Soarin' Over California

[Olaf]

This is probably old news to most of you, but maybe not. I'm just back from Disneyland and one of the cast members at this ride told me that they're going to be opening one up at WDW in 2006. Pretty good, eh?

 

[KNWVIKING]

Actually...I think spring of '05 has been a rumored opening date.

 

[Sarangel]

Those of us up in the cheap seats would be a lot happier if it were to open with a different film.

Sarangel

 

[KNWVIKING]

Sara, would you rather DCA have a different film or WDW not get the Cal film ?

 

[Sarangel]

I'd rather that Epcot got their own film. It's a different story, and I'm not thrilled that they chose to tell it with a re-hash of the DCA story. The fact that I think the DCA story needs more elements is a different discussion.

I don't mind re-using ride elements, but I think that Disney has gotten out of the habit of telling stories and into the habit of bulding theme park rides. Does that make sense? It's all part of the general trend away from what we love about Disney and towards the "hey, this park isn't drawing enough attendance, let's build another --------------- (Tower of Terror is the current fav.)"

Sarangel

 

[KNWVIKING]

I was just wondering if left coasters who've been on Soarin' have a "big deal, I live in Ca, show me something else" attitude. Personally I wouldn't want a Soarin' over Jersey ride ( ooooh, smell the landfill, wow,flew under the power lines) but I did love Soarin' or Cal because it was all new to me.

I've inquired in the past if anyone knew the approx cost of the film portion of the ride. If it wasn't outragously high, I'd like to see them make three or four films and show them randomly. This way it would be like having four different attractions in one building.

 

[Sarangel]

I'm pretty sure the film cost a moderate amount (tho' I doubt we'll ever know the number). They shot it at 48 frames/second as opposed to the standard 24/sec for resolution. Add that to the helecoptors, special permissions, actors, effects (can you say golf ball?), etc. They way Disney is currently spending money, I'd bet on it being a long time before we get a second film, much less several films for a single ride.

Not that I think it's a bad idea, but look how long they've been kicking around a second Star Tours film idea (and yes, I know that that has copyright issues, but still...)

Sarangel

 

[Olaf]

According to this cast member I spoke to, the film was very expensive to make. IMAX made the film and it took 18 months. Now this is the same cast member who told me that it would be opening in 2006, so take it with a grain of salt.

I was thinking an East Coast version would be cool. Starting at Maine and moving down, Boston, NY, DC, maybe Williamsburg, Charleston, Atlanta, St Augustine, et.

 

[Chuck S]

I think a version that flys from WDW to DL would be cool. Maybe start in Maine, fly down to FL, then across the South antibellum areas, across the Rocky Mtns. and Grand Canyon...over Las Vegas at night then San Francisco, LA and into Disneyland. With a little editing, they could "reverse" the film to start in DL for a west coast version.

But, until they do something like that, I'll be happy to have the DCA version at WDW...it is certainly a lot better to have something than "nothing".

 

[foodrocksluver]

How about we dont have it at all. BRING BACK FOOD ROCKS BABY!!! I will NEVER ride SOC. Thats all I have to say, criticize me if you must.

 

[KNWVIKING]

...Your loss.

 

[flyinglizard]

Geeze, foodrocksluver- you look pretty young to be a Disney World Dinosaur. They are the ones who lament every time an attraction is pulled. Like me... I have never seen the inside of the Pooh ride.

Please keep in mind, that Food Rocks was not getting attendance during the last few years. I still miss Horizons, but that wasn't getting visitors either.

Soarin is a great attraction. Conceived by Tony Baxter himself! Original thinking was that Soarin would get full funding for all four parks and that each park would have a custom, regional storyline (movie). I would not be surprised if budget cuts resulted in the California version of the film being used at all parks. Hopefully, TB has the power to persuade the bean counters to complete the projects as planned.

I understand you are upset that your favorite attraction has ended, but please do try Soarin at least once.

I do, however, agree with all those who suggest a "Soarin over America"- that would be fantastic!

 

[DancingBear]

To heck with Food Rocks, let's bring back Kitchen Kabaret!!

I think they open with the CA film because it's cheaper and will still be a big attraction (I assume the vast majority of WDW visitors haven't seen the DL version), and then use the occasion of a new film to boost the attraction after the initial novelty wears off.

 

[Mooobooks]

The attraction at Epcot is currently called "Soarin," NOT "Soarin over California." There may be a reason for this ...

The rumors have been that the film will be "Soarin over America." We'll just have to wait until the end of this year when they start testing and some word leaks out.

 

[WDWHound]

Originally posted by Mooobooks
The attraction at Epcot is currently called "Soarin," NOT "Soarin over California." There may be a reason for this ...

The rumors have been that the film will be "Soarin over America." We'll just have to wait until the end of this year when they start testing and some word leaks out.

Actually, word pretty much has leaked out. Yes, they are changing the name because a California attraction makes no sense in Future World, but there are no plans for a new film.

 

[Planogirl]

But what does California in its current state have to do with a Future World located in Florida? Just wondering...

 

[mitros]

I'm wondering if it really will be open as planned in 2005. We were there last week and I took a sneak peak behind the wall "cast members only" sign and all, and got a close up look, and so far there isn't anything inside, just a really HUGE shell of a building . I was only back there long enough to get a peek inside. Didn't run into any CMs, only a construction worker who said he was told they were behind schedule. I realize that is not necessarily gospel, but that's what he said. I wonder if I would have been thrown off the property if a security person saw me.

 

[KNWVIKING]

***"But what does California in its current state have to do with a Future World located in Florida?"***

Well.....the boards are slow everywhere so I'll bite on this.

I'll assume we can all agree that Soarin is a great ride experience. It was our favorite ride at DL/DCA. So now it comes down to where to put a ride that will 1) provide the biggest bang for the buck and 2) "fit in" with the theme of wherever it's put.

Attendance wise, MK doesn't need a "Soarin". It will draw guests simply because it is MK. Also, I don't think there is room for a ride this size in MK without going outside its existing borders. I'm not against that, just don't know if it's physically possible. Lastly, what "land" would it go in ?

For many obvious reasons it shouldn't go in MGM. I'll just stop there as far as MGM goes.

EPCOT: EPCOT has needed help for a long time. Its gotten stale, even with the addition of M:S & TT. The whole west side needs serious upgrading. Will Soarin' get people over to the west side-absolutely. Does it fit perfectly with The Land & Future World ? Well, IMO it fits with The Land but the Future is a stretch to say the least. But where else in EPCOT could it go ? Possibly in WS with a film where you fly over various countries..... maybe.

But if blowing out birthday candles really worked, I'd be wishing it went into AK with a Soarin' Safari film. Not just of Africa, but all Eco systems including a CGI dino flight to open the film.

Who's next ?

 

[iceskatejen]

Actually, not a lot needs to go into the buildings--in DCA it's a couple hallways in a T shape--the crossbar on the T are the hallways you go down to each of the theaters. Each of those turns of into the area where they put you in your ride section. Then it's 2 great big rooms on either side of the T where the ride actually is. So from your description, it sounds to me like all they might need to do is put the screen walls (and maybe a couple others) up and the ride vehicles/mechanism.

 

[KittyKitty]

The 1st time I rode SOC I wanted to shake the hand of the imagineer who created it. Everyone clapped after the show. It is one of the best all ages ride Disney has. I was totally immersed, actually lifted my feet so they wouldn't get wet going over the river.

If it comes quicker to Epcot by keeping the same film, so be it.

One thing I've learned as I get older, Never say never.

Susan