Team Chapek - Pandora - Journey to the Cove

Journey to the Cove is an educational boat ride experience for guests of Pandora that explores the vast array of flora and nature that lives on this moon. Inspired by both the former 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at Disneyland, and Living with the Land at Epcot, this attraction for all ages will dive into the jungles of Pandora while also encompassing the rich sea-life that inhabits the waters. Guests will begin their journey from the Venture Star as the queue begins inside the main building atrium before progressing down to the first floor where guests will board their 'pod' boats that will transport them out into the wildlife of Pandora. Upon entering the queue and approaching the loading dock, guests can read about various plant life they will encounter throughout the tour and learn ways that Pandora conservation is performed.

The narrator voice heard throughout the journey is Eywa, the Great-Mother, who communicates with the guests through the neural links afforded with the pods the guests travel in. What is unique about these ride vehicles is they too are bioluminescent and glow as Eywa speaks through them about the surrounding landscape.

As the pods leave the dock you descend slightly into the river and flow towards the Pandora night sky, seeing trees and plant-life all around you. Something glowing in the distance as you turn the corner to the left catches your eye as Eywa begins to speak.

"Our journey begins here, at the Tree of Voices. Here we can see the spiritual site to the Omaticaya clan, named because the voices of their ancestors could be heard through neuronal contact with the tree. These trees were destroyed to mine unobtainium but have since been restored through the conservation efforts of Pandora."

Continuing on past the Tree of Voices, you encounter more glowing forestation in the nightsky. Guests notice blue, indigo, purple, and violet colors cascading down branches and plants as the pods continue down the river.

"Most of the plant life of Pandora exhibits an enzymatic reaction known as bioluminescence, otherwise known as cold light. This reaction causes organic compounds to register at an orbit of higher energy, which then converts that energy into light. As living beings, plants on Pandora trigger this reaction when receiving food and oxygen, producing light as a result."

As the pods sway down the flowing river towards eclectic plant life, more narration ensues detailing the living foliage guests are passing by.

"While many plants are toxic at certain levels, the Na'vi and other tribes of Pandora have discovered uses for things once thought to be off-limits. For instance, the Octoshroom roots are used to make tea. And its powerful antivenom is effect against stings and bites from other animals that roam these forests. To your right is the Fibonacci, Na'vi named aniheyu, meaning blue spiral. It's a fern-like plant that resembles the Earthbound Fibonacci sequence, and ancient set of numbers in which each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers, resembling its iconic spiral. The Eyaye, or Warbonnet fern, is to your left, and is a large indescent blue plant widely found on Padora. It creates pigments with radioactive chemicals which give it its iconic blue color at night."

The pods then descend 'underwater' as an homage to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, whose show building used to be housed near where the boat ride takes place. Guests then get an incredible view of the bioluminescent life under the water as the narration continues.

"Pandora has a dense atmosphere that allows for many living creatures in the oceans of this moon. Here are a variety of species that show how diverse this environment can be."

Guests then ascend back to the Awa'atlu village inhabited by the Metkayina clan. With marui structures among the roots of giant mangrove trees, the narration continues.

"This reef dwelling clan has had their villages exist for thousands of years. These canoes offer the clan the ability to sail out to sea, while there are communal areas to gather, tell tales, and sing songs"

As the pods glide along a song can be heard in the distance.

As guests round another corner, they are met with Metkayina reef, and the highly-intelligent Tulkun creatures as well as the Turtapede reptile.

"These sea creatures come from a rich history. The Tulkuns pride themselves on their pacifism after eons of battle. The Turtapede is a slow-moving creature that can also be seen along the shorelines of this reef. They use their flipper bones as paddles so they can navigate these waters."

Maneuvering outside into the only portion of the attraction that is outdoors, guests transition into the Disneyland air and see the Cove of the Ancestors in the distance with the Flight of the Banshee roller coaster rollicking above them and the monorail gliding peacefully throughout the landscape.

"And here we have reached the most sacred site of the Metkayina, the Cove of the Ancestors. Our journey through Pandora has hopefully shared with you how conservation and the love of nature go hand in hand to preserving these wildlife habitats. And those who cherish their surroundings are the ones who make all the difference in preserving this peace. The Cove of the Ancestors represents the symbiotic relationship that the inhabitants of Pandora have with their environment."

Way of the Tulkun