Disney did not actually "buy" Pandora; instead, they entered into a massive long-term licensing agreement in 2011 with James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and 20th Century Fox (which Disney later acquired). To bring "Pandora – The World of Avatar" to life at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney invested an estimated $500 million to $1.4 billion in construction costs. This high-value project, which opened in 2017, features the world-class Flight of Passage and Na'vi River Journey attractions. While the exact licensing fee remains confidential, industry insiders suggest it involved a significant upfront payment plus a percentage of all merchandise and food sales within the land. Since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in 2019, they now own the Avatar film franchise itself, but the creative control for the theme park land still involves partnership with James Cameron. This investment proved to be a high-value "win," as it transformed Animal Kingdom into a full-day park and remains one of the most technologically advanced and visually stunning themed environments in the world.