Another Soarin' Question . . . how "high"?

[Mischa]

Ok, so...just to see if I understand correctly...

The bottom row (being 10 feet off the ground) would be row 3? and the top row would be row 1?

Just wanted to clarify that. I have to say that Soarin' is one of the most fascinating rides I've ever been on. I hate heights but really liked this ride (even though I thought the screen was too close and was a bit blurry which made me dizzy sort of). I kept my eyes closed most of the time and you can really smell the pine when "soaring" over the pine trees!

Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

I hate heights, really truly do. But, I love Soarin'. The first time I rode it, I found that I felt like I was just going to slide off...yes, I know I was belted in and sliding out, in all reality, was not possible. But, I still had that sensation. So, the second time I rode it, I grabbed hold of the little loop that the kids pass their seatbelt through. It gave me a feeling of security..yeah, I know..big baby. But, I love this attraction and want to fully enjoy it, so I hold onto that loop!

Now,when I went in Oct, I was there with my dd and another mom and her dd..the two girls were celebrating their 13th b-days together. The other mom was quite concerned about her dd and having issues with motion sickness. So, we had to stop to grab a bite to eat before we did Soarin'. Well, as we got off Soarin', I turned to my friend to see how she had liked it...she was as white as a ghost, and just said 'keep walking, I need to get out of here!' Her dd was fine, loved it. For some reason, when I had described the attraction to them, my friend just didn't grasp the whole 'it goes up' thing!! I had explained it in detail so she could make a judgement call about her dd. But, it was her that had the issue. She was shaking, sweating...white....evidently she forgot to tell me she can not take heights!! It's funny but she did EE with no trouble, went down the water slide at Luna Park with no problem, but I guess she was caught by surprise by Soarin', and we were in the middle tier no less!!!

 

[apr9twins]

This may have been mentioned before - but if you want to be on the bottom (closer to the ground), the back row is the one to be in. I did fine (was very proud of myself) and did not notice the feet of the people in the row above us.

 

[bradk]

yes, row 1 is top, row 2 is middle and row 3 is bottom.

and unless told otherwise, i will continue to assert row 3 is about 7 feet above ground (or about 10 for estimation purposes)

 

[jdm]

I was a little concerned about this ride because I dislike heights and my family really wanted me to go on it with them.

I tried researching how high up and what row etc. -as you're doing. In the end, it didn't matter how many actual feet high I was, because it felt like I was way- way- up. I'm definitely in the minority here, but this ride freaked me out! Even though, I knew I wasn't so far off the ground --it felt like I was flying and with my feet dangleing etc. Closed my eyes, took deep breaths till it was over!

My kids were laughing at me and then went into total disbelief that I was in such a panic. Everyone loved this ride and could not understand what a baby I was being!! In fairness to the ride (before I shut my eyes) very cool and realistic. You really do feel like you're hang-gliding.... if you enjoy that kind of thing

Whatever you decide, have a great time!

Jenn

 

[disneyaggie]

I was a little concerned about this ride because I dislike heights and my family really wanted me to go on it with them.

I tried researching how high up and what row etc. -as you're doing. In the end, it didn't matter how many actual feet high I was, because it felt like I was way- way- up. I'm definitely in the minority here, but this ride freaked me out! Even though, I knew I wasn't so far off the ground --it felt like I was flying and with my feet dangleing etc. Closed my eyes, took deep breaths till it was over!

My kids were laughing at me and then went into total disbelief that I was in such a panic. Everyone loved this ride and could not understand what a baby I was being!! In fairness to the ride (before I shut my eyes) very cool and realistic. You really do feel like you're hang-gliding.... if you enjoy that kind of thing

Whatever you decide, have a great time!

Jenn

I am not fond of heights, much less the illusion of being high up. I would rather crawl butt naked through broken glass than to have anything to do with heights. However, since one poster tried to unbuckle the seat belt in a moment of panic and couldn't, that helped . . . some.

Kinda like when I went on Big Thunder Mountain RR . . . once. I screamed like a pack of Banshees was chasing me. And I am in my mid-40's! The sweet 12-year-old sitting next to me looked at me like I had a snake on my head after the ride was over. I truly read in her face, "I can't believe you behaved so badly over BTMRR".

 

[spooky1]

Yes the bottom seats are about 10ft off the ground - I actually looked down and seen the entrance doors below - I was like OMG I am up high. LOL

I am not keen on unsecured heights either; but my son really wanted to go on, so I agreed to go.

Trust me on this, it doesnt matter how high you are really up, because once that big screen lights up, and that breeze starts blowing you actually feel like youre hundreds of feet up out in the open air. There are handles on the seat arms, but unfortunately for me my son and the guy on the left of me grabbed them as soon as they sat down - I was still trying to strap myself in LOL! Actually its only a flimsy lap belt - you dont really feel secure. I wish the ride had the lap bar which the posters show - I think it would feel more secure to those who have a phobia.

If you decide to go - when lining up you want to get into the back loading bay as it is the last to load meaning you have a better chance to get the back row in the theater eg the lowest of the 3 rows.

 

[bytheblood]

I have a HUGE fear of heights and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Soarin'!


