Soarin'

Read MFL Event Reporter, Jane Jones, first hand report of Soarin'

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Imagine a breathtaking glide over the majestic natural wonders and varied terrain of California. Picture an exciting, wind-in-your-hair adventure above towering redwoods, picturesque snow-capped mountains, expansive sun-kissed desserts and the crashing waves of the Pacific coast.

With Soarin', that dream becomes reality.

Walt Disney World Resort officially launches Soarin' in May, taking Epcot guests on a high-flying magical journey that sweeps them up, over and across the richly diverse landscape of the Golden State.

The exhilarating aerial adventure immerses guests in a multi-sensory experience, complete with sights, sounds, scents, the caress of warm breezes and even the sensation of toes skimming treetops. Based on the popular Soarin' Over California attraction at Disney's California Adventure, Soarin' is located at Epcot's The Land presented by Nestlé USA.

Soarin' is one of several high-profile attractions being imported to Walt Disney World Resort from Disney theme parks around the world in 2005 as the Florida Vacation Kingdom joins in the "Happiest Celebration on Earth" -- a global celebration commemorating 50 years of Disney theme parks.

"The attraction is perfect for Epcot because of its spirit of exploration and discovery -- and The Land is a natural fit since the pavilion is about the appreciation of the rich bounty and awesome beauty of the Earth," said Kathy Mangum, Walt Disney Imagineering executive producer/vice president.

Using stunning cinematic artistry and Imagineering-developed motion-based technology, Soarin' literally lifts 87 guests at a time 40 feet aloft into an 80-foot projection screen dome. From all sides -- up, down, left and right -- their field of vision is completely filled with panoramic beauty and wonder as their flying theater takes them soaring on an unforgettable journey.

Never before Soarin' has anyone had the opportunity to view the Golden State from a bird's-eye view with such an extraordinary sensation of free flight. Among the many sights on view during the exhilarating fly-over: the Golden Gate Bridge, Napa Valley, Palm Springs, Yosemite National Park, San Diego and more. The experience is intensified as guests feel the sweeping winds and smell the fragrance of orange blossoms and pine trees all around them.

Throughout the flight, guests share the sky with a variety of other aircraft, such as hang gliders, hot air balloons, helicopters and Navy jets.

An orchestral musical score created by renowned film and television composer Jerry Goldsmith ("Mulan," "Air Force One," "Star Trek: First Contact") heightens the thrill.

As guests begin their journey and walk to their boarding gate, they pass through the Great Hall, the attraction's main embarkation area. Lining the wall of the Great Hall are five 20-foot-wide photographic vistas showing Earth's varied environments in vibrant detail. Organized by biomes, or eco-zones, they highlight Earth's diverse natural beauty -- the burnt orange of the desert landscape, the emerald green of the rainforest, the crystal blue of the Arctic, the majestic purple of mountains and the multi-colored brilliance of the deciduous forest. Under each biome depiction is a large, flat-screen monitor showing fun facts and quizzes about the eco-zones.

In keeping with the theme of flight, the design of the attraction's other pre-show areas (ticketing, skyway, concourses, gates) are suggestive of a stylish airline terminal, with cast members dressed as though they are part of a fashionable flight crew.

To further enhance the Soarin' experience, the film is projected at high definition, high speed -- 48 frames per second, twice the speed of normal motion picture film. The result is a crisp, clear image with extraordinary definition.

Just as clear: Soarin' offers guests a first-of-its-kind experience at Walt Disney World Resort. While Epcot guests have been able to blast off like an astronaut on a rocket ride to Mars aboard Mission: SPACE, they've never before been able to soar with the eagles.

The "Happiest Celebration on Earth" pays tribute to 50 years of Disney theme parks and Walt Disney's dream of Disneyland, the original park that introduced in 1955 an entirely new genre of family entertainment that now spans the globe and continues to offer unrivaled attractions on three continents -- and still growing.

Walt Disney Company Press Release

Read MFL Event Reporter, Jane Jones, first hand report of Soarin'