Bold claim: a beloved hands-on experience has vanished, replaced by more merchandise in Animal Kingdom. But here’s the full picture and what it means for fans who cherished the Avatar experience.
ACE Avatar Making Experience permanently closed and converted to extra retail space
Following reports in October that the ACE Avatar Making Experience inside Windtraders was permanently shut, the area has undergone a complete remodel to accommodate additional merchandise.
ACE Avatar Experience now Merchandise Space
After the closure, black curtains and baskets blocked access to the machine used for the customization process. While the baskets remain, a green curtain has been added to reflect shadows and colors from around the shop, signaling a shift away from hands-on engagement.
Where the kiosk once stood, a merchandise shelf has been introduced near the registers, and more products line the surrounding wall.
In October, organizers blocked off the area with curtains and stanchions, fueling the belief that the experience would not reopen (see coverage here: https://wdwnt.com/2025/10/breaking-unique-experience-in-pandora-the-world-of-avatar-is-permanently-closed/).
What the experience offered
The personalized Avatar figure involved guests being scanned and then choosing custom elements—body type, hair style, eye color, and other features—to create an Avatar that mirrored the guest.
Public reception and current status
The experience was not particularly popular, and earlier this summer, the figurine was discounted from $79.99 to $50. There has been no new announcement about a replacement experience for this space.
If you’d like to revisit the memory of the experience, you can view our original review and a video of the process here: https://wdwnt.com/2017/05/photos-video-review-become-navi-action-figure-avatar-maker-pandora-disneys-animal-kingdom/.
Your thoughts?
Are you sad to see this interactive experience go, or do you prefer the enhanced merchandise approach? Share your perspective in the comments or on social media.
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Jamie Rowland (https://wdwnt.com/author/jamier/)
