Soarin' Question

[being-dragged-to-DL]

Nearly everyone said that this was one of their "not to be missed" things. Can anyone explain to me if its appropriate for a just-turned 4 yr old? Like, does the ride actually LEAVE the ground, or is it all a simulation? And, we'll be a family of four... how broken up will we be seated? THANKS

 

[alyssa810]

I think the ride would be appropriate for a newly turned 4 year old, as long as they make the height requirement. It's a really neat ride, and unless your child has a fear of heights, I think it's pretty tame. You do actually leave the ground, but I believe you aren't more than, like, 10 feet above the ground- Soarin' experts can correct me on this. It's basically a movie where you are flying over California- I hate simulators (like Star Tours or Back to the Futer at Universal) and I really enjoy Soarin! Also, I think each row has 8 or 10 seats ( I can't exactly remember) so your family shouldn't be separated, and you're sitting in a chair with a seat belt.

 

[jenimay]

yes I think a 4 year old would like it. It is simulator, but because there are 3 rows(one in front of the other), 2 of the rows are lifted up-one higher than the other. Young children will have a belt thing that goes between the legs and clips to the seatbelt to keep them from falling through. Your whole family can sit together, the rows sit like 8 or so

Jeni

 

[wdwgirl03]

I think the ride would be appropriate for a newly turned 4 year old, as long as they make the height requirement. It's a really neat ride, and unless your child has a fear of heights, I think it's pretty tame. You do actually leave the ground, but I believe you aren't more than, like, 10 feet above the ground- Soarin' experts can correct me on this. It's basically a movie where you are flying over California- I hate simulators (like Star Tours or Back to the Futer at Universal) and I really enjoy Soarin! Also, I think each row has 8 or 10 seats ( I can't exactly remember) so your family shouldn't be separated, and you're sitting in a chair with a seat belt.

I'm pretty sure that you're more than 10 feet off the ground. There are the 3 rows of seats. The way that the system rotates the "hang gliders" off the ground, you'd want to be in the last row to be closest to the ground, which even then I think might be close to 20 feet.

 

[Albertan mom]

At any time if your little guy is scared, or feels queasy, all he has to do is close his eyes. You are barely moving, just swaying slightly.

I always have to close my eyes on the part where you are 'soarin' over L.A. at night in the middle of the busy city! It does me in every time!!

 

[hlbtimes2]

My son was 3 1/2 on our last trip. He loved it. It was one of his very favorite rides. He started out with a death grip on me, a couple minutes into the ride he relaxed, let go of me, and started to smile. It was one of the few rides that he smiled while riding.

 

[iceskatejen]

The top row is about 30 feet up.

 

[azgal81]

You could always ask to be seated in the row closest to the ground as well if you feel like your kids might get a little nervous being up in the air.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

We took my best friend's set of twins on Soarin' this summer. It was there favorite ride. They were almost four at the time. They thought it was the best ride ever. They had the biggest smiles on there faces through the whole ride.

 

[GreenGirl8]

I think the attraction would be fine for a 4 year old as long as they meet the height requirment. The front row does go about 30 ft. in the air, but it is dark...so, you don't even realize how high you are.

My only concern is how your daughter would react if the ride went down or "101". If that happens, the lights turn on and you hang in the air. It has happened to me only twice out of the many times I have ridden it, but it does happen...(more so than other rides).

 

[RADOPT]

but it is dark...so, you don't even realize how high you are.

How dark & how much of the time is it dark? My daughter does not like the dark (doesn't do movie theaters but does the ballet). Are your feet hanging?She does like the mushroom swing.

thanks

 

[hlbtimes2]

How dark & how much of the time is it dark? My daughter does not like the dark (doesn't do movie theaters but does the ballet). Are your feet hanging?
She does like the mushroom swing.

thanks

Yes, your feet are hanging. It is dark like a theater. You have the light from the movie screen, and a few little lights here and there. Its not so dark that you can't see those around you. The screen is huge. Huge, like an IMAX screen, where you dont really see anything other then the screen.

 

[amw]

I've only been to Soarin' at WDW, but it's apparently exactly the same as DL. My DD3 met the height requirement (which was 39 inches I think). My non-thrill rider, DD5, also rode. They both LOVED it! Your viewpoint is exactly as described -- soarin through the air like you're on a giant kite. Very gentle movement. We were seated in the front row -- the one that goes to the top. Both girls had no problems. Mommy, on the other hand, doesn't like heights and felt a little unnerved (but not unsafe). I personally wouldn't go on it twice in a row (just because of my heights issue), but I would do it with every visit.

Incidentally, my DH had been on it before and mentioned that he didn't like the top row so much because you could see the top of the screen. It lost some effect for him. I guess the best is to be in the middle. Also, they won't split up your group. They ask how many in the party and move you to circle dots on the floor accordingly.

Also, the ride takes place in the dark, but the screen is so large and full of daytime images that it really doesn't seem that dark.

 

[Brina78]

I always have to close my eyes on the part where you are 'soarin' over L.A. at night in the middle of the busy city! It does me in every time!!

That part gets me, too! The projection moves kind of quirky and it makes my head spin a little. Not too bad, but I know what you mean!

 

[MickeyMouseMedic]

It actually goes about 40 feet above the floor, and into the screen to give you the feeling of being in actual flight. I absolutely love it...it is my favorite ride at Disney, and the musical score is wonderful.

 

[piecesNscraps]

My daughter just turned 4 and when we were there last weekend, Soarin was one of her favorite rides along with Space Mountain. She prefered being on the first row which goes up the highest.

 

[yipee]

Yup, I would agree! Our 4 year old loved Soarin'! Mind you, she also wanted to go on Screamin'.... She LOVES the rides. This one isn't scary, though, unless your child is afraid of heights. Then she may not like feeling like she is flying...

Denise

 

[PrincessAurora]

Its a religious experience. I just rode it in FL to see if there were any changes from CA and nope - same ride. I sat next to a little guy that was a little freaked but holding up. As soon as the ride started and the clouds parted he yelled "COOL! I'm flying!"