Soarin' Over California in Florida

[Matterhorn Fan]

So, what do y'all think?

I thought this was a bad, bad idea at first, but now I'm not so sure.

They've taken off all of the "over California" bits, but otherwise it's the same. The names of all of the California locations you fly over are still in the "pre-show." The safety video still features a kid with a Disneyland shirt. The film still ends over Christmas at Disneyland (someone I know assumed it was Disneyland decorated for the 50th--that might have been a nice touch, wouldn't it?). The queue is much nicer.

It's a pain to get in and out of The Land, though. (Up the ramp, into the building, around the balcony, down the escalator, over to the fastpass machines, back to the escalator, around the balcony, leap over strollers to get out, go do something while waiting for fastpass time, . . . Up the ramp, into the building, around the balcony, down the escalator, through the queue, on the ride, off the ride, through the exit queue, back to the escalator, around the balcony, leap over strollers to get out . . .)

So, will this be a hit or will tourists be confused? Are people going to come off it asking where the Matterhorn is?

Those of you on the west coast (which is most of the people here), will/would you ride Soarin' out here on your trip? Or does it fall under the HISTA category of "seen that already, don't need to go back"?

[BarTopDancer]

I don't like the current trend of duplicating attractions and shows across all the parks as it takes away a reason to visit the other parks. However, after years of WDW getting all the new stuff I'm fairly apathetic to the complaints that they have a duplicated attraction (from this era of attractions) from DCA.

I enjoy Sorin over CA, and I would go on it when I was in WDW if only to see their queue. I think a lot of tourists who go to WDW will not not come to DL because of Sorin (or else they wouldn't come because of PotC, HM, Splash etc...). I also think that tourists don't come to DL to only come to DL, they come to DL and see other things in CA (the beach, Knotts, Sea World etc...). Unless DL comes up with 5 amazing parks DL will never be the tourist destination that WDW is.

[Not Afraid]

I think they just put it in there to make all of you ex-Californians homesick. ;) They could've done Soaring over FLorida but it might not be as, um, varied as Soaring over California. (Now that my Florida friends are going to kill me...........)

I'd ride it to see the queue in FL. Besides, I rarely ever ride Soaring in DCA. I rarely ever go to DCA and, when I do, the line is usually too long and the pavement too hot to make me want to do it. I am curious what people are saying after they ride Soaring. Or, maybe, it's like a free visit to California without the plane ride. Oh to be a fly on the wall of the exit.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

There's so much to do in FL that I can't see any reason to spend time on a movie ride that I've basically seen before. Queue-shueue. :p

[Matterhorn Fan]

Though I think they did a nice job on the queue, I'm suprised that people would go just for that. They did a nice job, but it's not the lobby of the Hollywood Tower Hotel. That is worth going into just for the queue.

I agree with CP, but I have a hunch Soarin' might be fairly popular out here.

[mousepod]

Let me chime in here and say that I love "Soarin' over California". Of all of the movie-based simulation attractions it is by far my favorite. Star Tours and Body Wars, with their cramped quarters and mediocre ventilation tend to make me nauseous. The "wind in your hair" experience that you get from Soarin just puts it over the top for me.
I will most definitely ride it next time I go to WDW, California locations or not.

For the record, if I was King of Disney, I would have tried to emulate some of the World Showcase films (Norway, France, China, Canada) and incorporate them into Soarin. It would have made more sense as a bridge between Future World and World Showcase. But that's just my opinion. See you on the queue.

(did they keep Patrick Warburton?)

[Matterhorn Fan]

Yes, Patrick Warburton is still there--the pre-ride video is exactly the same.
See you on the queue.Yes, then we'll join CP, who will be well on her way to Kaki-Gori. Smart.

[Morrigoon]

Hahah... I love it. Years of being insulted by them trying to foist their Florida merch on our park, and we finally get em back by getting an image of Disneyland in theirs. LOVE. IT.

Helps that I know exactly which yellow blob in front of the photo shop is me ;)

[Matterhorn Fan]

Actually, because of the 50th, images of Disneyland are popping up everywhere. The gold Sleeping Beauty Castle is on banners all around EPCOT (there's DLP posters in France & Tokyo posters in Japan, too), and on new monorail decals. It's the nicest of the logos that are all over the place.

[NirvanaMan]

I don't even really like it that much here, I wouldn't waste prescious WDW/Islands of Adventure time to ride the same ride we have here to check out the line.

[Stan4dSteph]

It fits in with their marketing theme of pulling in attraction from the other parks: Soarin', Cinderellebration and Lights, Motors, Action.

The rumor is that they will do another film for the FL one at some point. I love the ride and think it's very cool, so I think it will be popular at WDW.

[HTHBellcaptain]

Though I think they did a nice job on the queue, I'm suprised that people would go just for that. They did a nice job, but it's not the lobby of the Hollywood Tower Hotel. That is worth going into just for the queue.

Bless you, Matterhorn Fan

[HTHBellcaptain]

I think the attraction will do well in Florida. I've been on it, and if I didn't know that it was California, I would just think that it was random places across the U.S. I do wish they would have put in a "In tribute to DL's 50th Anniversary we present Sorin'" type of a mention.

WDW Cast Members are usually supportive and proud of DL's accomplishments. Down here it's a feeling of we're all part of one big family.

[Matterhorn Fan]

WDW Cast Members are usually supportive and proud of DL's accomplishments. Down here it's a feeling of we're all part of one big family.and the honorary, may-as-well-be WDW cast members. ;)

[alphabassettgrrl]

I don't think I'd ride it. I've been on SOCa, and while it's fabulous *here*, I don't think I'd be as happy in Florida. Definitely location-specific. If as somebody suggested, they bring in stuff from the World Showcase, then yes, I'd love it. I love the concept, with the view, the wind, the smells and all, but really, who goes to Florida to see video of California? Bleh.

[Matterhorn Fan]

Who goes to California to see video of California? I can do that right here in Florida. ;)