Soarin' at Epcot center

[RCTfangirl]

I am going to Orlando, Florida (or atleast I hope so) this spring break for a feild trip. I will get to spend time at Disneyworld and all that. Soarin' at Epcot center (as well as Mission: Space) looks pretty interesting. I heard something about that if your head doesn't touch some sort of mark, you'll have problems riding or something? I'm not sure exactly, but I'm kinda short for my age :p

[-LiLDaReDeViL5-]

I'm going to warn you now.
Spring Break is an absolute MAD HOUSE. Do not expect to get on anything with less than a 45 minute wait, and that's when it's least crowded.

However, play your cards right, and you get on the E-Tickets no problem.

Here's a quick little guide.
Magic Kingdom: Head to Space Mountain and grab a fastpass. Then, go to the other two mountains (Big Thunder and Splash). I'd do Mansin then Pirates, but it doesn't matter.

EPCOT: Soarin' RIGHT AWAY. It gets packed. Expect to wait a while though in the morning. Everyone goes there after rope drop. Now either FastPass Mission or Test Track. Whichever one you don't fastapss, ride.

MGM: Fastpass Coaster, ride Tower. Then Midway Mania and Great Movie Ride. Get to an early showing of Indy. Lights! Motors! Action! will be down for rehab, so that leaves this as the lone stunt show. Trust me, it's awesome.

Animal Kingdom: Everest right away. Then Kilomanjaro (sp?) Safari then the rest of the day you won't have problems. Expect to be done with this park by noon. Not much to do.

[BoRJoYZeE]

Have you been on a stand-up coaster? If so, you will be fine.

Just height requirements.

[Westcot]

You should be tall enough for Mission: SPACE. The official Epcot site lists the minimum height requirement as 44" (113 cm) or taller.

Hope you have an awesome time! Epcot is one of my favorite parks... and it's purely awesome. Be sure to hit Soarin', Mission: SPACE, Test Track, and Spaceship Earth for sure. Soarin' is cool, but make sure to get Fastpass (which is free) as the regular line can be well over an hour. Same goes for Mission: SPACE and Test Track, although you may get lucky with a short line if you make it early enough. Spaceship Earth's line moves really fast, so you can usually hit that anytime of the day.

Innoventions in Future World is also pretty cool. Make sure to visit the 25th Anniversary exhibit if it's open and you're into the history of EPCOT Center. Be sure to visit Club Cool as well, where you can sample international sodas for free. It's a good alternative to buying a full-size cup when you're thirsty.

The World Showcase (different world countries) section doesn't open until 11:00AM, so plan on staying in Future World until then.

Here's a map (if you already haven't seen one). It's a little outdated as it has "The Seas with Nemo and Friends" as "The Living Seas" (which was a million times better before they added Nemo), but the rest is all fine...

http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/epcot-.jpg

Have fun on your trip! :D

[SnooSnoo]

Don't go. :P

[aoshi]

Animal Kingdom: Everest right away. Then Kilomanjaro (sp?) Safari then the rest of the day you won't have problems. Expect to be done with this park by noon. Not much to do.

Actually there's A LOT to do. It's just that it isn't so much about the rides as it is exploring the trails and seeing the animals. There's also the fantastic Lion King show and the Finding Nemo musical (which is almost an hour, so it can take up a large portion of your day).

Soarin' at Epcot has the greatest queue line ever.

[Sno]

^ I agree.

The Soarin at Epcot is kinda funny for us Californians because the original at California Adventure doesn't get much longer than 45 minutes on a crowded day from my experiences and the at Epcot is PACKED.

[Squid2]

Magic Kingdom: Head to Space Mountain and grab a fastpass. Then, go to the other two mountains (Big Thunder and Splash). I'd do Mansion then Pirates, but it doesn't matter.

EPCOT: Soarin' RIGHT AWAY. It gets packed. Expect to wait a while though in the morning. Everyone goes there after rope drop. Now either FastPass Mission or Test Track. Whichever one you don't fastpass, ride.

MGM: Fastpass Coaster, ride Tower. Then Midway Mania and Great Movie Ride. Get to an early showing of Indy. Lights! Motors! Action! will be down for rehab, so that leaves this as the lone stunt show. Trust me, it's awesome.

Animal Kingdom: Everest right away. Then Kilomanjaro (sp?) Safari then the rest of the day you won't have problems. Expect to be done with this park by noon. Not much to do.

