Will the Soarin movie ever change?

[Mac4life30]

I heard rumors a while back that Disney was working on this.

 

[skiingfast]

Rumor. There is no plan for this to happen. Eventually it's likely, 5, 10, 15 years in the future, who knows we are still watching Captain EO and Muppets.

 

[OKW Lover]

Yes, I'm sure it will change sometime. But I doubt its in the near future. With the attraction being near the top of those with long wait times its obviously a major draw as is. Can't see Disney spending money on a new film until attendance drops off quite a bit.

 

[Geodesic]

As refurbishments go, this would be such an easy one. Disney really should update their movies more often. (Although I can see why they don't because it's unlikely that it would lead to increased profit.)

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

As refurbishments go, this would be such an easy one. Disney really should update their movies more often. (Although I can see why they don't because it's unlikely that it would lead to increased profit.)

I'm not sure it would really be that "easy" to update Soarin' -- especially if the goal is to make something that's better than the current film and score.

In the current version, made for Disney California Adventure, the carefully filmed scenes of California and the magnificent score by Jerry Goldsmith work together brilliantly. The film's scenes emphasize cliffs, valleys, mountains, coastline, and other geographic features of California. But ultimately, the film is not really about California. It's about a wide a variety of environments (which just happen to be in California).

Making sequel that exceeds the original would be no easy task.

I'm looking forward to when the current IMAX projection can be be replaced by brighter, clearer, sharper digital projection with no scratches, dust, and wear.

 

[ChrisFL]

As refurbishments go, this would be such an easy one. Disney really should update their movies more often. (Although I can see why they don't because it's unlikely that it would lead to increased profit.)

you know what would be easier? Updating the circa 1987 Norway movie, which is nothing more than a large format standard film....but has it happened? Nope.

I bet $2000 worth of camera gear on a weekend trip to Oslo could get enough of the film updated so it didn't look so old, but they haven't done it.

 

[DizCaptain]

you know what would be easier? Updating the circa 1987 Norway movie, which is nothing more than a large format standard film....but has it happened? Nope.

I bet $2000 worth of camera gear on a weekend trip to Oslo could get enough of the film updated so it didn't look so old, but they haven't done it.

They don't even run that movie strictly anymore. Doors are always open since most people aren't keen on being herded after a ride to watch a movie and shop before you can exit. If they were to update it and make it optional with another path to let people skip it so they don't walk through while others are viewing it would probably be worlds better.

 

[ChrisFL]

They don't even run that movie strictly anymore. Doors are always open since most people aren't keen on being herded after a ride to watch a movie and shop before you can exit. If they were to update it and make it optional with another path to let people skip it so they don't walk through while others are viewing it would probably be worlds better.

Worlds better: Abandon the post-ride movie and put up flat screens in the queue with updated bits of the movie instead.

As queues go, its already very dull until you get to the loading area.

 

[Mac4life30]

If the movie does change I hope they keep the musical score.

 

[MouseyMin]

you know what would be easier? Updating the circa 1987 Norway movie, which is nothing more than a large format standard film....but has it happened? Nope.

I bet $2000 worth of camera gear on a weekend trip to Oslo could get enough of the film updated so it didn't look so old, but they haven't done it.

I usually watch this movie once per trip and always look for a certain scene with people using computers. They look like they belong in the Smithsonian!!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Back to Soarin..

They are already Soarin over "California", so just redoing that would make very little sense. They would have to Soar somewhere else for a legitimate update--but where???

To Soar over the entire U.S. would be great--but again, which features do you Soar over??

Would doubtless result in a longer movie, which would only add to the already long wait times. And cost a lot of $$$$ to make.

So I guess I'm saying--don't hold your breath for any update. As OKW Lover suggests, it is still wildly popular as is..

 

[johnGorski]

I have heard Soarin' over the world is in the works, if they film it in 3D that would be even better.


State of CA did well a free 5 min ad of there state.

 

[Faldred]

I've said this before, but I think what they've done with Star Tours is the general foundation of how they can keep certain rides "fresh" for repeat guests. That is, have multiple "branch" points in the film, each with a variety of options that is randomly selected for each ride.

And it's quite possible to do, though it will take some work. First and foremost, they'll need to switch from film to digital projection. They'll need to sync up appropriate ride movements and musical score to make the transitions seamless. And they'll have to rework the ride control systems to account for the various options rather than a set script.

But it can be done, and once done, it should be far simpler to add to the available options as it was to put the system in in the first place.

 

[Andy713]

I too would love to see a new film created for EPCOT using updated digital projection technology. I like the idea of multiple versions to keep it fresh and random. I've always thought the various landscapes found throughout the globe would be a suitable replacement. All the footage the Disney company has accumulated filming nature and wildlife features would serve well towards that end. At least the cost of development should be reduced. Just my opinion based on wishful thinking.

 

[pilferk]

Heck, I'd be happy if they'd just get new PRINTS of the existing film. It's starting to show it's age.

 

[Andy713]

You would think it would be one of the least expensive upgrades they can do, and combined with what should be a quick turnaround time, seems like a great opportunity to do "something" in a part that desperately (front half) needs it. I just think that Soarin' offers up so many possibilities that it's hard to imagine that Disney, of all entities, hasn't taken advantage of them. It's overdue for an upgrade and all I can do is hope that they've got something in the works.

 

[Disco]

I think the Cali motif fly over’s are dull. "Ohh, a golf course, wow..."
Compared to what a world fly over could offer it is just sad. Palm springs flyby or the Great Pyramids and Sphinx? Napa valley or the floating mountains in China?
There are maybe a couple cuts in the current film that can stay like Disney Land and maybe the Golden Gate or Yosemite. The rest of it is just not impressive.
I despise the lack of segue or transition effects in the current film too. It just cuts from scene to scene. It's like a 10 year old put it together. When they put the WDW Saorin in I thought the CA film was going to be temporary until they put a real worldwide based movie in.
A digital 3D film may seem cliché at this point but it is the bare minimum this ride needs to stay relevant. The multiple paths directions and outcomes mirrors the Star Wars ride a lot too but it would be ten times more effective with the large immersive screen and swaying ride mechanics of Soarin.
I still ride Soarin every time I go but seeing a stupid big CA add is just annoying.

 

[Andy713]

^ I agree that the whole California thing seemed to be a temporary thing at worst. Soarin over world, around the world, Disney World, all the possibilities seemed endless. I understand the problems down time could cause, but it should've never been an issue. It should've been created with it's own unique film to begin with. It's just one of the easier things (I'm guessing) that could be updated. A bit frustrating, but I still ride it...

 

[Figment632]

I would be happy if they just cleaned the current film!

 

[doconeill]

I think it will get updated...as soon as digital projection technology reaches the resolution required and at the price point to make Disney jump on it (or the current system completely fails and forces them to do it sooner).

Soarin' uses an IMAX Dome (nee Omnimax) projection system, a modified version of IMAX. The effective resolution of IMAX film is quite high - still significantly higher than digital projection systems (even "Digital IMAX" isn't nearly as good as the film). It's getting closer, and they may have it within a year or two.