SOARIN' could have been done better

[goodtimes5286]

i dont mind its location, i think that actually was a pretty smart DL idea to save space instead of just going off and building a whole new building or something extravagant along those lines

I think the lack of more then one screen is what really hinders them, i mean imagen if space mountain only had 1 load area and 1 track

personally i think the ride is boring and terrible ESPECIALLY for the wait, we waited for 90 minutes and were SORELY disapointed. for as much hype as it got ahead of time (in cali) and as much praise as WDWmagic gives it, i really dont think it gets even close to it's reputation

....just my two pennies....

 

[marni1971]

I think the lack of more then one screen is what really hinders them,

There`s two screens :wave:

The dust issue has no excuse. Not so long ago if a projector that was a small part of a main attraction was filthy it was declared 101. Now the main attraction itself can be filthy and allowed to continue operation.

 

[ryguy]

I too think the fast pass machines should be out in front of the pavilion. Good idea.

 

[Maerj]

I was not overly into Soarin the first time I rode it, but I rode it again and something happened and I loved it. Don't know what it was but I love it now. Maybe it depends on where you sit?

I believe that the film prints need cleaning. Being shown so many times every day, dust and dirt builds up, not to mention scratches, which are very distracting. If they don't want to clean it on a regular basis then they need to switch to digital projection.

I think that this ride could and SHOULD be plussed. A few more effects throughout the ride, even a new film. Maybe it could go all over the world? It could have a narrator and be somewhat educational in an entertaining way. I think that would be a really unique idea for Epcot, to combine thrills, entertainment AND education.

 

[blackthidot]

I like Soarin and I honestly welcome a NEW video but me and I am sure everyone else would end up missing the old video too.

That said, if they can make the TOT have random drops, cant they do Soarin with a random film? Maybe have a Disney "land" themed video...1 for each place there is a Disney Park...

 

[Victor]

I tend to agree that while Soarin' was pretty cool the first couple of times I went on it, it definitely is no longer worth the 2+ hour wait for standby.

Agreed. Was at Epcot this past Tuesday with my girlfriend who hadn't been there in a very long time. I really wanted her to check out Soarin, but by noon all the Fastpasses has been distributed and the stand-by line was at 3 hours! I told her it's nice, but not worth the line. Thing is it's one of those attractions that pretty much everyone can enjoy together, like Toy Story Mania, which also had 2 hour + wait times this past week.

As for improvements to Soarin, last I knew the picture looked dirty. Kinda distracting when there's some weird blob in the middle of the screen flying along with you. It'd be awesome if it could go digital, and get a new ride film incorporating more than just California. Otherwise, it's still one of the better additions to Epcot.

 

[imagineer boy]

I love soarin, I loved it when I first rode it at DCA. However, it does have some issues. The queue is boring and ugly, it really needs a new film (change it so that you're flying over the best natural parts of the world like the grand canyon, the rainforrest, the ozarks, and much more!), and the dust on the film is terrible. Those things really need to be fixed, but its still a fun ride.

 

[the-reason14]

First time I rode Soarin, I loved it. Now, its just ok. My last trip I did enjoy it alot more than I usually do, but its not on the top of my must do lists anymore. I will never stand in a line for that ride. Ill either have to have a fp, be there early in the morning, or Ill pass. Its a fun ride, but after the 14th or so time it gets boring. I dont mind missing Soarin, at all. I usually do it atleast once a trip, and if I cant get that much I dont care.

 

[Rob562]

I can get over number 1 by looking straight ahead (or asking for the front- a request that has ALWAYS been honored), but agree about number 2. They're always just sitting over there, doing paperwork. Couldn't they have put them a bit farther out of view?

Actually, they're in the position they're in for safety reasons. If they just needed someone *in* the theater, they could have put them at the back, behind the carriages.

But they're in position to keep an eye on the Guests who are riding, and immediately stop the ride if they see something wrong. (A kid squirming out of their seatbelt, someone has a heart attack and is slumped over, someone having a panic attack from the height, etc)

While it's probably SOP to keep an eye out at all times like a lifeguard, in practice I wouldn't be surprised if they only pay really close attention at the start of the film, and then occasionally check after that. I'd think that most problems with panicking people crop up in the opening moments of the film as anyone who's scared of hights realizes how high up they are... And then after they see that everyone's OK, they don't pay as close attention.

As for the queue design, I'm fine with it until the split after the blue hallway to go to the two theaters. The downramps are just so....industrial-looking. I feel like I'm in the bowels of some office building, not in line for a theme park attractions.

-Rob

 

[Courtney1188]

I actually like that they chose to put it in the Land, I think it leads to much better attendance at the other attractions in the building. No sense in taking out Universe of Energy when there's a better spot to put Soarin!

But I do agree with others who said that it would be very cool to have different film reels for the different Disney parks.

