Soarin'

   Since I had a bit of response back on the photos my husband took at Epcot's Soarin' ride yesterday, I thought I would tell you a little more about this fun amusement park adventure.

   Soarin' is a virtual adventure that feels like hang gliding over major areas of interest in the state of California.  It was first opened at Disneyland and later replicated at Epcot in Florida. 

   When watching a documentary on what goes on behind the scenes at Disney World, my husband and I learned that the Imagineer who came up with the basic design for Soarin' used his dusty old erector set to build the initial models!  The trick was trying to figure out how 3 rows of seats could be lifted off the floor but then laid out one atop the other so all the riders could have the same experience of gliding over the landscape on the view screen.

    One of my favorite parts of this ride is the aromatherapy, as I call it.  During certain parts of the film you're shown -- really, immersed in visually -- various scents are pumped into the room.  You'll smell the orange groves as you fly over them.  While you watch canoes course down a churning river, you'll smell the freshness of the air and water.  When your glider passes over evergreen trees, your nose will tickle to the piney smells.  All the while a breeze is blowing over you, adding to the overall sensory integration.

   Riders will get a quick glimpse of areas like Los Angeles, including Disneyland and San Francisco, Lake Tahoe and many others.  Look for the hidden Mickey on a golf ball that comes right toward you!

   It's a lot of fun and great for the entire family.  My Kindergartner sits and points out everything and talks in my ear the whole time, telling me all about it.  Adorable.

   As a heads up, I have asthma and have never had a single problem on this ride, but I have heard others with this breathing condition say that the bursts of scent set off a mild reaction so you may want to keep your inhaler handy.