Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>>Funny thing, for me I don't even feel like there's much movement on the ride apart from the lift off. Once the movie starts, I don't really get much sense of motion from the ride vehicle. I remember being surprised by that the first few times I rode it years ago.<<<< Really? It's not intense in any way, but it noticeable, at least for me. There are some swooping motions, especially in the beginning scenes.
Originally Posted By GMouse Soarin' is one of my favorite rides in all of WDW. The soundtrack is awesome and the experience is very unique. I always get a fastpass for it because I would go nuts waiting in that line regardless of how well it was themed. In my opinion it's not over-hyped, it's just a great ride. Many people must agree or the lines wouldn't always be so long.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> Really? It's not intense in any way, but it noticeable, at least for me. There are some swooping motions, especially in the beginning scenes. << I get the illusion of motion whenever I watch IMAX movies, even when I'm sitting in a static seat. The Soarin' ride vehicle doesn't make me feel like I'm moving much more than in a normal IMAX film. Just curious, I know there's lots of love for Soarin' here, but do none of you have a problem with the big blue screen that stares at you when you load?
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>Just curious, I know there's lots of love for Soarin' here, but do none of you have a problem with the big blue screen that stares at you when you load?<<< I do. Wish it were themed to part of the hangar.
Originally Posted By Christi22222 I think Soarin' is an amazing ride for a couple of reasons. First of all, it appeals to so many different ages, just as many true Disney classics do. Second of all, it was/is something completely different than anything that had been done with rides. And while I can appreciate things like Spiderman (another kind of barrier busting ride) over at Uni, I rather like that Soarin' is simply peaceful and enjoyable and doesn't rely at all on shock or adrenaline to enhance my enjoyment. With that said, Soarin' also embodies what Disney has been terrible about lately. They hit one out of the park, but then reproduce it everywhere, never update it, and rest on their laurels basking in the success of it for far far too long. There should be a ride like this coming to the parks more than once a decade. I guess I would allow that Everest would fall in the "barrier breaking" category, but I'm not able to say that wholeheartedly since they have so blatantly dropped the ball on it. And although I enjoy TSMM, I don't think a Buzz Lightyear with screens counts as barrier breaking. It gets a pass almost entirely on theme. In fact, despite Soarin' being based around a movie screen, I am getting tired of every ride experience they produce using screens! (Is this talked about somewhere in another thread? It must be....)
Originally Posted By danyoung >...but do none of you have a problem with the big blue screen that stares at you when you load?< I'm being honest with you when I say that it never even occurred to me to have any kind of problem with the screen. IT'S A SCREEN! I know I'm about to watch a large format movie, so it kinda makes sense that there's a screen up there.
Originally Posted By leobloom ^^Sounds kinda sloppy to me, the avowed Soarin' critic. At least HISTA themed the screen to look like a stage curtain.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey << I don't really get much sense of motion from the ride vehicle.>> I must be a wimp, because the motion makes me slightly nauseous.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I have some issues with Soarin (most notably the condition it is shown in daily in FLA), but the attraction is a winner in my book. Maybe it's the great musical score and the breathtaking scenery of one of my favorite states in the USA. Maybe it's simply the fact it appeals to almost all demos while not throwing in characters. It has its faults, no doubt. But I enjoy it every time I ride ... I can't say the same for TT.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Oh, and Leemac might know the exact figures, but I do know that Soarin is generally regarded as one of the top 3-4 attractions on property by guests. (and I do hear applause everytime I ride the thing on either coast!)
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Maybe it's the great musical score >> Soarin's score is the best piece of music Disney has done since the Millenium Celebration, IMO. The score elevates it to a good attraction. Without it it would be middle of the road. <<It has its faults, no doubt. But I enjoy it every time I ride ... I can't say the same for TT.>> I enjoy both about equal. However, the single riders line at TT means I get on TT a whole lot more than Soarin'.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Oh, and Leemac might know the exact figures, but I do know that Soarin is generally regarded as one of the top 3-4 attractions on property by guests.>> It was #1 in 2008 when I started working.
Originally Posted By CaptainMichael ,<Oh, and Leemac might know the exact figures, but I do know that Soarin is generally regarded as one of the top 3-4 attractions on property by guests.>> <<It was #1 in 2008 when I started working.>> And yall wonder why we get substandard "screen" attractions...
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I love Soarin'. I agree with Spirit and Hokie - the score is outstanding.
Originally Posted By danyoung >And yall wonder why we get substandard "screen" attractions...< Simply unbelievable. Post after post talking about how much people love this attraction, how special and unique it is, and somehow in your mind it's substandard just because it uses a screen.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<how special and unique it is>> People love it, no doubt. But I still fail to see how special or unique it is. *shrugs*
Originally Posted By CaptainMichael <<Simply unbelievable. Post after post talking about how much people love this attraction, how special and unique it is, and somehow in your mind it's substandard just because it uses a screen>> People love Jersey Shore too... But I digress. The point of the quote you quoted was that Soarin's success allows simple-minded execs to think that guest expectations are exceeded by nothing more than a screen. And all future attractions need are screens. Soarin' is a nice D-ticket, and a nice addition to EPCOT, but it needs a new film at the very least. Certainly not worth a 2 hour wait or a 30 minute "walk on" wait. I'm starting to feel that MAGICal twitch...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I am not a fan of 'screens' as theme park attractions. I like active experiences better and they tend to be passive. But there's nothing passive about floating above the Golden Gate or Lake Tahoe or Yosemite. The attraction is a bit more than a simple film. And the mechanism that allows you to soar is pretty impressive. And comparing it to Jersey Shore? Cheap shot, Cap'n. Cheap! Is it worth a two-hour wait? I don't think there is an attraction at WDW worth a two-hour wait, but I've only spent countless days there over the past 35-plus years. But I would probably stand in line for 30 minutes to ride it, even now.
Originally Posted By danyoung >People love Jersey Shore too...< Point taken! But I totally agree with my friend the Spirit above - Soarin' is about MUCH more than just a screen.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>...but do none of you have a problem with the big blue screen that stares at you when you load?<< Hmm. Lack of theme in a loading area... makes an inherently bad attraction? Guess we can rule out the Haunted Mansion. Not only can I see those awful OmniMovers in loading, but ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE ATTRACTION! And Pirates of the Caribbean is supposedly loading us into our boats outdoors, but every time I look up I see the ceiling. BAD SHOW! Tower of Terror falls apart when I am forced to SIT DOWN in an elevator-- and worse yet, wear a seat belt. It's just wrong-- and bad theming. Point being, of course, that you get out of it what you choose. Name any attraction, past or present, and I can tell you exactly why it's just not all that. For Soarin', some see nothing more than a big screen. Period. Others see a great, immersive experience where AFTER going through a rather dull queue line and enduring the boarding procedure (Thanks for the peppy safety spiel, Patrick!), the actual ride is a home run, time after time.
