Why do people like Soarin' so much?

[Jennasis]

The smells in Soarin are not sprayed in the room. They are integrated into the wind fan that is in the canopy just above/in front of your head. If the OP couldn't smell anything then his may have been broken.

I LOVE Soarin'. I thought I would hate it with a passion (based on the overall disdain people have for anythign from DCA). But color me overwhelmed by it. It's my new favorite in Epcot (was the original Journey Into Imagination, then Spaceship Earth..now the fave is Soarin'!)

 

[Mickey1122]

I heard the rumor about changing it into a Florida movie soon, and I think that IF it is true it is a very good idea. We first rode it years ago in Disney's California Adventure park, and it works better there beacause you are actually in California.

 

[motofox4]

i don't know yet why people like or dislike Soarin' as I haven't been on it yet (until September! ) but I can't wait to ride it myself to see what it's all about!!

 

[CDN]

i don't know yet why people like or dislike Soarin' as I haven't been on it yet (until September! ) but I can't wait to ride it myself to see what it's all about!!

I think Soarin is a real treat, hope you enjoy it as much as I did

 

[cmassey]

Why? Because he said there should be more smells and should be a scene transition? I mean it as no offense to the OP, but there's a LOT more creativity needed than just a couple of easy ideas that really any Joe off the street could come up with.

irony...it's a word.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

I like the jarring scene changes- it makes you go "whoa- cool." jmho

 

[jade1]

We really had to drop our expectations after the first time we rode it. They made this huge building and we thought it would be a combination of Peter Pan and Spiderman where you actually sat in a suspended parasail on a track and went from room to room with huge screens (like Spiderman). Now that would have been impressive. Instead we sat in a seat and looked at an IMAX screen-which Valley Fair in Minneapolis has had for 25 years. What was the big deal with that-and folks were waiting 200 minutes last week.

Now we look at it as a break from the heat and a place to relax (and a FP only) and make the most of it but its still a swing and a miss to us.

In 1979 I went to the Minnesota State Fair and walked into this huge blown up round tent and looked up at a huge screen with similar scenes (helicopter over a mountain cliff-roller coaster etc)-30 years later weve only gained AC, a seat to sit in and some "better smelling" aroma?

 

[MeLaNie9]

I loved Soarin' and rode it many times during our May trip. I was 14 weeks pregnant and unwilling (but disappointed) to go on some other rides (rollercoasters, simulators, and such) so I was thrilled to be able to ride this one. I have been to many IMAX movies, but being up in the air with the wind and smells and tilting of the seats makes this so much better than a regular IMAX. It's just one of those rides that when its over and I look around at the other riders, they are all smiling and talking about it. I love rides like that.

 

[raidermatt]

Soarin' really is a fun ride. The only technical issues I've noticed is some "specks" showing up on the screen, I assume from the projector and not the film itself. It was particularly distracting the last couple of times we rode it, which was during EMH.

That aside, it is a lot of fun. A few of the scenes are pretty mundane, like the golf scene and the freeway scene, for example, but still fun.

I do, however, agree with the OP 100% that it has the potential to be so much more, though not for the same reasons he gives. Just imagine what it would be like if they surrounded the ride with some real themeing and story, like has been done with Space Mountain, Big Thunder, Pirates, etc.

Really, there's no story whatsoever, and there's not really even any themeing. Those things are supposed to be hallmarks of a great Disney attraction, and the lack of those things is what holds Soarin' back.

But again, it is fun, and I do like it.

 

[DisneyLover1091]

Soarin' is everything I predicted and more! Personally, I could ride it all day! It has that certain "something" that every ride has in my opinion. I'm not going to compare it with other rides because it's different and you can't compare Soarin' with BTMR or SM. The scents are amazing and it makes you feel like your actually in a real handglider!

I love this ride, can't give it enough praise.

