JohnD
Well-Known Member
I recently experienced it out at Disneyland after remaining 'spoiler free' for months since the updated version opened.
My general thought after my first ride with the new film was that it was nice, but more fitting for EPCOT then California Adventure.
I think it would have been cool to keep the 'Soarin' Over California' original experience out West and have the 'Soarin' Around The World' update be at Epcot.
It just fits better thematically, in my opinion, but can understand Anaheim wanting the new film.
Anyway, back to my actual thoughts on the new version of the Attraction....
I liked the film.
Picture quality was a nice upgrade.
Although you could spot the CGI 'enhancements' it was still enjoyable and had some nice scenes.
The best part was the new finale showcasing the updated flyover of Disneyland Park.
The original with all the Christmas decor I always found a little jarring since the Park was in 'seasonal mode'.
The transitions from scene to scene were noticable to me, but that was likely only because I was so familiar with the flow of the original film.
Upon a second viewing I didn't notice it as much.
The music I also liked.
Nice to hear that the original theme is still present.
I felt the motion of the ride vehicles was not as 'expressive' as the previous version.
The gliders didn't seem to really move much, and the only time I really felt any kind of sensation of being 'in the air' and actually moving was during the Great Wall segment.
The ride mechs did not seem as active as they were during the previous film.
Ditto on the scents.
I only noticed two on the first ride, and there were none present on my second ride.
This also seemed to reduce the experience in my opinion.
There were many more scents used previously it seemed.
Overall?
I liked it, but miss the movement and scent variety of the previous version.
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You just reminded me about the ending scene at Epcot -- the fireworks are over the parking lot. I realize that they're CGI but you would think that at the very least the flyover would have been north to south so that the fireworks appear over WS lagoon.