A 4.2-ton (3.8-mt), towering mechanical suit is sure to stop guests in their tracks at Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The new Pandora Utility Suit is inspired by the iconic Amplified Mobility Platform (AMP) suits of power armor from the epic film AVATAR.
Perched 10 feet (3 m) high, a human pilot straps into the cockpit of this exo-carrier and controls its powerful, yet agile movements. The giant walking suit was designed with articulated hands and a shoulder span of more than five feet (1.5 m). It also bears claw marks and battle scars from a Thanator – an alpha predator on Pandora.
But the Pandora Utility Suit was actually designed for restoration, while the film’s AMP suits were created for infantry missions of destruction. Its streamlined structure and technical upgrades make it the perfect tool to collect plant samples, study flora and survive Pandora’s wild terrain.
Like all the lands at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Pandora is rooted in nature. The Pandora Utility Suit showcases that in dramatic fashion. As the suit traverses the land daily, its pilot will interact with guests, share details about the land’s otherworldly landscape, and highlight the importance of preserving nature.
The Pandora Utility Suit continues the collaboration between Disney and Lightstorm Entertainment that first brought Pandora – The World of Avatar to life nearly a year ago. The suit is part of the 20th anniversary celebration of Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.
