Soarin' Difficulties

[erikthewise]

We were at Epcot last weekend, and Concourse #1 was having problems.

On Thursday 12/7 we were in the FP line and had to leave to make our lunch reservations when they announced technical difficulties that nearly doubled the standby wait time.

On Saturday 12/9 we rode in Concourse #2 first thing (entered line 9:10) with no problem, but when we came back about 10:45 with fastpasses were were sent to Concourse #1. It broke down and they had to pull us out and reroute us to Concourse #2. One of the CMs said that Concourse #1 was prone to problems.

 

[bama-mom]

Yep, same thing happened to us Wed. 12/6. We were doing the baby swap and dh was in there FOREVER and not many people coming out very often. Later when I went for my turn, waited in line only about 15-20 minutes and got on. They said concourse #1 was having problems earlier.

I was SO excited that my dd got to ride, she is 3 1/2 and barely made the height requirement, but the CM let her go. She loved it and wanted to go again!

 

[dimoe]

That is why the wait time was so long all the time last week for soarin.
We went on it a a few times with fastpasses.

 

[Vemnox]

As a Soarin' flight attendant, I can tell you no side is "prone" to problems. Both concourses actually are very efficient and rarely go down. When they are down, please trust that we have a team of maintenance, management, and even imagineers sometimes that are on the spot within no more than 5 minutes. I'm amazed by how efficient these crews work. Any time you hear technical difficulties at Soarin' and have Fastpasses, they will be honored the rest of the day, even after your time window has closed.
Sorry you experienced such bad luck. We hate it just as much as you do!

 

[erikthewise]

We did have a positive experience overall.

It may be that overall neither side is more prone to problems, but at that time it was definitely #1 that was having difficulties. I never meant to imply that it was a permanent condition, just that those going in the day or two after my post may have a similar experience.

One thing did happen that was unfortunate. When we were moved from #1 to #2, one of the people in our group felt that since we we originally in the fastpass line and had been inconvenienced, we were entitled to immediate entry in Concourse #2 rather than waiting in line there, and argued a couple minutes with one of the CM's about it. It was absurd to expect the CMs to pull people out of the loading bays for our convenience!

People, you have no entitlements when there are technical difficulties! The CMs will do whatever they can. Just follow the CM's directions and do your best to keep a smile on your face. And be glad you're at some theme park operated by indifferent teenagers.

 

[Vemnox]

Once you pass the merge point area (where Fastpass and Standby meet) there is no classification of Fastpass or Standby. There would be no way to determine who was really FP and who wasn't and the problem is EVERYONE feels they are entitled to go first for one reason or another.

 

[scubamouse]

As a Soarin' flight attendant, I can tell you no side is "prone" to problems. Both concourses actually are very efficient and rarely go down. When they are down, please trust that we have a team of maintenance, management, and even imagineers sometimes that are on the spot within no more than 5 minutes. I'm amazed by how efficient these crews work. Any time you hear technical difficulties at Soarin' and have Fastpasses, they will be honored the rest of the day, even after your time window has closed.
Sorry you experienced such bad luck. We hate it just as much as you do!

Thanks for this and I'm amazed at how fast the ride loads and unloads. We has a situation last Thursday where we had FP and returned a bit before noon. It took us 35 minutes from the time we got from the first FP check point to off the ride. Is that unusual? It seemed like a very long wait with a FP.

We love the ride

 

[Mr. Pig]

erikthewise - We probably rode right behind you on 12/9. We also were there earlier in the week on Concourse 1. They didn't have to move us but there were problems and they had to do a test run before letting us on. Sounds like Concourse 1 was having problems all week.

 

[seashoreCM]

If after your fastpass has been collected, should some extreme irregularity and delay occur and you want to leave come back later, ask to have your fastpass back.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Vemnox]

Thanks for this and I'm amazed at how fast the ride loads and unloads. We has a situation last Thursday where we had FP and returned a bit before noon. It took us 35 minutes from the time we got from the first FP check point to off the ride. Is that unusual? It seemed like a very long wait with a FP.

We love the ride

25-30 minutes is usually the roundtrip time. Rarely less.

- 3 minutes to walk to merge
- 3 minutes at merge waiting to see which concourse to go to
- 5 minutes in Jetway
- 5 minutes in Gates waiting for preshow
- 1 minute preshow
- 3 minutes loading onto the ride
- 5 minute ride
- 3 minutes to exit back to rotunda

So you see if you break it down it explains all that time. Welcome to Disney! :-D

 

[goofy4tink]

We were there and had issues as well. But, I have to apologize to anyone here who may have been in line with us. I had a huge coughing spasm and just couldn't stop coughing!!! Several people around us gave me hugely dirty looks....I did promise that I wasn't contagious but that didn't seem to make any difference to them. We were rerouted around to the other side, and did notice some people griping that we should have been taken directly to the flight deck since we had been 'inconvenienced'. Not us...that's the way it goes at WDW. Sometimes you move really fast, sometimes you don't!!