So that was Soarin'...

[DisneyBill85]

During our vacation to the World last week we finally got a chance to ride some of the 'new' things (new to us having been away for 6 years). I have to say that I don't see the fascination with Soarin'. We got our fastpass and still waited for maybe 20 minutes. We rode and it was nice. I have no complaints about the ride, but I wasn't jumping up and down either. It was worth a 20-30 minute wait, but not a moment more. Can't even begin to imagine a 2 hour wait for this. I would walk away so steamed! The flying sensation was ok. I waited for the smells that people talk about, but never smelled them. No one in my group did either. As an overall I'd give this ride a B-. Pretty good, but not a lot of repeatability.

On the other hand, Expedition Everest at AK was outstanding! Even with the Yeti problems, I completely enjoyed myself. IMO, this is now the best coaster at Disney.

Obvously these are one man's opinion and I have no doubts that they contrast with others.

 

[stargazertechie]

You really didn't smell the oranges?!??!? I'm in love with Soarin' for that (and the beach smell... oh the beach smell!)

 

[Nancy F]

After we get to the front of the line, we wait to get on the top row. The middle top is the best seat in the house. We love Soarin'.
Nancy

 

[Suellen]

During our vacation to the World last week we finally got a chance to ride some of the 'new' things (new to us having been away for 6 years). I have to say that I don't see the fascination with Soarin'. We got our fastpass and still waited for maybe 20 minutes. We rode and it was nice. I have no complaints about the ride, but I wasn't jumping up and down either. It was worth a 20-30 minute wait, but not a moment more. Can't even begin to imagine a 2 hour wait for this. I would walk away so steamed! The flying sensation was ok. I waited for the smells that people talk about, but never smelled them. No one in my group did either. As an overall I'd give this ride a B-. Pretty good, but not a lot of repeatability.

On the other hand, Expedition Everest at AK was outstanding! Even with the Yeti problems, I completely enjoyed myself. IMO, this is now the best coaster at Disney.

Obvously these are one man's opinion and I have no doubts that they contrast with others.

Strange about the smells..... wonder if they were broken? Oranges are awesome! My DD screamed... I smell candy! LOL! I was of course mortified that she yelled on the ride... but still chuckled.

We enjoy it ~ but IMHO no ride is worth a 2 hour wait... and I thought EE was particularly boring and doubt we will ride that again even with no wait.

That's the great thing about WDW ~ skip what you don't like ~ there is still plenty to do!

 

[DisneyBill85]

Strange about the smells..... wonder if they were broken? Oranges are awesome! My DD screamed... I smell candy! LOL! I was of course mortified that she yelled on the ride... but still chuckled.

We were riding with another couple we know at the time that had ridden it on multiple occassions before and they noticed that the smells were absent as well. Not sure how they are triggered, but they definitely seemed to be absent. That's a shame. It may have added a bit of magic to the ride for us.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We were at WDW from Dec. 10 - 19, we rode Soarin' at least 5 times over the week and the smells were there every time we rode. I love this ride, it never gets old for us - it's magical every time

 

[hollylu1016]

can anyone tell me what the other smells are?? I always smell the oranges, but aparently was completely oblivious to all the other!!
so if anyone has a list of all of them so I can remember to sniff at all the right times next year

 

[Bradsdadg]

I haven't been on this one yet. There is always a big throng of people running for it to get FPs when we are near there. Maybe next trip we will at least try it out...

 

[PrincessTiffany]

can anyone tell me what the other smells are?? I always smell the oranges, but aparently was completely oblivious to all the other!!
so if anyone has a list of all of them so I can remember to sniff at all the right times next year

Smell of pine over the river at the beginning, smell of oranges over the orange groves and the smell of salt water over the ocean scenes.

 

[catne]

we have noticed that when riding Soarin' at night, the scents are never very strong, but early in the day they come on strong (not too strong, but definitely noticeable.)

Love the fir tree smell when sooming over the river rafters...the orange grove scent...the sea spray freshness. Though sometimes that one is harder to discern.

