The Disney Attractions Discussion Series: Soarin'

[snowbot]

<b>The Disney Attractions Discussion Series
Part One - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6648" target="_blank">Space Mountain</a>
Part Two - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6699" target="_blank">Peter Pan's Flight</a>
Part Three - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6739" target="_blank">Pirates of the Caribbean</a>
Part Four - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6774" target="_blank">Tom Sawyer's Island</a>
Part Five - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6828" target="_blank">It's A Small World</a>
Part Six - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6903" target="_blank">Star Tours</a>
Part Seven - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=7004" target="_blank">Splash Mountain</a>
Part Eight - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=7183" target="_blank">Mr Toad's Wild Ride</a>
Part Nine - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=7388" target="_blank">The Haunted Mansion</a>
Part Ten - Soarin'</b>



<b>Statistics</b>
*<i>Soarin' Over California</i> debuted in Disney's California Adventure on 8 February 2001.
*<i>Soarin'</i> opened in EPCOT on 5 May 2005.
*The pre-boarding film is hosted by actor Patrick Warburton, and the score for the ride was composed by Jerry Goldsmith.

[snowbot]

Well, after a year of silence, the time has come to revisit the Disney Attractions Discussion Series!

I experienced <i>Soarin'</i> for the first time last month, and it was great! It has become one of the most popular attractions at WDW. I had to spend an hour and a half waiting in line as I was too late to get a FASTPASS.

Anyway, this ride is really fantastic! It's a relaxing yet invigorating experience in which you "hang-glide" over various scenes from California, like Napa Valley, San Francisco, and even Disneyland! It's a realistic and well-done ride that anyone can enjoy.

Has anyone else ridden <i>Soarin'</i> in EPCOT, or its Disneyland counterpart?

[BrandonH]

I enjoy Soarin' at Disneyland quite a bit. It's not worth waiting a long time for, but with Fastpass, you don't have to. It makes for a welcome break from the heat of the day, and it is quite an experience to soar above the ground, even in a simulator.

[Disney Princess Ariellen]

Wonderful ride; so original and well-done. And I LOVE that music.

I rode Soarin' Over California at DCA for the first time in February 2005, and the Epcot Soarin' many times while in WDW on the College Program. One of my friends and I once got to Epcot at rope drop to ride the first flight of the day.

I have a Tell-A-Cast with some trivia about the filming of the scene with the planes; I'll share it here when I find it.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Welcome back snowbot! Nice to see ya around, along with this old thread series!

As for me, it's okay. I love the score, but other than that, it's overrated.

I just find the idea boring, you get to fly all over California. Now I understand why it would appeal to someone, but living in California for 12 years, I've already experienced most of those places in real life. Plus I didn't care for all the smells.

For some reason, if this wasn't Disney, I can't imagine many people loving it that much.

But I still kinda like it. In fact, my uncle designed the lines for the California version and (I would assume) the Florida version(my uncle's an imaginear).

I also know where you can find 3 hidden Mickeys on the ride.

[Disney Princess Ariellen]

But I still kinda like it. In fact, my uncle designed the lines for the California version and (I would assume) the Florida version(my uncle's an imaginear).

I also know where you can find 3 hidden Mickeys on the ride.

Your uncle is an Imagineer? That's AWESOME!

Ooh, hidden Mickeys...what sequences should one look for them? I've only seen what's probably the most obvious.

Oh, and here's the Soarin' fun fact one of my friends and former coworkers sent to me:

The fighter jets that make an appearance during Soarin's Anza-Borrego Desert State Park film scene are part of the United States Air Force's popular air demonstration squadron, the Thunderbirds.

The scene required careful chartering of the flight paths for the jets and the helicopter film crew. The jets travel so fast that they would not be able to see the helicopter in time to avoid intercepting its flight path.

The helicopter departed only a few miles from the filming location while the Thunderbirds took off from Nellis Air Force base, near Las Vegas, more than 200 miles away.

[Kram Nebuer]

Cool facts, DPA! Thank goodness they choreographed the flight plane, or we probably wouldn't have this great attraction!

I have had the priveledge to ride both versions and they're not really that different. We Fastpassed the DCA one, so I don't know how the line was like except for the loading area. The Epcot line is a pain in the butt because everyone's crammed in and the one part with the wall is annoying for curious people, lol. You're so anxious to figure out what's on the other side (I think its Fastpass), lol, or maybe its just me.

