Wierd Soarin' question

[Kristina]

I wonder if anyone can help me with some exact information regarding Soarin' and how high row three actually goes up? When we traveled to WDW last year I was really looking forward to riding but then panic set in and I had to be released from the ride twice just before take off! I can ride everything else except extreme rollercoasters but something about the way you are seated in Soarin' made me feel insecure even though I truely know that I wouldn't fall out!

Now here's the wierd bit. The way my mind works, I know I could ride without a problem if I Knew exactly how high row 3 goes. See because if I did manage to fall ( or jump because it was just too scary! ) and it wasn't so high that I would die or even break many bones, then problem solved, panic attack over ! Then I am even certain that I could most likely ride in the other rows because the fear that I have, is of the panic attack itself and hopefully that would be sorted after riding once.

So if anyone knows for sure, or cares to ask a CM on a upcoming trip, I'd be really grateful! I've done lots of searches for the information but can't find it anywhere, other that it doesn't go up as high as the others.

Thanks!

 

[Thierry444]

I know higher row is 40 feet up. I suppose lower one can't be less than 30 feet up... hope you won't have to jump !!

 

[DLANGE3386]

I believe row 3 only goes up 10 feet and I thought row 1 went up 30 ft.brave it and try it -it is worth it!! and I hate roller coasters and rides with big drops

 

[ReninDetroit]

It's only about ten or twelve feet. The thing is, when you're lifted up, you're going much more forward than you're going up, and what confuses people is that if you look down there's a large empty space because you enter on what is essentially the balcony (the 'floor' where you board is probably 25 feet above the bottom of the screen).

The last row is the only row that does not entirely go past the balcony boarding floor. Only about a foot of the third row is over the empty space, while the back 2 or so feet are still directly above the boarding floor.

SO:

While you are probably 20-25 feet above the actual ground (as in the bottom of the screen), you are only 5-8 feet above the balcony ground. If you're on or close to the edge of one of the hang gliders in the third row, look off to the side. You'll see that you're practically half on the ground and half off the ground because of the way the balcony is structured.

I hope this isn't too confusing.

So in terms of feeling safe, you could theoretically jump off the third row (if you're near an edge) and land very safely on the balcony, because it's only a short jump. (On the other hand, if you jumped forward and towards the bottom of the screen you may not make it. But you would never do that anyway).

 

[Robo]

At Soarin', we were in line behind a group with a member (30ish woman) who had nearly "passed out" riding Peter Pan (seriously).

As we were queued up in the pre-board area, she kept raving on and on to the rest of her party that she couldn't do it.

The more they begged her to calm down, the more she raved.

Well, this story is not going the direction you'd expect (where she went on the ride and LOVED it...)

Someone else in the queue (I wish it had been me) got tired or her hysterics and told her she did not HAVE to ride.
She could simply exit and wait for her party in the hallway for 5 minutes.
And, though the rest of her group protested, that's what she did.

So the rest of us got to ride Soarin' without listening to her shrieks of panic.

If you can't convince yourself that nobody has fallen out yet (out of the countless millions upon millions who have ridden (in Florida and in California) then a couple of facts about 5 feet, 10 feet, 30 feet probably won't help.

Try Peter Pan in MK.
If you survive, Soarin' can be in your future!

 

[laura001]

Why not ask to be on the bottom row, I am sure they will accomodate you?

 

[goofy4tink]

At Soarin', we were in line behind a group with a member (30ish woman) who had nearly "passed out" riding Peter Pan (seriously).

As we were queued up in the pre-board area, she kept raving on and on to the rest of her party that she couldn't do it.

The more they begged her to calm down, the more she raved.

Well, this story is not going the direction you'd expect (where she went on the ride and LOVED it...)

Someone else in the queue (I wish it had been me) got tired or her hysterics and told her she did not HAVE to ride.
She could simply exit and wait for her party in the hallway for 5 minutes.
And, though the rest of her group protested, that's what she did.

So the rest of us got to ride Soarin' without listening to her shrieks of panic.

If you can't convince yourself that nobody has fallen out yet (out of the countless millions upon millions who have ridden (in Florida and in California) then a couple of facts about 5 feet, 10 feet, 30 feet probably won't help.

