Below you’ll find some fun facts about Soarin’ you may not know!
Soarin’ is a popular flight simulator attraction that allows you to experience the feeling of hang gliding by riding in vehicles that bring you into the air around a curved 180 degree screen dome. It’s a favorite of many and one of the most popular attractions in Epcot. Even though it’s a relatively new attraction (it’s been around for about 20 years), it still has a very interesting history and there is plenty to learn about it.
Read on for some fun facts on Soarin’!
1.Soarin’ first opened in Disney California Adventure in 2001 – it didn’t make its appearance in Epcot until 2005. This year was the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, and to celebrate they added California specific attractions to all the other theme parks around the world.
2. One of the imagineers who worked on Soarin’, Mike Sumner, came up with a model for the ride using an old erector set.
3. The theme of Soarin’ switched from “Soarin’ over California” to “Soarin’ Around the World” in 2016. The California version is still shown sometimes in California Adventure.
4. Though much of the footage is the same, it’s known as Soaring over the Horizon in Shanghai and Soaring: Fantastic Flight in Tokyo.
5. The pre-ride video features a familiar face – and voice – to many Disney fans. Patrick Warburton gives us the Soarin’ safety procedures, and many may recognize him as Kronk in The Emperor’s New Groove.
6. The original “Soarin’ over California” ended in Disneyland, but the new Around the World version has a different ending specific to each park. The Epcot version lands in Epcot, the Shanghai version lands in the city of Shanghai, and the California Adventure version lands in Disneyland.
7. The idea for Soarin’ was first proposed in 1996, though it didn’t open until 2001. At that time it was known in concept as “Ultra Flight.”
8. Soarin’ is known for including scents are part of the overall experience of the ride. In the original version the smell of orange groves were very popular. The Around the World version includes the scent of roses at the Taj Mahal, grass in Africa, and the ocean in the South Pacific.
9. The area where Soarin’ is located in Epcot was previously home to the show “Food Rocks!”
10. The new version of the film features a new score composed by Bruce Broughton, who is known for doing the music for Who Framed Roger Rabbit and The Rescuers Down Under.
Thinking about a trip to Disney World to ride Soarin’ for yourself? Check out my Ultimate List of Disney World planning resources to get you started. If you’d like the assistance of a travel agent at no extra cost to you, email me at [email protected] and we can start planning and booking your trip!
Other blog posts of interest:
10 things you may not know about the Haunted Mansion
10 things you may not know about Splash Mountain
10 things you may not know about Tower of Terror
10 things you may not know about Expedition Everest
10 things you may not know about Pirates of the Caribbean
10 things you may not know about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
10 things you may not know about The Jungle Cruise
10 things you may not know about Space Mountain
Did you learn any new fun facts about Soarin’?
Oh my gosh, what a cool attraction (love that it’s based off an old erector set)!! I’ll be sure to check it out if/when I head back to Disney!
Making me wanna go back to Disney ASAP!!
Surprisingly, I need to get back to Disney and soon!!! I have missed traveling!