Soaring:is this a real ride or mellow?

[Jillpie]

OHHHHHHHH no!!!!!!!!

My DH wanted sooooo bad to do this, and it wont be open when we are there April 16-20!!!!

He is gona be so disappointed!

Have you bought your tickets yet? Have your DH buy an AP. That way he can get in! We'll be there and cannot wait to preview this ride.

 

[n2mm]

Just wondering if they are strict about who can ride, I have an AP but the rest of my family (DH, DS, & 2 DD) does not. We will be there for the preview and would love for my family to ride with me.

All you can do is ask. During the preview for Philharmagic, they let us take in non-AP holders, BUT during mission space, only my husband and GS went in. I let my husband use my AP and GS had his own. (I really didn't want to go.) But the CM managers would NOT let anyone in without an AP, which they were checking for expired dates.

 

[Chicago526]

I rode it in DL last year. It trigered my fear of heights (I can ride any rollercoster in the universe and NOT have a problem, but can't stand on the top step of a 3 step ladder, go figure) but I still enjoyed the ride. I'll go on it in WDW next fall!

 

[CBCit]

I'm the original poster and I'm going to go for it. I am not afraid of heights, I can ride a ferris wheel,it is more the dips and drops and speed of other rides that I can't take.

 

[grumpyandbashful]

Yay! Looks like it should be going strong by our visit first week of June. Hope the waits aren't terrible

 

[blessedby3]

I believe that someone posted that this ride actually goes up. What exactly are you sitting in, how many seats are there together and how high does it go up? I have a DD 6 and wonder if it would scare her. Thanks

 

[Krispe]

Soarin' is one of the best rides ever. It's a total mellow ride to me. This ride is done wonderfully! The only thing besides the heights is if you get motion sickness easily. But in my opinion you should try it at least once! You will be smiling during the WHOLE ride! I always have a happy tear in my eye at the end!

blessedby3: It's sorta like a huge hang glider that you sit in. At Disneyland in CA when ever I've gone there have been many kids there and each one has loved it! I have never heard a kid cry on this ride, if anything at the end all you hear are kids (and adults like me) begging to go on it again!

StaceyA: The screen is sorta like an Imax screen (huge like it) but it curves around the sides, top and bottom for unbelieveable visuals. It pretty much envelops your peripheral vision. I always say that I wish I had that thing in my living room! ha ha!

Oh PS for the added enjoyment, when ever we go on it, if you have flip flops on, take them off and place them in the basket under your seat. I think it's just a mental thing but it totally makes it feel as if you really are flying with the wind and all! hee hee!

I LOVE THIS RIDE!!!!!!!

 

[penguinande]

The seats do do raise up, but I can't imagine anyone getting scared on this. It's really an amazing simulator - it really feels like you are flying, but not in a way that is overwhelming. The ride is great for both thrill-seekers and ride chickens.

 

[rhiansmom]

Anyone know how far off the ground you really are?

 

[puffkin]

when you walk in, there are three roows of seats, think it is 8 across. Once you are in, and strapped in, the seats are lifted and stacked on top of each other kind of. If you are in the first row, your row will be highest up, row two will be beneath you and row 3 will be closest to the ground. If you are in Row 2 or 3, you can sometimes see the bottoms of the shoes from the people above you. I think there are 3 sets of rows per theater.

Once raised, you are completely surrounded by an IMAX type screen that shows scenes of California. The seats sway and move slightly, like you are flying. Depending on the scene, air might be blowing on you or scents may be pumped in.

This is truly an AMAZING ride experience. One of the best rides I have ever scene that ALL ages and types of people can participate in.

 

[penguinande]

Anyone know how far off the ground you really are?

I wasn't really looking down, but i don't think it was more than 10-15 feet.

 

[PrincessBecki]

My family just came back to our resort after being at Epcot today and we had the opportunity to preview Soarin'. I guess it was around 1pm or so though I didn't ask if they have done other previews.

I'm sure we entered through a temporary entrance because they are working on the Land, but we lined up to the right of the Imagination building. We were looking for the Figment meet and greet when several soaring cast members (blue jackets) came out and directed us and any people entering that area to try previewing Soarin' if we wanted to experience the ride schedule to open in May. They even were saying to go now as it wouldn't be open all day just a short time period. I have no idea how often they do these soft openings.

My 5 year old son rode as they told us there was only a 40" height requirement.

Also as posted by those who have been to DL it was an incredible ride. My FIL says it is the best thing he has ever experienced at the parks.

Becki

 

[safetymom]

Front row is 40 some feet in the air.

 

[magsmom]

I would assume that if they are previewing now, they will continue to preview through May. That's how we were able to do Stitch last fall (2x).

 

[penguinande]

Front row is 40 some feet in the air.

Are you sure? I mean, I believe you, but it didn't seem anywhere near that high up, and I was in front at least twice.

 

[SteamboatMickey]

This seems like a great ride to go on with my friend, who HATES roller coasters.

 

[cdntourguide]

As Safetymom stated, the chairs are forty (40) feet off of the ground. I asked this specific question at DL when I was there in Jan.
the seats themselves are like those on a chairlift at a ski resort. YOur feet are left swaying in the wind. The chairs do have lap/seat belts. I cannot remember if you sit seven or nine people per row (one or the other, but I think it is nine). The theatre is huge, completely empty when you enter, just the screen everywhere you look: definitely if you are intimidated by heights you may wish to reconsider going on this.
By the way this ride does scare the heck out of me. Yes I am someone who cannot get up on a two step ladder, let alone a three-step.

 

[Cplofdisneynutz]

Interesting thoughts on this ride. I'm a ride chicken (well not all rides, just heights really) my DF thinks the ride will be ok for me, i told her we would see. We are not going to be there until Oct so there will be plenty of Feedback, Thanks to everyone for there input

 

[LoraJ]

I wonder if there is a small chance of a pre-AP preview. Hehe. We'll be there April 9th-14th. When I went in Sept of '01 they were having a preview of the Story of Walt or whatever it is at MGM before the AP preview and I was just walking by and was asked if I would like to go in.

 

[Jasminetigger]

IWANNAGOBACK,
Just received an e-mail yesterday for AP. AP holders can experience Soarin April 15-17 before it actually opens.