Windtraders (store)

Concept art for Windtraders

Windtraders is a gift shop in Pandora: The World of Avatar in Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom. This is currently the only location in the Pandora attraction that sells Avatar merchandise. The merchandise includes clothing, beach towels, backpacks, figurines, and other items relating to Na'vi culture, Pandoran wildlife, and Alpha Centauri Expeditions. Some Windtraders merchandise can be bought online through Shop Disney and the Shop Disney Parks app. The store also includes exclusive merchandise not sold online, including creating your own Avatar action figure and connecting with an interactive banshee toy.

The store is named after the Windtraders clan in Avatar: Fire and Ash.

Backstory

ACE employees run the store as part of their eco-tourism operation in the Valley of Mo'ara. Originally a Resources Development Administration base during the conflict between Na'vi and humans, it has been retaken by nature. While ACE stripped the interior as part of renovating it into a store, they kept the natural overgrowth, using the roots as merchandise displays. Traveling Na'vi traders are responsible for the stock of Na'vi cultural items in the store, hence the name "Windtraders".

Windtraders merchandise & store tour in Pandora - The World of Avatar, Walt Disney World

Tour of Windtraders, featuring the store design and merchandise.

Merchandise

See: Pandora: The World of Avatar Merchandise

Windtraders sells a wide variety of merchandise based on the attractions and storyline of Pandora: The World of Avatar. The merchandise is made specifically for the attractions. Popular merch items include the Interactive Banshee, Na'vi Translator cards, and wearable Na'vi tails.

• Clothing for Alpha Centauri Expeditions, the Pandora Conservation Initiative, Flight of Passage, and the Na'vi River Journey
• Other Pandora themed clothing including banshee hats
• Na'vi themed clothing including shirts, hoodies, sandals, backpacks, socks, and umbrellas. Some items feature glow effects based off of bioluminescence.
• Roleplay toys including Na'vi tails, jewelry, ears, instruments, and weapons
• Stuffed toys and figurines of Pandora's wildlife including banshees, hexapedes, viperwolves, thanators, prolemuris, tapiri, direhorses and baby Na'vi
• Drink containers including mugs and thermoses
• Pins and patches
• Decor items including throw pillows, art, picture frames, decorative statues, and plant themed lamps
• Science themed items including potted plants and geodes
• A custom bracelet and necklace making kiosk
• Assorted candies and other snacks

Banshee Rookery

Adopting a Banshee from the Rookery - Pandora-Adopting a Banshee at the Banshee Rookery

Video of the Banshee Rookery "adoption" process.

Guests can take home their very own scale model puppet of a banshee. In a special rookery-themed area of the store, naturalists assist guests with finding their personal banshee from 10 unique styles, with guests determining the banshee's personality through a combination of hand movements and sounds. The banshees are remote controlled with a "leash" that lets you move the puppets with a hand unit and feature three ranges of motion in the mouth, head, and wings. The banshee sound in the toy are provided by Lightstorm Entertainment. The toy can either be perched on one's shoulder or held in one's arms. A special banshee perch is also available to buy separately. Guests are then "bonded" to their banshee by taking an oath to protect the environment on both Pandora and Earth. The naturalist also explains the Na'vi pronunciation and significance of the term "Oel Ngati Kameie" ("I See You" in English), encouraging them to use it to greet other banshee owners. The banshee costs $49.00 while the optional perches cost $14.95.

ACE Avatar Maker

Turn Yourself into a Navi Action Figure - AVATAR Maker Experience in Pandora-AVATAR Maker Experience

Video of the Avatar Maker Experience process at Windtraders. The video also shows an example of the immersion provided by Disney Cast Members, who act in-character as store employees with their own experiences on Pandora.

Guests can make their own custom avatar action figure to take home. After a quick facial scan, guests can choose Na'vi facial features, clothing, and accessories that fit their personality. The figure costs $79.99 and is nearly 10 inches tall. Due to the custom and personal nature of the experience, refunds aren't accepted.

Various aspects of Windtraders were unavailable from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While other customizable products like the Na'vi necklace and bracelet making kiosk were available on and off as the rules demanded, the ACE Avatar Maker remained closed through much of the pandemic. As of 27 May 2021, the Avatar Maker remains unavailable with uncustomized figures available for purchase for $50.00.

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