Anyone Else Disappointed by Soarin Around the World?

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I found Soarin' Over California to be just OK.
It was not a must do and I was not disappointed if I could not go on for one reason or another.

Soarin' Around The World on the other hand is absolutely a must do!
I went on it 3 times in 24 hours.
It's AMAZING in my opinion.

 

[cassie58]

I got to see the original one last time in Dec. at WDW, but had heard it was staying in DL. I was hoping to see it again if we made it to CA for college visits this summer, but sounds like it is gone from there as well. While I am willing to give the new one a chance, I feel as others here mentioned that it wouldn't have the same magic that I always got, even when hearing the music while on hold for reservations!

 

[Jedi Mouse]

I'm really excited to see the new Soarin'. It's been one of my favorites and I remember being blown away the first time I road it, but the resolution quality was in need of an upgrade. I am sad to see the California landscape go away. There was something special about seeing sights I grew up with here. I've watched the videos online and some of the effects do look cheesy, but I'm willing to accept a certain level of that. Either way I find out tomorrow!

 

[Disney Rose]

I liked the new one more than I thought I would, and the more I see it the more it grows on me. But I agree it doesn't feel like a hang glider the way the first one did - it feels to me like I'm watching drone footage and I miss the feeling of riding a hang glider that I got from the California version.

I just don't get that same feeling of exhilaration.

I hope they'll run them both, one in each theatre.

 

[Mousequake]

In addition to the point everyone has made about the curviness being an issue, I found the new film so rushed. In the old film, each scene took its time, letting you fully get into the location they were exploring. In the new film, it's 15 seconds of a location * CLOUD * 15 seconds of next location * CLOUD *, repeat several times. I felt like I couldn't fully appreciate any one scene because I knew it would be gone so quickly.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I told myself I would reserve judgment until I had the opportunity to ride the attraction. We just returned from a wonderful trip and I have to say the new Soarin is nice, but is not as good as the original. Am I alone in this opinion? the 3D effects are a bit too 3D, there is less motion in this one, there are movements on the screen that don't match what a hand glider can do.

It is still a great experience, but since I knew the original and how good it was, I cant help but be disappointed. Anyone have any tips to lessen the disappointment on this one?

I was excited to take DD on Soarin as she is finally 40". It was one of the few rides I don't think she liked very much..she kept getting startled by the things that jump up/out at every transition point, and I had to calm her while the ride was going. I don't remember that being as much of an issue in the original film.

For myself, I did enjoy the new film, but I'm sad that it scared DD.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I rode it once and decided I wouldn't ride it again unless I was with someone who wanted to ride it. The California version was a must do for me each visit.
My daughter pointed out that California Adventure Park is getting further and further away from California attractions between Soarin and TOT and of course tons of other stuff that was in the original park.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Rode it twice last week and was not overly impressed. Unfortunately, I was on an edge both times so the distortion probably biased my experience somewhat. I also felt the transitions and overall feel was not all that smooth. I am also biased with having visited almost every location in the original version.

 

[maltdizzy]

I find they tried to add too many locales in too little time in the new version. You never over any one place long enough to get the sensation that you are traveling through it.

The parallax issue is definitely distracting, but I can live with that.

 

[Pintail]

It would be great if they would offer both versions of Soarin' at the same time, and let us choose by picking a line.
It would not be hard to do.
I enjoyed seeing World once, but prefer the original.

 

[minnieralyks]

I really like it! The distortions on either side don't really bother me. I notice them, but it doesn't really ruin the ride for me.

 

[Winnowill]

I like it, but agree that the transitions are way too forced and CGI is annoying. And I vastly preferred the soundtrack on the original. We always wait for B1, so I've never seen the distortion, but I definitely see where that would be a serious problem.

 

[GatorChris]

WHAT!?!?! Disappointed?!?!? No way. Not here. *Spoilers coming* I was blown away by the first scene of the Matterhorn. When it appeared through the clouds, I shouted! Amazing. And I loved the rest of it. Especially the elephant/Kilimanjaro scene. The smell from that alone is worth going back. Monument Valley and the waterfalls were so cool. The only downer on it was if you sit on the side, the Eiffel Tower is bent, which looks kinda funny. But other than that, the sights, sounds and smells were amazing. We did it 4 times on our last trip and loved every minute of it.

 

[Niltiac]

The old one was never a "must do" for me, but I liked it and always tried to fit it in. The new one, to me, is just not worth doing anymore. I sat near the center so I didn't notice the distortion others are talking about, but it was way too fake. The old one had a couple of effects thrown in there to surprise you, whereas with the new one it felt like every transition was something flying at your face. It feels like movies did when CGI started becoming mainstream, and filmmakers started putting a bunch of fake-looking "because we can" effects everywhere. The ride didn't have a good flow to it and there were too many distractions. It was still enjoyable and worth seeing once, but now that I've seen it I don't think it's worth waiting in line for.

 

[figment_jii]

The original version wasn't a must do for my family, but we did like it. I like the new one, but it's still not a must do. I do like the fact that the DCA and Epcot versions have different endings. That being said, I do agree with what the others have said about it feeling a little rushed (jumping from place to place) and the distortion. I felt like the distortion (which is still pretty noticeable from the center section to me) does detract from the overall experience. I also wish they had kept Soarin' Over CA in DCA and added Soarin' Around the World in Epcot.

 

[Doctor Who]

I really enjoyed it. I thought I would really miss the soundtrack but I didn't. I would like them to rotate the too though.

 

[MrJT]

The new version of the ride was my seven year, very logical, autistic son's favorite. It was the only time that he questioned the reality of any ride. That alone makes it perfect for me.

 

[bananabean]

I really like the new version - especially the transitions. I always found the old transitions to be awkward and clunky. Although I agree with everyone who complained about the distortion. I've ridden maybe 4 times in both Cali and FL, and sitting in the outer seats is horrible.

 

[ElizabethG]

I was really excited for this because I love the idea. The places were great. However, I was disappointed. The original felt like I could have been flying over on any given day. It felt more like I was a real observer. The new one feels more like I'm watching a movie. It is too perfect and directed.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

In addition to the point everyone has made about the curviness being an issue, I found the new film so rushed. In the old film, each scene took its time, letting you fully get into the location they were exploring. In the new film, it's 15 seconds of a location * CLOUD * 15 seconds of next location * CLOUD *, repeat several times. I felt like I couldn't fully appreciate any one scene because I knew it would be gone so quickly.

That's what I feel, also. And no connection between the different scenes.