Try Peter Pan in MK.
If you survive, Soarin' can be in your future!

Funny...I had the exact same experience last June. One lady was a basket case about Soarin'...everyone told her it was no big deal, but she just wasn't buying it. A CM finally told her the way out since she just couldn't ride.

As for the OP...I have a severe fear of heights..I get to about 15' up and I'm in freeze mode. But, I love Soarin'. The one thing I will recommend you do, and I do it myself, is to hold onto that strappie thing that the kids can put between their legs. I didn't want to go so far as to actually loop it onto the seat belt ( I know that would have mortified my dd!!), but I do grasp hold of it each and every time I do the attraction!!!
Try it...you'll like it a lot. It's one of my favorite attractions now, and I wish it was longer than it is. Good luck.

 

[Robo]

Here's the thing about irrational fear...
no LOGIC (such as number of feet above the ground) will satisfy most phobics.

The person must change her/his own mind internally.

When we took our five-year-old nephew to ride Splash Mtn. in DL for the first time, he started to cry in the queue (before FP and the wait was a couple of HOURS!) He said he didn't WANT to go UNDER WATER (the logs look like they do when they come down the big drop).

No amount of talking and explaining would change his mind.
So I tried this:

We looked for IDENTIFIABLE groups (red hair/cartoons on shirt) with small kids just going into the ride.

Then we watched and waited for them to come OUT after the ride.
When he saw that those kids were happy, laughing (and not DRENCHED), he decided it would be OK.

And, of course, he LOVED it... and has ever since (he's now 22 years old).

So if you FEAR what MIGHT happen in Soarin' (or any ride) make the trip to the ride's EXIT area (Soarin's is near the FP machines) and just EVESDROP on the folks leaving.
(Notice how many just go directly to the FP machines to try to "do it again".)

Pay special attention to folks who "look like you" and see if they look happy or frightend after the trip.

Then decide if you can DO IT... or always wonder why you didn't.

(Please mail 25 cents to me for this valuable lesson in psychology.)

 

[bleeps]

Hey Robo -- lots of good, solid, advice (even if we didn't have to pay you for it ).

As a 'fraidy cat myself, I did request the last row in Soarin' the first time I rode it. I DID put the between-the-legs-kid-strap on because, to your point, it just made me think I was safer. I held on to the arm rest on either side. And, thank God for those great people he puts next to us when we need it, I LISTENED to the grandfatherly gentleman next to me who told me I needed to open my eyes -- he kept pointing out neat things to watch for. I had been keeping my fears to myself, but he happened to ask me before the ride started if I'd it was my first experience (hmmm, maybe he saw me using the kid strap ) and because it's his favorite ride he wanted it to me mine, too.

DH and DS were thrilled when, after my first good experience, I was willing to take whatever row we got. I still close my eyes during "lift-off," but I'm wide open and delighted for the rest of the trip.

It is that combination of making up your mind and making your own decisions -- and allowing yoruself to have fun if you're willing to take the risk....

 

[rigs32]

Dh and I rode it at DCA and were in the 3rd row. I was disappointed in that I could clearly see the ground below me and we were only a couple feet up.

 

[jann1033]

if it really scares you don't do it...wdw is supposed to be fun, ( why i don't do coasters where you stand up or where your feet are dangling, not worth the anxiety for me..)

however, if you really "want" to ( having not ridden it yet this may not helpbut ) just look at the screen and don't look down ( the only way i can get on an outside coaster) from what some have said here jumping off doesn't really sound like an option. sometimes if you can distract yourself untill the ride gets underway you get absorbed in it and can do it. usually there are lots of things to look at while waiting, just don't allow your self to think about it, push it out of your mind. don't look down when it takes off ( like i don't watch the door close at ms and probably will do this at soaring...at least once as since it doesn't loop i might be able to handle my feet not attached to anything) try the back row first and maybe move forward next time if that is ok.( my plan) I do have a lot of phobias and probably would never do anything unless i made myself but utimately only you know what you can handle and not handle

and if it makes you feel better some phobias are not just all in your head, they are due to having something different with your inner ear. so if you can't do it, it doesn't make you a wimp and no need to feel embarrassed by it.

 

[lisajl]

Soarin in a wonderful ride. I sure hope you can work through it.

