to look at, I was ended up disappointed. First, the ride itself lacks any real wow factor. It's too short, and while the technology and visuals are pretty great, they can't overcome the lack of engagement or excitement. And speaking of waiting time, my biggest complaint about this attraction was line management. This was the only ride during my five days at Disney that took longer than than the estimated wait time. And not just a little, but a lot. Our 90 minute estimated wait turned in out to be 2 hours and 45 minutes. And it was clear why. There were so many fast pass riders that they keep allowing them through over the folks standing in line. I figured Disney would have this figured out by now. Because the staff routinely allowed five times as many fast pass riders through as stand by riders. And that's an unacceptable ratio, and lead to a real sense of frustration for everyone left standing in a line they couldn't easily leave.

I can't recommend waiting more than 25-30 minutes for this ride. And if you miss it, don't sweat it. Pandora is fun to visit, but there is only one ride that matters, and...

If you're going to do this ride and can afford it, go for the Lightning Lane. Any enjoyment of the neat 3D almost holographic visuals on the 5 minute ride are killed by the claustrophobic 90 minute line to get in. You're corraled into a tight space with barriers under a wooden and grass structure that, to me, looked liked a disaster waiting to happen if there was a fire. Pity the souls who have to use the bathroom while waiting, there is none. Or food. Witnessed cranky hungry little kiddoes who absolutely did not want to be there. The older kids seem a little more patient. As an old timer, I needed a cane or seat but could not have gotten on the boat with it. Not recommended for the physically challenged. Note "cost to get in", folks, it's not free, you pay at least $100 to get into the park, this is just one of the rides within the park to get on, once you've paid general admission. If you do the Lightning Lane, I'm sure that costs extra, or requires a membership, but I don't have...

this ride sucked. this experience was the worst experience ive ever had at a theme park ride. the line was excruciatingly long with wait times up to 145 MINUTES. the lines are long and are significantly lacking character. the people that would wait in front of us in these said lines would be very sweaty and very smelly. it was very gross to stand behind these people for more than two hours. you guys could at least plug smells in like you do to the rest of the park. i cannot imagine the smell in summer (hot florida sun). then let’s get to the ride. after all that waiting we finally got to the ride and sat in. the boat goes 3 mph. the lights and effects look like they are put together by third party special effects production. and the ride itself is just completely boring. no character cameos.no fun effects. just meh. if you you aren’t a huge avatar fan and walk around animal kingdom and see this ride over 30 minutes (which it always is) i would recommend to never get on it.disney...