You’ve seen the movie (maybe in 3-D and IMAX), now you can soon “live” in the strange computer-generated world created by James Cameron in his movie “Avatar” -- at least if you visit a Disney theme park. Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Worldwide is joining forces with filmmaker James Cameron and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the world of Avatar to life at its Disney parks.

Under an agreement announced Sept. 20 by Disney, Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox, Disney will partner with Cameron and producing partner Jon Landau to create themed lands that will give theme park guests the opportunity to explore the mysterious world of “Avatar.” Disney says it plans to build the first “Avatar”-themed land within Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World in Florida. Animal Kingdom was selected because of its “natural fit” with the theme park’s emphasis on living in harmony with nature. Construction is expected to begin by 2013.

“James Cameron is a groundbreaking filmmaker and gifted storyteller who shares our passion for creativity, technological innovation and delivering the best experience possible,” said Robert Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “With this agreement, we have the extraordinary opportunity to combine James’ talent and vision with the imagination and expertise of Disney.”

Noting that “Avatar” created a world that audiences can discover again and again, Cameron said the new partnership with Disney will bring Pandora, the planet depicted in “Avatar,” to life. “With two new ‘Avatar’ films currently in development, we'll have even more locations, characters and stories to explore,” Cameron said. “I'm chomping at the bit to start work with Disney's legendary Imagineers to bring our ‘Avatar’ universe to life. Our goal is to go beyond current boundaries of technical innovation and experiential storytelling, and give park goers the chance to see, hear and touch the world of ‘Avatar’ with an unprecedented sense of reality.”

The Walt Disney Company, under the agreement, will have exclusive global theme park rights to the “Avatar” franchise and can build “Avatar”-themed lands at other Disney parks. The other locations will be determined by Disney and its international theme park partners. Cameron, Landau and their Lightstorm Entertainment group will serve as creative consultants on the projects and will partner with Walt Disney Imagineering in the design and development of these themed lands.

“‘Avatar’ is a uniquely powerful franchise that has global appeal with audiences of all ages,” said Thomas Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Its spectacular settings, intriguing characters, imaginative creatures, and strong themes of family and loyalty make it a perfect fit for Disney, We can’t wait to give our guests the ability to journey to Pandora and explore the incredible immersive world of ‘Avatar’in person.” For more information on Disney, visit www.disneytravelagents.com.