| Watch the on-ride POV |
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| The ride entrance | |||||||||||||||||
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| Builder | Dynamic Attractions | ||||||||||||||||
| Designer / calculations | Walt Disney Imagineering | ||||||||||||||||
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| Capacity | 3 Simulators seating 87 guests each | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 80 feet | ||||||||||||||||
Soarin' is a Flying theater attraction located at the Epcot theme park in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States. Replacing the former Food Rocks animatronic show and debuting alongside a massive refurbishment to The Land pavilion, the ride has gone through 2 versions of film since opening and is the last major ride to be built at the park that is not based on an existing property.
History
After many years without change, it was time for Nestlé to begin their annual-decade refurbishment. Alongside the many changes going to the pavilion itself, by far the most notable was the addition of a clone of Soarin' over California attraction at Disney California Adventure that opened in 2001.
In order for this ride to happen, the complete and total removal of the Food Rocks show would have to take place to fit in the new entrance.[1] The ride's massive simulators would have to be built outside the pavilion as there was little to no room for it inside the pavilion. Construction, alongside the pavilion's refurbishment, started in February 2004 after the pavilion's closure.
On May 19, 2005, Soarin' would open up at the Land pavilion. Taking the role of hang gliders, guests were able to fly around several iconic landmarks of California, ex. the Golden Gate Bridge, and even Disneyland Park. After that, guests would be dismissed from the ride and taken back to the Land pavilion's main lobby.
In late 2009, Nestle would drop their sponsor for the Land pavilion, leaving it and Soarin' with no sponsor.
In January 2016, the ride was closed to begin incorporating a new film, this time better fitting into the park's theme. This time, guests were able to fly around famous landmarks, including but not limited to Mt. Everest, the Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, The Great Wall of China, and others before landing back at Epcot.[2]
The ride would yet again receive little to no changes, until the ride was closed for a day to be quickly converted back to Soarin' over California in September 2023, in order to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company. It is unknown how long this conversion will last until it reverts back to the Soarin' Around the World film.
Images
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References
- ↑ "Soarin' to open soon at Epcot". The Orlando Sentinel. 2005-03-16. pp. C2. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
- ↑ "Article clipped from The Orlando Sentinel". The Orlando Sentinel. 2016-04-29. pp. M23. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
