Can someone explain . . .

[WINTER]

the ride "Soarin"? From getting on to getting off, please.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Well, you enter into a huge room with a very large screen at the front of the room, you sit in a big hang glider type thing with a "awning" on top. I think it's just basically a bench seat that goes across the whole thing. You buckle yourself in and then the screen comes on and your glider gently moves up. You feel like you are flying over moutains, oceans and orange groves, lakes and streams and of course Disneyland! Your glider will move some, like it's turning and tilt back or forward a little. Then after Disneyland, your glider comes down and you "land." It is not jerky or anything like a typical motion simulated ride.

It's really an awesome ride! I loved it!!!!!!

 

[newcomer52]

Great discription, WaltD4ME. I love the ride too.

js

 

[lsutigger2]

It is a not to be missed ride. So smooth and awesome! I think even "little one" will like it.
There is a loop that is on the seat and if you are under a certain height (there is a mark on the seat) then you place the seat belt between the loop. So safe for those little ones.

 

[WINTER]

Is it in the dark? I picture a ferris wheel type ride? Is that what it is?

 

[DubC434]

Is it in the dark? I picture a ferris wheel type ride? Is that what it is?

It's not in the dark per se, with the gigantic screen it kind of lights the entire room. It's more like a hang glider ride, but you sit up instead of hanging, that's the only thing I can compare it to.

 

[Becky2005]

Is it in the dark? I picture a ferris wheel type ride? Is that what it is?

It is in the dark (as dark as a movie theatre would be - not dark so you can't see anything) but it's not a Ferris Wheel. I didn't even get the Ferris Wheel feel to me (and I hate those! LOL! But I thought Soarin' was great). Literally think of airline/movie theatre rows when it is on the ground, you are in your individual seats and there is a row in front of you (if you are in row 2 or 3) or there is a big screen in front of you with the lights on. They turn off the lights to turn on the movie and then you slowly lift up and the row in front of you isn't in front of you anymore and you can see the screen.

For me (we must have been last loading or something) as a CM told me he would buckle the kids in and for me to get myself buckled in! We were on the end 2nd row. LOL!

 

[seashoreCM]

The title of this thread suggests that the answer is going to be a spoiler but here goes.

When the ride "begins" the room goes dark your row of seats is raised a little to a moderate amount (at most two stories) and moved forward a little all in one slow smooth motion. Then you are suspended almost stationary but will be tilted one way or another a little to simulate forward motion as the movie shows. While some folks prefer the highest row (frontmost during loading) the lowest row (rearmost during loading) is also breathtaking by appearing very close to the action and scenery such as passing treetops below. You may have left loose fitting shoes or sandals on the floor to avoid possible loss in flight and your seat returns to the same place you left your shoes at the end of the ride and the lights come back on.

Another way of thinking about Soarin' is being in seats between the wings of a biplane, or under the wings if you are in the lowest row.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[MattysAm]

While some folks prefer the highest row (frontmost during loading) the lowest row (rearmost during loading) is also breathtaking by appearing very close to the action and scenery such as passing treetops below.

 

[MattysAm]

Sorry,seashoreCM! I intended to reply to this quote. Anyway, what I was going to say was.....Thanks for answering that question. I wondered how they kept the people in front of you from blocking the view.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

I've done it several times but I need an opinion or a link to the official word. I don't remember there being a warning about expecting mothers not riding and I'll be 6 months this Oct and REALLY want to ride it again!

Seeing how it is very smooth, can you see any reason for me not to ride? I know there's a seatbelt, but I'm not too concerned about it.

D4D

 

[erinch]

we were just on it last week. I can't see anyone reason why a mother-to-be couldn't ride.

We thought the top row was a different ride than the bottom row. We didn't like watching all the people's feet dangling down from the bottom row.

 

[bubba73]

How can you put into words the best ride in WDW? Words don't do it justice. It is something that has to be experienced. I have been to several different parks and have done lots of rides but in my opinion, nothing compares to it. I talked about it so well that I talked my 60's something parents who don't like any rides to go ride it. They drove from Daytona Beach and absolutely loved it. The descriptions that have been given are good but again I would say to make sure you don't miss it. But do yourself one favor and get a FP so you don't have to wait in line forever.

 

[Tigger&Tink]

I was just wondering, you say there are seat belts, and you sit in your own seat? Will it be comfortable for POOH SIZE people? And can you choose your row or is it just luck of how you go in..Thanks

TINK

 

[mom23boys]

Thanks for the description. I do have a question though.

I remember my DM going on Peter Pan and she freaked because she thought she was up so high. They stopped the ride and she got off only to find she could just jump off. So are you off the floor alot or a few feet?

We are going in 10 days and I really want her to go on this ride with us.

 

[DisneyWisher]

I was just wondering, you say there are seat belts, and you sit in your own seat? Will it be comfortable for POOH SIZE people? And can you choose your row or is it just luck of how you go in..Thanks

TINK

Yes, Pooh Size people have no problems. You can't pick your own row. We went for the AP preview. We had already done the 2nd and 3rd row and wanted to try the first row. CM gave us a blank look and directed us to second row. Well she counted incorrectly and the first row had 2 vacanies which were grabbed up by the people behind us. The next time we had a different CM and he let us go to the next gate to get into the first row.

I found these pics on Deb's site gives a good idea of Soarin' with pics of the actually seating.
http://allearsnet.com/tp/ep/e_soar2.htm

BTW Its our new favorite ride. The first one we will ride when we go back in Sept.

 

[erinch]

After riding in the 3rd row and it looking like we would get there again, we begged and a CM let us wait for the next "show" to get in the first row. I suspect it's luck of the CM draw if they permit that

 

[oogieboogie]

Thanks for the description. I do have a question though.

I remember my DM going on Peter Pan and she freaked because she thought she was up so high. They stopped the ride and she got off only to find she could just jump off. So are you off the floor alot or a few feet?

We are going in 10 days and I really want her to go on this ride with us.

The first row goes up about 30 feet off the ground, second row less then that, and the third row is the least off the ground.

Here's a crude picture of how it works:

 

[coliebird]

I've done it several times but I need an opinion or a link to the official word. I don't remember there being a warning about expecting mothers not riding and I'll be 6 months this Oct and REALLY want to ride it again!

Seeing how it is very smooth, can you see any reason for me not to ride? I know there's a seatbelt, but I'm not too concerned about it.

D4D

Good question. I will be 6 months pregnant also when we go in October and was wondering if I would be able to ride this.

 

[oogieboogie]

I think you'll be OK. It's a very smooth ride, on par with Peter Pan in the flying sensation. Unless you have a problem with vertigo, I really don't think pregnancy would affect your riding on it.