New Soarin' film distortion?

[GXIncognto]

I was seated on the top row, way to the left, second seat from the end...I really didn't notice too much distortion until they got to the Eiffel Tower, which was just comically bent, really ridiculous. I agree that the distortion was probably there in the old movie (I'm not sure how you could film it and project it onto that screen and have the viewing experience perfect with no distortion for people on the ends as well as the middle) but if they just took the Eiffel Tower out of the current movie most people wouldn't notice it much, and we could switch to complaining about the CGI animals.

 

[22Tink]

I found the distortion so distracting so we just requested the middle to avoid it and it was much more enjoyable. That said, I still prefer the original film.

 

[Satchmo128]

Our first ride with the new Soarin' earlier this month was also on the far right and it was ridiculous how distorted it was. Definitely distracting. Luckily we were able to ride again during our trip and we got row B1 just by luck.

 

[Satchmo128]

I was seated on the top row, way to the left, second seat from the end...I really didn't notice too much distortion until they got to the Eiffel Tower, which was just comically bent, really ridiculous. I agree that the distortion was probably there in the old movie (I'm not sure how you could film it and project it onto that screen and have the viewing experience perfect with no distortion for people on the ends as well as the middle) but if they just took the Eiffel Tower out of the current movie most people wouldn't notice it much, and we could switch to complaining about the CGI animals.

And the CGI rowers out in the ocean??

 

[hakepb]

I wonder if the newer Soarin was filmed with a wider angle lens than the original?

 

[Jennasis]

I was a MAJOR fan of the original Soarin', and I really like the new version too. I never noticed any distortion on the original version no matter where we sat (and we sat all over the dang place). On the new one, the Taj Mahal is curved, as are the pyramids and the Eiffel tower. Other things just looked a bit "off". What a shame. They ALMOST got an overhaul right LOL. It's like they can't help but find a way to mess up.

 

[Robo]

I am probably in the minority, but I wish they would bring the old film back. I much prefer it warts and all.

I'm not sure what you consider to be "warts," but now that the projection system is digital, the original film (which WAS used for a awhile after the recent refurb) no longer has any of the floating "dirt artifacts" from which the analog optical film-strip projection system suffered.

 

[Nancyg56]

I also was distracted by the distortion. I liked the attraction, but it is no longer my favorite, cannot miss.

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

I also was distracted by the distortion. I liked the attraction, but it is no longer my favorite, cannot miss.

Agree 100%.

We loved the new film, requested B1 for the first flight of our vacation and thought it was amazing.

After that we took the seats we were assigned and felt the distoration was so bad the experience was somewhat ruined. As someone else posted, it was actually laughable. We found the curved backs on the elephants particularly entertaining.

Soarin used to be a can't miss. It's now in the take it or leave it pile, sadly.

 

[buteraa]

We just saw it for the first time yesterday. Very little is distorted but the shape of the screen is different so I'm assuming its due to that. Maybe it seems more or less also from where you are sitting. We had right side row 3 which is the top row. Awesome film though. The quality and smells were amazing!

 

[Jennasis]

We just saw it for the first time yesterday. Very little is distorted but the shape of the screen is different so I'm assuming its due to that. Maybe it seems more or less also from where you are sitting. We had right side row 3 which is the top row. Awesome film though. The quality and smells were amazing!

The screen is the same as it has always been.

 

[buteraa]

Interesting. The CM provide incorrect info then.

 

[ols386]

There has been talk that maybe the distortion existed in the old film, but due to the nature of its content, no tall skinny things, it wasn't obvious. It is a bummer, but it's still one of my favorite rides. I am hoping we get to go back stage in about a week on our Undiscovered Future World tour.

We went on that same tour in Epcot last visit, and we got to go back stage on soarin.

 

[Ckleiber2365]

Center is the wAy to go with no distortion I notices it when we were on either side took away from the ride but still one of my favs

 

[bryanb]

Count me as another fan of the original film. Albeit a biased one since I'm from California. But also because nothing in the original film looked so badly distorted as this new Soarin.

It looks awful! I will definitely be asking for center seats from now on, but honestly I don't think that ought to be necessary. Every attraction should be designed so that each seat has an acceptable Show experience. The ridiculous curvature of the Eiffel Tower, the mountains, the Taj Mahal, and other important structures is distracting to the point of bad Show. Not up to Disney's high standards.

 

[maranara]

So...how do you request a row/section? I've never been on the ride (our last trip was in 2003!) and our plan is to do Soarin' at RD our first day. THANKS!

 

[Ckleiber2365]

So...how do you request a row/section? I've never been on the ride (our last trip was in 2003!) and our plan is to do Soarin' at RD our first day. THANKS!

You can just ask the cast member you may have to wait but you just have to ask

 

[monorailrabbit]

I also prefer the old one. Soarin' is probably my favorite ride in Epcot, and in my top 5 overall, but the distortion is SO bad!!! I really enjoy the soundtrack, so I just try to focus on that when we get stuck in the side, but like previous folks have said, it shouldn't only be enjoyable for the lucky folks in the middle. I wish they still offered the old one. Like, take your pick on which film you want, or make it random. I know that's not a thing, but it would be nice! As much as I love Soarin', it's so distracting and disappointing from the sides.

 

[Minnesota!]

It's bad... Absolutely ruins the ride for me, honestly..

 

[maranara]

You can just ask the cast member you may have to wait but you just have to ask

I don't mind waiting...what should I ask for? Just that we want to sit in the center?