Soarin at Epcot – Episode 13
Apr 11, 2009 in
Epcot, Walt Disney World, Weekly Episodes
This week we take a ride on Soarin, in the Land Pavilion at Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Hope you enjoy this week’s video, be sure to leave a commment!
Rick Howard
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56 comments
Chris Schofield on April 11, 2009 at 9:27 am
Great video Rick, I never managed to ride Soarin so it was nice to see what I missed and what I can look forward to next visit. Personally my fave thing to do when I first get to Magic Kingdom (I always go there first) is to take in the shops on main street I love the classic feel and it starts a trip perfectly.
Take it easy.
Chris
Mindy Burdette on April 11, 2009 at 9:38 am
Another Great Episode Rick! I tell everyone going to Epcot they must go on Soarin! I could almost smell the oranges:)I’m glad your provide these videos for us, it gives me my Disney fix until my next trip! To answer this weeks question “I know at WDW when” I ride Spaceship Earth at Epcot (which I would love to see a video of the updated ride, it was closed during our last trip).
Growing up, I traveled to Florida several times a year with my Grandparents. My Grandfather was Epcot man, we would always hit that park first. Now my Grandfather is too ill to travel, so it is special to me to carry on that tradition (started over 25 years ago!) of going to Spaceship Earth first – Then I know I’m there!!!
Mark Goldhaber on April 11, 2009 at 10:05 am
Thanks, Rick! Soarin’ is my current favorite attraction at Walt Disney World.
What tells me that I’m at Disney? Easy. Pulling up at my DVC resort and hearing that “Welcome Home!”
claire tanguy on April 11, 2009 at 12:06 pm
thanks for this video,I love this ride, it’s my favorite at waltdisneywold. My fist things is eat at the foodcourt to hôtel and buy thug for the free refill.
Thank you again for the video.
Elizabeth Batsios on April 11, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Thanks for the great video! Soarin’ is the best!
One of the first things we always do after we arrive at WDW is enjoying dinner at Chef Mickey’s. It is our first day tradition.
Donna Isard on April 11, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Thanks for the video. Great ride. The first thing we do when we get to Disney is to go to Downtown Disney.
Carly Cundiff on April 11, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Hi Rick!!
Great Video! Soarin’ is one of my favorite rides at Epcot. We love that you can see and smell California.
My family and I Always take the Magical Express from the airport. My favorite thing is seeing the Epcot Ball, the castle, and Mickey’s hat rise out of the trees.
Jeanne Cundiff on April 11, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Hi Rick, so glad to see a video on Soarin’. I love this attraction and can’t wait to go on it again. I feel like I’m at Disney the minute I get into the Magical Express terminal. All the signs mention all of the resort names and everyone looks so excited. I think the magic starts right then! Thank you so much for this site; we get so excited when you have a new video made!!!!
Thanks, Jeanne
P.S. Now my 13 year old daughter wants a Disney trip for her 16th! Can you help me in three years?
Kathy Foster on April 11, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Hi Rick,
Thanks for another great video! We who only get one trip a year(if we are really lucky) envy those of you that are able to go all the time. We are also grateful for the frequent Disney fix your WONDERFUL videos allow us. Soarin’ is one of my favorite rides at WDW. Since I only go to Florida to go to WWDW, my feeling of being there slowly begins once we land and I get on the shuttle for the terminal. It continues as I get on Disney’s Magical Express, and when we arrive at whatever Disney Resort Hotel we are staying at I feel like I’ve come home! I like to go to Epcot first and ALWAYS have dinner at the Garden Grill no matter who I bring to WDW. Thanks, Kathy
Penny Serrato on April 11, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Thanks Rick for the Soarin video. I remember my first time riding this last year, I actually raised my feet up when we went over the waves, like I was afraid I was going to get my feet wet. LOL. It wouldn’t be Disney until I see the Castle from Main Street.
