Soarin’ Over California is located in Walt Disney World’s EPCOT Park. It can be found on the lower-level, back of the building, in the Land Pavilion. This attraction was brought in for the “Happiest Celebration on Earth” and fortunately it still remains. I feel that this one of the best attractions in Walt Disney World and certainly the best attraction in all of EPCOT.

I am led to believe that many share this opinion as the ride is very popular and the lines are always long. Due to the popularity of this attraction, it is strongly advised that you take advantage of Disney’s Fastpass option. Like most attractions, the Fastpass booths are located on the right of the attraction entrance. It is best to grab your Fastpasses as early as possibly; they are generally gone by mid-day. At any given time, the stand-by line is 40 – 120 minutes. Even with the Fastpass, your wait can be about 20 – 30 minutes. It just depends on how quickly the ride is loaded and how many people are in either line. Disney also offers a single rider option to fill those spots. The attraction is generally not loaded and started until each seat is full.

Upon approaching this attraction, you may find that the escalator or staircase is backed up. This is the situation most often and it does require some patience. The stairs and escalator to get up and down stairs become very congested and it is hard to get off or on at times.

This attraction has three queuing areas. The first is the main line where you enter; this is the longest queuing line and wraps its way around to the Cast Member (CM) who will find out how many you have and let you into the 2nd queuing area. Unlike most queues at Disney, this one is not very exciting and there is not a lot to look at. Disney has changed the few large LCD screens by adding some interactive video games. This is similar to the Wii. The players in the line will dictate what happens with movement. For this reason, if you are a single rider, be sure to get in the single rider line or at least bring your ipod.

The second queue is also a line. Here the CMs will get a head count and place you in the 3rd queue based upon how many will fit in a single row. Once in that third queuing area, it is almost your turn. Here you will be placed into three rows, with your party of course, which is also the order you will be sat when entering the theatre. If I remember correctly, there are 8 seats in each row. While waiting, you will be shown a quick video with Patrick Warburton as your flight captain. If you do not know, he is the voice of Kronk on the Emperor’s New Groove.

One of the warnings our Flight Captain gives is provided for those who easily suffer from motion sickness. I can speak from my own experience only and tell you that I get motion sickness from an airplane and if I spend too long in the car. I will also get sick if I get on anything that spins. I have never had a problem when riding Soarin’. To me, this attraction, even with movement, is ultra and super smooth.

Once inside the theatre, you are sat in the same rows and orders you stood while listening to your Flight Captain. You will be guided to your seat by a CM and they will assist each guest ensuring that everyone is buckled in correctly. If you have flip-flops on, they will ask you to leave them on the floor so that they do not fall off during the attraction. If you have bags with you, they are to be placed under your seat while you are “flying.” This ride is to simulate hang gliding; hang gliding over California to be precise. At the start the room will go completely dark, your glider is lifted swiftly and smoothly forward and up, with each row stacking vertically above the other. I have heard conflicting heights from Cast Members, but the one I am told the most is that the first row goes up to 45 feet, the middle at 30 and the bottom at 15. Still in the dark, the glider is placed right in front of this massive theater screen, almost in the screen. The music starts and you begin to fly. You are first brought through the clouds and then over beautiful scenes filmed over various areas of California landscape. You soar over sites such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Napa Valley, the Redwood forests, Orchards, Palm Springs Golf Course, Yosemite and more. As you soar, the ride intensifies, yet remains smooth, while you truly feel that you are soaring through the sky. When the scene changes direction, you hang glider will change direction as well. If the scene leans left, your glider will lean left, if the scene is headed upward, your glider will go up, if the scene is swooping down, your glider will lean down as well. You will feel the wind on your face and smell those lovely orange orchards and pine trees. Leave it to Disney to “Imagineer” another amazing experience for the guest.

My only big complaint about the attraction is the picture quality can be a bit grainy at times and there are sometimes large dark spots on the picture screen. I realize the screen is huge, but I do find the big line through the middle of the screen a bit distracting. Aside from that, this is truly a wonderful and awesome attraction and not to be missed.

I also find it very unfortunate that this attraction is not wheelchair accessible. If you are dependent upon a wheelchair or ECV, you will not be able to ride.
One of the best places to ride is the first row. Here you will have no feet in front of you and you can literally see everything by looking up and down. We always ask if we can ride in the first row and have never had a problem.

As I had mentioned, this is my favorite ride in all of EPCOT. I think this is truly a must-do experience. This is great for people of all ages as long as they meet the height requirement.


Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime