Difference between revisions of "Soarin' Around the World"
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| − | Soarin (also known as Soarin' Over California) is an attraction located | + | Soarin' (also known as Soarin' Over California) is an attraction located within [[The Land]] pavilion in [[Epcot]]. |
{{Template:Infobox Disney ride | | {{Template:Infobox Disney ride | | ||
| image= Soarin.gif | | image= Soarin.gif | ||
| − | | caption='''Guests | + | | caption='''Guests flying over the Golden Gate Bridge.''' |
| theme=Flight | | theme=Flight | ||
| land=Future World | | land=Future World | ||
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===Construction in Disneyland=== | ===Construction in Disneyland=== | ||
| − | The concept of Soarin' began in 1996, when Disney Imagineers began work on | + | The concept of Soarin' began in 1996, when Disney Imagineers began work on an attraction for the unbuilt Disney’s California Adventure park. The attraction was a motion simulator type attraction known as Ultraflight, which was to hoist vehicles over a large OMNIMAX screen, giving them the sensation that they were hang-gliding over California. Development on the attraction hit a snag however, when Imagineers could not figure out a ride mechanism that would achieve the sensation they were trying to create. Originally, they had wanted to use the "dry cleaning idea", which would have consisted of a series of little hang gliders on a conveyor that moved around. This ride mechanism (as well as others) however, proved unsuccessful and the attraction was eventually stalled. It was not until Imagineer Mark Sumner came up with a system that would allow guests to board at the same place, and then be raised forward into the screen that the attraction became a reality. The idea for the new ride mechanism came to Sumner when he was working at his home over the weekend, and he built a model in his attic using an erector set. |
| − | Although the ride vehicle issue was solved, it still took Imagineers two years of | + | Although the ride vehicle issue was solved, it still took Imagineers two years of preparation and filming before the attraction was actually built. Disney filmed the video for ride, from a helicopter using a 48 frames per second IMAX camera. The filming itself took a good deal of time, as Disney had to receive special permission and permits to film many of the locations. Despite the setbacks, the attraction opened in Disney's California Adventure as Soarin’ Over California on opening day, February 8, 2001. |
===Construction in Walt Disney World=== | ===Construction in Walt Disney World=== | ||
| − | Due to the overwhelming success of Soarin' | + | Due to the overwhelming success of Soarin' in Disney’s California adventure, Disney executives decided to make a copy of the attraction in Walt Disney World. Initially, Soarin was to be housed in one of the World Showcase pavilions in [[Epcot]], however when a suitable pavilion could not be agreed upon, the attraction was moved the [[The Land]] pavilion. With the location now determined, Disney announced the creation of Soarin’ on October 10, 2003 (although construction had quietly started in August). |
[[Image:Soarinmodel.jpg|thumb|Mark Sumner with his Soarin' ride model.]] | [[Image:Soarinmodel.jpg|thumb|Mark Sumner with his Soarin' ride model.]] | ||
| − | In order to fit Soarin' into The Land pavilion, a new show building was created. The old Food Rocks | + | In order to fit Soarin' into The Land pavilion, a new show building was created. The old Food Rocks Theater was walled, off to create a hallway through which guests could reach the show building. The show building was designed to blend in with the nearby [[Imagination!]] pavilion, so that it would not take away from the pavilion architecture. On January 3, 2004, Food Rocks closed, and later in the year the programming and testing of Soarin' began. Then, in January of 2005, the entire The Land pavilion closed in order to facilitate the integration of Soarin’. During the closure, changes were also made to [[Living with the Land]], as well as the pavilion’s food court and atrium. Finally, on May 5, 2005 Soarin' opened to the public in Epcot. |
==Attraction Plot== | ==Attraction Plot== | ||
| − | Soarin' is a motion simulator attraction | + | Soarin' is a motion simulator attraction which allows guests to take a trip to California on flight 5505 (a reference to the attractions opening date). Cast members wear airline costumes to help set the theme of the attraction. |
===Queue=== | ===Queue=== | ||
| − | The queue for Soarin' was the first Disney queue to become interactive. While in line for | + | The queue for Soarin' was the first Disney queue to become interactive. While in line for the attraction, guests can play video games which include a bird racing game, and "Pop the Blob". Guests move through the queue after playing each game, making the movements less frequent but more drastic. When guests reach the loading area, they watch as safety video before being led to their terminal. |
