Soarin questions for someone who is chicken.

[Kasper1014]

Hi! We'll back at Disney next month. Yay!!!

We want to ride Soarin. And I love simulator rides. Even the Harry Potter's Forbidden Journey over at the dark side.

One thing, I'm afraid of heights. I also have a fear of falling.

I was thinking Soarin was going to be just another simulator ride, until I started reading reviews.

My one big question.....I see the "seatbelt" that "keeps you in the seat". Is there ever any part during the ride, where you can feel yourself slide in your seat? Where you feel like you might slide out during the dips and turns? :O

I realize this is probably a stupid question. My hubby is telling me to suck it up and I'll be fine. I want to hear honest responses first before I tell him, No Way!!!!!

Thank you!!!

 

[stinkpickle]

Just ask to sit in the back row. It doesn't go up as high.

 

[momto3pirates]

Hi! We'll back at Disney next month. Yay!!!

We want to ride Soarin. And I love simulator rides. Even the Harry Potter's Forbidden Journey over at the dark side.

One thing, I'm afraid of heights. I also have a fear of falling.

I was thinking Soarin was going to be just another simulator ride, until I started reading reviews.

My one big question.....I see the "seatbelt" that "keeps you in the seat". Is there ever any part during the ride, where you can feel yourself slide in your seat? Where you feel like you might slide out during the dips and turns? :O

I realize this is probably a stupid question. My hubby is telling me to suck it up and I'll be fine. I want to hear honest responses first before I tell him, No Way!!!!!

Thank you!!!

I have never felt like I was moving around in the seat. There is a center strap that is used for smaller flyers. Just put your seat belt through it and you will feel more secure. Also, try to fly on the third row. It does not go up as high.

 

[Kasper1014]

Just ask to sit in the back row. It doesn't go up as high.

That's what I'm thinking. But do you ever feel yourself shift or slide in your seat? Like if the ride simulates swooping down, do you feel like you'll slide out if your chair?

I sure I hope I'm explaining and asking the right way.

 

[HopperFan]

I have a fear of heights and my adult DS who is disabled has a terrible fear as well. I think you can do it and I suggest this for your first time -

- Tell the CM at the loading area your fear and that you would like to sit on the bottom row. This will take you up but keep you closest to the ground.

- There is a middle strap that you can pull between your legs and feed the seat belt through creating a T-belt. It is there for kids who are under a certain height but I still did it for my son and it made him feel better and honestly I felt better too knowing there was that extra strap to hold him in place.

- When it goes up just look straight at the screen, don't look down.

His first time he was so nervous but now he loves it and can go on any level.

 

[DavidNYC]

I don't think there's ever the sensation that you described. The turns and dips are very slight with the motion being almost completely simulated. I lean forward a lot to look down and around but if you just sit back in the seat, I don't think heights will be an issue.

But as others said, bottom row is lower (but I'd still go for middle or top!)

 

[Kasper1014]

I have never felt like I was moving around in the seat. There is a center strap that is used for smaller flyers. Just put your seat belt through it and you will feel more secure. Also, try to fly on the third row. It does not go up as high.

Thank you!!!!

 

[DebbieB]

I don't like rides where your legs hang down, like the Swings or a Parachute ride. But Soarin did not bother me at all, I didn't feel like I would fall out.

 

[Amanda999]

I won't even go on ski lifts (scared of heights, and the wobbling), so I sat out - did the 'chicken exit' on Soarin many times while my kids rode it. Finally rode it and it was fine! No sensation of sliding in the seat; you feel secure. The first time do ask to sit on the lowest of the 3 rows due to your apprehension about heights (tell them that; they are usually flat out trying to place people, and seem to be totally fine with specific requests if you state a reason like that); they will oblige.

 

[Kasper1014]

I don't think there's ever the sensation that you described. The turns and dips are very slight with the motion being almost completely simulated. I lean forward a lot to look down and around but if you just sit back in the seat, I don't think heights will be an issue.

But as others said, bottom row is lower (but I'd still go for middle or top!)

Thank you!!! I'm going to try back row first. And use that middle strap. As long as I don't feel myself shifting or sliding, I think I'll be ok.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Hi! We'll back at Disney next month. Yay!!!

We want to ride Soarin. And I love simulator rides. Even the Harry Potter's Forbidden Journey over at the dark side.

One thing, I'm afraid of heights. I also have a fear of falling.

I was thinking Soarin was going to be just another simulator ride, until I started reading reviews.

