Two Florida destinations make Time’s Top 100 places: One is at Disney, the other underwater

Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
The first of the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" can be seen in this Jan. 7, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
A look at the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" in this May 27, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Sandy Csizmar, Orlando Sentinel
The "floating mountains" of Pandora -- the "Avatar"-themed land at Disney's Animal Kingdom -- are beginning to take shape.
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
A pod emits smoke when visitors beat their hands against a lighted area during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
A look at the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" in this May 27, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Orlando Sentinel
Construction on the new Avatar-inspired land at Disney's Animal Kingdom began in January 2014. A large construction wall can be seen around a large area of the park. Also under construction is a renovation of the Festival of the Lion King show in Africa.
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
A look at the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" in this May 27, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Sandy Csizmar / Orlando Sentinel
The new land from the movie Avatar is progressing, with vertical construction and cranes visible from the parking lot and some areas around the park.
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film brings will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
Imagineer and Senior Creative Executive at WDI, Joe Rohde, gives a first look tour of Pandora —The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
A look at the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" in this May 27, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
The ground is covered in light during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
The first of the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" can be seen in this Jan. 7, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Colorful lighs bathe the scenery during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
A lighted Puffball is pictured during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
The interior of Satu'li Canteen at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
Imagineer and Senior Creative Executive at WDI, Joe Rhode, gives a first look tour of Pandora: The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Plants are lighted during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
The first of the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" can be seen in this Jan. 7, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Sandy Csizmar, Orlando Sentinel
The "floating mountains" of Pandora -- the "Avatar"-themed land at Disney's Animal Kingdom -- are beginning to take shape.
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
A pod emits smoke when visitors beat their hands against a lighted area during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
Imagineer and Senior Creative Executive at WDI, Joe Rohde, gives a first look tour of Pandora" The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
The interior of Satu'li Canteen at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
The interior of Satu'li Canteen at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
The interior of Satu'li Canteen at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Sandy Csizmar / Orlando Sentinel
The new land from the movie Avatar is progressing, with vertical construction and cranes visible from the parking lot and some areas around the park.
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film brings will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
Satu'li Canteen, a restaurant within Pandora, offers French toast on its breakfast menu.
Sandy Csizmar / Orlando Sentinel
The new land from the movie Avatar is progressing, with vertical construction and cranes visible from the parking lot and some areas around the park.
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
The first of the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" can be seen in this Jan. 7, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
The first of the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" can be seen in this Jan. 7, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
A rendering of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" can be seen on a costruction wall with a partially completed structure behind it at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Orlando Sentinel
Construction on the new Avatar-inspired land at Disney's Animal Kingdom began in January 2014. A large construction wall can be seen around a large area of the park. Also under construction is a renovation of the Festival of the Lion King show in Africa.
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
Imagineer and Senior Creative Executive at WDI, Joe Rohde with Avatar producer Jon Landau at a first look tour of Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Sandy Csizmar, Orlando Sentinel
The "floating mountains" of Pandora -- the "Avatar"-themed land at Disney's Animal Kingdom -- are beginning to take shape.
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Colorful lighs bathe the scenery during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Colorful lighs bathe the scenery during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
A rendering of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" can be seen on a costruction wall with a partially completed structure behind it at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
Imagineer and Senior Creative Executive at WDI, Joe Rhode, gives a first look tour of Pandora: The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Colorful lighs bathe the scenery during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
The interior of Satu'li Canteen at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Sandy Csizmar, Orlando Sentinel
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film brings will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Colorful lighted plants are pictured during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
The interior of Satu'li Canteen at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Sandy Csizmar, Orlando Sentinel
The "floating mountains" of Pandora -- the "Avatar"-themed land at Disney's Animal Kingdom -- are beginning to take shape.
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
A look at the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" in this May 27, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
A look at the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" in this May 27, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Colorful lighs bathe the scenery during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Colorful lighs bathe the scenery during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
Cranes and construction equipment are seen from the parking lot of Disney's Animal Kingdom where the upcoming Avatar-inspired land is believed to located in the theme park.
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
Construction on the new Avatar-inspired land at Disney's Animal Kingdom began in January 2014. A construction wall can be seen around a large area to the west side of the front of the park, stretching from just inside the gate to Africa near the newly-renovated Festival of the Lion King section.
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
The exterior of the Pongu Pongu quick-service beverage stand at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Sandy Csizmar / Orlando Sentinel
The new land from the movie Avatar is progressing, with vertical construction and cranes visible from the parking lot and some areas around the park.
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
A look at the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" in this May 27, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
A lighted Puffball is pictured during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Paul Brinkmann, Orlando Sentinel
Matt Beiler shows off the uniforms of Pandora, The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
Satu'li Canteen at Pandora — The World of Avatar offers "out of this world" breakfast, luncha and dinner options.
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
Imagineer and Senior Creative Executive at WDI, Joe Rohde with Avatar producer Jon Landau at a first look tour of Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
The interior of Satu'li Canteen at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Sandy Csizmar / Orlando Sentinel
From the Expedition Everest lift hill, the cranes building Avatar can be seen in the distance, and the construction around the water is visible, too.
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Plants are lighted during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
The first of the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" can be seen in this Jan. 7, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Sandy Csizmar / Orlando Sentinel
From the Expedition Everest lift hill, the cranes building Avatar can be seen in the distance, and the construction around the water is visible, too.
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
The first of the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" can be seen in this Jan. 7, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Plants are lighted during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando Sentinel
Construction on the new Avatar-inspired land at Disney's Animal Kingdom began in January 2014. A large construction wall can be seen around a large area of the park. Also under construction is a renovation of the Festival of the Lion King show in Africa.
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
A look at the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" in this May 27, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
Construction on the new Avatar-inspired land at Disney's Animal Kingdom began in January 2014. A construction wall can be seen around a large area to the west side of the front of the park, stretching from just inside the gate to Africa near the newly-renovated Festival of the Lion King section.
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
The most noticeable construction on the new Avatar-inspired area at Disney's Animal Kingdom is seen from the parking lot, as cranes stretch high into the sky on the park's west side.
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
A look at the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" in this May 27, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
A pod emits smoke and light during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
Construction on the new Avatar-inspired land at Disney's Animal Kingdom began in January 2014. A construction wall can be seen around a large area to the west side of the front of the park, stretching from just inside the gate to Africa near the newly-renovated Festival of the Lion King section.
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
Satu'li Canteen at Pandora — The World of Avatar offers "out of this world" breakfast, luncha and dinner options.
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
A look at the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" in this May 27, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.
Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel
An Avatar character is showcase in the queue for the Avatar Flight of Passage ride that is part of Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
The interior of Satu'li Canteen at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Rich Pope / Staff photographer
A first look at Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park's new addition that is based on the James Cameron film brings will officially open on May 27, 2017. April 29, 2017. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel)
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Plants are lighted during a sneak peak at Pandora: The World of Avatar at night on Saturday, April 29, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel
The first of the "floating mountains" of "Pandora - The World of Avatar" can be seen in this Jan. 7, 2016 photo. The new land, themed after James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, is planned for opening in 2017 and is part of the largest expansion in the park's history.

