Take a hang glider flight over the world's most famous places...
Take a hang glider flight over the world's most famous places...
| Theme Park | Disney California Adventure |
|---|---|
| Park Area | Grizzly Peak |
| Type | Flying Theatre |
| Audience | Families |
| Opened | 8 February 2001 (as "Soarin' Over California") 17 June 2016 ("Soarin' Around the World" retheme) |
| Manufacturer | Dynamic Attractions/Walt Disney Imagineering |
| Model | Flying Theatre |
Soarin' entrance sign
Soarin' Around the World takes visitors on a hang glider flight over famous landscapes and landmarks from around the world, all from the comfort of an air conditioned movie theatre.
The ride, when it originally opened as Soarin' Over California in 2001, was the first proper implementation of a Flying Theater.
Guests are seated on gondolas containing a row of seats, which move in sync with a film projected on a large dome shaped screen in front of them, totally enveloping riders and placing them in the centre of the action. The experience is accentuated further with various special effects including wind, mist and scents.
During the flight scenes include Sydney Harbour, The Great Wall of China, The Pyramids, The Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal. The finale takes place as riders fly in over Disney California Adventure itself.
Soarin' Around the World is wonderfully realised and succeeds in giving a feeling of flying over the various locations. It's a hugely popular attraction at California Adventure, and there are now versions of the ride at other Disney parks around the (soarin') world.
Stand-By entrance
Outside queueline
Stand-by queue
First indoor queueline section
Pictures from the early days of flight
The second indoor section celebrates Californian aviators
Legends of Flight flags
Departures
Cleared for take-off
Boarding pens
Tracking the journey
Soarin' at night