My one big question.....I see the "seatbelt" that "keeps you in the seat". Is there ever any part during the ride, where you can feel yourself slide in your seat? Where you feel like you might slide out during the dips and turns? :O

I realize this is probably a stupid question. My hubby is telling me to suck it up and I'll be fine. I want to hear honest responses first before I tell him, No Way!!!!!

Thank you!!!

My mother had a deathly fear of heights; we took her on it and we were seated in the middle. She loved it!

 

[Kasper1014]

I won't even go on ski lifts (scared of heights, and the wobbling), so I sat out - did the 'chicken exit' on Soarin many times while my kids rode it. Finally rode it and it was fine! I love it now (but still scared of heights for sure!).

I can't do ski lifts either for the same reason! Ok, I'm feeling better now. And I know my hubby will be happy. Lol.

 

[jaysmom4285]

The "dips and turns" are extremely mild in terms of what the seat actually does. It's only a very small variation in position - more like a very slight tilt. That, combined with the visuals, can make it feel more substantial than it is physically. I've ridden Soarin' countless times, and there was never any sensation of slipping in the seat - the movement just isn't that substantial. As long as you keep looking at the screen, you should have virtually no sensation of being up high. I'm not sure you could even see the floor if you looked down, because it's so dark. It's more like just watching a movie. My husband also has a mild fear of heights, and he can ride Soarin' very comfortably. He says it's because he feels secure in his seat and can't actually see way down below him, so he doesn't really feel the height. I think you'll be able to do it. If by any chance you do feel uneasy, just close your eyes, and it's like sitting in a comfortable chair. The ride doesn't last much more than two minutes anyway.

 

[AGoofykindagirl]

Hi! We'll back at Disney next month. Yay!!! We want to ride Soarin. And I love simulator rides. Even the Harry Potter's Forbidden Journey over at the dark side. One thing, I'm afraid of heights. I also have a fear of falling. I was thinking Soarin was going to be just another simulator ride, until I started reading reviews. My one big question.....I see the "seatbelt" that "keeps you in the seat". Is there ever any part during the ride, where you can feel yourself slide in your seat? Where you feel like you might slide out during the dips and turns? :O I realize this is probably a stupid question. My hubby is telling me to suck it up and I'll be fine. I want to hear honest responses first before I tell him, No Way!!!!! Thank you!!!

As a person who waited 30-45 minutes in line 3 times and chickened out because I'm afraid of heights, the previous advice of the third row is a great place to start. The only time I felt like I was slipping was when I was so terrified that I was almost on the edge of my seat. That was the first time I rode it. The next time I rode it (& it is a gentle ride no matter what the signs state), I relaxed and sat all the way back in my seat. It was SO much better! The dips and turns are not bad (at least to me)- just very smooth. The only "jerky" part is one of the fireworks it kind of shakes a little. It took 3 years for me to convince my sister to ride it- now she wishes they would just let her stay on it all day. If you do ride it, don't forget to enjoy the aromas. It is truly a wonderful experience. Good luck- I know how difficult it is to overcome a fear.

 

[Kasper1014]

Thanks everybody!!! I text my hubby and told him I'd try it.

 

[Ronda93]

Just chiming in that the movement of the seat is very subtle. Probably no more than a few degrees in any direction. The sense of motion is really from the visual presentation.

I will be you'll love it.

 

[Networth]

It's extremely tame. I would consider the teacups to have a higher thrill factor. The simulation is nothing like the movements of Forbidden Journey or Star Tours.

 

[Jfine]

I'm terrified of heights. Stairwells do me in. anyway I rode soarin for the first time last week. I asked for the 3rd row - didn't even explain why. CM seemed happy for our request. You can see the feet of the second row and that helped me immensely. The seat movement didn't bother me, but there was one or two places I had to close my eyes due to the image on the screen. I kept saying I'd ride it again, but never ever in the first row!

 

[robin714]

I have ridden soarin 2 times and have finally give up. I have a fear of flying, not heights. I tried it twice and just cant do it. I even ripped my husband
's shirt and broke his sunglasses trying to bury my head into chest. Believe it or not i think the bottom row is only a few feet off the ground anyway. But the slight movement of the seat wasnt bad and since my eyes were closed I was feeling anything that moved but it wasnt bad. I did fell better pulling the strap up and putting my seat belt through it.

 

[JoeA]

My mother had a deathly fear of heights; we took her on it and we were seated in the middle. She loved it!

Same here. Mom screamed a little on her first trip and now she rides every time with us. We even make her sit in the front row!

OP: Just don't look down and you'll be fine! Enjoy and report back after you ride it!