I have to disagree with some of the above advice, although most of it is sound.

For starters, it is possible to have multiple Fastpasses at the same time. Below the time the ticket gives you will be a statement such as... "You cannot get another FastPass until such and such a time." After the time in that statement, GO GET ANOTHER FASTPASS for any major ride you want to ride, even if you've been on it already. With this method, I've had 4 different unexpired Fastpasses at the same time.

Also, Cast Members are trained to accept a Fastpass even if the Return time on the ticket has expired, as long as it's the same day. Note that these expired Fastpasses are only good during regular operating hours, not for any special events or Extra Magic Hours. Depending on the CM, they might accept it during a special event.

Magic Kingdom: Depending on when you arrive, it is best to head to the right when you get to the Hub. This is opposite of most parks because the rides to the left of the hub (Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room, Pirates, etc.,) open first, and therefore most people head in that direction. This is easily a full day park, so plan ahead, and use your Fastpasses to your best advantage.

Epcot: Upon arriving, go to Soarin' as fast as safely possible, Fastpass it, then get in the standby line. If you do this at park open, you'll be able to ride it twice that day, and belive me, it's worth it. I personally suggest Concourse 2 (the one on the right, you'll understand when you get there,) but DO NOT MISS THIS RIDE.

Regarding Mission: Space; If you get motion sick easily, ride the Green Mission: Space side, not the Orange one. An added benefit to riding Green is that the line is typically 5 minutes or less. It doesn't have the full effects, but Orange is the most intense thrill ride Disney has ever built, and they're not kidding.

Some of the rides in Future World stay open after the rest of that section closes, so you may have some extra time to ride the major rides. Make sure to save some extra time after riding Spaceship Earth for the post show area... lots of cool things there.

Hollywood Studios: This is a park that's all about the shows, and there's a lot of them. If you don't care about the shows, then this park can be done in half a day, easily. However, several of the shows and attractions are only open during the day, so if you're going to see them, make sure to do it early.

When arriving at the park, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror are off to your right, at the end of a street. Fastpass one of them, then immediately get in the standby line for the other. The Backlot Tour is only open during the day, so I would head there after riding TT and RNR. This also puts you in sight of the best stunt show I've ever seen, Lights Motors Action. I haven't heard that LMA will be shut down for rehab anytime soon, so if it's up, see it. It's also an attraction that only runs during the day.

American Idol should be up and running by Spring Break, but we don't know what it's going to be like until it opens, so there's no opinion on it right now. So let us know what it's like, okay?

Muppetvision 3D is a great show, and it doesn't emphasize the 3D effects as much as other 3D shows do. There's going to be a new show down that way near Muppetvision, but no one knows anything about it, except that CMs have said it's going to be cool.

Toy Story Mania is a great ride, from what I've heard and seen, but I haven't ridden it myself. It does have the most complicated animatronic Disney has ever built... Mr. Potato Head. Worth it for the admission alone.

Animal Kingdom: I have to disagree with most advice here. Get to the park when it opens, and head immediately to Kilimajaro Safari. You want to ride this first because the animals are most active at park open and at dusk... and at dusk the ride has a very long wait time.

Also be aware that this whole park usually shuts down at dusk, although there's a movement on to keep it open later by adding new attractions. It's also a very beautiful park, and you can easily spend tons of time here just watching the animals and taking in the sights.

Once you're done with KS (expect an hour, minimum, with this ride,) ride Kali River Rapids, an excellent River Rapids ride with an incredible drop. Then go hit and Fastpass Everest. There's also a single rider line for Everest, so it's fairly easy to get multiple rides on it.

Other don't miss rides include Dinosaur and Primeval Whirl. PW is currently undergoing a major rehab, and is rumored to have the track layout changed by the time of your visit, so hit this ride... it'll be a new experience. Be aware that at the current time PW is two coasters. But the tracks are mirrors of each other. I prefer the one on the right, but they're pratically the same experience.

Hopefully this advice will help you get the most out of your stay. One last thing... you can ride in the front of the monorails if you want. Just ask a CM when you get to the loading dock, and they will direct you to where you need to go to ride up front with the pilot. (I wonder if you can ride in the back as well?)

Have fun, and let us know how your trip went!

