After what seems like an eternity of waiting, Soarin’ at Epcot is finally taking us around the world as of this morning. Take a look for yourself in our full ride video:
I would be lying if I didn’t say it was an improvement over the original and probably the version of the ride Epcot always should have had. That being said, there is a lot of CGI elements which may pull you out of the realism of the ride for a moment, but there are so many new “WOW” moments that I’m willing to forgive them. The ride programming pushes the technology to the limits, swooping and swaying like Soarin’ never has before. New scents and scenes make the attraction almost an entirely new experience, and one I think Epcot guests will enjoy for a long time to come.
Soarin’ Around the World is now open at Epcot and Disney California Adventure, and as Soaring Over the Horizon at the Shanghai Disney Resort.
Glad to read in your review that you liked it so much. I’m really appreciative of the video, but wasn’t very impressed with the ride overall. It felt slow watching the video and the CGI elements really did pull me out of the ride. I wondered if it was because I wasn’t there to truly experience it and after reading your review I’d have to say that is the case. Hopefully I will get a chance to soon!
I do think that the CGI transitions helped. I always thought the California version was odd because there were just jump cuts from one scene to the other. This one definitely flows better.
I for one am going to ask the CMs, after every ride, where and when do those over the parking lot fireworks happen? Whee…