Soarin' Over California (complete ride) @ Disneyland Resort

The attraction takes 87 guests at a time on a s...
(more)
Added: November 20, 2007
The attraction takes 87 guests at a time on a simulated hang glider tour of the Golden State, flying over San Francisco, Redwood Creek, Napa Valley, Monterey, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Palm Springs (actually shot in nearby La Quinta over the golf course at PGA West), Camarillo, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, San Diego, Malibu and Los Angeles. The ride ends with a flight over Disneyland at Christmas, with a Christmas parade traveling down Main Street, U.S.A., decorations on Sleeping Beauty Castle, and fireworks.
Ride design:
The vehicle (called a carriage) consists of three rows of seats under a wing-like canopy. After guests have been safely restrained in the vehicle, the canopy descends and a cantilever system lifts the chairs forward and into the air with the guests' feet dangling free. The vehicle is lifted into a huge IMAX dome movie screen onto which scenes of California are projected. Since the vehicle is moved forward into the dome, the effect is such that guests can only see the images projected on the screen and are given the sensation of flight.
To enhance the illusion of flight, subtle vertical movements of the seats are synchronized to the film. According to cast members who operate this attraction, the carriages do not move horizontally. Sensations of horizontally are created via a combination of vertical carriage movement and the turning image on the screen. In addition, scents complementing the various scenes are injected into the air streams blowing on riders. In the Ventura orange field scene, for example, guests are treated to the scent of orange blossoms. The mountain scenes are accompanied by the aroma of evergreens. The Monterey and Malibu scenes have the scent of a sea breeze while the Palm Springs and Anza-Borrego scenes feature the fragrance of sagebrush.

The ride system is a Walt Disney Imagineering-developed motion-based technology, based on a conceptual erector set model created by Imagineer Mark Sumner. One million pounds of steel provides the ride structure and 37 tons are lifted during each ride cycle.

Soarin' uses high-definition, high-speed (48 fps, twice that of the normal motion picture) film and OmniMax projectors.

Disney's California Adventure

Soarin' over California at Disney's California AdventureSoarin' Over California is one of the most visited attractions at the entire Disneyland Resort (facing tough competition from fan favorites over at Disneyland) and usually has wait times from 30-150 minutes. However, the attraction is tied into the park's FASTPASS system, thus giving the option of bypassing a long wait. The actual show is four minutes and fifty-one seconds long.
Queue:
While waiting in line, guests have the opportunity to visit the Wings of Fame, an homage to aircraft giving significant contributions to the Aviation Industry of California. Such planes included in the Wings of Fame are the P-51 Mustang, SR-71 Blackbird, and the X-1 Starfighter. Further passing the Wings of Fame is a small section dedicated to inividuals who have also contributed significantly to the Aviation industry of California such as Amelia Earhart, Jack Northrop, and Chuck Yeager. With each acknowledgement of their contribution is a small informative background of each aircraft or individual.


Preshow
Before being boarded into the hangar, guests will be placed into a preshow area, thematically named "Alpha Gate", "Bravo Gate", or "Charlie Gate." While waiting in this area, guests will have the opportunity to interact with Cast Members. Just before boarding guests will watch a Pre-Boarding video hosted by their Chief Flight Attendant, Patrick Warburton.


Trivia
There are two confirmed hidden Mickeys in the ride. One is on the golf ball hit by former Disney CEO Michael Eisner. The second is in the fireworks finale, composed of three strategically placed blooms, a design currently used in displays at Disney parks worldwide.
During the desert scene, just before the appearance of the USAF Thunderbirds, the path the horseback riders take leads to a cliff edge and a long drop.
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Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Soarin'
• Over
• California
• Disneyland
• Resort
• disney
• land
• dca
• california
• adventure
• fantasy
• frontier
• ride
• show
• parade
• epcot
• soaring
• disneyland rides

[jojo34209]

Ouch, focus focus focus

[infaMOUSEproject]

@jojo34209 i just posted a new in focus soarin. check it out. it was in response to your comment

[jberlotti]

To everyone making statements about the smells. Yes there are actual smells, LoL you are not going insane. They pump the scents of Oranges, Ocean, and Pine trees in during the ride. It's all a part of the amazing experience that is this ride. Disney just knows how to do it right! I am an anual pass holder and go to DL at least 6 times a year. I am in Korea right now (US Air Force) and will be back in Dec. I will be in DL probably a week or two after I touch the ground in Cali.

[Nancyjean24]

@AwesomeBomb08 I think that's wonderful!! It's my fav Disney attraction. I hold my arms straight out,and pretend I'm Peter Pans' friend Wendy. (Little secret between you and me). ;+))

[RaymondRecordz1993]

Is this ride like in 3D or 4D?

[Athleticcurlygirl]

I loved this ride when I was little and I still do! Its amazing, they even have smells that go with the ride!

[XxcarmixXx]

nevermind saw it in description box:)

[XxcarmixXx]

where do you think is the location of the scene at :54? (Yes I know its in Cali but where specifically)

[stadalberts]

@jberlotti Hey, thanks so much for your service to our country. Be safe!

[Wiifolderthomas]

I will cry I am out a here

[Wiifolderthomas]

This ride is awesome

[nigropuntdus]

one day I'm buying a season pass and a fast pass and going on this ride over and over stoned as hell

[DesertDragon96]

Very short... totally worth riding... the music made it even more beautiful

[NeftaliRose]

@jberlotti :O ccan you please tell me more about annual passes? we love going ever year but once ayear is never enough! and we have difficulty with money from time to time.