Soarin

[cazzie]

I don't like heights but I know that DH might want to go on this ride, I was wondering does this make you feel like you are really high up? I managed to do ET but I have a feeling that this will be too high for me, any comments on this ride.

 

[Hilary]

I don't have a problem with heights as long as there's a physical barrier between me and the ground. On Soarin', I felt as though I was quite high off the ground, even though I knew I wasn't and, although the seats have a lap belt, I would have felt more secure with a bar.

Depending on which row of seats you're in, you could actually be about 15 - 20 feet (my guestimate - not sure how accurate this is!) off the ground, or only a matter of inches. Difficult to describe, but the seats are in sets of three rows, all at ground level for loading, but they stack above each other when the ride is in operation. One row stays near the ground, the next one is above them and the next one is above them both.

That's before the effects of the ride itself! To be honest, there were only a couple of moments in the ride (excellent, BTW ) when I felt momentarily as though I was 'flying' and high up. The time I felt most vulnerable was when the seats swung up before the ride started.

I don't know whether it would be possible to ask to be in the seats that stay nearest the ground, but that might help if you were nervous.

If it's any indication, I would love to do this ride again

 

[shellbell]

I'm also not a lover of heights but i did this ride as DH really loved it so i went on with him. We were sat in the front row which unlucky for me went up the highest. There were a few moments in the ride where i did close my eyes (just for a second), and i also didn't like it when the seats go up, but i'm so glad i did this ride, it was amazing. You see some great scenery and theres smells to make you feel like your really there. I would say gor for this ride, I would do it again!

You could ask to sit in the back row (which is what i would of done before riding), but you may get peoples feet in the way. I would happily sit in the front row again though if i had to.

Michelle

 

[Mumof2]

I had done this ride a few times in California so was really disappointed to be put in the third row when we went on in EPCOT. I'd ask for the third row and I'm sure you'll be ok. Just do as Michell did and close your eyes. By the way - I also am not keen on heights!

 

[cazzie]

I could just be tempted to have a go at this.

 

[UKDEB]

I'm also a bit fearful of heights (as well as everything else ) but I loved Soarin' - rode it 7 times in the space of a few days. However, I suggest you ask to be seated in the bottom row to start with. Matt (known to his friends as 'Anorak' ) tried to work out how high we were in the top row - he reckoned about 40 feet. There is only one point in the ride which I don't like - that's where you 'stall' as some fighter jets fly past. I was OK as long as the film was moving!

 

[lexie32]

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou for this thread! I am petrified of heights ( but i love flying in big planes) and i love the idea of this ride and have spent many a night pondering if i have the guts to have a go. In the past i have ridden back to the future and spiderman at US and IOA without completly freaking so i will definatly have a go now but ask to sit in the back row !!!!!

i'm so excited!!
Alex

 

[stubb]

hi cazzie

initially i was a bit nervous but seeing everyones feet above you made me feel perfectly fine i sugest you get a fast pass as the queues were really bad.

michelle

 

[Aceman88888]

Best way to get over heights is to ride a big coaster. I was a complete yellow belly until I went on Montu at BGT, now you can't keep me off of them. I still have Issues with rides which feel 'open' such as Dr Doom at IOA but otherwise Im fine.

Now flights are a different matter. Im a nervous passenger no matter what the mode of travel be it car, plane, boat etc.

 

[VSL]

Is it possible to request a front row seat - even if they have you wait until the next 'flight'?

 

[sharon-o]

just returned from florida i hate big rides, don't do coasters or spinning things but YOU MUST DO SOARIN this was my favourite of all the rides in any of the parks and that is a statement. You really feel like you are flying but not in a scarry way but in a in smooth relaxed way If you can fly 9hrs to get there, you can and MUST do soarin it is MAGICAL!!!!!!
sharon

 

[wicket2005]

My hubbie doesn't like heights but he was perfectly okay with this one.

There are 3 rows of seats, the 1st goes up to about 40 feet, the 3rd not as high. The best is the 1st row because you get an unrestricted view, no feet from passengers above you. You are seat belted in, so there is no way you will fall and you have two handles to the side of you if you want to hold something.

Soarin' is a lovely ride and it would be a shame to miss it. It is a tame ride. Whatever you do if you decide to ride it get to the park before it opens and head straight to it. The Soarin' Crew lead you to it, get a fast pass for it and then line up. It was the most popular ride in Orlando when we visited in July.

When we went first thing the fast pass returns on our exit had reached 1 pm in the afternoon just after 15 minutes or so. So I would imagine they will quickly run out. The standby time was enormous when we popped in one evening 2 hours 10 minutes so you are really best hitting it first thing.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I'm another one who doesn't like heights but there are some things which are so good that you just have to ignore your fear: ski lifts, rollercoasters, etc. Soarin' is definitely one of those things that it's worth ignoring your fear for. It's simply magical! Disney at its best in my opinion - a simple idea, but done brilliantly and all the family can enjoy it.

Regards

Rob

 

[mej]

My mum HATES heights, but we conned her into going on this and she LOVED it - we actually came back to Epcot specially to ride it twice again! It is so simple, so smooth, so beautifully done. Classically and effortlessly Disney at its best IMHO.