Originally posted by DCA Fan
Allow me to explain:
Soarin' Over California:
This attraction is like an "open air" ride simulator. A 3+ story tall Imax dome screen is in front of you, and you board in one of three rows of seats that resemble an inverted coaster train. At the beginning of the ride, you "take off" by swinging "into" the screen so that you pretty much are surrounded by the screen in your 180 degree viewing area. The "vehicle" leans left and right in unison with the film. To add to the realism, smells (Purchased in 200 lbs. crates from Torrance CA) are sprayed at you during corresponding moments on the ride.
DCA Fan, your description of this attraction is dead on! It is exactly that, an "open air ride simulator". No disrespect intended to anyone else, but I've never understood why so many people describe this attraction as being like a hang-gliding experience. The first time I ever rode it, I was disappointed because I had heard so much about how it was supposed to be "like you're hang-gliding!". So I went on the ride and one of the first things I noticed was that it was more like I was sitting on a bench seat. Nothing like a hang-glider! I was totally distracted by what I <i>thought</i> was poor themeing on Disney's part because I couldn't get over the fact that I didn't feel anything like I was on a hang-glider. But I later realized that nowhere that I'm aware of does Disney claim this is supposed to be a "hang-glider" ride. Yet everyone always describes it as that. Just wondering if I'm missing something.
In any event, having gotten past the "hang-glider" thing, I was able to enjoy the attraction much more for what it actually is. I think it is simply intended to feel like you are flying over different parts of California, and the vehicle in which you are making this journey is non-specific and certainly not integral to the "storyline".
I still do have one criticism of this attraction though: When you first walk into the actual theater, you immediately see the big blue domed screen. I wonder why they didn't do something to mask that until the attraction actually begins (For example, in Back to the Future, you start out in a little room, get into your Delorean, then a wall of fog is pumped in and when it dissipates, you are facing the screen). I'm wondering why Disney didn't do something similar to create that type of illusion.
Other than that, I recommend this attraction.
StormRider I haven't experienced. But based on DCA Fan's very accurate description of Soarin' Over California, I tend to think the description of StormRider is just as accurate. If so, then it sounds incredible!
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