Soarin down for 4-6 months starting in early January?

[slickpoetry]

I'm not sure I believe news from twitter, but this is what Orlando Park News is reporting. We're going in mid-January so it seems possible we won't get to do it. what a bummer.

https://mobile.twitter.com/OrlParkNews/status/643829354976399360

 

[Robo]

There have been other threads about that info.

So far, nothing has been announced by Disney, and that one line on that site is the ONLY source
of the mentioned refurb, so far.
(And actually, the opposite -no long-term closure- has been the general word up to now.)

Stay tuned.

 

[nkereina]

Haven't heard this myself, but January is the most popular time for refurbishments and Soarin is due to get their new movie in the very near future. I believe filming for it finished up some time last year so it's been a long time coming.

 

[smiths02]

We are going in Feb for 3 nights and only doing Epcot and MK (since staying at Poly and no car this time), so that is a little disappointing. On the other hand, I'd rather have it down then and ready for our June trip.

January would seem like a good time, after Food & Wine, after Christmas/New Year's but enough time to get it done before Summer crowds

 

[BabyHabs]

This would full on suck. I can't see the install of the new movie taking 6 MONTHS?!

 

[JoeyEmmaMomma]

Thank god for a new movie!

 

[Robo]

This would full on suck. I can't see the install of the new movie taking 6 MONTHS?!

Installing the new "show" would not be the reason for the long-term refurb.

The refurb shutdown (if it happens) would be due to fully replacing the current FILM projectors with new state-of-the-art high quality 4K VIDEO projectors.
As well as connecting in the new third theater entrance to the current queue.
That additional theater is under construction right now.

 

[Brocktoon]

I can understand how Soarin' being down for an extended period is frustrating, but if you have park hoppers you could head right over to DHS as there are plenty of things to do over there ... (yes that's sarcasm)

 

[Praying Colonel]

I can understand how Soarin' being down for an extended period is frustrating, but if you have park hoppers you could head right over to DHS as there are plenty of things to do over there ... (yes that's sarcasm)

If you combine DHS & EP into 1 big park, you could almost spend a whole day there!

 

[SnipsNSnails]

That would stink but they have to do refurbs. We will be there at the end of Feb/beginning of March so hoping that it won't be down that long. If they are planning a long refurb, one would think that they would wait until the new Frozen ride is up and running to take some of the pressure off of having only one big ride open. I hate to think what getting FP+ for TT will be like if they shut Soarin' down and the only Tier 1's are TT, Living with the Land, and Illuminations.

 

[AngieInOH]

I was hoping they wouldn't shut everything down..... get the new theater up and running and then close one of the other ones to do modifications.

Hope this isn't true as we will be there Mid January and this was a must do!

 

[lugnut33]

I can understand how Soarin' being down for an extended period is frustrating, but if you have park hoppers you could head right over to DHS as there are plenty of things to do over there ... (yes that's sarcasm)

I laughed heartily.

 

[Lindsey1026]

It looks like there will be a refurb but the attraction will still stay open for the most part. http://www.themouseforless.com/walt-disney-world/parks/rehab-close/

 

[Robo]

It looks like there will be a refurb but the attraction will still stay open for the most part. http://www.themouseforless.com/walt-disney-world/parks/rehab-close/

Yes. That's what most were thinking to be "the word" on this.

But the info posted at the top of this thread is new.

 

[disnut8]

Installing the new "show" would not be the reason for the long-term refurb.

I agree with this - everything else - who knows.

When Toy Story Mania went over to the new layout, it was done overnight. I'm sure that's what would happen with Soarin'. Think about when a movie theater changes to a new film. The thing doesn't shut down for days to get the new film in place.

This story in the original post is about the queue, not the film. 4-6 months still seems to be a bit long for even that, though. Heck, they could close off the original queue, send people in a side entrance and still keep the entire thing running.

 

[GreatLakes]

I am not sure if the projection technology can be done in one night but should be doable in a few nights. I can't imagine it taking one let alone six months to do anything with Soarin'

I suspect we will see the new theater open, the two existing ones shut down to update the projection technology for a few days, and all three to open back up.

 

[boufa]

Everyone is focused on the film... the reason for a closure would most likely be the re configuring of the cue line. They are supposed to be enhancing the blank, bland hallway that is the line, in addition to redesigning it for the addition of the 3rd theatre. Who knows what kind of heavy construction that would take, or how those plans have changed since the initial announcement.

I hope its staying open (I'll be there the first week off Feb) or it gets pushed back, which is also common, but I am certain that the film alone would not require the full closure..

One other point... if they change they film, and they do it 1 theatre at a time... then the 3rd would open, with the new film, and the 1st would close for change over, but that would leave the 2nd theatre showing the old film?!?!? So you would have 2 different films showing at the same time. That would cause a nightmare management situation.

 

[Crystal824]

Oh no, I hope it stays open. My 5 year old LOVES this ride. We are booked for early March. She would be very sad if it isn't open. In fact, it is the one attraction she keeps talking about doing on our next trip.

 

[Robo]

if they change they film, and they do it 1 theatre at a time... then the 3rd would open, with the new film, and the 1st would close for change over, but that would leave the 2nd theatre showing the old film?!?!? So you would have 2 different films showing at the same time. That would cause a nightmare management situation.

Nobody knows.

And, they COULD decide to change the PROJECTORS to DIGITAL in Theater 1 and Theater 2
(the current theaters) one theater at a time,
and continue to show the original "Soarin' over California" feature film.
That show is already in digital format showing in DCA in Anaheim.
Then, after all 3 theaters are DIGITAL ready, they could instantly change to the NEW feature film in all theaters
all at once.

Again, nobody knows.

 

[bookgirl]

This would full on suck. I can't see the install of the new movie taking 6 MONTHS?!

It's not just a new movie, it's new screens and projection as well.