Dissapointed Soarin Riders?

[BeckWhy]

Most of the rides in WDW my boyfriend was disappointed. Mostly because they weren't long enough.

 

[kaytieeldr]

My idea to make the ride better is to first, well, MAKE IT LONGER, and don't favor California. Soar over the entire United States. Heck, even the world!

Just so you know - whatever changes Disney DOES make to this attraction were already planned, they won't be based on suggestions from this or any other forum The attraction is called 'Soarin'', rather than "Soarin' Over California" because while it was a copy of that attraction during the Happiest Celebration on Earth, it eventually will be changed from the California theme.

This was our families fav ride of our trip. We just happened to end up in the first row, can someone please explain what happens to the other rows? I thought maybe each row went a little bit higher or something, is that why people are talking about being distracted by feet?

Yes. Row one rises 40 feet off the floor; row two, 25 feet; and row three, 10 feet. So, yeah, the dangling feet/legs of the Guests in the row above you can be somewhat distracting - if you let them...

Also, I don't like the way you have to go inside the bldg then down the stairs just to find out what the wait time is or to get a FP. Couldn't they have put that stuff outside the bldg.?

FastPass, no, because all the other FastPass machines are adjacent to their respective rides. Most Guests expect to find the dispenser close to the attraction, so all those Guests would go into the building and downstairs only to discover they have to go back upstairs and outside to get a FastPass. Besides, that'd make it really difficult for Guests exiting the ride who want to get another FP right away (and yes, people do). As for the wait time - there's an electronic board in Innoventions Plaza with all the wait times for the popular Epcot attractions, which indicates to me, at least, that it can be remotely and instantly updated.


Personally, I think it's a great attraction. I think my record (at DCA) is six rides in one day, including three rides one after the other. Yes, I did have to exit the building and reenter, but: I got a FastPass then got in the Standby line. By the time that ride was over, my FP time had arrived so I went right back in. Exited again, went into the single riders line, nobody in front of me at the 'split' (where the CM directs you left or right), went immediately to the bottom of the ramp and almost before I could stop moving, a CM grabbed me to fill in a space!

 

[spima3]

I love Soarin'! It was the last ride we did before our vacation was over and I thought it was one of the best.

Same here, it was the only ride I wish we had ridden again before leaving WDW.

lori

 

[Iluvpluto2]

another poster said they were disappointed in TOT, that ride has changed a bit since it was first created. Now its a random drop pattern, when it first opened it was one drop and the ride was over, kinda boring. That was my first experience...when I finally got DH on the ride (he hates this sort of thing) it was more than one drop, but a predictable pattern that the CM's said changed only once or twice a month, and DH was mad that I didn't tell him it was going to drop him more than once! I didn't know it would do that. lol Now with the random drops, he refuses to try it at all, he likes to know just whats going to happen...I like it better this way.

I about fell out of my chair when I read this. It was like I was reading my own story. The exact thing happened on our honeymoon. DH rode it only because I told him how it used to be, not knowing they had changed it. Now, he will never even consider getting on it. He said I did it on purpose. I seriously thought he was going to have a heart attack. The lady beside me said she felt like the car was shaking and I told her, "no, it's just my husband."
Back on topic: Soarin' is my new favorite ride. I just wish it was longer.

 

[DeterminedOne]

Just so you know - whatever changes Disney DOES make to this attraction were already planned, they won't be based on suggestions from this or any other forum The attraction is called 'Soarin'', rather than "Soarin' Over California" because while it was a copy of that attraction during the Happiest Celebration on Earth, it eventually will be changed from the California theme.

Yes. Row one rises 40 feet off the floor; row two, 25 feet; and row three, 10 feet. So, yeah, the dangling feet/legs of the Guests in the row above you can be somewhat distracting - if you let them...

FastPass, no, because all the other FastPass machines are adjacent to their respective rides. Most Guests expect to find the dispenser close to the attraction, so all those Guests would go into the building and downstairs only to discover they have to go back upstairs and outside to get a FastPass. Besides, that'd make it really difficult for Guests exiting the ride who want to get another FP right away (and yes, people do). As for the wait time - there's an electronic board in Innoventions Plaza with all the wait times for the popular Epcot attractions, which indicates to me, at least, that it can be remotely and instantly updated.


Personally, I think it's a great attraction. I think my record (at DCA) is six rides in one day, including three rides one after the other. Yes, I did have to exit the building and reenter, but: I got a FastPass then got in the Standby line. By the time that ride was over, my FP time had arrived so I went right back in. Exited again, went into the single riders line, nobody in front of me at the 'split' (where the CM directs you left or right), went immediately to the bottom of the ramp and almost before I could stop moving, a CM grabbed me to fill in a space!

