Katelyn heads to Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to tame one of the Banshees. Are they worth shelling out for?
Avatar Banshees from Animal Kingdom – One of Our Favorite Disney Souvenirs
If you’ve ever wandered through Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, chances are you’ve seen the colorful, screeching creatures perched on shoulders or fluttering their wings with surprising realism. These are the interactive banshees, or Ikran, from Windtraders. After bringing a few home, we can say without a doubt they’re one of our favorite souvenirs.
A Shoulder Companion from the World of Pandora
We have one of the larger banshees, as seen in the film (the ones that sit on your shoulder), and one of the smaller wrist ones. We felt as though we were “bonding” with a creature from the Avatar universe when we picked them out. The larger ones are on a huge display. You can interact with different colors and see them in action before you decide to take one home. The smaller banshees come in an egg, and the color you get is a surprise. The detail on them is amazing, from their vibrant colors to their flapping wings and wide eyes, they really do feel alive.
Did I mention the spots on the larger ones glow in the dark? The larger banshees come in quite a variety of colors, like blue, aqua, purple, and red. There are also special event colors, including orange, yellow, green, and a deep purple with metallic markings. The smaller wrist banshees come in blue, aqua, purple, and red. I am told there is a light green one as well, but they are hard to find.
Bluetooth Banshees
The original shoulder banshees used to come with a corded control that led to the controller. But the newer models are even better. They’re Bluetooth-enabled and come with a wireless remote that’s super easy to hide in your hand. This makes interacting with them more seamless and realistic (and it means fewer wires to fuss with). Keep in mind that some of the older colors were only released before the Bluetooth option became available. We’ll have to wait and see if Disney continues to release new and party colors.
For smaller children, these are not your average shoulder plushes. They are made with movable parts, a body structure, silicone, and weigh a couple of pounds. Our banshee was either on my shoulder or riding on top of our stroller. They come with a very strong magnet that goes between the bottom of the banshee and the shoulder of your shirt, as well as a small clip that attaches the tail to the back of your shirt. The clip was a lifesaver as the banshee is top-heavy and will slowly slip forward if the tail clip is not attached.
Reactions That Bring the Magic to Life
What makes these banshees so special is their responsiveness. When you touch certain parts of their body, like their head, back, or chest, they actually react with movements and sounds. It feels like they’re alive and aware of their surroundings. Our wrist banshee, while simpler in its features, still chirps and responds in ways that make it feel like part of the family.
One of the coolest surprises? The big shoulder banshees and the smaller wrist versions can communicate with each other! When we have them out at the same time, they make sounds back and forth, as if they’re chatting in their own language. It’s such a fun, unexpected detail that adds a whole other layer of magic. And if you approach someone who also has a large or small banshee, they start to communicate as well, giving off a sense of recognition.
They’re a Hit with Everyone
When we wore ours around Animal Kingdom, several families actually stopped us to ask if their kids could pet them. The kids were mesmerized, and, to be honest, so were many adults. People loved how lifelike they are. It’s one of those moments where the Disney magic spills out of the rides and becomes something you can share with strangers. My son enjoyed holding his banshee up on the safari and pointing out all of the animals to him.
These banshees aren’t just toys; they’re interactive experiences, conversation starters, and incredible pieces of theming and design. They also look amazing when displayed at home, perched on a shelf or hanging in a bedroom, keeping the Pandora vibes going long after the vacation ends.
There are also accessories, like armor and a small perch for when the banshee is powered down. Even if you don’t splurge for the armor, I highly recommend the perch. They are definitely meant to be worn on someone’s shoulder and aren’t well-shaped for sitting on a flat surface.
Final Thoughts
If you’re heading to Animal Kingdom and wondering whether the banshees are worth the splurge, we say absolutely yes. Between the lifelike interactions, the Bluetooth upgrades, and the pure joy they bring, they’re one of the most immersive and fun souvenirs you can bring home from Disney.
Whether it’s a shoulder companion or a wrist-sized friend, these banshees make you feel like you’re carrying a piece of Pandora with you, and we love that.
Will you be heading to Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Will you be giving a Banshee a home? Drop a comment in the chat below.
Katelyn Mathis is a Senior Staff Writer for The Future of the Force. She is a passionate Star Wars fan and is the go-to source for Force Knowledge. Follow her on Twitter where she uses the force frequently!
