For those of you who are complaining about the changes, and calling Disney "dumb" for doing this, you should keep the big picture in mind. You can't even BEGIN to know the reasons for this change. I know for a fact that there are some legal and licensing reasons for making the change. Someone (I don't want to get into details and risk opening myself up to any problems) was trying to hold Disney hostage for a lot of money, and when they were unable to negotiate a satisfactory settlement, they decided to just get past it and make their own version. So if you miss certain details from the original Soarin' Over California (whether it be certain video footage, smells, soundtrack, whatever), just be glad that you were able to see it when you did, cherish your memories, and find a way to enjoy the new Soarin' Around the World. I personally think it looks wonderful, and I can't WAIT to see it in person! Thank you so much for posting this!
some people are saying they prefer the original, but I think it was time for a change:) Soarin over CA has been there for 15 years, so I am glad they changed it up :) the one thing I will miss is the original soundtrack. it seems to be changed a bit from this video. I have not been on the ride yet, but it looks amazing :)
A nice change up. The Matterhorn scene (esp because it's the basis for an attraction next door at Disneyland) was a very impressive opening. And it was nice seeing the castle in Germany that influenced the design of Sleep Beaty's Castle as well. I certainly hope that once everyone has had a chance to enjoy this version, they consider offering BOTH the original Soarin Over California and the new Soarin Around the World.
Andrea Huckabay honestly it's absolutely fantastic! Me and my family loved the original one and it's our favourite ride and when we experienced the new one we were so taken away by how good it is! You'll absolutely love the whole ride experience! :)
The footage was old and fuzzy. Don't get me wrong, I loved it, but it's age shined through so hard. I'm really impressed with this new version, as well as satisfied. It's not like they ruined it in any way, and in some aspects made it better. I'll forever love the original, but this is something new to enjoy.
I knew that was you Ula! lol I actually need to disagree. I love this version but I will say that my idea since the start is have a two option thing where you can choose if you want to keep it local or go around the world!
***** Let me explain something. I'm not close minded what so ever ,but this is the EXACT same attraction that is at WDW ,so there is no difference betweens the rides whatsoever .Its called CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE ! Im not dumb for having an opinion .having an orange grove in an attraction is so important to DLR and if you dont know why educate yourself :)
kinda wish they kept the old one , have like two different ride experiences the new and then the original , it would save them some money and I'd love to ride the old one again
Prefer the original version, especially for its soundtrack. Disney need to figure out a way to offer both shows at the park, the original is too good to retire at this point.
yeah Disney originally said if there was too much commotion they would put soarin over California on the other side since there are two sides to the ride and one is barely ever used.
+Thingamabob Lapetus This is not the same soundtrack it is an altered version that was re-recored by a different composer than was used in the original.
I think the Taj Mahal scene is all CG because the Indian government refused to let Disney film. I'm not sure why, though the fact Disney is an American company may have been the case (relations between us and the Indians aren't the best). As for Egypt, I assume it was because of the threat posed by ISIS.
:( I wish they had kept the old version. I understand that they're moving away from the California theme for the park but the original version of this ride was so great the way it was, there was no reason to change it. I didn't hear anyone complaining and yet now there are many dissatisfied people with the new version. Sad.
The only thing I did NOT like about this ride when we went last week was the fact that the tops of the structures all looked like they were bending sideways. I don't remember it being like that with Soarin' Over California. I really liked how they added the smell of dirt and grass with the elephants, jasmine with the Taj Mahal, and tropical scents over the island scene. The new music was good, but I much prefer the old music, probably for nostalgic reasons.
The online video vs the actual experience of the ride in the original (Soarin over California) is no comparison.. The online video doesn't do it justice. I hope this is why I am kinda let down by the 2nd version. It will be interesting to see what people who have been on the ride say.
Yeah. Soarin' is something u should experience, not be mad because it looks bad from the comfort of your living room. Unfortunately tickets and passes are expensive for us right now, but hopefully in the future I can see this thing in person. :(
Is this in WDW too now? Because soarin over California was 1000x better than this! They tried wayyyy to hard for the interactive elements in every scene (like the elephant throwing the dirt and stuff, plus a lot of other parts were a little but slow). I'm gonna miss the old soarin, which was in my top 5 attractions. I don't even think this versions in my top 50 :(
It would've been better if they would've kept the music at the original tempo that it was in Soarin' Over California. This new version is slow and takes away part of the thrill that came with the upbeat tempo. Especially in the last scene, it sounded so sad when Tinkerbell appeared!
Hmmmmm I'm not digging this. It should've stayed local since the theme is (supposed to be) California...that's just me. Monterey Bay, Malibu, Yosemite, San Francisco just screamed it. Just my opinion.
I can see why they changed this at epcot, but the ca version needed no change because it altready fit the theme. disappointed in the ca one, not the epcot one
Not a chance Disney would have put on that firework show with the way those flags are waving at 4:05. Definitely prefer the original. Music sounds jarring and off beat at certain parts.
I just rode this two days ago and am so disappointed. Yes, Soarin' Over California's film was way outdated, but how about getting new California footage set to today's production standards? There seems to be an overuse of CGI in this film, and some of the scents weren't very realistic. I mean, how often does a beach smell like the air freshener labeled "ocean breeze?" I don't know, just my opinion.
It does seem Disney pulled a George Lucas by adding digital compensations into some shots. Like the combo of avalanche and jumping killer whale, there's no way a cameraman would capture something like that, that's a million to one.
Also the Africa scene smelt ALOT like grass... And the Island scene had a strong smell of I'm not sure what but it smelt great. Tbh I never even smelt the oranges in the first one.
Am I the only one who thinks this variation is a bit boring? Soaring over Californai was cool because it moved like a real glider and it had a bit of thrill to it. This one barely moves up and down and the speed doesn't really vary on this one. Idk I just found this a bit dissapointing. I havent actually been on the ride so it might be completely different. I'm just going off the video.
Honestly, the ride would have probably felt much better if they changed the orchestration of the ride, it sounds too much like the original soaring over California, it should have had a new composition to give it that new ride feeling
I think the Epcot version at the end is better. It's so touching when the fireworks go around Space Shipearth like they're making Mickey ears. It made me cry so hard.
80% of it looks like mid-range CGI. Did they actually go out and SHOOT these locations, or is it all just computer-generated animation? If it's so easy to create a new ending for each location, why didn't they do a new VERSION for each location, so you could have been "Soarin' Over the Land," "Soarin' Over California" and "Soarin' Around the World" and had a different experience at each park? This is SUCH a cheap cop-out that means we're one step closer to all California history and appreciation being removed from California Adventure. But, really, the thing that strikes me most is how this looks like mediocre CG animation.
The Taj Mahal, I know, is entirely cgi, because of strict no fly zones. And then there's the awful transitions and a couple other "enhancements." I agree, have a different version for each park.
