Shoes off on Soarin??

[klj27]

My friend who works at WDW told me to take my shoes off for Soarin. He said that is what everyone does in CA but it hasn't caught on there yet. I looked around and no one else had theirs off and then the poor kid next to me threw up seconds before the ride started. By then I had forgotten about shoes.

 

[WDWLVR]

When i rode Soarin' in California no one asked us to remove our shoes and no one that I saw did it on their own. This was back when it first opened.

I don't see what good that would do. Then you would see bare feet or feet with socks dangling in fron of you.

Doesn't make much sense to me.

 

[nocnurse]

The CMs were asking people in flip flops to take their shoes off so they wouldn't FALL off during the ride. There's no other reaon to take shoes off on this ride.

 

[Eljay]

At WDW they ask you to remove flip flops so they don't fall off during the ride. If you leave them on the floor directly in front of you, they are right where you left them when your seat is lowered back down.

 

[Ronda93]

Yep, just the flip flops or other strapless sandles need to be slipped off. Large bags get left on the floor. The ride brings your right back to where you started.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I wore my flip-flop. It stayed on. I don't want anyone taking their shoes off, I would hate to smell anyone's stinky sweaty socks! That would really kill my enjoyment of the ride.

 

[snappy]

Rode Soarin' on our trip, four times on Thursday. The only ones asked to take off their shoes are riders with flip flops or other backless style shoes.

It is a bit distracting to see the feet dangling in front of you if you are in the second or third row. However, I don't think it would matter much if the feet were shoeless or with shoes on. We did ride in the front row once, and it seemed preferable to not see the dangling feet. I also liked the middle section better than either the right or the left sides. You could see less of the sides of the screen.

This is a remarkable ride. We rode it one last time as the last ride of our trip.
Unlike so many of the other rides in WDW, it is truly a relaxing experience.
The first time I rode it I laughed out loud the entire ride, rather embarassing my kids. I tried to control myself during latter rides.

 

[TinkerTracy]

yes they ask anyone with backless shoes or anytype of sandal to take them off it just so happened the first time i rode i was wearing you guessed it backless shoes...with no socks...the feeling of the air on your bare feet...the sensation of the no socks/shoes was amazing....people should try it!

 

[neverlandclub]

I guess you just don't get how cool this ride is until you have gone barefoot. I wear flip flops on purpose just so I can take them off, its really fun. I can't explain why. It's like the Adventurer's Club- you just have to experience it before you get it.
BTW, you don't smell foot odor in there. Its way too well ventilated.

So go Soarin' shoeless!

 

[WeluvDisney2]

Are there any age/height requirements for Soarin? We have not been on it yet.

 

[cocodog]

Only slides (that might fall off) need to be taken off.

 

[nkkilala]

I have taken my sandals off both times I have ridden Soarin'. I like the feeling of being shoe less. It feels like I could be touching the water. I don't leave them on the floor however, I put them in the bin underneath. The feet are somewhat distracting... but I just ignore them. I don't think the area would be small enough to create a big stench if everyone took off their shoes.
I don't think I would take of tennis shoes....it would just be too much of a hassle to untie and re tie...

 

[klj27]

I guess I wasn't too clear in my original post. The reason I was told to take shoes off wasn't for safety, but to enhance the experience. Later posters have experienced this, so I guess my friend was somewhat right.

 

[sunny04]

I rode it twice in June, and I must say, without shoes was better for me. The first time, it was cool, but I never really felt like I was going to touch the water or anything like people say. The second time I was wearing flip-flops and had to take them off. When I rode with my shoes off, during the part where you fly over the top of a mountain, I actually caught myself move my feet away and laughed. It really felt like I was about to hit it! And it felt like I was going to touch the water too....I didn't get that sensation with tennis shoes on.