How scary is Soarin?

[RaniNTink]

Not a scary ride at all. You basically are hoisted into the air and shown a giant screen movie with some fun smells thrown in. The movie does give you the sensation that you are flying, but it is a very gentle flight.

 

[theAnalogKid]

Not scary at all. I know I am in the minority here, but I think it is one of the worst rides at WDW. Why people wait hours and hours to ride it is beyond me. I waited 20 mins and was very disappointed.

Agree 100%. To me its just sitting in a chair watching a movie. I expected to have a much greater sense of motion and actual flight.

 

[RaniNTink]

The ride is so much fun. The full name is Soarin over California, and it isn't like you are on a plane. If you have seen Philharmagic, it is really similar to that. The ride is extremely thrilling and it makes you feel amazing like you can do anything.

 

[DOOM1001]

My grandmother rode it at 88-89 years old,it's a nice relaxing ride.

 

[Jasonkat]

I disagree with everyone on here.

To me, Soarin is the scariest ride at WDW. In fact it's the only ride I will never ride on again.

I asked for the back row. I figured I'd only be like 10 feet off the ground so I looked down.

Well, they swing everyone out over an abyss. So you are "in front" of the loading area hanging over a 150 foot drop! I nearly peed my pants!

Then I began to think about how small that bench your sitting on is. Is my entire butt actually on the bench or is a little part hanging off? What if my shoe falls off? What if the person next to me starts to rock the bench? Oh my god, I just felt us move! Is my seat belt really secure?

So then I just closed my eyes, grabbed the handles next to my seat and prayed for it to be over.

Soarin....never again.

 

[csm101]

I guess its up to your POV. I found the first part of the ride when the seats swing out to be weird, but never felt scared and enjoyed the flight. Came off feeling relaxed actually.

Maybe now that you know what will happen you may give the ride another shot in the future.

Take Care

 

[Missymouse18]

I love Soarin'. That being said, I can't sit in the end seats. I do have a mild fear of heights, and the last time I sat on the end I had a pretty serious anxiety attack. If I sit in the middle, it is fine.

Previous advice is good. Just relax and have fun.

This, too, is my only problem with Soarin'. Although I don't have a fear of heights, the end seat on this ride makes me very ill. The one and only time I got stuck on the end I started getting very nervous and anxious and was in pretty sad shape by the time it was over. I have ridden it numerous times before that and never had a problem, and have ridden it twice since, but made sure I was at least three or four seats from the end. It is a great, relaxing ride and one of my favorites!

 

[LauraJean]

I don't find it scary at all. My kids were 5&8 and loved it. The motion of how it is to the eye makes me want to puke though! Ellen's ride at first when it is like that on the screen makes me want to throw up also!

 

[adisneytattoo91]

Not at all scary. You just get lifted up towards the screen to make you feel like you're "in" the movie, and just a few minor sways to make you feel like you are actually "soarin". My 75 year old grandparents ride this ride every year!

 

[parkhopping]

I love Soarin' and find it very relaxing. My mom hates thrill rides and roller coasters - she won't even ride the Barnstormer - and she enjoyed it. The only thing that could make it scary is a fear of heights, as PPs have mentioned, and there are ways around that.

 

[jmcghee2024]

Ok. Thanks. I do have a fear of heights but will probably give it a try anyway.

 

[yespie]

It can be a realistic experience of being in the air (wayyy up in the air). Ask to be in the lower row and try to sit in the middle with people around you. If it gets too much, closing your eyes does help.

 

[LisaTN]

I'm not a fan of heights (hate flying and elevators and will NOT try Tower of Terror) - but I love Soarin as does my 4yo daughter...

It's a little high but not too bad

 

[luvmylatte]

Only scary of your afraid of really cool rides and fun experiences.....in a word ( or a few) not scary at all!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Put me in the camp that finds the ride boring. I only ride it with a Fastpass, even then it's 50/50.

Almost the only actualy motion is when you are genlty lifted and gently lowered down at the end. Otherwise, as others have said, it's basically an IMAX of a helicopter view. The film quality dates to pre-9/11.

Only the front row is about 40 feet off the ground. The middle row is more like 27feet up and the third row more like 15feet. (these are not hard numbers, just estimates). If you are not in the front row, you can clearly see the feet of the people in the row above you. It is dark, but it's also very easy to look down and see that you are really only a few feet off the ground.

One suggestion if you are scared of heights- consider using the crotch strap. The ride instructions say that only smaller children are required to use it, but the extra strap will likely give you a better sense of being securely held in place. You can politely ask the CM to assign you to the back row, if you are concerned.