Squid2

[aoshi]

They're not enclosing Primeval Whirl, to my knowledge. I want to say it's only closed until November, but I'm not certain.

[Squid2]

Checking on www.screamscape.com it appears that you're right, aoshi. I'll edit the above post to correct it.

Squid2

[Rupeeman]

Primeval Whirl don`t seem to need fastpass,they don`t even have a line that can take more than a 15 minute wait.

[RCTfangirl]

But on soarin, whats this talk about some "red mark" that you must be taller than?

I've been on a standup coaster no problem, except abit of headbanging.

[-LiLDaReDeViL5-]

But on soarin, whats this talk about some "red mark" that you must be taller than?

I've been on a standup coaster no problem, except abit of headbanging.
Soarin' has a 40 inch height limit.
Best ride you could possibly experience. It's almost as good as Tower.

I also recommend Carousel of Progress. I always enjoy it.

[RCTfangirl]

So there's no "red mark" then?

[Squid2]

Okay, the "red mark" is a set of wings in the seat itself. All it's there for is that if you don't measure up to the wings, but you're high enough to ride, you loop your seat belt through a loop that sits at the edge of your seat. That's all. It's not a big deal, and I've done it sometimes, for kicks, even though I'm 6'2".

Squid2

[RCTfangirl]

I still dont get it sorry, whats the "loop" then?

Any idea what's the height the "mark" is at?

[-LiLDaReDeViL5-]

Oh my goodness.

RCTfangirl, you will be fine. 40 inches is 3 feet and 4 inches.

Soarin' doesn't loop. It tilts side to side very slowly if that's what you're trying to ask.

[catgrrl]

Not to hijack the thread here, but, do you need fastpasses this time of year when it's not the high traffic time of the year? I'm going in roughly two weeks.

[RCTfangirl]

Lol no that wasn't what I was trying to ask.

I'm not sure too much about fastpasses at this time of the year. But I know that I'll be getting fastpasses when I go as its a madhouse in spring break!

Nevermind about the "loop" i found it here : http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1734815&referrerid=93883

It's not like the type of "strap" on Kingda Ka, inverted coasters etc, that EVERYBODY has to use because there is only 1 height requirement.

[Coaster Guru]

I am going to Orlando, Florida (or atleast I hope so) this spring break for a feild trip. I will get to spend time at Disneyworld and all that. Soarin' at Epcot center (as well as Mission: Space) looks pretty interesting. I heard something about that if your head doesn't touch some sort of mark, you'll have problems riding or something? I'm not sure exactly, but I'm kinda short for my age :p
No, you won't have problems riding.
^ I agree.

The Soarin at Epcot is kinda funny for us Californians because the original at California Adventure doesn't get much longer than 45 minutes on a crowded day from my experiences and the at Epcot is PACKED.
Yes, short line!

It's also funny for me because my they show an area literally right behind my house. So I can see it in the movie, then I go home and the orange grove is in my backyard!

[Garfield 06]

It's also funny for me because my they show an area literally right behind my house. So I can see it in the movie, then I go home and the orange grove is in my backyard!
Now THAT is awesomeness. Your one of the only people in the world who can shout "I can see my house from here!" on Soarin' and mean it.

Gawd, I haven't been to DisneyWorld in an AGE. I think it was, like, 2001 when I last went...

G-06

[Coaster Guru]

Yeah, it is awesome, it's also nice they used the same video in Disneyworld. Kind of weird that Soarin' over California is in Disney World.

I've also ridden on that trail in the jet scene, just on a motorcycle. It was taken in a section of the Anza-Borrego desert called Ocotillo Wells, which is an area split off just for motorcycles to ride. You can tell by the ruts in the trail, horses don't leave ruts like that. They often fly jets there for training, and if they crash, motorcycle enthusiasts like myself have gratefully killed off most vegetation which would start a huge fire(again, see the video).

[aoshi]

Checking on www.screamscape.com it appears that you're right, aoshi. I'll edit the above post to correct it.

Squid2

I work in the Animal Kingdom. :p

[patk]

im going to Disney World on the 10th!

[Squid2]

I work in the Animal Kingdom. :p

I never knew that! Where do you work in the park? And how long have you been there?

If you've been there for some time, (at least May,) then it's possible that we've met and don't realize it.

Squid2

[Cyberleader]

Right, Number 1. Soarin' and Mission Space are awesome do them.

