Height Phobias and Soarin'

[lamarvenoy]

How long is it?

 

[Badger Brent]

I can do just about any roller coaster. But I still have not ridden ToT. I love the theme to Splash Montain, but I agonize over the last drop. I'm fine on planes. I did MS and felt a little off, but survived. I am making my family go on soarin at least once. If that goes well we will then try ToT. Small steps I guess. :hurl: :lol:

 

[artdude323]

I'm not sure why everyone keeps comparing it to ToT - it's a totally different experience. the biggest difference is that at ToT, you're enclosed in a car with a floor and sides, and with Soarin' it's more of a hang Glider, where your feet are hanging free and it's completely open. It give much more of an illusion that you have a real possibility of falling out.

The ride vehicle would be better compared to one of those things where you zip up the center post and then comeback down, but in Soarin' you don't have the motion or the puke shields.

 

[Disney_Belle]

Fear of heights has always been something for me, even when i look at pictures of construction workers high 128 stories in the air i get queasy but this is something i would love to experience. i think if i can get to WDW 35,000 feet in the air, I can do this. I seems like an experience ill never do M:S because of Chlaustrophobic issues (far more serious than my heights) but when I get nervous on a ride i think of how safe the WDW attractions and that they wouldn't make a ride I could fall out of. I mean its not a big thing, but the idea helps me to calm down lol.

 

[CubbieMan]

I'm not sure why everyone keeps comparing it to ToT - it's a totally different experience. the biggest difference is that at ToT, you're enclosed in a car with a floor and sides, and with Soarin' it's more of a hang Glider, where your feet are hanging free and it's completely open. It give much more of an illusion that you have a real possibility of falling out.

The ride vehicle would be better compared to one of those things where you zip up the center post and then comeback down, but in Soarin' you don't have the motion or the puke shields.

I don't think the issue people are comparing is the same ride feeling...I think it's establishing how serious ones fear of heights...trying to say if one can handle heights in TOT..Soarin should be fine.

 

[Disneyfan1981]

do you drop fast like tot? i don't like that feeling. i could do regular airplane-like takeoff and landings as long as i avoid the freefall feeling. :hammer:

It is nothing like ToT. The take off is really smooth despite the first jerk of motion and once you are out into the screen you don't move at all. The motion simulation is all mental with beautiful film mixed with smells and noises. Its really an experience. Now this is from the DCA version, I've heard Epcot's is a direct clone but just in case I thought I'd add the disclamer....

 

[Disneyfan1981]

Umm....I have the same thing about Soarin...until now I didn't think about that, and yes, I have a fear of heights. Until I saw this thread, it made me remember about that. Anybody who's gone at DCA have any tips?

PS- No, I have not gotten on ToT for thsi reason, as well as any roller coaster (plus the fact I don't like going upside down), but yes, I've ridden BTMRR. Also, I REALLY hate when you drop suddenly as mentioned above in airplanes or anything else, so if you have any tips, please post. Thanks! :wave:

No sudden drop but it does feel real at some points especially over the mountain range and the orange grove. (hopefully that didn't spoil anything for anyone) If you are scared ride in the second or third rows, the sight of everyone's feet kind of breaks the illusion and you're not so high over the screen. BUT make sure you experience it in the first row as well once you're used to it because that's the real way to ride it!

 

[Disneyfan1981]

ALSO! Enjoy this film now, after the 50th Celebration WDW will be filming their own film for Soarin and you'll only get this version in DCA.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I don't think the issue people are comparing is the same ride feeling...I think it's establishing how serious ones fear of heights...trying to say if one can handle heights in TOT..Soarin should be fine.

Because youre not looking down, youre looking ahead and youre moving, It doesnt give that sensation of being ... .oh say in the catwalks of a sports arena. The vertigo isnt there. It perfectly fine because you cant see the ground unless you are sittign on the end and turn your head completely around and behind you.

 

[FamilyMan]

Soarin' is only about 5 min long.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Remember, freefall isnt that bad. Its LANDING that sucks.

And kindastortanotreally like ET. Completely diff ride system.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I would say that the film is very similar to "To Fly" .... I saw that many times as a kid at the Air & Space Museum downtown.

And yes, the first time i rode soarin i had a death grip on the restraints. The second time i was leaning eveery which way. The next time will have to be barefoot

 

[cloudboy]

Do the soarin benches move at all? I know that you load on the floor and they swing up into position, but do they actually tilt and such while the movie is showing? I heard they did a little bit.

Also, are there foot rests and a cross bar (like a ski lift), or just a belt. The problem isn't looking down - it's feeling like you are going to slip up that is so upsetting.

 

[FamilyMan]

There are no foot rests... your feet dangle.

A cross bar is in place.

 

[LouDisney]

All this talk about Soarin. I can't wait!!!

 

[PhotoDave219]

Your feet dangle and you are completely strapped in. The ride carrage does piviot on all 3 axies.

You wont fall, you wont even think it. Ive ridden it 4 times now and have no complaints. Beats the tar out of M:S, IMO.

 

[Douglas Bray]

I have been on Soaring in DCA dozens of times since it opened and yes it will invoke a sense of unease in anybody who has a fear of heights. Like any IMAX style of film all you have to do is close your eyes for a few seconds and you stomach and head will be fine. I would recommend trying the ride if you do start to feel uncomfortable just close your eyes and smell the ride; you will be able to tell when you are over the ocean and when you are over the orange grooves.

 

[DisneyCP2000]

I must admit. I'm acrophobic, but it this ride was so immersive that I didn't notice how high I was.

The theater is arranged in 3 rows & 3 sections. When on the ground the rows are all infront of each other like a regular theater. But when the film starts you literally take off into the theater. The front row moves foward and then up into the roof. The middle row follows foward, and rises into the middle of the theater...and the back row moves foward and rises just a bit off the ground. It's an interesting feat of engineering and it's interesting to watch. If you really feel uncomfortable about hights, ask a cast member to seat you in the back row or the lowest tier. Although you'll be off the ground, you won't be at the top of the theater!

Once settled into position, the film starts. During the movie the seats sway gently left and right...not to the point of you slipping or falling off. During the entire ride you're pretty much settled in. At no point during the ride will feel as if you're coming off the seat. Plus if feel you need more security, there's a strap inbetween your legs where you can thread the seatbelt through. It'll provide extra security

Once the film ends you slowly descend back to the way you entered the theater.