Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide yesterday announced that it has finalised an agreement with filmmaker James Cameron and production company Fox Filmed Entertainment to create a number of Avatar-themed lands at its parks.

Through an exclusive agreement, Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox, Disney will partner with Cameron and producing partner Jon Landau to create the attractions, with the first Avatara-themed land opening within the Animal Kingdom park at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida, US.

Construction on the first attraction is expected to begin by 2013.

The agreement gives The Walt Disney Company exclusive global theme park rights to the Avatar franchise and provides for additional Avatar themed lands at other Disney parks.

The other locations will be determined by Disney and its international theme park partners.

James Cameron, Jon 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 the AVATAR themed lands.

Thomas Staggs, chair of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said: "Avatar is a uniquely powerful franchise that has global appeal with audiences of all ages.

"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."