Can you tell me your experience with Soarin?

[jemlover]

DH and I love this ride. DH went parasailing in Mexico and he said the feeling on Soarin is very close to parasailing. I hope they don't change the film. The scenery in California is magnificent. DH and I have very fond memories of trips to San Francisco and other scenic places in northern California. I really enjoy seeing other people's faces when they ride this for the first time. It is usually pure joy and amazement.

 

[mamaprincess]

My experience with Soarin' is that it is awesome. I think it may be my favorite ride in wdw. I just am so hopped up on Dixie dust when I get off of that ride. The smells, the feel of wind, thefeeling you truly are in a hang glide soaring above these amazing sight is just amazing. You will love it. Fast pass it and ride it first thing in the morning because the lines for it soon become unholy.

 

[Max Rebo]

Best ride on property. (IMHO)

Others' descriptions are accurate. I would add that the music is fantastic. The are several things you can smell, including oranges and evergreens. My experience is that the higher you are, the more you notice the smells.

A couple of warnings: When my son was 4, he felt like he was falling out. He wasn't; he just thought he was. Also, my DDad70, who doesn't do well with motion simulators, loved the ride the first time, but struggled with it after that.

That said, definitely a must-ride. Worth the price of admission.

 

[erincon23]

It also made me realize I do not want to see Fantasmic. I watched the YouTube video of it and didn't see anything that my kids would be in awe of or anything that is worth waiting in line an hour and a half over.

I'm a big fan of Soarin', and I think you'll love it, but I think you're doing your family a disservice by dismissing Fantasmic. It's one of the highlights of my trips (and I've seen it several times). The effects are amazing, the show is terrific! I love the dragon, the fire on the river, the hero boat parade... Your kids are old enough to sit and wait for the show (the audience almost always does "the wave" while waiting, that's fun), and I think you'd enjoy it much more than you think you would.

 

[Napria]

I'd like to add that each time I ride Soarin I have a moment of panic until the clouds clear and the view of the landscapes start. I'm claustrophobic, but specifically as relateing to being trapped. Until I see the scenery I feel trapped high in the air. Having said that, I'll also tell you I rode Soarin 7 times on our recent trip and 3 of those were in one day (rope drop, fast pass, fast pass.)

We had a huge discussion about Soarin on that trip. We decided that if WDW can build two Dumbo Rides side by side, they can build 3 more Soarin rides and you can pick your experience: Soarin over California, Soarin over Florida, Soarin over Europe and Soarin over Asia.

 

[ars0525]

I like Soarin' very much. But it sorta freaks me out! I KNOW I can't fall out, but I strap myself in (using the in-between your leg strap too that is probably meant for little kids) and lean waaaay back. Once the movie is going I just let myself get caught up in it so it's enjoyable. I have never smelled anything, but maybe I am holding my breath?

 

[housemouse]

My biggest suggestion other than waiting for section B row 1 that first time you ride (so worth the wait) is to take your shoes/flip flops off. You can either put them in the little pouch under your seat or do what I do, leave them right on the floor. When you come back down, they'll be right at your feet again!! AHHH the feeling of the air between my toes and I know if I just stretch enough, I can put my toes in the ocean!!!!

I so love to do this too. Epcot is always a flip flop day for me just because of this ride. I love the barefoot feeling while riding. OTH, I'm not a huge fan of the front row because I can see the edges of the screen from the front and it just distracts me on the ride for some reason.

 

[FrankieDplus3]

My family loves this ride and this year, we plan on bringing our DS (4) on it for his first experience.

The ride is very smooth. My DD(9) has been on the ride many times and still lifts her feet up everytime we head for the ocean.

My advice: Try to avoid the bottom row. I was on the bottom row, outside seat my last time and it was not as enjoyable. I could see the side of the screen and the simulation was lost on me.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

I love Soarin and I am pretty much scared of everything!

It's simple, beautiful and relaxing...just the ticket when the rest of the park may feel hot and hurried.

We like it because it is a great example of how people still love simple entertainments that are well done. It doesn't go for big laughs or scary thrills. In the early days of the ride, it was one of the few rides where I remember people clapping at the end of it.

 

[eroilersgal]

That said, definitely a must-ride. Worth the price of admission.

Absolutely have to agree! My sister and I went to WDW for a very quick girls weekend over Memorial Day and decided to upgrade our one day ticket
to a park hopper so she could experience this ride for the first time.(Okay so the caramel shop in Germany and a margarita in Mexico were definitely part of the decision too ). She is afraid of heights and still absolutely LOVED it.

 

[goofyernmost]

In California it's called "Soarin over California"...In Florida it's called "Soarin". It's the same film but frankly, with the exception of a few very recognizable landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge or Disneyland. It really could be anywhere. California has a very diverse landscape. Some looks like what you might find on parts of the East Coast, the middle states, New England and any major city you can mention. The ships and harbor could just as well be in Virginia as California.

I have always felt that there has been way too much concern put into where it was filmed, instead of the beauty of it's content.

No one can predict if someone will be freaked out by the lifting action or not, but one would certainly hope that the reality that it is just a little over a movie screen and you are not really going anyplace, the film is coming to you, should make it manageable.

 

[jrtoastyman]

It is a fantastic ride, and very tame in terms of the actual motion you experience. If you can sit in a chair without falling out, you can ride Soarin' (and even if you would otherwise fall out, you're still fine on account of the restraint). While the sensation of motion is very real, you probably get more actual motion on a porch swing, seriously.

 

[frannn]

I get motion sickness and this ride does not bother me at all. I refuse to ride Splash Mtn, TOT, etc, as I am a big chicken. This ride has no drops or near crashes. DD8 has loved it for years as well. I even have the music as my ring tone on my cell.

 

[PJ]

I'm the world's biggest weenie when it comes to heights, and I LOVE Soarin! Our first experience was 9 years ago on the original one at DCA which was cool because we had absolutely no idea what to expect. I also highly recommend asking for the row where you won't see any of the other cars and legs dangling - it really adds to the experience. Looking forward to hearing what you think when you get back!