My family also really enjoyed SOARIN'. I had read about it and was disappointed that it would not be open during our visit last week, nor could we make the special preview weekend in April for
DVC members. Luckily, one of the kids had to use the bathroom after Journey Into Imagination, and we noticed this unusual line of guests waiting along the walkway.
There is a height restriction. I don't remember exactly, but it's in the 40 inch range. Basically, you can't have lap children; they have to be belted into a seat of their own -- no problem if they're at least 4 or 5, but my 2-year-old couldn't go.
I had read a description comparing the ride to hang gliding, so I was a little surprised to find that you just sit in a normal seat -- more like a glider than a hang glider. I guess I had envisioned some sort of harness, or at least an arrangement where you lean forward a little. I wonder how many of the people who say "this feels just like hang gliding" have ever been hang gliding.
The motion sickness warnings made me shake my head, as they look a lot like the warnings for Mission: SPACE. In my opinion, the risk of motion sickness from SOARIN' is very small, while at least momentary queasiness is almost guaranteed on Mission: SPACE. I really like both rides, but to give the very same "may cause motion sickness" label seems misleading.
I wonder how many years it will be before Disney changes the movie. Flying over California is great, but one of the great things about the design of this ride is that it would be economical to re-theme. Of course, they'll probably also want to change the name and start promoting it as a whole new ride (like they redecorated Magic Kingdom's Alien Encounter with Stitch and are now promoting it as entirely new).
Anyway, SOARIN' is great. Sure, it's just a big movie screen with a scent generator and moving chairs, but the viewing experience is both relaxing and exhilerating. My 5-year-old especially loved it and insisted on riding a second time with his grandfather (who had been watching the 2-year-old while the rest of us rode). They both returned with huge smiles.
- M