Soarin' Questions

[ilovemcbride]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I have a question about Soarin'. What kind of seats do you sit in, are you strapped in, is there a bar, etc.? Also, I'm scared of heights. I rode a tram at another amusement park and it was almost too much for me! So how is scary is it for those of us who are scared of heights? Thanks a bunch!

 

[dis-happy]

It's not scary (really!!!), and the seats only move up one time, at the beginning of the ride, then you are stationary (watching the movie which can give you a feeling of motion like any IMAX can, but you can always close your eyes--but it's so good, you won't want to!). At the very end, you are gently placed back into starting position. The whole row moves together.

You wear a seatbelt while sitting in a high-backed seat with arm rests. It feels very secure. Children of a certain height have an extra loop between their legs that the seatbelt thread through. As safety conscious as Disney is, and the fact that this is a new ride, you can tell from the restraints that it is very tame on the movement factor.

I would take anyone on this ride--even a great-grandmother! Don't miss out on it....

 

[cleo]

Hello ilovemcbride. If you are quite nervous about heights ask a Cast Member if you can sit in the third row. That row only goes up a very short way, whereas the first row goes up a bit further. You will have the 'sensation' of height due to the nature of the film, but if you are in the third row you will be able to look down at the floor and see that it is right below you (about the height you would be if you sat on a table).

Hope that helps! It's one of Disney's best shows, truly not to be missed.

 

[ilovemcbride]

Thanks! That makes me feel better!

 

[TDC Nala]

I love the ride. However, I have been on it when it had to be evacuated. If you're afraid of heights, should they stop and turn off the film, you'll see how high up you are and that WILL bother you. The odds of this happening are not great, so it will depend on how severe the fear of heights is whether or not this will affect the decision to ride.

 

[shatzjsl]

We rode it last week and it is awesome. I'm a sappy person so I had tears of joy in my eyes. It was just so beautiful! We were in the 2nd row and I never really noticed the feet of the people above us. My mom has a small fear of hights and once the film started she completely forgot about it and was in awe. This was her first WDW trip by the way.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Tell me about this ride.

I looked on the WDW website and didn't see anything about it. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong site? Does anyone have a link? In which park at WDW is it and where?

Thanks!

 

[Kimber1963]

Tell me about this ride.

I looked on the WDW website and didn't see anything about it. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong site? Does anyone have a link? In which park at WDW is it and where?

Thanks!

This ride replaced "Food Rocks" at the Land at Epcot according to what I've read. (I haven't been there yet) It's from the ride at Disneyland that takes you soaring over California. Apparently, you "soar" over Yosemite and the Golden Gate Bridge, Napa Valley, etc... Anyone correct me if I'm wrong on this.

 

[Yardbird]

I rode Soarin' this week and though I thought it was awesome, I could see where someone that is afraid of heights might have trouble with this one. We were in the first row, and it did seem high to me. I don't usually have a fear of heights and I was a little nervous on this at the beginning. Maybe you could ask to be put in the third row?

 

[Eljay]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/soarin.htm
Here is some info on Soarin'.

I think it's one of the very best rides at WDW. If you've ever dreamed of flying, this is the ride for you. I have a very bad back and this ride is about as gentle as it gets. There is a height requirement, not sure the exact measurement, but kids love the ride also. The music, the smells, the wind in your face, the magnificent sights, it doesn't get much better than this ride!

*Important Tip* Get a Fast Pass for this ride as soon as you arrive in Epcot, because the wait times are totally crazy and they do run out of Fast Passes fairly early.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Okay, I hate to be negative-nancy...

I am not afraid of heighs. Doesn't bother me at all - elevators, ToT, whatever, I'm fine with it.

I did *NOT* like Soarin'. You are sitting in a ski-lift style seat, legs hanging, with nothing but a seat belt. I felt like I was sliding out the whole time.

So my fear wasn't about the height itself - that wasn't an issue, it was not feeling secure while I was up there. I really wanted to use the "kiddie" strap (that goes in between your legs and attaches to the seatbelt) but it doesn't fit adults (at least it didn't me).

Now, my experience seems kind of unique - I was on it with some 70 year old women that loved it. However, I just have no idea how that ride is considered safe, as someone could easily slide under the seatbelt. I'm sure it's been tested, etc. - but logically it just does not make sense.

I will not be riding again, and it's a shame - I really would have enjoyed it had I felt secure in the seat. I felt better when it tipped back, but the times when it tipped forward I really did feel myself slide a bit.

N.E.D.

 

[Msslaydbug]

I am scared of heights and had a small problem in the beginning and didn't start relaxing until close to the end of the film. I went on it a second time and did much better because I knew what to expect. This is now one of my favorite rides there. Good luck !

 

[layzphil]

To echo NewEnglandDisney, I didn't feel all that secure in the ride, but I think that's because I am 6'7". I wasn't worried, and enjoyed the ride a lot, but felt like if I wanted to get out of the seat even with the safety belt on I could. Perhaps they should have gone the extra mile and added a shoulder harness.

 

[crazyj4488]

If anyone is familar with the infamous AERON office chair, you will have an idea of what the seats are like. Good stuff.

 

[Tissa]

I thought the ride was beautiful but it made me very nervous. I was really holding on to the seat and I had to look away a few times. I haven't been afraid of heights on rides in a long time but this ride did it to me. I did ride it twice but I think I'll skip it from now on. It is worth giving it a try.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

To echo NewEnglandDisney, I didn't feel all that secure in the ride, but I think that's because I am 6'7". I wasn't worried, and enjoyed the ride a lot, but felt like if I wanted to get out of the seat even with the safety belt on I could. Perhaps they should have gone the extra mile and added a shoulder harness.

I think that's exactly how I felt as well.

It wasn't so much that I was going to fall out because of the motion, but that it simply wouldn't have been hard for me to slide down if I adjusted myself (which is why I sat frozen the whole time, LOL).

I think it may also be height as well - although I'm much shorter than you (6') I'm a big guy and it just felt...less than secure.

I would have been fine if there had at least been a bar in front of you to hold on to, or if they "child" strap was big enough for adults. Again, I actually like heights and they don't bother me a bit - but feeling like I was dangling there with a tiny piece of fabric holding me didn't make me feel terribly secure.

N.E.D.

 

[bairdbeth]

I am scared to death of heights, but loved this ride. We sat in the front row. When we first moved I did grab onto the handles on the armrests, but then I was fine. We even rode it a second time. This ride is awesome!