Help Me Decide if Soarin' is worth it?

[Paul Rodgers]

To me, Epcot seems like a bit of a dull when it comes to attractions. The main attractions seem to be Test Track, Soarin, Mission Space, Frozen, and Spaceship Earth. Out of them all, the only one we're really into is Soarin, but even Soarin' seems to be the kind of attraction that you 'just have to do' because it's a signature Epcot thing. I have one day where I'm trying to figure out which FPs I want to try to get. We're planning on doing a late start that day and then probably hitting up a waterpark late morning. We're very flexible but have a Trattorio Al Forno rsvp at 5:15. We currently have two FP days at AK, HS, and one at MK, and I'm considering ditching the EP FP day and making it a MK FP day if we're just going for Soarin. Any thoughts?

 

[georgina]

To me, Epcot seems like a bit of a dull when it comes to attractions. The main attractions seem to be Test Track, Soarin, Mission Space, Frozen, and Spaceship Earth. Out of them all, the only one we're really into is Soarin, but even Soarin' seems to be the kind of attraction that you 'just have to do' because it's a signature Epcot thing. I have one day where I'm trying to figure out which FPs I want to try to get. We're planning on doing a late start that day and then probably hitting up a waterpark late morning. We're very flexible but have a Trattorio Al Forno rsvp at 5:15. We currently have two FP days at AK, HS, and one at MK, and I'm considering ditching the EP FP day and making it a MK FP day if we're just going for Soarin. Any thoughts?

I enjoy Soarin, but I wouldn't wait in the standby line for it. I was able to get a day-of FP for Soarin (for 2:00!) on Saturday. I was at HS in the morning and used 3 FP there, then checked for Epcot FP and after a few refreshes it turned up. Have you read the FP thread? You could make one for Epcot in the morning, and as soon as you use it you could look for MK FP for the same day.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Soarin was better before the added CG.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

You could make one for Epcot in the morning, and as soon as you use it you could look for MK FP for the same day.

This is good advice. Although I also love Spaceship Earth...mostly because it's a "signature Epcot thing" too

 

[coast2coastmickey]

What, no living with the land or figment?!?! Or GRAN FIESTA TOUR!?!

Sure they're not "thrill rides" but they are must rides in Epcot, in my opinion (especially Gran Fiesta Tour).

 

[Frozen2014]

I really like Test Track (my second favorite ride after Haunted Mansion) , Soarin and Spaceship Earth. The fireworks are also great. We eneded up heading to Epcot at 5pm or so one evening...did some rides and caught Illuminations. Worked out well if its not a full day park for you. I hate though that their FPs are tiered.

Not worth going to the park for these...but we also enjoyed Figment (quite funny) and Bugs Life...but we also had young kids when we went.

 

[FCDub]

Soarin was better befote the added CG.

Soarin' has ALWAYS had CGI. Even the old one.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Soarin' has ALWAYS had CGI. Even the old one.

Yep but the new stuff is just "meh". Be better if we could get "Soarin over the solar system" if it's gonna look fake. Sorry for the negativity. I miss Ellen.

 

[ghtx]

I dunno about everyone else, but Soarin is one of my favorite rides in the entire resort.

 

[Haley R]

I wouldn't go there just for Soarin'. DH and I think Soarin is boring. We like TT, Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, and Grand Fiesta Tour, though. If you are only going for the one ride I would go to MK instead.

 

[wdwjeffc37]

If you have done Soarin' before I would not make a huge effort to see it. It was one of our favorite attractions at WDW before the "new and improved" film. Now we find the film "meh" and not very exciting. We would take Test Track over Soarin' anytime. We are not that excited with the "new" TT either but at least you get the thrill of the speed. I would suggest that if you have never done Soarin' or have not seen the "new" film to do it. You can't decide if you like something unless you have personally experienced it. Cheers!!!!!!

 

[tarak]

Soarin' was never a must-do for us, and Epcot is one of our favorite parks, so I don't know if this will be helpful. The new version of the film is just okay. We were seated in the middle and you could still see a very noticeable bend to the Eiffel Tower. I can't even imagine how bad it is if you're seated at the end of a row - it must be practically doubled over. I get that I'm not really flying over these monuments, but that fact is made crystal clear when the images are distorted. We liked the older version much better. If Soarin' is your only reason to go to Epcot, I would honestly look at one of the youtube videos out there. If the distortion bothers you then, it might really annoy you in person.

 

[CAS239]

I wouldn't visit Epcot only to ride Soarin. I'd do TT, Figment, Living with the Land, Nemo, and Spaceship Earth.

If you do Epcot and make FP's there then I would FP TT and standby Soarin. I was in the park yesterday and Soarin at 2pm was a 20 min wait

 

[Tiki_Sara]

I thought Soarin' was great, didn't notice any distortions in the graphics and rode it twice, once on FP and then later in the evening as we were leaving the park.

If you've never done it before then I think it's worth a go.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I dunno about everyone else, but Soarin is one of my favorite rides in the entire resort.

It's definitely in my top 3. We make PPO breakfast at Garden Grill to get extra riding in.

 

[georgina]

I guess I was assuming the OP was going to Epcot for the World Showcase also, just not so much the rides. The only rides I did at Epcot last week were Spaceship Earth and Soarin. I enjoyed the WS entertainment and flower and garden displays and food.

I like Living with the Land, occasionally ride TT, did MS enough that I never need to again, and liked the old version of the boat ride in Mexico before they added the ducks.

 

[epcotobsessed]

Speaking for my family, we always spend half our time in Epcot, so if we are on an 8 day trip, we will spend at least 4 days in Epcot. We could spend all day in the World Showcase, we love the Grand Fiesta Tour, Spaceship Earth, Living With The Land, the corny synthesizer music that plays everywhere, the (mostly) wide spaces in which to walk which makes you NOT feel like you are running in a herd like I always feel in the other parks - I could go on and on. Of all of these, Soarin' is our absolute favorite. I have been really fortunate to ride it dozens of times and I never, ever get sick of it. Just my two cents

 

[Louie7080]

I love Soarin IF I am in the middle section. If the CMs direct me to either of the end sections, I request to wait one round so that I can sit in the middle section. It will take a bit longer to get on the ride, but that little bit of extra wait time is worth it to me. I don't think it is too hard to get a rolling FP for soarin, but if you can't I think it would be worth stand by if you haven't done it before. Soarin while in the middle section is my favorite attraction in Epcot.

 

[LiveToTravelNicely]

For your situation, and given the likes that you stated, I would make my initial FP+ reservations at MK in the AM. Then, I would try to get evening FP+ for Soarin. To me it sounds like OP is not going to be heartbroken if there aren't any same day Soarin available.

Oh, after re-reading OP sounds like they are headed to TL or BB that morning and just want to make FP+s for the evening. In that case, I'd probably just go with MK. Again, this is based upon the preferences that OP listed. I, specifically, love Epcot, but OP and OPs family seems to not so much.

For conveniences, I might even try to make my second HS day the evening after dinner at the Boardwalk and sub out my originally planned 2nd HS day for a 2nd full day at MK.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Soarin was better befote the added CG.

To each their own on that one.
Soarin' Over California was a meh I did it once I'm good kind of attraction but Soarin' Around The World is freaking amazing and time permitting I do it twice each time I'm at Epcot.