Pandora - The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, has been given a confirmed opening date of summer 2017.

The themed zone is set to include a number of sites unique to the world of the 2009 Avatar movie, including its floating mountains and bioluminescent rainforests, and a number of rides and attractions, such as the family friendly Na’vi River Journey and the Avatar Flight of Passage ride over the alien world of Pandora.

“I think the thing I’m most excited about right now to experience would be everything in Pandora,” Bob Chapek, chair, Disney Parks and Resorts, said at the D23 Conference. “From the place-making to the two extraordinary attractions that will be in the land – both the Na’vi River Journey as well as Avatar Flight of Passage, these promise to set new high-watermarks for our experiential magic we give our guests.”

Disney signalled more details about the themed land would be unveiled soon.

Director James Cameron’s sequel, Avatar 2, is not expected to hit cinemas until December 2018, almost a decade since production was first announced.