Please describe "Soarin'" for me

[heart4dis]

I've searched and read many threads about Soarin' and I have a vague idea of what it is, but would someone please give me a more detailed description? Are you really high in the air while watching a simulation?

(My last visit was Dec. 2003 and we're planning a trip for Nov. 2006.)

 

[TimothyG]

Basically, Soarin' is a handgliding ride where you soar over areas of California. You are really seated (like in the video) and it uses wind and rocking motions to give you the feeling. That is the best I can explain it because its really something you have to experience to understand completely. It's a very exhilirating ride and you are moderately high up depending on where you sit. Although since it is a dark room, you can't really tell. I'd say the highest you'd go is 45 feet.

 

[safetymom]

The front row goes up 40 feet.

 

[MrsNick]

Just went on Soarin' for the first time this past Sunday. It was incredible. It is a simulated hang gliding trip over different regions in California.

You seated on the "hang glider" with your feet dangling beneath you and you are suspended from above. They darken the room, and use an IMAX type movie to immerse you in the scene. You really feel as though you are actually in that scene.

It's really well done. My DH was very impressed with it, and he is not really crazy about rides in general.

When you go, make sure you get a Fastpass for it. When we returned at our Fastpass designated time, the wait on the standby line was 140 minutes (or 2 hours and 20 minutes). Also, Fastpass will run out for this ride in the early afternoon, so get it as early as you can.

 

[polarboi]

You're familiar with IMAX? The very large movie screens that make you feel like you're actually there?

This is just like that... except that the seat you're sitting on is off the ground (the front row goes the highest; the back row doesn't go that high at all) and various effects (faint scents, blowing air, and gently tilting seats) give you the feeling that you're actually flying over various parts of California.

The seats themselves are connected like long benches with backs, handles, and seatbelts, and are enclosed just enough that it feels very secure (to me, anyway) but without taking away from the overall experience. There are three rows in three sections each. The most sought-after seats are the front middle section (B1), but if you have a particular fear of heights, you could always request the back section, which doesn't go as high.

The ride is very popular with guests of all ages and seems to leave everyone with smiles on their faces!

Does that help answer your question, or is there more you'd like to know?

-p.b.

 

[MinnieGi]

We rode Soarin for the first time last week and loved it!!! You really are no up very high but the video makes you feel as if you are up very, very high!! Now my mother did not like it b/c of the height factor. She was in the front row and was just afraid of the feeling of height. I think she might have fared better in the middle or bottom row. Anyway she was glad she did it, just won't do it again. However DH and I loved it!!!!

Just echoing about the long waits. We actually did the EMH evening hours at Epcot to ride and thought we'd have a very minimal wait. Boy, were we shocked! Even at 11:00 pm there was a 40 minute wait. It was definetly worth the 40 minute wait though and certainly not as bad as the 140 minute wait a previous poster mentioned.

 

[fitzperry]

It's like sitting in a ski lift over an IMAX screen with some wind and scents (pine trees, orange grove) thrown in for effect. My dh was fairly underwhelmed by it. But dd and I thought it was loads of fun. Very relaxing.

 

[Dale-n-Chip]

One of my favorite Disney podcasts has a video podcast of the Soarin' ride. It's actually a film of riding the one in California, but the movie is exactly the same as FL.

I don't know a lot about the whole podcast thing, but I can find it on iTunes in Podcasts. The Podcast series is called "A Window to the Magic" and the one I'm referencing is "WindowToTheMagic VideoCast 002 4:43 11/17/05 Take a bunch of seats, an IMAX screen, a wonderful orchestral score, the scent of Pine-Sol and add a bit of Disney Magic, and what do you get???"

Of course, it's one long spoiler, but the ride experience is so much more than simply watching the movie that you can watch the podcast. . .er, videocast. . . to get a feel for it without spoiling how incredibly rich the ride is for all your senses.

Anybody else got a better link to a video?

 

[Robo]

SOARIN' (the "stage directions" version).

Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk
Stand, Stand, Stand, Stand

Line up.

March in. Sit down. Strap in.


uuuuUUUUPPPP....


Whoosh


Whoosh


Whoosh


Whoosh


Wheeeeee


BOOM!


DOOOOOOOOOWWwwnnnnnnn.


-quiet-


"Let's do THAT again!"

 

[heart4dis]

That helps a lot. I've only recently discovered we can go in November, so I haven't even gotten updated guidebooks!

Dale N Chip--I'm a neighbor in Euless! PM me if you want!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We love Soarin and the feelings of flying that we get. We like the front row the best since you don't see any feet above you and can get a more secluded feel.

 

[antmaril]

We road Soarin' last week for the first time - absolutely LOVED IT!!!!

Hard to describe - felt like we were flying - fantastic!!

I had this stupid grin on my face the whole time - we road it twice. In the morning we walked on. In the p.m. we took a FastPass.

My new favorite ride at WDW!!!

 

[loveladyntramp]

We rode Soarin' last week also. I have to tell you, I am afraid of heights and get motion sickness (they say if you have either of those don't ride). I was determined to ride. We were in the front row, and even though I felt the height (if you have a fear of heights you know what I mean) it was AWESOME!! We rode it 3 times. You are strapped in and can hold onto the person you are with (the seat sits 10 across).

So strap yourself in and DO IT!!!

 

[Twende]

We really enjoyed it. I had no idea if we were realy high up or not. It is dark in there and you can not really see under you. If you are not in the front row you do see the feet of those above you.

I guess it would make sense that row one is 40 feet up because you would neeed that to get row three off the ground at all.

It is a lot of fun and the view if wonderful. I really wanted them to add a spray of water on your feet as you scoop over the ocean. Wouldn't that be cool? And it is like Disney to use all of the senses they can.

All in all a fun ride. Use the fast pass because waits are long!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I don't like heights and sometimes get motion sickness and had no problems at all with Soarin'. Try to sit in the first row - it is the best and you don't have to look at people's feet dangling in front of you.

Soarin' is the best ride at Disney.

 

[Rosstu]

I, too, am afraid of heights and I loved Soarin-been on twice and it is one of my favorites. Just by coincedence, Ive been in the front highest row both times and I couldnt even tell that I was that high. The only part that bothers me slightly is when you go forward and up over the railing before the movie starts. After that, I was fine and just held onto the hand rails.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We loved Soarin! I'm a chicken by nature and would never do hang gliding or anything like that "in real life," but I was just fine with the Soarin ride. I rode it 4 times during our trip and enjoyed every minute of it! I'm impatiently waiting until our next trip (8/07, I hope) to ride it again! And again!

If you ever get a chance to watch The History Channel's Two hour "Modern Marvels" special about WDW, you'll get to see some details about the ride. They explain how they built it, and you can see the seats.

 

[Stitchfans]

I have a terrible fear of heights, but from what everyone has said, maybe I will try it. Have to convince myself everything will be ok.

 

[kellypooh]

I have a terrible fear of heights -- I've always said it's a good thing I'm not any taller or I'd be afraid to stand up!!! I rode Soarin' in May and loved it. We sat in the middle row and could see the feet dangling in front of us but I didn't find it that distracting...in fact it was kind of fun to see those feet lift up to avoid the water and tree tops -- just like mine were! Can't wait to ride it again during our February trip (3 weeks and counting!)