2. Animal Kingdom is the best thing since sliced bread, I could easily just walk through that park all day and not go on any attractions, true wonderment.

[Sno]

^ You forgot Test Track. That's a must at Epcot!

And concerning fastpasses. You should either get them for Test Track or Soarin'. I would suggest Soarin and then run over to Test Track or something, or vice versa because Test Track's long line is do-able if you have to. The Soarin' line, however, is a nightmare in my opinion. Plus it gets so crowded in the building.

[Cyberleader]

Agreed! Really everything in Epcot is brilliant. I usually grab a Soarin' fastpass, then run over to Mission Space and ride it, then return to Soarin', then get a fastpass for Test Track, then get on with my day. :) All good.

[Pandasrcool]

I haven't been to Disney in a while. I heard that Soarin' is really good, so I'll have to go sometime.


I also recommend Carousel of Progress. I always enjoy it.

:up: Carousel of Progress IS worth going to.:up:

[RCTfangirl]

Ya how Is test track? It looks interesting though. Although I think my teacher can't ride...Because he might be too big.

[Squid2]

Test Track is the closest thing that Epcot has to a rollercoaster. It's a great ride, but there are some heavy lateral gs at times. But your teacher should be able to fit, unless they are really really big. (I'm 6'2", about 300 lbs., and I still fit in the ride.)

There's no OTSR, just a seatbelt with three across seating. I personally recommend that, if you're of large size, sit in the middle of the car. That way you don't have a solid wall on one side of you.

Btw, be on the lookout for new cars on the Track, and I don't mean new GM vehicles at the end of the ride. They are starting to test out new vehicles for the Cars ride at Disneyland, and they want to test out the chassis and other components under actual working conditions. If you see one, tell us what's different about it, because they haven't been spotted yet.

Yeah, it is awesome, it's also nice they used the same video in Disneyworld. Kind of weird that Soarin' over California is in Disney World.

That's because they didn't have another ride film ready when they built Soarin' at WDW. From what I've heard (mostly from CMs and management working on the ride,) they are working on a new film right now that will be international in scope. The problem is that it takes a very, very long time to produce a film for Soarin'... something like 5 years from start to finish. They've been working on it for awhile, so hopefully we'll see it soon.

Squid2

[aoshi]

I never knew that! Where do you work in the park? And how long have you been there?

If you've been there for some time, (at least May,) then it's possible that we've met and don't realize it.

Squid2

I work at the Pizzafari place and do a little bit of backstage stuff with the animals (as of late). My hire date was May 28th. I should work at Haunted Mansion, though. :mad:

im going to Disney World on the 10th!

Are you going to see the Candlelight Processional at Epcot? I've been selected to be a member of the cast choir. :D

[patk]

ok i will look 4 u :)
also i will be going to Disney World the 9th to the 12th

[Squid2]

I think we missed each other by about a couple of days... I was there earlier in the month.

Are you going to be in the Candlelight the entire run this year? I don't know if my wife and I can make it this year, but we usually come down to visit her folks sometime in that time period.

Squid2

[RCTfangirl]

And by the way, I'm 5'3 so I can just ignore the "strap" for shorter riders that someone mentioned right?

[Sno]

And by the way, I'm 5'3 so I can just ignore the "strap" for shorter riders that someone mentioned right?


If your above 40 inches then you should be fine, and last time I checked 5 foot 3 is 63 inches. :)

[Squid2]

Yea, the strap is basically for little kids. Everyone else is fine. And don't worry about Soarin'... it's the best "dark ride" I've ever been on.

Squid2

[RCTfangirl]

Yep.\, unlike on inverted coasters and such where EVERYONE must use it lol

Yeah well I'm so excited about the trip! My teacher even said he's going to try Soarin' and Test Track and Mission Space. Because I talked him into it haha

[aoshi]

I think we missed each other by about a couple of days... I was there earlier in the month.

Are you going to be in the Candlelight the entire run this year? I don't know if my wife and I can make it this year, but we usually come down to visit her folks sometime in that time period.

Squid2

I don't know what days I'm performing or anything like that, but it won't be every night due to work scheduling. But I will be doing shows throughout the whole run, yeah.

[catgrrl]

What is this candlelight processional?

[aoshi]

It's a choir performance of classic Christmas songs. Celebrities even come down to narrate. This year it will be John O'Hurley, Neil Patrick Harris, Abigal Breslin, Virginia Madsen and more.