I liked this attraction and thought it was unique, though there are a few bits that they need to fix. The screen should be bigger or the way the gliders hang over them should be adjusted since it was a little bothersome to see where the screen ends.

I think Soaring over California is a fun experience. My favorite part was at the golf course since it looked like we were going to crash, hehehe. But for Epcot, the shortened "Soarin'" title seems to imply that its not over California. I hope they make a new film or even better, make multiple films! Like Soarin' over the real countries in which Epcot represents or Swimming through the Living Seas or a Return to Inner Space or anything else that can apply to future world. Soarin's through time would be cool too!

[The Little Merman]

Like Kram mentioned, I believe they should have multiple videos, and have them change every other time for a new experience, such as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

*tlm

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Your uncle is an Imagineer? That's AWESOME!

Ooh, hidden Mickeys...what sequences should one look for them? I've only seen what's probably the most obvious.

Thanks!

As for hidden Mickeys, I actually forgot one, but I know where the other two are.

One of them can be found on the fireworks(the most obvious one) while the other one can be found on the golf ball flying at you.

Like Kram mentioned, I believe they should have multiple videos, and have them change every other time for a new experience, such as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

That would be awesome. I wish they would do that for Star Tours as well!!!

However, mulitple shows take time and money. How much? Too much for Disney, as history often proves.

[Disney Princess Ariellen]

I have had the priveledge to ride both versions and they're not really that different. We Fastpassed the DCA one, so I don't know how the line was like except for the loading area. The Epcot line is a pain in the butt because everyone's crammed in and the one part with the wall is annoying for curious people, lol. You're so anxious to figure out what's on the other side (I think its Fastpass), lol, or maybe its just me.

Oh my GOSH, yes...that's the only thing I don't like about the attraction at Epcot...it pretty much ate the Land pavilion; that used to be such a nice, quiet, relaxing place...and now it's always mobbed with Soarin' riders and FastPassers. Ah well; it is a unique, impressive ride, especially in the front row.

You're right, they're certainly not that different...the only thing I noticed was that...the name and the logo are different. I am pretty sure that Patrick Warburton's safety video is the same one with the words 'Over California' edited out...the part where he is in with the riders and instructing them are identical...it's fun at Epcot to read the kid's t-shirt that says "Disneyland."

Oh, and FYI...the queue area at DCA has a history of aviation theme. I stand-by rode it last year. (The park had just opened, so it wasn't a bad wait.)

But for Epcot, the shortened "Soarin'" title seems to imply that its not over California. I hope they make a new film or even better, make multiple films! Like Soarin' over the real countries in which Epcot represents or Swimming through the Living Seas or a Return to Inner Space or anything else that can apply to future world. Soarin's through time would be cool too!

Wouldn't it be? While I was down there I heard several people speculating that that could be part of the reason they shortened the name at Epcot. Nothing official or from anyone in Imagineering, but the proverbial 'buzz' at least HOPES that this could mean a new movie for the ride after the Happiest Celebration on Earth ends.

Has anyone else ever been on the ride at Epcot and had a ton of people yell out "YAY DISNEY WORLD!!!!" at the end? My friends and I liked to cheer on Disneyland really loudly to help people be less confused.

[Disney Princess Ariellen]

As for hidden Mickeys, I actually forgot one, but I know where the other two are.

One of them can be found on the fireworks(the most obvious one) while the other one can be found on the golf ball flying at you.

THAT'S right! I have seen the one on the golf ball in addition to the fireworks one; I forgot. Let us know if you remember the third!

That would be awesome. I wish they would do that for Star Tours as well!!!

However, mulitple shows take time and money. How much? Too much for Disney, as history often proves.

Well...George Lucas is a big Disney fan who grew up going to Disneyland...and Star Wars Weekends are a HUGE event at MGM...and we have new people in top seats at Disney...I actually have hope for a revamped Star Tours someday. Never know!

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Since we're talking about the names, here's some trivia for ya:
The original name for "Soarin' Over California" was going to be "Ultra-Flight", but they changed it since it sounded to scary.

I learned that from my uncle.

Well...George Lucas is a big Disney fan who grew up going to Disneyland...and Star Wars Weekends are a HUGE event at MGM...and we have new people in top seats at Disney...I actually have hope for a revamped Star Tours someday. Never know!

Yeah, I'm sure they will change Star Tours. With Eisner now gone, Lucas actually has now plans to change Star Tours, though it probably won't be anytime around this year.