Thanks Again
Penny
Linda Miller on April 11, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Thanks for another great video, Rick! I really enjoyed all of the pictures from your trip this week, too.
The first thing my family does after checking-in to our resort at WDW is to hop on a bus and go to Epcot. I have to see the Ball to know I’m really there!!
Linda Miller
Kris Koelzer on April 11, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Another fabulous video Rick, my daughter and I watch the video together every weekend now to try to hold us over until our next trip to Walt Disney World in August. When you asked your question of the week my daughter says she feels she is there when she rides the monorail at the airport but we also head to Hollywood Studios first because that is what we did on our very first trip.
John Mayzum on April 11, 2009 at 7:40 pm
The smells makes te ride. Thanks for getting me more excited for our trip.
When we arrive at disney world we like to take a ride on the monorail and just go around.
Fran Skall on April 11, 2009 at 8:25 pm
As always, I loved watching the video of your latest ride. Soarin is my husband’s favorite. When we arrive at WDW we like to visit “ourselves” at Leave a Legacy and then ride on Spaceship Earth. It makes us feel like part of us is always at our favorite place.
Colleen Anastasi on April 11, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Soarin’ is one of my favorite rides in Epcot. It is so relaxing yet thrilling at the same time! Really feels like you are hang-gliding (I still duck at the golf ball and still lift my feet at the sea!!)
No matter how many times we have been to WDW, I still get sooooo excited when we go under the archs. After the 18 hr drive, it just feels like home….my kids also STILL laugh at me! I am such a geek (and proud of it!)
Mark Nash on April 11, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Hi Rick, great video! Soarin’ is one of our favorites. For my wife and I, walking into the Magic Kingdom up to the statue of Walt and Mickey tells us we are finally at Disney World. That is one of my favorite childhood memories too. I went the year after it opened. Seeing the statue is so exciting and makes me feel like a kid again! We’d be glad to be your assistants, lol! Let us know if you have an opening!
Keep ‘em coming!
Mark Nash
Teresa Mays on April 12, 2009 at 3:40 am
Thanks Rick. This was a great video. Everyone you have made so far brings back a ton of memories from each of my trips with my girls. Soarin’ always makes me remember the 1st time I rode it and i did ot with my then 3 year old (she was very tall). I was scared because much to the joy of my kids I am terrified of heights and was afraid I would chicken out but since I had the baby I had to buck up and complete it. Boy was I glad I went through with it. One of the most amazing rides!
I would have to say just the bus ride from the airport, watching the cartoons with my girls on the way to the hotel. It amps up the anticipation and reminds us what we are there to do. then we get on the monorail and rush to Magic Kingdom and eat at Crystal Palace and then ride Peter Pan and watch Philharmagic.
Thanks so much for bringing the magic to me.
Teresa
Karen Revis on April 12, 2009 at 7:02 am
Rick- loved the video again! My 9 yr old wanted to know why he couldn’t small the oranges!LOL One our favorite rides, thanks for doing this every week so we can get our Disney fix in! 83 days till we leave for WDW after our 2 yr absence and I look forward to your videos every Friday (OK, this one was a little late~).
What do we do on our first day there? ALWAYS the same thing! We arrive around 10am and check in. Then we head to Downtown DIsney and have lunch at Earl of Sandwich. Then it is back to the resort to unpack and hit the pool. After that, around 3:30 we hit the monorail and ride all around, including to EPCOT. Then we always, always, ALWAYS have dinner at Chef Mickey’s to start our Disney vacation. Then it is off to an early bed and we know this will be the last time on the trip for sleep!LOL
Karen J Revis in CT
Lori Blessner on April 12, 2009 at 7:36 am
We first rode Soarin’ in Disneyland and it is a must-do every time at WDW-amazing! But where is the hidden Mickey??
Our traditional “first thing” is going to the Magic Kingdom to see the castle and having lunch at the Crystal Palace.
Thanks for Soarin’.
Jeff Meier on April 12, 2009 at 7:53 am
Thanks Rick, I loved this new attraction, even if it did have the longest lines. With FastPass however it was a better experience. I am amazed they let you film this but it is nice. Next time do the Mission to Mars or Test Track rides!! Thanks again!!
Thelma Huss on April 12, 2009 at 8:31 am
Checking in is what makes us feel like we are at Disney. Each resort seems to be a theme park unto itself. From there we head to Epcot first. The fireworks are such a great ending to a first day.
Laurel/Samatha Galvin on April 12, 2009 at 9:21 am
I Like the ride sorin because I Have been on the ride and I like your shows.
Your shows are awesum and I like the soarin ride but the ride is the same as Your shows but I Like them the same. The ride and your shows are so awesum.
Pati McElroy on April 12, 2009 at 9:27 am
The first thing I like to do is just walk around and take in the sights and sounds. The first thing my husband likes to do is EAT….especially at Mexico!
scott segedy on April 12, 2009 at 9:36 am
THE FIST THING IS TO WALK DOWN MAIN STREET AND TAKE IT ALL IN. THAN TAKE A LONG LOOK AT THE CASTLE AND THINK ITS GREAT TO BE BACK.
Scot Hill on April 12, 2009 at 9:54 am
Thanks for the Soarin’ video, it is one of my favorites! My first favorite thing is to look through the front of the bus and see the Walt Disney World banner over the road, then I know I am HOME! We will be there in 22 days!
Scott Schultz on April 12, 2009 at 10:34 am
Thanks for the great Soarin video Rick!
My wife and I absolutely Love this attraction.
We usually stay at Disney’s Polynesian Resort when we go to Walt Disney World, and the first thing we do after check in is walk over to The Ticket and Transportaion Center and hunt for the Walk Around The World Brick that we purchased in 2000. Then we head to The Electric Umbrella in Future World @ Epcot and buy some Chicken Fingers and fries. Sounds crazy, I know, but we Love those Chicken strips (actually now they are chicken nuggets) and so it’s become a tradition for us to buy some first thing.
Lauren Gallagher on April 12, 2009 at 10:47 am
Hi Rick! We always buy our mugs at the food court and then we head out to Epcot and ride Spaceship Earth. It has been our Disney tradition since our kids’ first Disney World trip! We also go back to Epcot to ride it as our final ride! It is the best way to start and end our Disney trips! Keep up the good work and we can’t wait to see what is next on your list!! =)
Amanda on April 12, 2009 at 10:50 am
As always….great show! The thing that makes me feel like ‘I’ve arived’ is the welcome banner as you first come in. As fars as the parks go, especially w/ MK and EPCOT, it’s seeing the iconic huge silver ball of Spaceship Earth or the Castle at MK.
Maryan Blanford on April 12, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Hey Rick…Ya outdid yourself again! I love Soarin’! It was hard to catch the hidden Mickey in your video – but, I know it’s on the golf ball that comes sailing atcha!!
First thing we do every time we get to WDW is check-in…unpack as little as possible and then head to Epcot. I get tears in my eyes every time I see Spaceship Earth (the ‘golf ball’)…don’t know why…but, I know I’ve come ‘home.’ We head straight back to the countries and I get myself a Guinness! Love It!!
Thanks, Rick…and Happy Birthday to Sarah!!
Janet Gill on April 12, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Rick-
Great video! We are going in June, and each week makes our trip feel that much closer. The first thing we do is going to the Magic Kingdom and ride Splash Mountain, our family just loves to start out our trip on Splash! We also always have our first dinner at Chef Mickey. Makes the magic start out on a truly wonderful note!
Thanks again! Janet
Kelly Pettis on April 12, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Rick
I love the ride Soarin. The only thing that the people watching were missing is all the smells, they are great. I am not sure what my favorite thing to do because I have only been there 2 times.. but if I had to pick it was going to Downtown Disney and shop for the gifts and getting them out of the way so the rest of the trip was devoted to rides and characters and more rides and characters. The only thing that I regreat was when we went the first time I didn’t get gold ears. The next time we went I got silver ears but I do miss the gold ears. I have colleted mice for 36 years and the ears were a nice addition. Thanks Rick for allowing me to enjoy Mickeyland even when I can’t get there as often as I could like.
Kelly
Deva on April 12, 2009 at 2:04 pm
amazing!! I haven’t had the chance to ride this yet…We went in June and it was an 120 minute wait with no fastpasses left
We are going again in August and we will go on it 
No if’s, and’s or but’s…
Danny Crawford on April 12, 2009 at 2:32 pm
riding the tram from the parking lot to the park
Danny Crawford on April 12, 2009 at 2:35 pm
riding thh tram from the parking lot to the parks
Tammy Norman on April 12, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Checking into the hotel lets me know I am there!
Tami on April 12, 2009 at 4:54 pm
I really enjoyed watching this attraction! I know that when I go there again I will definately ride it!
Dee on April 12, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Thanks Rick for the great video of Soarin’. My family and I love this ride.
As for the first thing we do to let us know we are there, there are a few. The thing that does it for me is when we are on the Magical Express bus and drive underneath the Walt Disney World arch. I feel like a little kid again.
Annette Peppler on April 12, 2009 at 5:24 pm
I didn’t know about the Hidden Mickey. Now I can’t wait until I get back there in May and ride it again to look for it. I guess I know I am at Disney when I check into the hotel and start exploring it. We’re trying to stay at all the hotels on Disney Property.
Thanks
Tammy on April 12, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Hi Rick!
Amazing ride “Soarin”..I must admit I have only ridden the one at Disneyland but it takes me back and I am thrilled to see it in your video.
My first thing is always Space Mountain – the highlight of any trip to Disney!
Thanks for all the blogs – love them!!
David H. on April 12, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Great video! Great Ride! Soarin is in my top 3 plus I absolutely love the music! I just love the feeling I get when we get checked into our hotel and I realize we’re actually at WDW. After our 24 hour drive from Oklahoma, it is a fantastic feeling to just sit back and let it soak in.
Cheryl Mekarski on April 12, 2009 at 10:18 pm
There is nothing special that I need to do. Once I enter my WDW hotel, I am in another world!
John Broadwater on April 13, 2009 at 7:25 am
Great show! The very first thing we do when we get there is to get our mugs and get a cold soda and sit an relax after a very long drive.
Carol Tootalian on April 13, 2009 at 7:57 am
I really enjoyed watching the Soarin video. It’s one of my favorite attractions.
We usually stay at Caribbean Beach Resort when we visit WDW and the first thing we always do after checking in is to go to the food court at Old Port Royale and get chicken caesar salads for lunch. For our upcoming trip in June, we are staying at POFQ (couldn’t get CBR under the 4/3 deal) so I’m not sure what we will do first to make it seem like we are really there. We are talking about taking the boat to DTD and having lunch at Earl of Sandwich. Who knows – maybe we will start a new tradtion!
Doreen Jones on April 13, 2009 at 8:33 am
Thanks for the Soarin video!! One of my favorites!!
I love it when we are on our way from the airport to the resort & we ride under that wonderful “Disney World” sign. We also love to go to DTD & eat at Wolfgang Puck Express.
Debbie Bolen on April 13, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Soarin’ is one of my favorite rides – caught it for the 1st time last fall. I tend to get motion sickness, but I found if I looked over and saw the other cars NOT moving – it helped. I felt like I was sliding out of the seat most of the time, but holding on to the arm rest helped that. It is an awesome ride and worth trying. Oh another tip; if heights bother you – request the lowest seats – C – I believe. They aren’t as far off the ground as A & B.