 

[Missing20K]

It's a great EPCOT attraction if you ask me. The film has a few issues, but I still enjoy it.:shrug:

That`s exactly all that it is. Plus jarring jump cuts between scenes. But the strange thing is that it works.
They had no choice with the location they picked.

I do think it's still a very high-quality C-ticket. Very family friendly, pleasant, and somewhat fun. Not terribly educational, but that has been on the outs at Epcot for a while now.

I, too, Marni, am surprised it works that well. And it does indeed, work for what it is, a very nice family attraction. It just seems like it's marketed as an E-ticket, which in my opinion, it is not.

 

[Figment632]

I love it and I love that it is not a thrill ride. So many of the additions to WDW have been ToT RRC Ee. I love thrill rides but it's nice to have something different for a change. The only thing I wish they would change is the film it shouldn't just be about California.

 

[DisneyWhiz]

I think they should have taken the time to make a Soarin' Over Florida....we have Soarin' Over California here in California..wouldn't it make sense for WDW's to be about Florida?

 

[icandrawem2]

A funny side note: About a year ago when i rode soarin, I believe for whatever reason they mixed up the scents. Not sure if this would even be possible to do, but if they use a scent canister with the scent pellets then I guess someone could have made an error and mixed them up. Pine and orange are two very distinct scents and you could definitely tell the difference. has anyone else experienced this before?

 

[blackthidot]

I think they should have taken the time to make a Soarin' Over Florida....we have Soarin' Over California here in California..wouldn't it make sense for WDW's to be about Florida?

Nice videos! I clicked the link in your sig...Off topic but just wanted to say that!

 

[Rob562]

I think they should have taken the time to make a Soarin' Over Florida....we have Soarin' Over California here in California..wouldn't it make sense for WDW's to be about Florida?

You mean like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYaotKPxknM

There has been talk for a long time (and I have info that it's at least in the pre-production planning stages) that they're working on a Soarin' Around the World version for Epcot.
The last I heard it was the next project for the film crew after they were done with the new O Canada film, but it's been a while and I haven't heard anything beyond that.

-Rob

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I think they should have taken the time to make a Soarin' Over Florida....we have Soarin' Over California here in California..wouldn't it make sense for WDW's to be about Florida?

Wouldnt that be a bit samey in terms of landscape and scenery, water and trees water and trees concrete, water and trees beach, concrete:drevil:

 

[The Mom]

Wouldnt that be a bit samey in terms of landscape and scenery, water and trees water and trees concrete, water and trees beach, concrete:drevil:

Perhaps they could add views of The Ravines, horse farms and rolling hills in Ocala, The Everglades, Historic St Augustine, quaint towns, Greek sponge fisherman in Tarpon Springs, sweeping views of the St John's River from it's headwaters in central FL to the mouth at the jetties in Mayport, crystal clear springs with Manatee swimming in themCape Canaveral...and so on.

There is a lot more to Florida than Orlando and Daytona Beach. Oh, how about a zoom in on the Daytona 500, while we're at it?

 

[DisneyJunkie]

Is it just me or does anyone else think they kind of threw SOARIN' together in WDW? The waiting (boarding) area feels crampy and and the way it is tucked into the land. This attraction cartainly demands it's own building! did they think it might not go over big? Maybe some forethought would have been good- they have been hashing over and re-doing the universe of enregy forever...that would have been a sweet spot.It's own building with the original version and a second version with a different landscape- each with their own unique set of thrills and views. slightly more room would have allowed for something like this and made wait times lighter. it also would give you room to breath in the land while enjoying your lunch. I love Disney and always will , but it seems they somtimes could make things sooo much better than they are, but then again I am not privey to what the budget is.

I don't think they threw Soarin' together at all. It's in a fine location and doesn't really need to have its own building. Given the way the queue is set up, it's not the least bit "crampy" and it does show they gave it plenty of forethought with how everything is arranged. I absolutely love Soarin' and after my first ride it became an instant "must-do" for me on every trip to WDW. I've got a mp3 recording of the score and listen to it frequently. It's one of the best-scored attractions on all of WDW. IF I had any issues, I would have had them make a Florida-based film to go along with the ride. Why would Florida people care about a fly-over film of California? But that's just minor. I love it as-is.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Perhaps they could add views of The Ravines, horse farms and rolling hills in Ocala tree, TreesThe Everglades, Historic St Augustine, quaint towns, waterGreek sponge fisherman in Tarpon Springs, sweeping views of the St John's River fwaterrom it's headwaters in central FL to the mouth at the jetties in Mayport water, crystal clear springs with Manatee swimming in themCape Canaveral.water..and so on.

There is a lot more to Florida than Orlando and Daytona Beach. Oh, how about a zoom in on the Daytona 500, while we're at it? cars going in a circle fast

Id love to see those rolling hills, can you ski on them?