 

[photobob]

We really enjoy this attraction. I wouldn't however stand in line for an hour to do it, as far as that goes I want stand in line for an hour for any ride.

 

[David R]

I'm guessing that the new movie won't be Soarin' over Florida, but instead it will probably be a Soarin' over the USA or over the world.

 

[Jennasis]

I thought the "theme" of Soarin was that you were booking a flight on a glider of sorts, to tour the scenic vistas of California. That's why they have an"A" Concourse and a "B" Concourse adn the pre-show thing with "Puddy".

I would love to see a Soarin' over the World or one that traveled over all the Disney parks. IMO, it's more than an IMAX movie. If that's all you think of it, to bad for you. One less person clogging up the line!

Just like Mission: Space, it isn't everybody's cup of tea.

 

[raidermatt]

It has VERY light theming in that regard. But the queue is just a concrete lined hallway, with some TVs asking geography questions. And there's no real attempt to hide the fact that you're getting on this giant erector set and being put in front of a giant movie screen.

Now, before I get pounded, I DO LIKE THE RIDE. I'm not saying it's not worth doing. It most certainly is. And Puddy is funny (though he apparently needs a coffee break once in awhile as he was absent one time we rode).

And I'm not really comparing it to other rides with the intent of saying its better or worse. I'm only saying that Disney really should have put more into the pieces that surround the ride itself, like they have done with many other significant rides in the past. If they had done that, it would make Soarin' so much better, even for those who already enjoy it.

 

[Carl]

I don't remember "Puddy." What or who is that? I do love Soaring - but I always got a fast pass and rode it in about 20 minutes. As many of you say, I won't wait over 40 minutes for anything. That is why I don't like Universal Studios.

 

[Noelle]

I don't remember "Puddy." What or who is that?

While you wait in the line to get in, there's movie that tells you the rules about buckling up and storing your belongings. It's starring Puddy from Seinfeld. But you probably would know him more as the voice of Kronk.

I love Soaring only because I'm a Californian. I've been to all of the places they show and they truly are great. I always get emotional when I see the end where Disneyland is all decorated for Xmas. Just reminds me about the beautiful parts of California that are easy to forget living in Los Angeles.

 

[DVD CM]

I'm afraid I fall into the "don't see why it's so popular" group. Not that I HATE it or anything, I've ridden the DCA version many times - and while it was "neat" the first time, it got to be a "don't need to" attraction pretty quickly. I tell my wife it's like being on a swingset in a movie theater.

I do love the soundtrack and being a native SoCal seeing our state whiz by on a big screen is kinda fun - I always get a little kick out of seeing Palm Springs (I love Palm Springs! ) and having the golf ball whoosh by - and the Yosemite hang gliding shot is cool when you look down and see the Ahwahnee Hotel below - but it's all sort of based on familiarity for me, San Diego, orange groves, LA freeways (I see everyday).

Perhaps if there were multiple programs - "Now showing in Concourse A - Peoria, Illinois" bad example perhaps it could liven things up a bit. But when the film shows grain, dust, hair or dirt - it completely pulls you out of the experience. And if you get unlucky and end up "at the bottom" you spend most of the show looking at shoes dangling in front of the image - or if you're too far to the right or left it's kind of a drag too.

I dunno. It's just OK. The music is great though and it is a nice respite from walking - but I certainly don't queue up and wait a long while for 5 minutes of "swingset in a movie theater".

Now if you add 3D to the mix - maybe, just maybe . . . .

 

[cabanafrau]

Heard so much about this one, we were thrilled to be able to ride (twice!) & prepared to feel the letdown of something that can't possibly live up to the hype. So happy to say that we all found it exhilarating!

Okay, maybe it is IMAX w/ a swingset and we're an easy audience, but I loved a ride that worked for all of us & showed us things we've seen & things we haven't & never will, all in ways we probably wouldn't experience them if we were to visit each and every one. (Maybe it's a good thing I didn't decide to be an English major after all!)