In this post we give an overview of Soarin’ Around The World, a screen / thrill ride at Disney’s EPCOT theme park in Walt Disney World. We cover the basics of the ride, how to ride it, and our thoughts on the experience before closing with an FAQ. Read on to learn more!
Related Posts
This post is a quick guide to Soarin’, but we have related content that dives deeper into topics. Our Epcot Genie+ and Lightning Lane post covers Lightning Lane strategy in deep. The Epcot Rides and Entertainment Guide gives brief introductions to all the park’s offerings. For putting together your day at the park, we have a One Day Plan for Epcot.
Soarin’ Basics
Soarin’ is a screen-based thrill ride at Disney’s EPCOT in Walt Disney World. Soarin’:
offers rider switch
has a Lightning Lane as part of Genie+
does not have a single rider line
is about 3.5 minutes long
Guests with a fear of heights may not want to ride.
Measured by wait times, Soarin’ is the fourth most popular ride in Epcot, behind Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Frozen Ever After, and Test Track. (As of this update, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind still uses a virtual queue.) You should expect an average wait of about 30-45 minutes, but this will vary greatly by time of day and day of year.
Where is Soarin’ in Epcot?
Soarin’ is located in the World Nature land, in The Land pavilion at EPCOT in Disney World. Entering the park from the main entrance, World Nature is to the right. There are three pavilions on that side, the center one is The Land. Entering The Land, you’ll need to go down the stairs / escalators (or take an elevator) to the lower level, where you’ll find entrances for Soarin’ and Living With The Land.
How to ride Soarin’
Soarin’ is the fifth most popular ride in the park, after Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Frozen Ever After, Test Track, and Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind (which, as of this update, is still using a virtual queue).
You probably won’t be able to get all of those done before riding Soarin’, which you’ll ideally ride early enough that the wait is under 20 minutes. If you’re using Genie+, Soarin’ will often make sense as a third pick, unless you’re lucky enough to get all the
Since Soarin’ is located in the same building as Living With the Land and near Journey Into Imagination With Figment, The Seas With Nemo and Friends, and Spaceship Earth, it can make sense to visit those rides after Soarin’, particularly as they often have short waits early.
If you’re visiting Epcot with small children, you’ll need to use rider switch to ride. Non-riders may want to enjoy Living With The Land in the same building, but the three nearby rides mentioned above also don’t have height requirements. The Seas pavilion also has an aquarium.
Soarin’ Ride Experience
The Soarin’ queue is largely uninteresting and is highlighted by the ability to play a trivia game on your phone while you wait.
At the loading area, you’ll watch a pre show starring Patrick Warburton, who you may know from Seinfeld, The Emperor’s New Groove, and even another Disney queue (but I’ll let you find that bit of trivia for yourself).
The ride itself is a giant screen ride simulating a hang gliding flight through 13 scenes around the world, from Europe to Africa to the South Pacific. You’ll be buckled in, and the ride basically has three elevated rows of guests spanning the width of the screen. You can view a video of the ride here.
The ride has its flaws—it uses a lot of CGI and your seat can make a difference. If you aren’t in the top row, you’ll have feet dangling above you. If you’re too far to the side, the images get distorted. Does this ruin the experience? No. But anyone who’s seen the wildly curved Eiffel Tower remembers it for life.
Even though the technology is relatively old at this point, and the video could use a makeover, it’s still a must-do at the park. Most every time I ride, there are guests in awe of the experience.
Soarin’ FAQ
What are the scenes in Soarin’ Around The World?
The scenes are: Matterhorn; Isfjord, Greenland; Sydney Harbour; Neuschwanstein Castle; Kilimanjaro National Park; The Great Wall of China; The Great Pyramids; Taj Mahal; Monument Valley, Arizona, United States; Lau Islands, Fiji; Iguazu Falls in Brazil and Argentina; Eiffel Tower; and Epcot.
Is Soarin’ Around the World scary?
Soarin’ isn’t particularly scary, but the ride does try to add some excitement to the “flying” simulation. I wouldn’t advise guests with a fear of heights to ride.
Is Soarin’ the Same at Disney California Adventure?
The Soarin’ ride at Disney California Adventure is mostly the same, but with two caveats. First, the end scene takes place at Disneyland instead of Epcot. Second, at Disney California Adventure, Disney sometimes brings back the older “Soarin’ Over California” verison of the ride, which consists entirely of scenes in California.
All Your Other Disney World Planning Questions Answered
Don't be overwhelmed by Disney World planning! Take a second to check out our most important content and you'll not only be an expert, but you'll save big $$$ along the way.
Just starting out? Check out our Walt Disney World planning guide! If you're still picking dates, we've got everything you need to know about Disney World crowd calendars. For picking your hotel, check out our Walt Disney World hotels guide.
When it comes time to book we’ll help you find discount Disney World tickets. Decide whether you need a dining plan in our Complete Guide to Disney World Dining Plans! And don't forget to book those Disney World Advance Dining Reservations!
Don't forget to master your Disney World Genie+ and Lightning Lane strategy a few months in advance. We'll keep you out of long lines so you can maximize the magical time in the parks! We've got park-specific guides as well: Magic Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, Epcot Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, Animal Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, and Hollywood Studios Genie+ and Lightning Lanes.
Know what to ride with our guides to: Magic Kingdom rides, Hollywood Studios rides, Epcot rides, and Animal Kingdom rides! Plus learn about the water parks with our guide to Blizzard Beach and our guide to Typhoon Lagoon! And for some some fun prep, check out our Ranking of Every Ride at Walt Disney World.
Finally, before you head out, be sure to check out our to-the-point packing list, 10 essentials you forget to pack for every Disney trip. And if you're interested in saving, there's no better list than our 53 Ways to Save on your Disney trip from start to finish.