 

[Beep]

During our vacation to the World last week we finally got a chance to ride some of the 'new' things (new to us having been away for 6 years). I have to say that I don't see the fascination with Soarin'. We got our fastpass and still waited for maybe 20 minutes. We rode and it was nice. I have no complaints about the ride, but I wasn't jumping up and down either. It was worth a 20-30 minute wait, but not a moment more. Can't even begin to imagine a 2 hour wait for this. I would walk away so steamed! The flying sensation was ok. I waited for the smells that people talk about, but never smelled them. No one in my group did either. As an overall I'd give this ride a B-. Pretty good, but not a lot of repeatability.

I with you on this. I don't get what all the fuss is about really. Yeah, it's ok, but I wouldn't wait in line for it. Not 20 minutes with a FP now that I know what it's like.

 

[smangan10`]

Soarin' is most awesome. Get a fast pass as soon as you get in the park.

 

[JimmyV]

can anyone tell me what the other smells are??

Most have been covered in prior posts. But we mustn't forget the smell of the feet in your face if you are not in the top row!

 

[iwannbindisnee]

There's an evergreen smell; then an "ocean" smell; I think that's it. I love the evergreen smell....Deb

 

[POB14]

I've never smelled anything on Soarin' (not even feet!), but then I have a very poor sense of smell.

It's our whole family's favorite ride. Gentle, immersive, just a really nice time.

 

[lovealatte]

Soarin is one of my fav rides as well as my mother's most favorite, but then again, we are originally from Cali and love everything about it. I always smell all of the smells... the beach one is amazing!! Love the music, the breeze, the ending fireworks, etc. I even love the preshow. Like the PP - we always wait for the top row!

 

[mjp12831]

agree with op that ee is the best ride in the parks

disagree that sorin is just ok - it's so unique, plus the smells, the beautiful video and the music are so uplifting.

repeatability? - I somewhat agree on this - it's most fantastic the first time you ride in any trip, second and third times are not as captivating, yet still fun, but I really feel this way with almost every ride at WDW.

 

[tndisneyfan]

I like Soarin' but I don't understand the super long waits. It's a good ride but there's no way I would wait two hours for it. I feel the same about Toy Story Midway Mania in DHS. It's a good ride, but not a ride worthy of the hour plus wait times.

 

[WI_DisneyFan]

During our vacation to the World last week we finally got a chance to ride some of the 'new' things (new to us having been away for 6 years). I have to say that I don't see the fascination with Soarin'. We got our fastpass and still waited for maybe 20 minutes. We rode and it was nice. I have no complaints about the ride, but I wasn't jumping up and down either. It was worth a 20-30 minute wait, but not a moment more. Can't even begin to imagine a 2 hour wait for this. I would walk away so steamed! The flying sensation was ok. I waited for the smells that people talk about, but never smelled them. No one in my group did either. As an overall I'd give this ride a B-. Pretty good, but not a lot of repeatability.

On the other hand, Expedition Everest at AK was outstanding! Even with the Yeti problems, I completely enjoyed myself. IMO, this is now the best coaster at Disney.

Obvously these are one man's opinion and I have no doubts that they contrast with others.

I could have written this exact same review, word for word! I had the same experiences my first time on those two rides as well. I got off of Sorin' and my initial reaction was "that was it?" And I concur that I didn't smell a thing. I didn't realize I was supposed to smell anything until a few years later when I read it on these boards. I've been back twice since, and I haven't ridden it either time. Everest on the other hand, LOVE it. (But I'm a huge Animal Kingdom fan in genreal.) And I think the Yeti was working properly my first time on Everest a little over three years ago, so that got me hooked on that ride. It is still most excellent even without the Yeti swiping at you.

 

[Satchmo128]

We enjoy Soarin', but also don't understand the crazy long waits for it at Epcot. We much prefer to ride it at DCA (even though it is the same ride) because the lines are typically much shorter.

(I also enjoy the hidden mickey on the golf ball as it flies toward you...did you see it? )

Expedition Everest is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE ride at WDW!!!! So, I definitely agree with you on that one.