Soarin Snob

[abner1776]

Ok, I admit it...I am a Soarin snob...I will only line up in row "B1" and will wait for the next group if the cast member can't put me in B1. I have rode Soarin probably 30 times over the years and too many of them were from the right(C) or left (A) corners or were in rows 2 or 3 which meant I had other peoples feet dangling down in front of me which spoiled the effect.

This last time a few weeks ago(from B1 of course) it appeared that the shield that comes partly down above your head, came down further than I remember and it appears that the film quality was far better than I recall from a few years ago, so my question is....

Did Disney replace the film recently and does that shield come down further so people in rows 2 and 3 are not bothered by the riders feet in rows 1 and 2 ?

 

[BrianL]

Ok, I admit it...I am a Soarin snob...I will only line up in row "B1" and will wait for the next group if the cast member can't put me in B1. I have rode Soarin probably 30 times over the years and too many of them were from the right(C) or left (A) corners or were in rows 2 or 3 which meant I had other peoples feet dangling down in front of me which spoiled the effect.

This last time a few weeks ago(from B1 of course) it appeared that the shield that comes partly down above your head, came down further than I remember and it appears that the film quality was far better than I recall from a few years ago, so my question is....

Did Disney replace the film recently and does that shield come down further so people in rows 2 and 3 are not bothered by the riders feet in rows 1 and 2 ?

I believe that the film is replaced from time to time just because of wear (it is played constantly). Beyond that, there is rumor of switching it to Digital, and perhaps creating a new film as well, but nothing concrete as far as I know. You probably just caught a relatively fresh print.

I believe the shield comes down for the row 1 riders so they can not see the top of the screen, thus ruining the effect. I don't know if they have made changes to that.

 

[Disneytam]

We rode it twice the first week of Feb. and sat in B2 one of those times and you can still easily see the swinging feet. The other time we were lucky enough to get B1 and it is a much better experience.

 

[Sparkly]

Riding in the top row of Soarin drastically improves the experience. The film definitely needs some TLC though, we could see where the screen panels were.

 

[ucfknight]

Nothing has changed with the ride.

 

[Davey Jones II]

There is a new version of the ride, called Soarin' over the World, which is being prepared for DCA in California, sometime in the next couple years. If it doesn't also come to Epcot, I say that we definitely should raise hell about that.

 

[tinkerbellybutton]

In all of our trips my family has only sat in B1. Like the OP we wait till the next batch of riders if B1 is already full. The few times we said "Ok we'll just take whatever we get this time", we were still seated in B1. I guess you can call us Soarin snobs too.

 

[aVASTGrl]

I do the same thing.The first time I rode we were in row 2, and I left wondering what everyone was raving about...I was nonplussed! Row 1 provides a much better experience

 

[Sandy Fisher]

Can't begin to say how many times we've ridden, but a lot. We've been in all three sections and in all three rows. However, in the last few years, if it looks as if we're going to end up in the back row, we'll ask to wait for a front row seat. That said, we don't specify section B. Love that ride. And I know lots of people who don't get it. It's our favorite at Epcot, but then we don't ride things like Mission Space.........

 

[ucfknight]

Love that ride. And I know lots of people who don't get it. It's our favorite at Epcot....

Judging from the 90+ minute waits the ride has consistently maintained over the past 9 years, I don't think your feeling is all that unusual.

 

[Kellykins1218]

I've been in all the different rows and can honestly say I've never noticed feet hanging in front of me.

 

[Ravenne]

I've never requested a seating spot for Soarin' nor do I ever remember where we were sitting. After waiting in line for over an hour even for FP returns, I don't think I gave a crap where I sat as long as I was sitting! I do remember the last time I went, I specifically leaned forward and looked up to see what was above me and that's when I saw people's feet. I didn't notice otherwise.

 

[3happydancers]

I've never requested a seating spot for Soarin' nor do I ever remember where we were sitting. After waiting in line for over an hour even for FP returns, I don't think I gave a crap where I sat as long as I was sitting! I do remember the last time I went, I specifically leaned forward and looked up to see what was above me and that's when I saw people's feet. I didn't notice otherwise.

Wow! An hours wait on the FP line? Not good. I guess we have been very lucky going later August; never had a wait except for the 5 minutes at the concourse.

 

[summerskye]

I've never requested a seating spot for Soarin' nor do I ever remember where we were sitting. After waiting in line for over an hour even for FP returns, I don't think I gave a crap where I sat as long as I was sitting! I do remember the last time I went, I specifically leaned forward and looked up to see what was above me and that's when I saw people's feet. I didn't notice otherwise.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Glad I am not the only Row 1 snob out there!

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I love being in Row 1 too but fine in a or c. I've never asked for a specific row tho..just left it to chance. My next trip will prolly only ride Soarin' once due to not being able to use FP+ on the same ride more than once a day. You can bet your bum I'll be asking for row 1 for our one ride!

 

[dwheaton]

There is a new version of the ride, called Soarin' over the World, which is being prepared for DCA in California, sometime in the next couple years. If it doesn't also come to Epcot, I say that we definitely should raise hell about that.

I've read rumors that they are filming over Disneyland this spring. They want it to be ready for the 60th anniversary at least from what I've read. I expect it will be incorporated in Florida, though it may be staggered. There also are rumors they'll have one film in each theater so it's more diverse. I hope that's the case.

 

[BrianL]

I've read rumors that they are filming over Disneyland this spring. They want it to be ready for the 60th anniversary at least from what I've read. I expect it will be incorporated in Florida, though it may be staggered. There also are rumors they'll have one film in each theater so it's more diverse. I hope that's the case.

That could lead to one EXTREMELY long line for the new movie, and a "short"(er) one for the original.

 

[mom2rtk]

That could lead to one EXTREMELY long line for the new movie, and a "short"(er) one for the original.

Yeah, the last thing they need is to make that ride more appealing to Epcot crowds! Maybe they should add more black dust and cut the current one down in half?

 

[Networth]

Most overrated ride at WDW...