What exactly is Soarin California?

[emacat]

We missed this last time, and so I've read up on it a bit, but I would like to know a few things, since I'm a big chicken.

Does the ride sway a lot or go up and down? And how do people seem to do that are scared of heights? Is the back row the row we want? And how high up does it go?

It looks fun, but I can't really get a good idea of it from youtube.

 

[I'm_Wishing]

Soarin is more or less a flight simulator. You do sway and tilt to emulate the flight pattern of what is being displayed on the screen. But I do not think that you should be afraid of this ride. Both my wife and DD get motion sickness and they both LOVE this ride. Just sit back and enjoy the views, and the smells, of this awesome attraction.

 

[PinkBudgie]

It is rows of seats that move up in the air when the lights go out. You are then in front of a giant movie screen that shows it like you are flying. You don't go up and down once up there, but sort of tip slightly and they blow wind and smells so it feels like you are there. As far as heights, in the movie you feel like you are high up but really in your seat it is dark so you can't see the real ground. I would think that if someone got too scared they could close their eyes and it would be like sitting. Did that make sense?

This is a very fun ride and not to be missed!

 

[VictoriaAndMatt]

You do go up, down, and sway. It simulates the feeling of going over California on a hang glider. I'm not really scared of heights, but even though I know it's fake I get a bit nervous on this ride. You aren't actually very high, but you feel like you are.

 

[spacemermaid]

Basically, it's a simulation of riding a hang glider over California's various landscapes...not a thrill ride at all. What happens is, you sit down in a ride vehicle that's alot like a ski lift, but with 3 or 4 tiers (can't remember exactly how many). A film is projected on a huge screen, and then the ride vehicle rises up. It moves a little bit up, down, and/or to the sides, to simulate flying over California. Basically, it's the same idea as Star Tours, only you're not in enclosed "space ship" but an open "hang glider". That's the best that I can explain it.

Oh, and when you're "flying" over orange groves, you smell oranges, and over a forest, you smell pine trees. It's pretty cool

 

[mrswh]

I am very afraid of heights (and get nauseous on spinny rides & roller coasters) but I LOVE Soarin'! It is not jerky at all, no big/sudden drops, nothing like that. They did such a good job with it that you might feel a little nervous but you can definitely look around and logic yourself right out of that.

Some people say you want to be in the 2nd or 3rd row - I don't really think it makes a bit of difference what row you are in, unless seeing the feet of the people in front of you is reassuring - in which case just don't go in row one.

You don't want to miss Soarin' - it's awesome!

 

[jenergy]

Spacemermaid is dead on with relating it to a ski lift. To me - Soarin feels exactly like that but with a seat belt for a little extra security. I really love this ride but I can honestly say that it scares the crap out of me every time as I feel like I'm going to fall off and through the hemi-spherical screen. I'm not that afraid of heights but things that sway always get the best of me (I'm also scared crapless of the swings and the ferris wheel). It's definitely not meant to be scary like Tower of Terror or anything so it's just completely in your head and the ride experience is WELL worth any slight anxiety or nervousness.

 

[bumbershoot]

It doesn't sway randomly...it's on purpose and controlled. If that helps any.

The movie is very effective at making you feel like you're moving...I almost always lift my feet up so I don't know off the heads of the people in the boats on the river...it's THAT real.

But if you get tense, just close your eyes. Then you can feel how tiny the movements actually are.

Back row stays the closest to the floor. You can ask for it; you might have to wait a turn, but they are always happy to help people.

You've got the seatbelt (and I guess the mechanisms are locked when the ride starts, so you could *not* undo it during the ride), you've got handle thingies if you wish to put your hands on them...you can't fall out.

 

[CMHusband]

Spacemermaid is dead on with relating it to a ski lift. To me - Soarin feels exactly like that but with a seat belt for a little extra security. I really love this ride but I can honestly say that it scares the crap out of me every time as I feel like I'm going to fall off and through the hemi-spherical screen. I'm not that afraid of heights but things that sway always get the best of me (I'm also scared crapless of the swings and the ferris wheel). It's definitely not meant to be scary like Tower of Terror or anything so it's just completely in your head and the ride experience is WELL worth any slight anxiety or nervousness.

Soarin' is awesome but can be a little disconcerting at the beginning as it kind of rises up...but the swings on the ferris wheel? I HATE those. BTW-Did you notice they even have barf bags in the ferris wheel swings??? That says enough right there.
anyway, back on topic. Go for Soarin' you'll be glad you did! I take my youngest son on it and he thinks he's afraid of heights but doesn't seem to mind soarin at all.

 

[emacat]

Thanks so much for the descriptions and reassurances, everyone! I'm feeling much better about this now!