===The Ride=== | ===The Ride=== | ||
| − | + | Soarin’ begins with guests boarding the ride vehicles and being lifted into the air. The vehicles then "travel" to various locations in California including: | |
| − | * San Francisco- | + | * San Francisco- Where guests fly over the Golden Gate Bridge. |
| − | * The Redwood Creek-Where guests see various boaters and wildlife. | + | * The Redwood Creek- Where guests see various boaters and wildlife. |
| − | * The Napa Valley- | + | * The Napa Valley- Were guests see various hot air balloons. |
| − | * The Monterey Coast- | + | * The Monterey Coast- Where guests can feel the ocean breeze and see boaters. Guests can also smell the sea breeze here. |
| − | * Yosemite National Park- | + | * Yosemite National Park- Where guests fly over a giant waterfall, and also see another hang glider. |
| − | * Lake Tahoe- | + | * Lake Tahoe- Where guests fly over various skiers. |
| − | * Palm Springs- | + | * Palm Springs- Where guests fly over the La Quinta golf course, as they smell sagebrush in the air. |
| − | * Camarillo- | + | * Camarillo- Where guests fly over orange groves, even smelling the oranges themselves. |
| − | * San Diego- | + | * San Diego- Where guests fly over the USS Stennis aircraft carrier |
| − | * The Anza Borrego | + | * The Anza Borrego Desert State Park- Where guests see the Thunderbirds and fly over horseback riders, while once again smelling sagebrush. |
| − | * Malibu- | + | * Malibu- Where guests can see various surfers, as the smell of the sea breeze permeates the air. |
| − | * Los Angeles- | + | * Los Angeles- Where guests swoop down over a freeway, as they see the city lit up at night. |
| − | * Disneyland- | + | * Disneyland- Where guests see and aerial view of the park, as fireworks go off and Tinkerbell fly by. |
After seeing Disneyland, guests land back on the ground and exit. | After seeing Disneyland, guests land back on the ground and exit. | ||
==Attraction Score== | ==Attraction Score== | ||
| − | The score for Soarin' was written by Jerry Goldsmith who was reportedly in tears after riding the attraction for the first time. Goldsmith's father was a pilot who loved California, and the composer was quoted as saying, | + | The score for Soarin' was written by Jerry Goldsmith who was reportedly in tears after riding the attraction for the first time. Goldsmith's father was a pilot who loved California, and the composer was quoted as saying, “I'd do anything to be part of this project...I'd even score the film for free". The official Disney website states that Goldsmith was "Inspired by the optimistic spirit of California". |
| − | ==See the | + | ==See the Film== |
To see the movie shown in Soarin', click play below: | To see the movie shown in Soarin', click play below: | ||
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* If you look closely on the golf ball in the Palm Springs scene, you can see a hidden mickey. | * If you look closely on the golf ball in the Palm Springs scene, you can see a hidden mickey. | ||
| − | * Because Monterey is considered | + | * Because Monterey is considered a marine sanctuary, it took a year to obtain all of the necessary permits to film that scene. |
| + | * Disney negotiated a four hour window to film Yosemite National Park with the Department of the Interior. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 18:08, 9 April 2014
Soarin' (also known as Soarin' Over California) is an attraction located within The Land pavilion in Epcot.
Soarin' Around the World 
| |
| |
| Guests flying over the Golden Gate Bridge. | |
| Epcot | |
| Land | Future World |
|---|---|
| Theme | Flight |
| Opening date | May 5, 2005 |
| Ride duration | 5:00 minutes |
| Type | Motion simulator |
| Fastpass Available | Yes |
|
| |
Contents
Attraction History
Construction in Disneyland
The concept of Soarin' began in 1996, when Disney Imagineers began work on an attraction for the unbuilt Disney’s California Adventure park. The attraction was a motion simulator type attraction known as Ultraflight, which was to hoist vehicles over a large OMNIMAX screen, giving them the sensation that they were hang-gliding over California. Development on the attraction hit a snag however, when Imagineers could not figure out a ride mechanism that would achieve the sensation they were trying to create. Originally, they had wanted to use the "dry cleaning idea", which would have consisted of a series of little hang gliders on a conveyor that moved around. This ride mechanism (as well as others) however, proved unsuccessful and the attraction was eventually stalled. It was not until Imagineer Mark Sumner came up with a system that would allow guests to board at the same place, and then be raised forward into the screen that the attraction became a reality. The idea for the new ride mechanism came to Sumner when he was working at his home over the weekend, and he built a model in his attic using an erector set.
