AVATAR: The Experience at Gardens by the Bay

Discover Pandora, the world of Avatar at AVATAR: The Experience, now open at Cloud Forest, Gardens by the Bay.

AVATAR: The Experience at Gardens by the Bay – REVIEW

From now till 1 Jan 2024, you can visit Pandora at Gardens by the Bay’s Cloud Forest. Avatar: The Experience is the first-ever major transformation at Cloud Forest, and it is a high-profile collaboration between Cityneon Holdings, Disney Location-Based Experiences, and James Cameron and Jon Landaus’s Lightstorm Entertainment.

Note: AVATAR: The Experience is extended through 1 Jan 2024. The event was originally expected to end 31 March 2023 and has extended its run many times.

This is no ordinary exhibition because elements from the 2009 Avatar film and upcoming Avatar: The Way of Water have become part of the Cloud Forest’s spaces, with mystical creatures and mysterious plants surrounded by the real ones – some of which specially imported for this event. Everything is beautifully integrated into the iconic misty mountain, caverns, and foliage. It’s produced at a scale that also feels harmonious with the original site.

The Experience is filled with many interactive sections that are designed to feel part of a world (rather than an “exhibition”). Best highlights include meeting creatures from Pandora, such as Banshees (both adult and baby), and immersing yourself in numerous interactive projection spaces. You’ll be able to step inside simulators to see your Na’vi self, fly on a Banshee, and even walk through a scene inspired by the Tree of Souls.

It’s more than a typical movie tie-in exhibition (hence the name). With so much to see and do, AVATAR: The Exhibition is definitely worth a visit – especially if you haven’t been to the Cloud Forest for a while. Visit sometime around 6PM to enjoy the spaces in both day and night lighting – though I feel the Experience looks best at night.

Photo Tour: AVATAR: The Experience at Gardens by the Bay

Step inside the Cloud Forest, where the cool mist transports you to Pandora. The first thing you’ll see is the Juvenile Mountain Banshee sculpture right at the waterfall.

The luminescent Avatar Stone logo – don’t forget to step in and take a photo!

As you continue on, the next section features the alien flora and fauna from Pandora.

A trio of Prolemuris harvesting fruits.

Apart from the alien plant sculptures, the event introduced about 20 new species of plants to Cloud Forest as part of the event. It includes the Aechmea Blue Tango, a bromeliad with electric blue flowers and contrasting hot-pink flower stalks, reflecting the overall look of the Experience.

The Colocasia Pharaoh Mask‘s heart-shaped, bright-green leaves are accentuated by prominent deep-purple veins. This 3D ribcage-like appearance makes it fit right in the sci-fi fantasy world of Avatar.

Visiting at night will offer the best experience, as the special lighting and bioluminescent effects will look the best.

Scorpion Thistle (above) and Fiddleheads (below).

As you explore the Cloud Forest, you may notice that these alien plants also have labels similar to the real plants at Gardens by the Bay. This design touch makes it even more immersive!

Watch out for the Viperwolf gnarling at visitors.

Over at the space where Cloud Forest’s Orchid Haven used to be, you can now Avatarize Yourself when you step inside one of these high-tech machines.

Just stand inside and follow the instructions. You can save your Avatar photo using the QR code that appears at the end.

This area, known as the Sacred Space, is an interactive artwork. Simply press on the plant-like pads and feel the connection as waves of light pulse from your hand and into the mountain. Also, don’t miss the jellyfish-like Panopyra floating above.

You’ll also get a chance to see a Na’vi family along the way, and be shocked at how tall they actually are.

A Unidelta Tree, with its waxy, thick leaves.

Juvenile Hammerhead Titanothere, standing majestically among the bountiful greenery.

At this area, you can step inside the Fire Pod and take part in an immersive shadow play experience. Your shadow will actually take on a Na’vi form!

The Goblin Thistle, right before the lifts to the upper levels of Cloud Forest.

Here, the main highlight would be the Mountain Banshee, a full-scale animatronic that is about 6 metres tall and 7.5 metres wide.

This is the debut of a full-scale banshee animatronic (the ones you see at Disney Parks), and it is amazingly sculpted and programmed with life-like movements. Sensors around the banshee allow it to “see” and react to guests in real-time.

While the banshee is perched on the rocks, it looks very amazing, almost as if it’s ready to take flight.

It will also react to the baby banshee when it appears!

Here you can also step inside the Fly a Banshee simulator, and fly around the Hallelujah mountains.

After all that excitement, travel down to the lower levels where you can see Ilu inside its cove. This new marine creature will appear in the upcoming Avatar: The Way of Water movie.

Your journey brings you closer to Eywa, and the finale of the experience takes place in three rooms – the small one shown above. In the last big room, you will immersed in a massive multimedia show to celebrate the connections you have formed with the world of Avatar.

Along the way, you will walk through luminous branches that have cascaded from the Tree of Souls, a nod to a memorable scene from the movie.

After the celebrations (which takes place in a massive projection theatre), visit the gift shop where you can find these adorable plush toys! The Na’vi Merlion (S$49.90) is definitely a favourite. Bring one home!

These cute Na’vi plush toys are selling at $39.90 each.

Video: AVATAR: The Experience

Here’s a quick video tour showcasing what you can expect at AVATAR: The Experience:

@dejiki POV: Walk inside the amazing AVATAR: The Experience at Gardens by the Bay Singapore, now open inside Cloud Forest! #avatar #disney #avatartheexperience #gardensbythebay #singapore #traveltok #exhibition #garden #travel #amazing #beautiful ♬ Becoming one of "The People" Becoming one with Neytiri – James Horner

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