My DS, 8, loved the ride. His fave part was the hikers on the mountain...he pretended to kick them off with his feet.
Maybe if you keep looking forward and not down that will help? Just a thought.
Lisa

 

[Robo]

just look at the screen and don't look down

That's fine, except the FILM is "looking down" for you.

You are, much of the time, PHYSICALLY much closer to the (real) theater floor than the views ("just a movie") you are seeing ON-SCREEN... that's what Soarin' is all about.

Phobias are a "Simulated" fear (imagined danger creating a "real" emotional reaction.)

Rides like Soarin' are "Simulated" experiences (illusional environments creating a "real" emotional reaction.)

So if you want to challenge your own fears, you can do it in relative safety on these rides.

Its always up to the individual.

 

[jann1033]

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Fears, Phobias, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders

The inner-ear origin of fears, phobias, mood, panic, and obsessive/compulsive disorders was discovered by "accident." Patients with dyslexia or ADD responding favorably to inner-ear-improving medications reported to Dr. Levinson that their fears, phobias, mood, and anxiety symptoms either significantly improved or disappeared as did their dyslexic and ADD symptoms.

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sorry i'm baby sitting and it took me a while to look this up.. strange but true!

 

[Robo]

Jann, I'm not disputing your "inner-ear" connection to certain phobias.

I was specifically commenting about the "don't look down" plan.

If someone wants to say that they have an "inner ear condition" and can't ride "X attraction" its certainly OK with me.

The "doctor's note" is a time-honored tradition.

 

[DisneyWorldWisher]

I've got a weird question about Soarin' too. (sorry to thread hijack)

Can someone just please answer if Soarin' is like O' Canada! ?
I told a friend of mine about Soarin' and he says he was on it, but I told him he couldn't have been (he went in 1992). So then he realised he actually on O' Canada.
How similar are the two?

 

[Robo]

I've got a weird question about Soarin' too. (sorry to thread hijack)

Can someone just please answer if Soarin' is like O' Canada! ?
I told a friend of mine about Soarin' and he says he was on it, but I told him he couldn't have been (he went in 1992). So then he realised he actually on O' Canada.
How similar are the two?

About as similar as Innoventions and Test Track.

Soarin' is a hang-glider simulator that you ride on, O Canada is a CirecleVision 360 movie that you stand and watch.

BTW, the Soarin' theater building sits almost directly BEHIND/NEXT TO the O Canada theater, but you enter Soarin' from FW (The Land) and you enter O Canada from WS.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

If you have a fear of falling, could you pretend you are a "smaller aviator" and use the crotch strap for an extra sense of security?

 

[SueM in MN]

I've got a weird question about Soarin' too. (sorry to thread hijack)

Can someone just please answer if Soarin' is like O' Canada! ?
I told a friend of mine about Soarin' and he says he was on it, but I told him he couldn't have been (he went in 1992). So then he realised he actually on O' Canada.
How similar are the two?

The "how" you watch them is very different (Soarin' = hang glider simulation, O Canada = stand on floor in a theater).
The "what" you are watching has some similarities though. In both, you are watching a movie that continues beyong your field of view. In Soarin', it's a very large screen with no seams, where if you look straight ahead, you can't really see the edge of the screen at all, just the scene. For any of the circlevision movies, the top and bottom of the screen are always visible to you, but the scene continues around you to the sides. So, both attractions are pretty immersive. (Although O Canada is obviously much less immersive. The movie was shot with nine separate cameras and is viewed on 9 separate screen that are lined up to make a circle around you, so the "seams" between the screens are visible.)

I wouldn't say they are as much the same as Haunted Mansion and Test Track (although I might say they are as much the same as Test Track and the Autopia in MK.)

 

[SueM in MN]

If you have a fear of falling, could you pretend you are a "smaller aviator" and use the crotch strap for an extra sense of security?

We actually did use it for my youngest DD who is an adult, but is disabled. I did see several adults using it, so I don't think doing that is all that unusual.

One of our "trips" on Soarin' was the first trip for one member of our party, a kind of macho looking guy - 6 feet tall and about 220 pounds. After we finished he confided that during the takeoff, he realized he and the stranger next to him (another macho looking guy about the same size) were holding hands. Once we took off, they were both OK (but a little embarrased).