Although the ride vehicle issue was solved, it still took Imagineers two years of preparation and filming before the attraction was actually built. Disney filmed the video for ride, from a helicopter using a 48 frames per second IMAX camera. The filming itself took a good deal of time, as Disney had to receive special permission and permits to film many of the locations. Despite the setbacks, the attraction opened in Disney's California Adventure as Soarin’ Over California on opening day, February 8, 2001.
Construction in Walt Disney World
Due to the overwhelming success of Soarin' in Disney’s California adventure, Disney executives decided to make a copy of the attraction in Walt Disney World. Initially, Soarin was to be housed in one of the World Showcase pavilions in Epcot, however when a suitable pavilion could not be agreed upon, the attraction was moved the The Land pavilion. With the location now determined, Disney announced the creation of Soarin’ on October 10, 2003 (although construction had quietly started in August).
In order to fit Soarin' into The Land pavilion, a new show building was created. The old Food Rocks Theater was walled, off to create a hallway through which guests could reach the show building. The show building was designed to blend in with the nearby Imagination! pavilion, so that it would not take away from the pavilion architecture. On January 3, 2004, Food Rocks closed, and later in the year the programming and testing of Soarin' began. Then, in January of 2005, the entire The Land pavilion closed in order to facilitate the integration of Soarin’. During the closure, changes were also made to Living with the Land, as well as the pavilion’s food court and atrium. Finally, on May 5, 2005 Soarin' opened to the public in Epcot.
Attraction Plot
Soarin' is a motion simulator attraction which allows guests to take a trip to California on flight 5505 (a reference to the attractions opening date). Cast members wear airline costumes to help set the theme of the attraction.
Queue
The queue for Soarin' was the first Disney queue to become interactive. While in line for the attraction, guests can play video games which include a bird racing game, and "Pop the Blob". Guests move through the queue after playing each game, making the movements less frequent but more drastic. When guests reach the loading area, they watch as safety video before being led to their terminal.
The Ride
Soarin’ begins with guests boarding the ride vehicles and being lifted into the air. The vehicles then "travel" to various locations in California including:
- San Francisco- Where guests fly over the Golden Gate Bridge.
- The Redwood Creek- Where guests see various boaters and wildlife.
- The Napa Valley- Were guests see various hot air balloons.
- The Monterey Coast- Where guests can feel the ocean breeze and see boaters. Guests can also smell the sea breeze here.
- Yosemite National Park- Where guests fly over a giant waterfall, and also see another hang glider.
- Lake Tahoe- Where guests fly over various skiers.
- Palm Springs- Where guests fly over the La Quinta golf course, as they smell sagebrush in the air.
- Camarillo- Where guests fly over orange groves, even smelling the oranges themselves.
- San Diego- Where guests fly over the USS Stennis aircraft carrier
- The Anza Borrego Desert State Park- Where guests see the Thunderbirds and fly over horseback riders, while once again smelling sagebrush.
- Malibu- Where guests can see various surfers, as the smell of the sea breeze permeates the air.
- Los Angeles- Where guests swoop down over a freeway, as they see the city lit up at night.
- Disneyland- Where guests see and aerial view of the park, as fireworks go off and Tinkerbell fly by.
After seeing Disneyland, guests land back on the ground and exit.
Attraction Score
The score for Soarin' was written by Jerry Goldsmith who was reportedly in tears after riding the attraction for the first time. Goldsmith's father was a pilot who loved California, and the composer was quoted as saying, “I'd do anything to be part of this project...I'd even score the film for free". The official Disney website states that Goldsmith was "Inspired by the optimistic spirit of California".
See the Film
To see the movie shown in Soarin', click play below:
Fun Facts and Trivia
- If you look closely on the golf ball in the Palm Springs scene, you can see a hidden mickey.
- Because Monterey is considered a marine sanctuary, it took a year to obtain all of the necessary permits to film that scene.
- Disney negotiated a four hour window to film Yosemite National Park with the Department of the Interior.
References
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneys-california-adventure/soarin/
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/epfw-soarin.htm
http://allears.net/tp/ep/e_soar.htm
http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions/Soarin/News/16Apr2005-The-making-of-Soarin-facts-and-info.htm