Each of the Rows are equally spaced apart. Top row is 40 feet, middle row is 25 feet and the bottom row is 10 feet.

 

[asa'smom]

I 'm not found of heights either, but Soarin didn't bother me.
I loved the ride.

 

[disneyaggie]

OK -- I tried Soarin' and I have only two words: NEVER AGAIN!

Oh, my stars! I almost had a heart attack! Sure, it was smooth and light, but I was really chancing it. I didn't feel like I was that high up, but with my feet dangling in mid air and from what I peeked at on the screen, it was horrifying to say the least! I kept my eyes closed most of the time and peeked out just every now and then. From what I saw, the scenery was awesome, but the heigh-thing was just too much.

Wisbucky and her hubby and I rode it together and they said they thought rigor mortis had set in. My arms were stiff as boards and for some odd reason, my right leg jetted out straight and would not come down until the ride was over. It was the oddest thing! Never seen that happen before. I was as stiff as an ironing board!

But thank you for all of your input and suggestions. I can now say I have "been there and done that".

 

[afcgirl]

^^^ Wow, I am sorry to read that you didn't like it. I hate flying and am a big ride chicken but I did not mind Soarin the first time (lowest row) and enjoyed it the second time.

Now that you have tried it, maybe you would be more relaxed the second time and would enjoy it more? You were probably so tense even before it started that your adrenaline made you more afraid then you would have been if you started off calm. That is why you were so stiff. Well, at least you tried, which is an accomplishment in itself!

 

[thptrek]

I have ridden top row and bottom row and feel that the ride is best enjoyed in the top row. It is just so much more immersive in the top row.

 

[Kristina]

Yes the bottom seats are about 10ft off the ground - I actually looked down and seen the entrance doors below - I was like OMG I am up high. LOL

I am not keen on unsecured heights either; but my son really wanted to go on, so I agreed to go.

Trust me on this, it doesnt matter how high you are really up, because once that big screen lights up, and that breeze starts blowing you actually feel like youre hundreds of feet up out in the open air. There are handles on the seat arms, but unfortunately for me my son and the guy on the left of me grabbed them as soon as they sat down - I was still trying to strap myself in LOL! Actually its only a flimsy lap belt - you dont really feel secure. I wish the ride had the lap bar which the posters show - I think it would feel more secure to those who have a phobia.

If you decide to go - when lining up you want to get into the back loading bay as it is the last to load meaning you have a better chance to get the back row in the theater eg the lowest of the 3 rows.

I agree! I too wish, with all my heart, that Soarin had lap bars! I would love to ride and have tried many times now over two visits but I just can't manage it . Last trip I even met a really nice family when I tried to give away our FP's after another failed attempt. Turned out that Leanne was a Disney employee and wanted to hear my story then said...call your BF back, we're all going on it now. My heart started to thump and we made our way over to the ride. I thought surely this time I'd be able to, with my BF (who was overjoyed!) on my one side and kind, confident Leanne on my other. Boy did I think wrong, and now I'm afraid that without a lap bar or some other device to make me feel more secure I'll never manage it. Perhaps what I need is a margarita stop over in Mexico .

I have two fears. One, that I'm sitting on what is a bench way up high and there isn't anything really holding me in. The belt and small grips on the sides aren't enough for me. My other fear I read about here on the Dis. If the ride has to stop for some reason, they turn on the lights and leave you up there for a good long while while they have to re set everything. Ugh ! However a mere over the shoulder type belt or harness or lap bar would due the trick and my psycho self would be okay then !

 

[Smokeyspawn]

We rode for the first time this past week and loved it. My wife hates heights and I assured her that we would only be 10 feet off the ground. Then we got on the first row. I knew that we were going up 40 feet but she didn't. The fact is it goes so dark while they lift you up...you don't know how high you are unless you try to look down. My wife didn't and still thinks we only went up 10 feet. She loved it and so did I. Can't wait to ride it again.

 

[jcemom]

I have a fear of heights. I don't climb ladders, won't even stand on a chair if I can avoid it, I don't change light bulbs in ceiling fixtures, I put a death grip on stair railings and escalator handrails and usually have to think about even breathing by the time I reach the top -- just to give you an idea for comparison purposes. I most definitely do not do any touristy look out spots, no Grand Canyon for me, lol. I love roller coasters though, and am perfectly okay with the heights because I feel secure in the seat and have the hand bars to hold onto. (Now, OT, but once we got stuck nearly 1/2 way up the first lift hill of Magnum XL at Cedar Point and I thought I'd die. I couldn't breathe and was very near panic by the time we got moving again. Luckily we did get moving because there's no way I could have walked down in an emergency.)

I love Soarin'. The first time I rode I was in the middle row and was a bit apprehensive when we lifted off the floor. I had to struggle a little to keep calm and breathe, but once I concentrated on the screen and the film, and reassured myself that I was secure in the seat, I was just fine. I've since rode several times with no more than a momentary flutter in my tummy.

I say try it, request the bottom row the first time, and form your own opinion. If you feel really uncomfortable you can always close your eyes and concentrate on breathing.