Good point about the FP distribution machines, but they still need to post a wait time outside the bldg? It would certainly cut down on the foot traffic inside which is a mess!! They should have placed the ride in its own bldg., or at least with its own entrance. Even exiting the ride is a mess because you have to fight through the people coming down the escalator in order to reach the up escalator, which to my knowlege is the only way to get out. What a mess! JMO

 

[trypnotic]

I really enjoyed Soarin' but I don't believe it's worth waiting more than 20 minutes for. I waited 70 mind-numbing minutes in the standby queue in May 2005 right after it opened in Epcot. The photos on the wall are nice to look at, but not for 70 minutes!!

 

[dana1003]

can you get motion sickness on this ride?

 

[OurMsBrooks]

Here's a question: DH and I originally went on Soarin' Over California in California, and then rode Soarin' at Epcot when it opened. Both of us are convinced that the California version is longer. DH remembers seeing a ball hit out of Candlestick Park, and I have a memory of seing sailors lined up at attention on the deck of an aircraft carrier. Are we both nuts? Or is the California version actually longer than the Florida version?

By the way, I do love Soarin'. I love the sensation, and I like having my bare feet fly over the water, and I love the beautiful images.

 

[drag n' fly]

I have never rode the one at WDW...will be soon though! We sure love the one at DCA, I cannot count how many times we hit that one while we were there!

 

[epfootballcutie04]

i had a fastpass for soarin and i loved it. it was a nice way to sit down, relax and fly over CA in the air conditioning (after being outside in mid 90* weather)... although, i admit, i was expecting a tad bit more from it.

long story short: would i go on it again with a fastpass: yes. would i wait more than 20 minutes in line for it: no. I'd rather feel the need for speed on test track!

 

[dizprincess717]

kaytieeldr -

I know they won't take any suggestions from this board, it was my own personal idea. I'm sorry if you took it the wrong way.

As a past CM, I've seen and done almost everything in the world during my CP, as I'm sure most of the Disers have. I heard all the hype (and, now in my opionion stupidly, ignored the negative comments) and during my College Program made it a point to go on that attraction ASAP. I was impressed with LMA at MGM and thought Cinderellabration was nice, although I'm not too big on the shows, and EE kicked major butt!, but I was just shocked and really upset about Soarin'.

And I know it's Soarin' Over CA, but for the Happiest Celebration on Earth I think they should have transformed it to Soarin' Over the Earth! There's so much more to see in our world than just CA, and I hope that the Imagineers are already in the midst of doing this. It would be fantastic.

For those who have never been on it, please get a FP for it so there's no lines. Remember, I did my CP from January-May and the waits I was used to were upwards of 2 hours for Soarin'. Anyway, get a FP and judge for yourself.

As another poster said, to each their own. Soarin' is definitely not "my own."

 

[madfordonald]

Here's a question: DH and I originally went on Soarin' Over California in California, and then rode Soarin' at Epcot when it opened. Both of us are convinced that the California version is longer. DH remembers seeing a ball hit out of Candlestick Park, and I have a memory of seing sailors lined up at attention on the deck of an aircraft carrier. Are we both nuts? Or is the California version actually longer than the Florida version?

By the way, I do love Soarin'. I love the sensation, and I like having my bare feet fly over the water, and I love the beautiful images.

Just quoting your words, you're both nuts!
I've ridden DCA Soarin' this past April and last April and there's is no sequence of a baseball park. There is a scene of a jet passing over you and of an aircraft carrier, but I don't recall soldiers at attention. And of course there's the golfball shooting at you, perhaps this is where the mistaken baseball came from?

 

[whogirl'smom]

Soarin' is wonderful! We were lucky enough to get in the front row, so I don't know how being farther back impacts the experience, but we loved it! I wanted to get right back in line, but there was too much else to try to see. Next time I want to ride it twice!!! Everybody has their preferences--I was a little disappointed in Illuminations after all the hype (ducking to avoid the cyber punches coming this way!)

 

[julsmom]

I Love Soarin'!

 

[bytheblood]

I Love Soarin'! I don't enjoy the attraction when I am not on the first row. Seeing others shoes is a ride-kill and takes away from how wonderful the attraction really is.

 

[k5thbeatle]

We went August and I must admit it was nice attraction but when it was over I was dissapointed because I expected more... Anyone else feel like this?

Easily one of the most over rated attractions of all time!

 

[Micca]

I'm a big fan. When I experienced the attraction for the first time at DLR I was almost euphoric. It is just about everything Disney does best. I do hope they'll update it some some regularity with new visuals and effects.

 

[rluey29]

Have to say I was a little dissappointed w/ soarin. Not as cool as I thought it would be. Yes we sat on front row. Too much Hype for me.

 

[3mtn-kate]

I thought Soarin' was awesome!!!!! My mom and I got a fp then waited in the 20 min stanby line. Then after we got off we ate lunch and went right back on again. It was great. I don't see why people can have such negative comments about such an amazing ride.

 

[livindis]

My entire family loved Soarin'. We liked it for what it is not to mention that it was a perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day!