I wish they could make it a "new ride" which ever one you ride though. That will probably not happen though.

Just the same, I'd love to see a new version someday.

[Escapay]

I remember hearing rumors about Lucas wanting to update the Star Tours video, or do a new one from scratch, that would include ships seen in the prequels.

As for the cheering thing during the Disneyland segment in Soarin', DPA, yeah, my friends and I would always cheer when it came up (despite it being DL and not MK, lol).

Escapay

[Loomis]

Woo! The return of the Discussion Series!

Soarin' is definitely one of the highlights of DCA. After a few moments, any suggestion that the experience is "fake" goes out the window. It truly feels real. Even my thrill-ride shy girlfriend thought it was one of the best attractions in the park.

Plus, it was a cheap way to see more of the fine state of California!

It was only spoiled slightly for me by the loud (Australian!) family who kept mocking the thing. I suspect it was nervous mocking

[Disney-Fan]

Sadly, I've never experienced this ride. Hopefully I'll have a chance to visit Disney World by the end of next year, so it will be the first on my to-do list!

[I am the Doctor]

I enjoyed Soarin' when I visited Disneyland last year. I will admit I did enjoy the experience much more when I was in the front row (or when the ride starts, the top row). No dangling feet about you to distract your view! Definitely the highlight of DCA, along with the Tower of Terror.

[AwallaceUNC]

Welcome back, snobot! Hooray!

I've experienced Soarin' once (at Epcot, where it's a great fit) and I loved it. As others have said, it feels very real and they definitely pull it off. There are a few things that I wish could have been better addressed (screen size, dangling feet, and load capacity, though the latter is probably an unreasonable request), but all in all, it's very impressive. The new Land Pavilion just dazzles, and I think we can all thank Soarin' for the pavilion's face-lift. The airport queue is very cool, despite theming complaints that others have had. Let's just hope that the crowd situation gets under control in time.

-Aaron

[JEANYLASER]

i love this ride because it is so cool in the end disneyland i wish epcot will be the end of the ride. i love this ride. A perfect 10.:mickey::ears:

[Fidget1234]

But I still kinda like it. In fact, my uncle designed the lines for the California version and (I would assume) the Florida version(my uncle's an imaginear).

I also know where you can find 3 hidden Mickeys on the ride.

My moms fiance is a retired imagineer for WDW too. He helped out on some of the attractions @ Studios/DAK. He's so awesome, not only imagineering- but he was also the "voice" for WDW for 17 years til 2001. If you were in the parks/around wdw from 1984-2001 u def heard his voice for the monorail, opening/closing announcements, emergancy announcements, thunder mtn narrated speil (that 'Howdy Folks' guy)...pretty much anything that was in english on a recorded narration/speil. & he voiced for Mickey & Goofy for tv/radio spots during that time too. Once 9/11 hit, he was laid off & then told after 17 years of service, he had to audition for his own role once they were hiring in publicity entertainment again... i woulda passed on that too if it were me, he had a good run.

As for the hidden mickeys- i found one (maybe 2?)
the golf ball, and the parade at the end sequence of Disneyland. That parade one was a maybe- u can easily see him,so it might not be a hidden mickey.

Oh yeah- does Patrick do the opening speil before "boarding" in Disneyland too?

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

But I still kinda like it. In fact, my uncle designed the lines for the California version and (I would assume) the Florida version(my uncle's an imaginear).

I also know where you can find 3 hidden Mickeys on the ride.

My moms fiance is a retired imagineer for WDW too. He helped out on some of the attractions @ Studios/DAK. He's so awesome, not only imagineering- but he was also the "voice" for WDW for 17 years til 2001. If you were in the parks/around wdw from 1984-2001 u def heard his voice for the monorail, opening/closing announcements, emergancy announcements, thunder mtn narrated speil (that 'Howdy Folks' guy)...pretty much anything that was in english on a recorded narration/speil. & he voiced for Mickey & Goofy for tv/radio spots during that time too. Once 9/11 hit, he was laid off & then told after 17 years of service, he had to audition for his own role once they were hiring in publicity entertainment again... i woulda passed on that too if it were me, he had a good run.

Oh yeah- does Patrick do the opening speil before "boarding" in Disneyland too?

That's a nice story, thanks for sharing!

As for your question, yes, currently, it's the same exact ride from California, along with the pre-show