Why is Soarin' so popular?

[Commando2319]

Ok. So after 3 trips to Disney World, I had never been on Soarin'. So I made it my mission to go on it this trip. And I finally did. And my feelings toward it...

eh.

It was ok. Kinda relaxing. But did not match the hype at all. It was not groundbreaking. Nothing special. And not worth more than a 15 minute wait to me.

So I am wondering to all the Soarin' fans out there, what makes it so wonderful and special? Why is the long so long and fastpasses so sought after?

(sorry to Soarin' lovers, not trying to hate. Just understand.)

 

[swald91]

It's just different. I love it, been on it alot so if I miss it -no big deal, but definitely something everyone should try at least once! (If they can)

 

[stitch09]

We absolutely love it! I think it just has to do with the experience as a whole- the sights are really cool, the smells are awesome, and the music is amazing- some of my favorite attraction music at Disney! Plus the preshow is just hilarious to us ("nice work pal!" ). I just love the feeling of my feel dangling- not to mention it's a nice break off the feet. That's why we love Soarin and do it multiple times a trip- FPs and RDs. I would probably place it second for my favorite ride at Disney- after EE, of course.

 

[whacked]

Some people like flying, some are terrified by it.

I love flying light aircraft. Soarin' is the closest sensation to flying light aircraft. I love this ride.

As with most of the rides in the park, some like it, some hate it.

I don't like the Astro Orbiter or Stitch much. Others do.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[LaurenT]

With a nic like commando, soarin' may just be too laid back for you!

 

[plutosgirl]

One of my favorites!! I could ride it over and over. I love big thrill rides so maybe because this is so opposite that with the smooth flying, pretty scenes, the wonderful smells and the cool air blowing in my face it just makes me smile!

I cannot wait to ride it again this year!

 

[Robo]

It's not a coaster or thrill ride, so many more guests can share in the exhilarating flying experience without fear of "coaster anxiety" that many guests feel on the more intense attractions.

Also, thousands of people pay a good price for a ticket just to see a "traditional" (not-motion theater) OmniMax film in other places around the world.

This one takes on the added dimension of synchronized motion, "wind" and aroma to match the image.

And, the musical score was composed by one of the true giants of film music, the late Jerry Goldsmith.

Overall, Soarin' is a magnificently-created adventure!

 

[jtopp]

Probably the most relaxing attraction at WDW! It attacks all your senses quietly, and immerses you in the experience. All they have to do now is come up with varied locations, i.e. soarin over America, Soarin over Europe, etc.

 

[1153rsmith]

It is relaxing and probably the closest I will ever come to hangliding. I love the smells, the sounds, the breeze.... everything about it. So far, I have been fortunate enough to only ride on the front row, so I have never had anyone's feet dangling in my line of site. It is just like I would imagine it to be if I were a bird.

I am not a coaster fan, so this is right up my ally. Plus, as a PP said, it gives your feet a nice break for a few minutes.

 

[kaybird]

Also remember that is is an "Across the board" favorite. Most people of all ages can ride it, so the ones who like Mission space are also riding as well as the ones from Nemo. Great family style rides that the whole group enjoys and is a "little" exciting are always going to remain popular.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Well, I don't find it relaxing at all... but I have a fear of heights.. When the seats tilt forward (like when going down toward the river, and the beach), it really makes me nervous. I hold on tight and will have one of my arms over DS4.

But... in 2 trips to WDW, I've been on Soarin about 6 or 7 times. Why? I just like it, it's thrilling... I like how it feels like I'm really soaring in the air... (I also kind of don't like the fear that goes with that!)

I do wish that the scenes were longer before changing.... It would also be fun if there were different scenes that were longer... like a 10-15 minute ride that is ONLY hangliding over the ocean... or on a river... etc...

It would also be fun if WDW had some other similar motion simulation rides.. like the old films I remember where a camera was put on the front of a roller coaster and you watch that film, it feels like I'm really on a roller coaster. ... I guess that's the sum of all thrills experience I have not tried yet.

I'm also hoping to try mission space but don't want to get sick/puke like many people do. I suppose I'll try that one on an empty stomach!!!!

 

[jkluttrell]

Because it is AWESOME!!!

It was my favorite ride I rode while there.

 

[bdkane]

I think what I like about it is that its just so different from any other simulator, its definetly not a "thrill" ride but I feel its worth doing at least once - on every trip!

 

[RMulieri]

I agree with you OP.It is kind of neat, but I guess listening to all the hype on the boards and from family members that rode when it opened, I was expecting something phenomenal.I like it well enough, but never enough to wait for it, and certainly not more than 20 mins.

 

[gibbersome]

Ok. So after 3 trips to Disney World, I had never been on Soarin'. So I made it my mission to go on it this trip. And I finally did. And my feelings toward it...

eh.

It was ok. Kinda relaxing. But did not match the hype at all. It was not groundbreaking. Nothing special. And not worth more than a 15 minute wait to me.

So I am wondering to all the Soarin' fans out there, what makes it so wonderful and special? Why is the long so long and fastpasses so sought after?

(sorry to Soarin' lovers, not trying to hate. Just understand.)

We did it twice, once with our shoes on and we were on the bottom row, towards the far left side. The second time we took our shoes and socks off and were lucky enough to be on the very top, towards the middle.

It was much more enjoyable the second time round, but we're not in a hurry to do it again. I guess it's popular because it's an attraction that people of every age group can enjoy.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Why is Paris Hilton a celebrity? Unfortunately, sometimes we put things on a pedastal simply because we're told to.

 

[holleypie]

I understand its appeal--not too intense, family can all do it together, etc--but the long wait times really turn me off. It's like when a friend talks up a movie so much that by the time you finally see it, there's no way it can live up to the hype. If it was always a walk-on, I would probably like Soarin'. But with a 45 minute wait or a mad dash to the fast pass machine, I don't think it's worth the effort.

Plus I hate looking at people's dangling feet!

 

[sam_gordon]

A simple improvement I'd like to see (actually feel)... put misters on the ride so when you're over the ocean/beach/river, you can "feel" the spray from the water.

 

[Sassagoula Billy]

Can we ixnay the Why are Soarin' and Toy Story Mania so popular threads? The whole family can ride them, they're the newest additions to their respective parks (what else has MGM or Epcot done lately for the whole family? Gran Fiesta Tour? Nemo and Friends? High School Musical Rocks Disney Channel Teen Hoedown?)

They're popular because they work. Like "Phantom of the Opera", I don't understand it. But it just is.

 

[AdventureLover67]

It's funny because I don't know WHY I love it so much but I really, really do!!