At a Glance
Duration: 4 minutes, 30 seconds
Look Out For: simulated heights/speed, claustrophobic ride restraints, motion sickness, moments of peril, and some scary creatures
Opening on May 26, 2017, Avatar Flight of Passage is a breathtaking flight simulator that puts you on the back of a banshee as you soar over the land of Pandora. But how scary is Flight of Passage? Let’s take a look at the ratings:
1. Ride Length
Flight of Passage has a ride duration of 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Throughout its run time, this ride takes you on an unforgettable flight through the magical world of Pandora.
2. Height Requirement and Warnings
Flight of Passage has a height restriction of 44 inches. In addition, those with back/neck problems (or those who otherwise may not be in good health) should not ride.
3. Ride Vehicle and Restraints
The Flight of Passage ride vehicles consist of individual “bikes” with restraints on the rider’s back and legs. The bikes are side by side in a row of 8 – so if you would like to sit right next to your loved one, this ride allows for that. Flight of Passage loads passengers on 3 separate floors, so like Soarin’, there are rows above and below you – but the seats don’t swing up above the ground. The floor is always directly underneath you, but the whole ride experience does a great job of feeling like you’re actually flying.
4. How Does Flight of Passage Work?
Flight of Passage creates the illusion of flying by seating riders on an advanced ride system facing a massive screen. Aside from wind effects and basic up/down and side to side motion, the “bike” also makes smaller, more dynamic movements to simulate the banshee breathing underneath you. All of this, paired with piped-in smells and amazing sound design, make for a truly immersive ride.
5. Is Flight of Passage Scary?
Flight of Passage could definitely be a bit scary to some riders. This is mostly due to the large – sometimes threatening – creatures and moments of peril you’ll experience throughout the ride. While I would definitely call this ride more thrilling than intentionally scary – it is full of loud noises, wind effects, piped-in smells, and your bike actually “breathes” underneath you, which could be disconcerting for some.
6. How High is Flight of Passage?
Flight of Passage does involve heights. As a flight simulator, you truly feel like you’re soaring hundreds of feet above the ground. However, your bike remains stationary on the floor of the theater at all times. If you look to the left and right of you once the ride has started, you may see other rows above and below you – but they are actually all on different floors of the building. Your bike doesn’t leave the ground.
It’s also important to note that this is a more thrilling ride compared to Soarin’s gentle swaying, and there are a couple of moments that make you feel as though you’re plunging downwards at a high speed. As mentioned before, the actual floor is right below you the whole time (no dangling feet, like Soarin’) but those with a fear of heights might want to take a moment to consider this one.
7. How Fast is Flight of Passage?
Flight of Passage does not technically go fast. This ride simulates soaring over the landscape at a thrilling speed. While you’re not actually moving forward, the illusion is very convincing.
8. Does Flight of Passage Have Drops?
Flight of Passage does not technically have drops. Despite its lack of actual movement, this ride truly feels like you’re diving and climbing on the back of a Banshee. It’s certainly much more intense than Soarin’ but doesn’t contain any actual drops or coaster elements whatsoever. The row of seats does move to simulate that movement, but you’re not actually going anywhere.
9. Does Flight of Passage Cause Motion Sickness?
Flight of Passage causes motion sickness for many riders. There is no actual spinning, but the rushing visuals and seat movements can definitely cause nausea to those prone to it.
10. Is Flight of Passage Claustrophobic?
Flight of Passage could be highly claustrophobic to some riders. While you’re not actually leaving the loading platform/theater, you are definitely locked in for the duration of this ride. In my experience, a cast member will even say before boarding that if you can’t remain seated for the 4 and a half minute duration, you shouldn’t ride.
This is a pretty standard ride duration and may not seem like a long time to most people. However, this ride does take a considerable amount of time to load (all floors and rows have to be set and ready before the ride begins), so the hardest part for me was being locked in for a few long minutes, waiting for the ride to start.
In addition, the restraints that swing up against your back and calves to lock you into a seated position can feel pretty restricting and unfamiliar, as no other rides in the 4 parks use this system. However, if you think you can stomach all of that, I highly recommend giving this one a try, as it’s an experience like no other.
11. Are There Animatronics on Flight of Passage?
There are no animatronics on Flight of Passage.
Flight of Passage Queue Walkthrough
The queue entrance is located outside in the Pandora area and takes you through an exquisitely-themed outdoor path as you ascend up to the mountains. From there, you’ll enter a beautiful cave full of wall paintings and then pass through a more industrial, concrete area. You’ll come upon a stunning, overgrown bioluminescent section before making your way into the lab itself.
While the entire queue is completely breathtaking, the lab is the most stunning part, in my opinion – so take a moment to really look around!
From there, you’ll pass through more of the concrete facility and prepare to enter the preshow rooms. It should be noted that the entire lab and facility areas do feel a bit claustrophobic as they are windowless and feel “underground.”
You’ll then enter a small (also closed-off) preshow room and watch a 3 minute video introducing you to the ride. I also should mention that the pre-show room can feel very confining – especially since the door you enter from slides right into the wall and there’s no way to open it from the inside. This bothered me, a very claustrophobic rider, because there was a significant delay in starting the preshow and we spent much longer than intended in the room – so just keep in mind that delays happen from time to time.
A cast member will then lead your group into another small room, remind you of the safety warnings, and give you your 3D glasses. For reference, this part of the queue before loading feels a lot like Mission: Space over in Epcot. You’ll watch another short instructional video before being led right onto the loading platform/theater.
You’ll be seated on your individual bike and then be instructed to sit all the way forward as the restraints swing up onto you back and calves. There is a small beeping screen on the bike in front of you and some cool air blasting into your face. This is where the aforementioned delay can happen – and you may be locked into the bike for an extended period of time as others load the ride on other floors.
Flight of Passage Ride Walkthrough
Once the ride begins, the wall in front of you opens to reveal a huge screen (think IMAX or Soarin’) and you’ll find yourself right on the back of a banshee. As you take off, you’ll dive down the massive tree you’re perched on and soar over trees and rivers. You’ll glide over a waterfall and enter a forest where you’ll find some stunning scenery and creatures. From there, you’ll break out from the trees and find yourself flying over the ocean.
You encounter an absolutely massive whale-type creature as it leaps out of the water and comes crashing down right beside you. You’ll fly through a huge wave and make your way up towards some rocky peaks.
It’s here that you’ll encounter a rather aggressive red banshee and dive through the floating mountains to evade it. Ducking into a cave, you’ll land in a quiet, dark place brimming with gorgeous bioluminescent creatures.
Diving out of the cave, you’ll soar over even more of the Pandora landscape – even flying through a herd of stampeding beasts – before taking one last dive and soaring onto a rock by the sea where the ride comes to an end.
That’s it! Remember, everyone’s riding experience is a little bit different and only you can decide whether to hop on that ride vehicle or not – I just hope this guide helps you be prepared and enjoy every second of your Disney experience!
So what do you think? How scary is Flight of Passage? Leave a comment to help keep this guide up to date!
For a full visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out these videos from Blog Mickey and LMG Vids:
