BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 From Orlando Theme Park News... Quote Rumor: Soarin' Closing for Lengthy Refurbishment in 2016 Thursday, October 08, 2015 | Posted by OTPN Administrator This morning, we will focus on a very interesting rumor that we briefly mentioned in one of our last Epcot photo-updates, which involves one of the park's most popular attractions: Soarin'. This family-friendly flight simulator originally opened at Disney's California Adventure back in 2001 and quickly became one of the park's most visited attractions. This prompted Walt Disney World to request an almost exact copy of this attraction for Epcot, which opened back in 2005. While the ride continues to pull long lines throughout the year and is still one of the highet-rated attractions in the park, most fans were overjoyed when they heard that the ride was (finally) going to include aerial views of countries around the world, instead of just California. Indeed, just a few months ago, the Parks & Resort division of The Walt Disney Company announced that Soarin' would soon become Soarin' Around the World at Epcot and Disney California Adventure park in Anaheim. Persistent rumors about this new version of the ride (coming from multiple, reliable sources) recently made their way to our office. Before talking about the details, we would like to remind all our Readers that the following information should still be classified as rumors because they have not been officially confirmed nor acknowledged by the Walt Disney World Resort. That said, we are always very selective when it comes to rumors; therefore, we are confident that the following will be confirmed soon. According to the rumors, the Epcot version of Soarin' will close for an extensive refurbishment starting from January 2016. While we have not been able to confirm the actual length of the refurbishment, some sources told us that the attraction could remain closed for about six months to perform the following: Change the configuration of the restrooms; Modify the attraction's entrance; Enhance the theme of the queue; Connect the third theater to the other building; Install new projectors used in the ride; As you can see, there is plenty of work that will be done during the downtime, making the six-month closure rumor more likely to be true. Let's briefly discuss about every single one of these changes. RESTROOM CONFIGURATION/EXPANSION Many Guests visiting The Land pavilion might have noticed how the restrooms located next to Soarin' are constantly busy, sometimes even resulting in lines to access the women's restrooms. This prompted the park to install signs directing Guests to the restrooms located on the second floor of the building. That said, few people actually make the short walk upstairs to use the additional facilities. For that reason, we have been told that a new restroom area is currently being built in the space formerly occupied by the stage of the old Kitchen Kabaret/Food Rocks attraction (in the past, we had incorrectly identified that particular space as being a possible future extension of Soarin's new queue). When work will be completed (possibly in conjunction with the reopening of Soarin'), the male and female restrooms will be separated. One (probably the man's restrooms) will be moved to the new location, closest to Soarin', while the other one will remain in the same place while also being expanded. ATTRACTION ENTRANCE CHANGES The construction of the new restrooms might force the entrance of Soarin' to be moved a few feet. As a result, the Soarin' desk (which is now very similar to a regional Guest Relations) could be completely removed. This means that Guests wanting to check in for the Behind the Seeds Tour may soon need to visit a new location within the building. At this time, it is unclear what will be done in that regard. THEMED QUEUE AREA As we mentioned many months ago, a new, themed queue will soon come to Epcot (recent rumors we have read on other sites stated that work will also be done one the queue of Soarin' Over California at Disney California Adventure). While we have absolutely no information on how different the new queue will be, we have been told to expect a different theme. If rumors are true, gone will be the cold, bare walls with modern lights that currently welcome Guests to the concourse. CONNECTING THE NEW THEATER Part of the work that will be done during the refurbishment project includes connecting the new theater that is currently still under construction behind the existing building housing the other two theaters. Plenty of work has been done on the new theater since our last update. According to one of our sources, the side of the building are now being enclosed, meaning that we are getting closer to the testing phase. Once all will be completed, the new theater will be connected via a new indoor walkway. NEW PROJECTORS While the Disney California Adventure version of the ride recently received new projectors, the Florida version still has the old projectors. These will be changed during the refurbishment, resulting in a crystal-clear view of the wonderful natural treasures found around our beautiful planet. When the ride reopens, it is expected to still feature the California-themed short movie. Wouldn't it be nice to have Disney surprise us and change it to the new Soarin' Over the World version instead? Who knows. That is all, for now. Once again, be sure to note that the information presented above is still being filed under the "rumors" category. The Walt Disney World Resort has not confirmed any of these changes, other than the fact that Soarin' Over the World will make its way to Epcot in 2016. http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/10/rumor-soarin-closing-for-lengthy.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 This all sounds plausible. Especially them closing the ride for six months to do something they could do in a couple of weeks if they wanted to. I am confused by this part: "When the ride reopens, it is expected to still feature the California-themed short movie. Wouldn't it be nice to have Disney surprise us and change it to the new Soarin' Over the World version instead? Who knows." The blogger is saying that they're going to shut down for six months, and then reopen with the old film. I doubt that. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted October 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 Yeah that part doesn't make sense, especially since they already announced a new film at D23 and we know it's been in the works for a while. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 I've never know there were bathrooms down stairs. We always use the ones by Garden Grill, they are always empty! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 I've never know there were bathrooms down stairs. We always use the ones by Garden Grill, they are always empty! The article is accurate about those restrooms being busy. They're the ones all the food court customers use. I don't think it's accurate for the article to say that people are too lazy to go upstairs. Everyone has to go upstairs at some point in order to leave. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Travisma 1,317 Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 The article is accurate about those restrooms being busy. They're the ones all the food court customers use. I don't think it's accurate for the article to say that people are too lazy to go upstairs. Everyone has to go upstairs at some point in order to leave. TCDI think it's more of an you gotta go situation than too lazy, especially if you either don't know about the ones upstairs, or you know that they are too far to get there in time. Is it possible that the new film won't be ready in time for the reopening? I would guess once it's spliced/edited, it would then have to be synched with the ride for the different motions. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 Is it possible that the new film won't be ready in time for the reopening? I would guess once it's spliced/edited, it would then have to be synched with the ride for the different motions. I agree. So, if the ride is going down for six months, they would take care of that then. Not reopen with the old film, and then have to shut down again to set things up for the new one. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted October 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 I'd think if the film wasn't ready, they'd just delay the big refurb so that they only have to shut things down once. Plus then they can make a big splash about the reopen with the new film. That's what I would do anyway. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caveat lector 181 Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 They really phoned it in on the pre ride show. It will be nice to see what they do Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LONE-STAR 370 Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 Sounds good and needs to be done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 I prefer the version at Dollywood....."Soarin Over Dolly" It's a double feature. Avatab.... Steve and BradyBzLyn...Mo 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Travisma 1,317 Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 I prefer the version at Dollywood....."Soarin Over Dolly" It's a double feature.I hear they barely clear "The Mountains" on the flyover. BradyBzLyn...Mo 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LONE-STAR 370 Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 I prefer the version at Dollywood....."Soarin Over Dolly" It's a double feature.You better not let your wife read that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LONE-STAR 370 Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 I prefer the version at Dollywood....."Soarin Over Dolly" It's a double feature.You better not let your wife read that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CJHokie 43 Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 I thought I read somewhere that Soarin' would remain open during the refurb. Not sure how. Not how I read it, 'cause I do know how to read, but how it would remain open. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shoreline99 137 Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 It was in Jim Hill's podcast with Len Testa, so take that with a grain of salt. His 'rumor' was that once the third theater was completed, it would open and one of the others would go down for refurb - the main reason being the new projection system is digital and the old one is analog. This way they would still have two theaters operating. Then when the first one was done the other one would go down. The new film wouldn't be shown until all three are open and capable of digital projection. Like I said, take it with a grain of salt. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Starbuc71 162 Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 We were on Sorin Saturday and the film just gets worse and worse. First time riders will applaude the awe of the experience but if your like us and have rode it a lot , it becomes more of an embarrassment of Disney that they let something get so decrepit. Let's spend billions to expand the parks, put ticket prices out of reach of the middle class and yet keep rides and attractions in the shape their in. We also had the worst ride on test track with the car coming to compete neck jerking stops where it shouldn't stop Tri-Circle-D 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 It was in Jim Hill's podcast with Len Testa, so take that with a grain of salt. His 'rumor' was that once the third theater was completed, it would open and one of the others would go down for refurb - the main reason being the new projection system is digital and the old one is analog. This way they would still have two theaters operating. Then when the first one was done the other one would go down. The new film wouldn't be shown until all three are open and capable of digital projection. Like I said, take it with a grain of salt. This seems plausible, and kind of like the way Disney operates lately. I can't fathom how the new stuff can't be ready to go if they're going to shut everything down for six months. But, their past track record shows that they move VERY slow. We were on Sorin Saturday and the film just gets worse and worse. First time riders will applaude the awe of the experience but if your like us and have rode it a lot , it becomes more of an embarrassment of Disney that they let something get so decrepit. Let's spend billions to expand the parks, put ticket prices out of reach of the middle class and yet keep rides and attractions in the shape their in. We also had the worst ride on test track with the car coming to compete neck jerking stops where it shouldn't stop Gosh, that's sad. And, I haven't heard anything about Test Track being fixed-up so they can be sure it's in good working order when they shut down Soarin', leaving it as the only ride anyone will want to ride in Epcot. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted October 18, 2015 Report Share Posted October 18, 2015 And it is official BradyBzLyn...Mo 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Santa ... Shannon 160 Posted October 18, 2015 Report Share Posted October 18, 2015 At least it'll be open by our next visit... whew! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ependydad...Doug 176 Posted October 19, 2015 Report Share Posted October 19, 2015 Crud, it'll be down for us in February. But we get to see Disneyland's in December- so that'll tide us over! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
swimmarz 72 Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 I read its opening back up in may around the same time of the Frozen attraction in norway Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 Crud, it'll be down for us in February. But we get to see Disneyland's in December- so that'll tide us over! Make a point of seeing Soarin' at California Adventure. They are already using digital projection there, and it is a thousand times better than the awful film that they show at Epcot. It's like a completely different attraction. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted February 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2016 Blog Mickey posted this to Facebook just now... Blog Mickey added 2 new photos. 2 mins · Winter Garden, FL · A look at the new Soarin show building on the left, with the current show building on the right. Pics taken during the Princess 10k this morning. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.