Soaring Over California: As close to the real thing as you will get.
Written: Sep 18 '05 (Updated Dec 26 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A great simulator.
Cons: No in-line entertainment.
The Bottom Line: The best ride in Disney’s California Adventure.
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| yakkowarner's Full Review: Soarin' Over California - California Adventure |
This is one of the most unique rides I have been on since Star Tours. I had heard how good it was when California Adventure first opened by a co-worker but I wasn’t able to ride it until about a year later. When I first rode it I was very impressed, well more like amazed. It felt as if you were really on a large glider and you had the front row seat.
This ride went through several different ideas during the planning stage. It was originally going to be a two-story ride like the other moving rides throughout Disneyland. It was a Disney Imaginer that came up with the final concept. He pulled out his old erector set and in 3 hours created a model of 3 rows of seats. When he came back from his Thanksgiving break he showed his idea to the group and the rest is history.
The queue line.
The queue line is pretty typical for a Disney attraction. Disney still hasn’t gotten the message that they need to put some sort of entertainment in their queue line. There is nothing in the line outside nor is there anything at the bottom ramp area. The top ramp area has pictures and it gives a summarized history of flight. It is kind of cool to read but not very detailed. It also gets old fast if you ride this too much. : )
The ride itself
spoiler alert: I will reveal key aspects of the ride. Skip to the summary if you do not want the surprises spoiled.
Right before you board you have a brief video that tells you what to do as well as what to expect on the ride. It is very similar to Star Tours in how it instructs you. Once the video is over a worker escorts you into the room. You then put your stuff under the seat and strap yourself. If you have smaller children then there is an additional strap that the seatbelt runs through so your child cannot slide underneath the seatbelt and fall off the ride. That would be a bad thing. In addition you have handles on the side that you can hold onto if you feel the need.
Once it starts the light go off and only the landing lights are running. Then you move in the darkness. The next light you see it that of the projection screen being lit up. You are flying through the clouds and end up at Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco for your first stop. The music is majestic and conforms to the location you are at. Later for each scene the music fits perfectly with the theme. The music even stops at one point to pay tribute to the armed forces.
You fly though several different locations and each location is not just a static environment but is filled with motion. Sometimes the motion is nature itself, traffic, a helicopter, or outdoor enthusiasts doing their thing. There are several surprises along the way that pop out. One of which is a golf ball. After you ride this once, take a look at the audience’s reaction to the golf ball. Some people actually duck their heads at that point. At another point the riders lift up their legs because of how close you are to the river, or at least think you are. It really sucks you in.
When it is over you are lowered to the ground and can disembark. You exit near the ride’s entrance.
Locations visited: Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite N.P., Point Lobos-Monterey, Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe, Anza Borrego state park, Palm Springs (a golf course), So. Ca. Orange groves, San Diego (over a naval ship), Malibu (beach with surfers), Los Angeles, and Disneyland.
There are two theatres. Usually only one is working at a time but on busy days they will have both running.
How do they give you the sensation of flight?
This ride actually uses 4 of your five senses; only 3 senses are used to give you the illusion of flight. The first obvious one is sight. Because the picture is so big even your peripheral vision is stimulated. Unlike a normal theatre you do not get distracted by the walls and side of the screen. I believe this is an actual IMAX screen but I do not remember seeing any advertisement or plaque indicating so.
The second is your hearing. The first is sound, which should be obvious. But in addition to sound there is the sense of motion. The whole unit leans back (when you are going up over a hill) or turns from side to side to give you the feeling that you are really turning. The whole contraption is incredibly well engineered and occasionally you forget where you are.
They also use your sense of touch. I did not realize this until I was there a couple of weeks ago but they use air blowing across your face to simulate your air speed. It is a very subtle yet effective effect. It intensifies in force when you are supposed to be moving faster. I wouldn’t have noticed it normally but I was trying to check out everything I could for this review and noticed this right at the beginning of the ride. My wife just gave me this look that said stop it.