My favorite 1st thing to do is drive in the gate off I-4 with Mickey & friends on the walls as you come in – that tells me I am at Disney and the MAGIC begins! Even if we come in from International Drive near MarketPlace – we drive all the way over to come in thru the walls with Mickey. I always get a picture on the way in – I never get tired of seeing “My Friends” on the way in and feeling like I’m home!
Peggy Hickey on April 13, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Soarin’ will definately be the first thing we do on our next trip to WDW. We haven’t been on it yet, and we are really looking forward to it.
Usually was we pull up to The Caribbean Beach Resort We get the feeling we are “home” in WDW. And as soon as we drop off our bags we’re off to Epcot. We may be running on about 3 hours sleep but we just have to go to the closest park, Epcot, to know we are really there.
Dale Short on April 13, 2009 at 4:56 pm
We really enjoyed the Soarin video. Felt like we were there again. Our favorite thing is walking down Main Street at the Magic Kingdom. We are just kids again, even though we are in our 60′s. Thanks for the great job you are doing. We have found someone who is as crazy about Disney World as we are!
Mayra Lopez on April 13, 2009 at 5:11 pm
What an amazing video! This is my favorite ride at Epcot. It’s so relaxing and everything feels so real like you’re really in the movie. I like the part with the orange trees, you can really smell them. And of course the part where Tinkerbell flies by, it’s so awesome.
The first thing I do when I get to WDW actually happens before getting to any park or hotel. I always have to get a photo of the WDW sign. When I pass through that sign it feels like your in a different and magical place.
Steve S. on April 13, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Soarin’ was absolutely awesome. I rode it for the first time just last year when I went in June. My daughter loved it too. My wife, well, she rode it but she’s afraid of the coming down part so she had her head turned away and cut off the circulation in my hand.
I think my favorite thing to do first would have to be boarding the tram to take you to the monorail. That’s how I know I’m in WDW. The monorail would have to come in 2nd place.
Tina Milledge on April 14, 2009 at 2:30 am
what a wonderful ride! It’s made me realise how much of the U.S. I want to see in addition to WDW. Better start saving for another holiday very soon
Thanks Rick, loved that video!
Dawn Steinfeld on April 14, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Thanks again for another amazing video. Maybe I’ll be able to get my 4 year old back on Soarin’ because of it.
I’d have to say that I have a tie for favorite first thing at Disney. It was always checking into the resort, but now with DME at the airport the magic starts a bit earlier. And, just knowing that it’s all about to start is amazing.
Carol Nash on April 16, 2009 at 12:15 am
I Love Soarin. I can smell the oranges now! My favorite is when I get off the plane and head for the Disney bus. The bus takes off and the disney music starts playing. Chill bumps goes through me and I start bouncing in the seat as we go under the Walt Disny World arches. I have arrived.
Holly on April 16, 2009 at 9:10 am
Depending on how our flights work out, we try to start our WDW experience w/ dinner at Chef Mickey’s. It is fun, light and allows us to have a fun “Disney” thing on the first day after a long day of travelling. That being said, I don’t ever really feel “at Disney” until I’m standing on Main Street U.S.A. ~ Holly
Bob Nordmark on April 17, 2009 at 2:09 am
Hi Rick, It was great watching another video. Soarin is one of my favorite rides. My favorite first thing to do that tells me I’m at Disney World is–get there! I have only stayed on property once. Entering my resort hotel room and seeing how nice it was told me I was at Disney World. When I stay off property my favorite first thing is when I pass through the gate at which ever park I am attending that day. The sights and sounds take me to another world.
Terri G on April 20, 2009 at 1:59 pm
great video. This is my favorite ride at Epcot.
The first thing we do is hop the monorail, head to Caseys for a hot dog and off to futureworld!!!
Thanks Rick
James Bond on May 21, 2009 at 9:01 am
Wow! This video was so good, I watched it twice. Of course, I waited two hours between viewings to simulate the queue line wait. Great job, Rick!