 

[disneymom23]

I won't ride the Mickey wheel or the swings. I can't even watch my kids on the swings. I won't ride the teacups or anything that goes round and round, like the rockets. I will do ToT once per trip. I take dramamine every day.

That said, Soarin is my absolute favorite ride at DLR. We ride it several times per trip. I love, love, love it.

 

[amym2]

I also am terrified of heights but Soarin' is my FAVORITE Disney ride. Once I'm on it I get so absorbed into the ride, I don't think about the fact that I'm up high. I actually prefer the top row (so I think that's the last row in line??) because although it's the highest, you can't see the feet dangling above you like you can on the lower rows, so I tend not to think about the height factor as much. Give it a try- it is such a unique ride!

 

[Vala]

I'm scared of heights too. I did the Mickey wheel fairly okay, and the Orange Stinger/Silly Symphony swings without a problem.

But nothing and no one will ever get me on Soaring again.

I did it because two of my friends who are also scared of heights assured me it was nothing to be afraid of and very tame. Yeah, so much for that.

I spent most of the time squeezing my eyes shut and holding on to the handlebar for all it was worth. At the end of the ride I was practically a nervous wreck.

Never again for me.

 

[jacobsmommy]

My husband has motion sickness really bad and he loves this ride! He does have to close his eyes as you rush past downtown LA though. Give it a try!

 

[Susie63]

I am so terrified of heights, so while Soarin gave me a few heart palpitations,it didn't stop me from riding it 5 times on our first trip to DL. In fact it was the favorite of all the rides for my DD8 and my DH. I especially love the last sequence.
That being said I always choose the back row as it stayed closest to the ground. The front row goes highest in the air. It also helps if you are wearing runners. I always felt like I was going to lose my sandals while I was flying.
That being said, I went on every ride at DL. I sucked it up and tried everything at least once. I figured I would being cheating myself out of something if I didn't at least try it. However if I ever make it back to DL, I will never go on SM again. That last drop scared the crap out of me. I liked Screamin better. Go figure

 

[Funball]

soarin is fun!

it is not as scary as you think OP! really, and yes the back row maybe best for you! it is alot of fun though.

 

[DisKatrina]

I am afraid of heights and I get motion sickness. (For instance, Mickey's Ferris wheel both terrified me and made me feel nauseated.) I was nervous about riding Soarin' but wanted to try. When the seats lifted up, I was a little scared, but then when the ride started, I forgot about being scared. It was beautiful and exhilarating. I felt like I was flying, but not really, so I wasn't scared. Definitely try it.

 

[nannyz]

I just got back from DL. I have severe motion sickness, but this ride does not bother me at all. I rode it 5 times with my 4-year-old granddaughter. If it bothers you at first, just close your eyes. You won't feel any motion. I have ridden this ride many, many times and have never felt any swaying. And I always ride on the first row because I don't like seeing the dangling feet of the people in front of me -- it detracts from the enjoyment of the ride. And actually, this is not a ride. It's an IMAX movie. At the beginning, you are lifted up so that you are directly in front of the screen. After that, I never feel any movement at all. And believe me, if I did feel anything, I would be deathly ill. Don't miss this one.

 

[Capt Silly]

It doesn't sway randomly...it's on purpose and controlled. If that helps any.

The movie is very effective at making you feel like you're moving...I almost always lift my feet up so I don't know off the heads of the people in the boats on the river...it's THAT real.

But if you get tense, just close your eyes. Then you can feel how tiny the movements actually are.

Back row stays the closest to the floor. You can ask for it; you might have to wait a turn, but they are always happy to help people.

You've got the seatbelt (and I guess the mechanisms are locked when the ride starts, so you could *not* undo it during the ride), you've got handle thingies if you wish to put your hands on them...you can't fall out.

Funny, I always try to kick the water in the river (to 'splash' my son), and lift my feet to get over the mountain...

As for the row, I prefer row 1, the highest row because then there are no feet dangling down in front of me to remind me it's just a ride. However if you are nervous simply request row 3, there should be no problem getting seated there since it's the last row filled. They have always been accommodating for row requests.

I absolutely LOVE this ride! I grew up in CA, have lived in both the North and South, and this ride really captures the spirit of the state. I love flying over the orange groves and smelling the blossoms, and Tahoe brings back wonderful memories. Of course the best part of our last trip was when my son recognized San Diego Harbor from a school trip we had taken a month before.

It is definitely a not to be missed (or ridden less than twice) on my list.

 

[holden]

I've ridden Soarin' in Epcot many times, but it's not one of my favs. I have a thing about my feet dangling...strange, I know. I cross my ankles and bend my knees so that my feet don't dangle. I only ride it because DD7 LOVES it (especially when DH "catches" the golf ball - he takes one with him and hides it every time we go untill he magically catches it while on the ride). DD7 is still thrilled each time he gives her that souvenier!