My take on the fragrances.
There is an orange fragrance during the Citrus Grove scene. I grew up with 2 large orange trees and I occasionally drove down Victoria Avenue just to enjoy the smell of orange blossoms. The smells in this ride are more like juicing oranges and not the real smells from real trees. With all the research they did for this ride they could have gotten this one right. It bugs me almost as much as listening to the same Red Tailed Hawk everyone uses in their sound tracks. The pine scent is barely noticeable in my opinion.
What are the best seats?
The best seats are the top center. I have seen people request these seats but these riders will be delayed by one rotation. So if you do not mind the wait then feel free to ask.
Music
The music is very cool. My favorite piece of ride music at the resort. Jerry Goldsmith conducted this piece as well as a long list of movies. After reading his filmography I soon realized why I like this piece of music so much (Secret of Nimh, Star Trek, and others.) I love the stuff he has written and this is no exception. He really added emotion to the ride. Without the music the ride just would not work.
(Sources: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000025/, & http://www.jimhillmedia.com/mb/articles/showarticle.php?ID=1000)
Who is this for?
I feel it is for anyone above 40 inches. It may be considered an E-ticket ride but it is not very intense. Because of the high excitement and low intensity, it is a very popular ride. Hence the long line compared to other rides.
Even if you are afraid of heights, I would still recommend this ride (unless you have a severe medical issue or a severe phobia.) My friend went with me for the first time a month ago and even though he is petrified of heights he only felt mildly afraid. But he did hold on to the handles for most of the ride. After teasing him I asked him if he would go on it again and he said yes he would. Now if I can only convince him that the Hollywood Tower was as intense as the Haunted Mansion.
Fast pass
This ride, the rapids (if it is hot), and California Screaming are the only rides you need fast pass for in DCA. I usually go here first if I intend to use the fast pass feature, then I ride a couple of other rides and come back. Your other option is to get there when the park first opens because if you go on a busy day then expect a long line.
The fast pass riders go straight to the second ramp section and only have to wait 1-2 rotations of the ride (5-10 minutes to get to the loading area on average).
Single rider pass
This is an option if you do not mind riding alone. Just walk up to the person in front of the fast pass and he/she will give you a piece of paper for single riders. Then you go down the alternate pathway until they need a single rider.
Location
It is located at the Disneyland Resort, Disney’s California Adventure. The ride is located in Condor Flats (they also call it Golden State) that is directly between the main square/circle (where the sun and large water fountain is) and the hotel. When you enter the park and get to the main square just take a right past the train.
Height limit
40 inches.
Hidden Mickey’s
One that I’m not sure about is the golf ball. I saw an image on it that may be Mickey, but it went so fast that I’m not 100% sure.
Cool piece of trivia.
The parade in the final scene was staged just for the ride. (http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/parks/attractions/detail?name=SoarinOverCaliforniaAttractionPage)
The L.A. traffic scene is sped up. Take a look at the side street and you will see those cars going a little too fast. The freeway traffic is actually bumper to bumper like normal L.A. traffic. Bumper to bumper traffic wouldn’t be as cool as watching traffic go the normal speed.
Summary
This is a very unique ride that gives the riders the sensation that they are flying. It is done by having a large contraption that hoists riders in front of an IMAX style screen. In addition the ride does move and stimulates your other senses as well. It is a great ride for anyone over 40 inches and it is the one ride in the park you cannot miss. You will not be disappointed.
Disneyland Attractions.
Indiana Jones Adventure.
Space Mountain.
The Haunted Mansion
Roger Rabbit Cartoon Spin.
Shootin Exhibition.
Main street cinema
Main street horse drawn carriage
Goofys Bounce House.
Tarzans Treehouse
California Adventure attractions
Tower of Terror.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
Boudin Bakery.
Mission Tortilla Factory.
Golden Dreams
Recommended:
Yes
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