Tell me about SOARIN'

[TLHB70]

I just bought some new Disney trip planning books since it has been a little over a year since our last trip. I see that there is a new fast pass attraction in Epcot, in The Land area, called Soarin'. Can some of you that have "ridden" it tell me about it? Are you really suspended in air in a hang glider? How is it for people with motion sickness? This is a new one for me so I would appreciate any comments. I can't wait to try it, but I am a bit concerned about my 6 yr. old dd trying it. She gets motion sickness riding in the car in the mountains. I wonder if she can do this.........

 

[AFMom]

It's not actually open at Epcot yet - not sure when it will - but it has been at California Adventure in CA for a few years now. It is our all time favortire Disney ride!!!! The kids can't wait for it to come to WDW. It isn't scary at all, and I'm very prone to motion sickness - Soarin was never a problem at all. It's truly an amazing ride - You aren't hanging - just sitting in seats with seat belts. My son rode it his first time at 4 and wanted to go over and over!! He is the one at almost 7 now that won't ride Thunder Mountain. It's really an easy ride - I'm sure your 6 year old will have a great time. I'm so excited!

 

[TLHB70]

Oh, the book didn't say that it isn't open yet. Sorry. I didn't know that.
We'll be in the parks starting November 11. Does anyone know if it will be open by then?

 

[AFMom]

I'm thinking I saw sometime this spring - but I could be totally wrong! I doubt it'll be open in November - wish it would be for you though!

 

[safetymom]

It's more than just sitting in seats with seat belts. The bench of seats does move up and down and sideways but it is a great ride.

I can't ride it enough. You will love the ride.

 

[missypie]

We rode it at Disneyland when my youngest was 7. She loved Soarin'. In her words "It's just so pleasant."

 

[wdwrich]

In addition to the motion of the seats, you also feel the "breeze" and smell the smells of the areas you "fly" over. It's makes for a breathtaking experience. IMHO, Soarin is the best attraction at DCA and will make a great addition to EPCOT.

 

[pammypooh]

We rode it at Disneyland this summer and thought it was an amazing ride. I have a real problem with heights and even I enjoyed it and did not get motion sickness. I can't wait to experience it again, next time at Epcot.

 

[Ted and Holly]

I just read a press release posted on WDWMagic that stated Soarin' was going to open May 2005 in conjunction with a celebration at Disney Land. Maybe the 50th Anniversary?

Ted

 

[maci]

Soarin' is one of the best rides I have EVER been on!

Is is amazing, not scary at all! My mom who is scared of heights and claustrophobic loved this ride as well!!
I cant wait for it to be at WDW!!
I wish it would be open this year!

 

[chessie]

Does anyone know if there is a height restriction. I am thinking in terms of my 9 month old DGD. Will we be able to ride it as a family or have to baby swap?

 

[TXMommy]

Is it the same "type" of ride as Body Wars or Star Tours (a motion simulator)? Those made me sick - it was the motion....

 

[safetymom]

I have seen young children on the ride but not infants. Not sure about height restrictions.

It is nothing like Body Wars. It simulates being on a hang glider, so you are "floating" through the air. You dip to go down into a river, fly up the mountain. It isn't jerky but smooth.

 

[AFMom]

It's nothing like Star Tours or Body Wars - very smooth, relaxing actually - nothing like any other ride Disneyworld has. I'm VERY prone to motion sickness, and this ride hasn't bothered me a bit - even riding 6 times in a row as we did last year. It's similar to watching a circlevision movie - but with very gentle movements to go with it. So I suppose a bit of visual disorientation could happen - sort of like watching a movie on a very large screen - when it moves you feel as if your moving with it. There may be a height restriction because of the seat belts - I'm pretty sure the child would have to be able to at least sit upright comfortable by themselves. I can't wait!!!!

 

[TXMommy]

But it is a motion simulator, right? You're not actually going anywhere.....

 

[safetymom]

You go up in the air towards a giant movie screen.

 

[daannzzz]

Here is a photo of the seats as they are loading (or unloading). There are 3 sections across and three rows back. The front row goes up the highest.
http://lostworld.pair.com/disneyland/california_adventure/golden_state/images/aug01_soarin2-mid.jpg
The seats lift up into the darkened theater and into an Omnimax dome that is positioned on its side. If you get a seat in the middle section and sit back and relax and don't look to far to the side or up or down the film fills you vision. Once the seats are up, there is not a lot of movement to them. They tip a bit forward and back and to the right and left but it is not dramatic movement. Persons suffering from Motion sickness (like me) can have moments of slight dizzyness but I can make it through until the scene where the ships at San Diego are shown. I just close my eyes for about 8 seconds and miss that part.

This is a very pleasent ride with an awesome score by the late Jerry Goldsmith. I personally think it is a wonderful D ticket ride.

 

[maci]

I believe the height requirement at DL is something like 44 inches, DS 5 rode it this summer, DD3 could not.
And I have to agree it it nothing like star tours, that one makes me abit icky feeling and soarin' has no bad side effects at all!!!

 

[WheresGoofy]

Soarin' over California is one of our favorite rides. It's so cool to feel like you are gliding over all of the different places found in California and smelling the pine trees, the oranges, and the ocean. I always pretend to kick at the people in the rafts going down the river that we fly over. Quite fun! My DW will love to have a Soarin' adventure at WDW too.

 

[WheresGoofy]

maci, we like your picture from the Gaylord Texan.