Open Letter to the Disneyland Resort regarding Soarin' Over California

[Plaid Princess]

I just sent this to Guest Relations. I find the announcement of the changes to DCA's Soarin' very disappointing.

To Whom it May Concern,

I am writing to express my deep disappointment with the recent announcement of the change to Soarin' Over California. While I understand the change is necessary for the WDW market, I fail to see the logic behind removing one of the last remaining 'California' themed attractions in California Adventure. Furthermore, it seems pointless to re-theme the area around the ride (which was a gorgeous, and appropriate makeover), if the ride will then have nothing to do with the themeing.

Soarin' Over California is one of the most beloved Disney Park's attractions of all time, and certainly the favorite DCA attraction of most. Don't let this be another Tiki Room; sometimes the original is best!

 

[Fantaluminishes]

I see no problem with the film changing. The exterior refurbishment (new sign) was a clear giveaway to me that this ride would eventually get a name change. The hangar building will still have an aviation theme, with the movie inside changing. Maybe they'll rotate films, or have a different film in each theater. "America The Beautiful" was replaced at the Circle Vision Theater. It's called progress, and I welcome it.

 

[Geemo]

Not many things stay the same any more.

I have enjoyed the original version. The line wait indicates others do too.
Disney is trying to keep thing fresh. New things keep people coming back.

Maybe they'll find away to offer the original as well as the new.

Geemo

 

[planningjollyholiday]

You haven't even seen the new footage and you are already complaining?!? I understand what you are saying that it is supposed to be a California theme, but we don't even know what will become of the attraction. Isn't there two theatres? Maybe one will showcase the new footage, and one will be of the old film. Maybe the film will start and end in California. Maybe you will even love the new concept. It's one thing venting on the boards and hearing everyone's oppinions and even having friendly debate, but i think it's a little premature to actually send in a complaint to disney.

 

[BostonJP]

I'm not entirely adverse to it. If somebody wants to experience California they'll do it in California, not in a local variation of an EPCOT ride.

 

[Brina]

I love Soarin, but have always wished there were multiple vistas to fly over. I have no problem with the change.

 

[SMD]

I'm not entirely adverse to it. If somebody wants to experience California they'll do it in California, not in a local variation of an EPCOT ride.

But it was a CA themed attraction that was designed for a CA themed park. The park still is mostly CA themed. If EPCOT wants to offer a ride that soars over something, why does it have to be the same video? And why does the CA one have to change because it doesn't fit the theme of other parks where Disney wanted to add the attraction? I'm fine with them changing the video, but I did like that it showed different parts of CA and think that they could have stuck with that theme. But I'll wait to see what the new video looks like.

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

I'm sure the new video will be done well, but I too am disappointed that they would move away from the California theme. I really love the video, I love flying over all of the different parts of the state, it actually makes me tear up a little and feel really proud to be a Californian. Especially having experienced all of those terrains/locations in person, it really means something to see it on the screen. I will be really sad when the video changes. I also agree that it doesn't quite make sense to change the video when it is located in a park called "California Adventure" and a California theme was the whole point.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I think the change is great; they should have done it years ago! No complaints from me (and I am a native Californian). Watching a plug for a PGA course doesn't really make me tear up, Lots of attractions in California Adventure really have nothing to do with CA.

I think Soarin' is a great ride, but it's no longer the top attraction in California Adventure; that would be RSR.

Tiki Room has always been lame.

 

[Sith]

I'm a Californian, and I do not have any real problem with the proposed changes. I've spent most of my 40 years actually experiencing the majority of locales featured in the current Soarin'. I wouldn't mind if the update took me to some places that I've never seen, and probably never will.

But, one of the coolest things about the current attraction are the scents associated with the locations, such as orange groves and forests. It just increases the immersion. I hope there are similar features when the ride is updated.

 

[BadPinkTink]

As an international visitor I am excited to see the new Soarin, whenever it officially opens. The whole concept of the ride is amazing, and while I love seeing all the different aspects of California, I am really interested in seeing other parts of your beautiful country given the Soarin treatment.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Have to say I'm excited to see something new. I love the CA scenes and we always say we are almost home when they show the GG Bridge. I just like having new things to see. Maybe they will have the ability to bring back the old show at some point for a special occasion. Overall I'm happy to get a new show.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

I'm not entirely adverse to it. If somebody wants to experience California they'll do it in California, not in a local variation of an EPCOT ride.

Soarin' over California is the original version of the attraction. It opened at DCA in 2001. Soarin' opened at Epcot in 2005 as part of the company-wide celebration of Disneyland's 50th anniversary.

 

[Sherry E]

I am certain I will enjoy the new version of Soarin' -- I'm sure it will be just as breathtaking (and hopefully just as aromatic!) as the California version, and will still give me that stomach-churning feeling of being too high up in the air! However, I will definitely, absolutely miss the California version -- no doubt about it. I am hoping that Disney hangs onto the old movie and brings it into the fold here and there, for special occasions or whatever. I hope it won't be gone forever, and that we will still be able to see it at some point in the future.

 

[elphaba91]

I'm torn. I absolutely adore Soarin' Over California and think it's perfect as it is. At the same time though, I can think of lots of other amazing sites that I would love to see in Soarin'. I think personally I'd be happiest if they could offer both versions.

 

[AddictedtoDoleWhip]

Look I love Soarin', but if I want to go look at California things I'll do it myself. I live in California so it shouldn't be to difficult. I'm really excited for this change, it's something new! I want to see other countries, or states or whatever it will be and feel like I'm part of it.

 

[Sherry E]

I live in California too, but that doesn't mean I have been to or will go to all of the places shown in Soarin.' Then again, I always thought the idea of a California-themed park in California was silly, but DCA grew on me (even in its original format), and then it vastly improved when BVS and CL came along.

The new film will be exciting, but I hope they trot out the California version every now and then, just so we Californians can beam with pride over our beautiful state. (Plus, I love the fact that the California version of Soarin' ends with the Christmas version of Disneyland! It can't get better than that for me!)

 

[BostonJP]

Soarin' over California is the original version of the attraction. It opened at DCA in 2001. Soarin' opened at Epcot in 2005 as part of the company-wide celebration of Disneyland's 50th anniversary.

That's interesting and I had no idea. Actually I thought DCA itself was much newer than it actually is. Then again I haven't been to Anaheim since the mid-1980's so I am in no way a Disneyland authority. I will say, though, that I am looking forward to the California version of the ride in my first visit to DCA.

 

[sheetz]

Keeping things fresh is always going to be a problem with a film based attraction so it was inevitable that the film would be replaced at some point. I would like to see all the parks have their own localized versions of the ride so that, for instance, the DCA version could still have the Golden Gate Bridge, Hollywood, and Disneyland, in addition to international locations like the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, and the Great Wall.

 

[debdreamsofdis]

Add me to the list of people with mixed emotions about this change. Yes, I'm excited for a new video, but Soarin Over California has always been one of my favorite rides to go on while in California Adventure in California! (Never quite understood why they put it in Disney World in Florida.) I absolutely LOVE the orange tree scent and we always catch the golf ball (yes, we're cheesy.) I wish they could keep both versions, one side for Soarin over CA and one side for Soarin over the World.