PUBLISHED: August 23, 2018 at 2:05 p.m. | UPDATED: June 24, 2019 at 8:54 a.m.

If you had to visit the top 100 places in the world, Florida wouldn’t be a bad place to start.

Time magazine released its inaugural World’s Greatest Places list touting 100 destinations, places to stay and places to eat.

Florida landed two of those destinations: The new Pandora world based on “Avatar” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and a new underwater art museum in the Florida Panhandle.

In addition, under places to stay, there are two cruise ships that will soon be sailing out of Miami: Norwegian Bliss and Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas.

For context, Florida landed two of just 34 total destinations in the world on the list, and only 8 of those were in the U.S. Disney’s otherwordly attraction that opened in 2017 and the Underwater Museum of Art that lies 60 feet below the surface near Grayton Beach State Park in the Gulf of Mexico join places such as Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark and the Lascaux International Center for Cave Art in Vézere Valley, France.

“Just as James Cameron’s sci-fi epic Avatar marked a new level of technological innovation for movies, so too is Pandora: The World of Avatar reinventing the modern theme park,” writes Megan McCluskey for Time.

The expansion at Animal Kingdom opened in May 2017 with its highly rated Flight of Passage ride, floating mountains and bioluminescent wonder when the sun goes.

Florida’s other destination is located .7 miles off the coast of Walton County in the Florida Panhandle. The new Underwater Museum of Art is a permanent underwater sculpture garden, a first for the U.S.

“Half a nautical mile from the coast of Florida’s panhandle and 60 ft. below the lapping waves, an 8-ft.-tall stainless-steel pineapple reaches its spiky leaves back toward the sky,” writes Kaitlin Menza for Time.

The plan is that each year, a juried selection of sculptures from artists around the world will be installed in the garden. The sculptures become a living reef as they interact with the marine life.

This is the inaugural top 100 places list for Time, which asked for nominations from editors, correspondents and industry experts.

“Then we evaluated each one based on key factors, including quality, originality, innovation, sustainability and influence,” reads a statement on the Time website. “The result is a list as diverse as the world it reflects, with 100 entries spanning six continents and 48 countries—highlighting everything from a Texas water park that empowers kids with disabilities to a Maldives resort that’s building an undersea abode to a library in Tianjin, China, that’s almost as wondrous as reading itself.”

To see the full list, go to time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2018/

rtribou@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5134

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