Soarin' Ride After Refurbishment - What's It Like?

[LovePug]

Can't wait!

 

[mistole]

Standby was closed earlier today. Only one theater was working so it was reserved for Fast Passes. Stands by is open now with a 75 min wait. At least it's an inside wait!

We have a 6:30 FP but we're hoping to head out before then so we're braving the line. Fingers crossed it doesn't breakdown again.

 

[jerseygal]

Can't wait for October!

 

[Dan Murphy]

155 posted wait now, 118 expected.

 

[WEDWDW]

Only A was open this AM at Park Opening.

They finally opened C at 9:40 AM.

 

[Micca]

And sorry but no way on earth would I spend 3 hours in a line for a what--10 minute ride???

And so no new movie-just nicer carpets and more clear film???

That's me standing next to you not waiting for 3 hours UncleR Of course we have the luxury of being frequent fliers, it would be a tough call for guests for are making that "once in a lifetime trip." Oh, and regarding the 10 minute ride, the original Soarin'' soundtrack I have runs 4:41. That does not include the Patrcik Warburton intro or the time needed to exit.

 

[ChimCher-ee]

Is Patrick Warburton still the preflight guy?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Is Patrick Warburton still the preflight guy?

I don't believe anything about the existing movie or pre show has changed. Not sure what will happen when the new movie begins in June.

 

[jlovesee]

We rode it today on FP, Concourse B&C were open today, (my husband rode it yesterday and it was the same), we really enjoyed it, the quality of the film as most have mentioned was excellent. I rode it the first time when it had just opened in California and this is how I remember it. I did notice that Patrick during the pre-show calls it Soarin' Over California, and it uses the logo, instead of just Soarin' as it previously was in Florida. I am glad we were able to see the original one last time!

Jennifer

 

[mx3man123]

Queue still looks bad, better than before, but still one of the worst at WDW.

Thats why you head there first before anywhere else.

 

[hakepb]

Queue still looks bad, better than before, but still one of the worst at WDW.

I enjoyed the DL Soarin queue much more... It was a nod to aviation history, I was disapointed the standby line was so short so I didn't get to read everything (they displayed the DL Soarin line) I'm not sure why WDW went with such a different theme than the orginal.

 

[JimmyV]

I rode twice today and it was amazing! Almost like a totally new ride. I was so happy for such an amazing farewell to my favorite and can't wait to catch the new film in July!

So what exactly did they do to the original movie to make the experience better? Is it the same movie run through a better projector and better screen? Or did they go back to the original film and upgrade that?

 

[hakepb]

So what exactly did they do to the original movie to make the experience better? Is it the same movie run through a better projector and better screen? Or did they go back to the original film and upgrade that?

I think they are now using digital projection technology.

Technically, the old IMAX film (I think it was 70mm like IMAX) was capable of better image quality, but the film was worn and kinda dirty.
Digital will be consistently good. It won't degrade like the film experience.

 

[Accident]

My last ride just before it closed was a film that had tears, holes in the image, the screen even had a repaired mark in the center.

The refurb was just normal maint and an upgrade to digital projectors so it's crisp as it can be and won't wear. Nothing life altering.

The scents were working better than I remember

 

[ssphillips]

Accident - Thanks for the heads up. We will plan accordingly.

 

[Accident]

Accident - Thanks for the heads up. We will plan accordingly.

1 thing I did left out is a new film is coming, legally they can't show it before june 17th and it being digital, it can switch overnight.

 

[linzbear]

fastpass took 1 hour from time we entered the line until we walked out.

This is longer than usual, but FP consistently is 35 minutes end to end on a normal day. 10 min ride, 10min Patrick, 10 min waiting in the concourse (and 5 for people who can't find their shoes or other delays). And that's all after the FP scanners and standby combine.

 

[Accident]

This is longer than usual, but FP consistently is 35 minutes end to end on a normal day. 10 min ride, 10min Patrick, 10 min waiting in the concourse (and 5 for people who can't find their shoes or other delays). And that's all after the FP scanners and standby combine.

Yes, the problem is the old theaters keep having trouble. In my case, it was down to 1 theater with only 2 in use and it broke as I entered so they had to first move everyone in the hallway for c into the ride, then everyone from broken b into c, then they got all fast pass through before going back to standby.

The reports since my trip have been the same with c working well, a and b not doing well.

 

[yulilin3]

I rode it today, had a fp for 11an, standby walt said 180 minutes. Waited 20 min with fp
It's so great to see the movie as it wad intended to be seen, beautiful, crisp images, the sound and smells worked great.