[catgrrl]

Oh neat~! I guess that won't be until Christmastime then? I'll be there Oct 19-25, Halloweenie time. :D

[patk]

dang your going a week after me! its less then a day. I CAN NOT TAKE IT!!! :)
:( for caps!

[BoRJoYZeE]

It's a choir performance of classic Christmas songs. Celebrities even come down to narrate. This year it will be John O'Hurley, Neil Patrick Harris, Abigal Breslin, Virginia Madsen and more.

Hmm, well YOU should meet Aoshi. He is a strange one but fun to talk to. Enjoy your stay!

[aoshi]

Oh neat~! I guess that won't be until Christmastime then? I'll be there Oct 19-25, Halloweenie time. :D
Eat at Pizzafari!
Hmm, well YOU should meet Aoshi. He is a strange one but fun to talk to. Enjoy your stay!

:confused:

[patk]

well i head for disney world FL just after 9pm i will be back on monday! and aoshi i will see you there :)

[Schmitzy01]

Take it from a Disney World travel pro like me and start off with Mission Space first then you fast past Soarin while going on Test Track go back to Soarin other wise you will be waiting half of your days in long lines and that is no way to spend your spring break. Then when the crowd is moving toward those attractions you move toward Spaceship Earth and if you want to do any other attractions in Epcot do them. otherwise if your tickets call for parkhoppers hop on the monorail and go to the Magic Kingdom or walk to the Hollywood Studios. And here is a hint for the Magic Kingdom start in the back like frontierland then work your way up through adventureland,Liberty Sqaure,skip Fantasyland if it is too crowded then go use fast passes for space mountain and go on buzzlightyear

[pnkfloyd12]

Not to hijack the thread here, but, do you need fastpasses this time of year when it's not the high traffic time of the year? I'm going in roughly two weeks.
I would recommend getting a fastpass for Soarin', even at this time of year. I think more and more schools are starting to have a fall break as well as spring break, so there are still some long lines to deal with at some of the attractions. We were there last week and the wait for Soarin' got up to 90 minutes at times.

Yea, the strap is basically for little kids. Everyone else is fine. And don't worry about Soarin'... it's the best "dark ride" I've ever been on.

Squid2
I don't know if I agree with the "best" dark ride, but it is pretty awesome.

Eat at Pizzafari!


I agree! The pizza is good, but the lines were a bit long at the time we went. I guess going during the middle of the lunch rush was not the best time. :bulb:

[patk]

well im back and i LOVED IT!

[Major Sound]

How does soarin work? I never figured that out! :bilb:

[Westcot]

^ http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2007/11/epcot-soarin-behind-scenes.html

[aoshi]

I agree! The pizza is good, but the lines were a bit long at the time we went. I guess going during the middle of the lunch rush was not the best time. :bulb:

You must not have been at my register. :p

[pnkfloyd12]

At the registers I saw, there were three women (two of which were MUCH older than you) and one old guy. Maybe there were more than the four that we saw?

[Coaster Guru]

well im back and i LOVED IT!
Good, now remember the orange grove, because that's my house.:haha:

[RCTfangirl]

And also whats the seats on Mission: Space like? It looks pretty cramped and uneasy? And there are seat belts right?

[aoshi]

At the registers I saw, there were three women (two of which were MUCH older than you) and one old guy. Maybe there were more than the four that we saw?

I think I know who you're talking about. I might have been bussing tables or in the back at the time. Strange because they always put me on the damn register. :rolleyes: We only have four registers, yeah, but my line always moves the fastest. :p

[RCTfangirl]

Nevermind my feild trip was cancelled. I just found out. But I'll be going to Texas six flags instead with my family. My aunt lives in Texas so she's taking us there.

[patk]

Good, now remember the orange grove, because that's my house.:haha:
is this it \/
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/9897/cimg0774hu6.jpg
:)
oh and heres the RED mark on Soarin \/
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/5424/cimg0771jn5.jpg
it was dark wen i snagged the pic

[Coaster Guru]

Yep, right by my neighborhood. I would take a picture by my house to prove it, but they're widening the road and I can't get there.


But now that my computer is fixed, I'll edit this post and put it in. My bus couldn't turn around, so they let us in.


Sorry for the quality.

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/4140/photo0182hh3.jpg