New Soarin Movie Might Be Coming

[WeatherbySwann]

According to Laughing Place, there might be a new Soarin' movie coming to Epcot and DCA!

 

[mitros]

After reading the article, I'm just wondering how they can make any significant changes in a little over three weeks?

 

[Condorman]

This makes sense for Epcot but why change it for DCA? I realize its been at DCA longer, but the theme is California. The area is called Condor Flats. That would be like changing the Chinese circlevision movie into an arctic slideshow.

What they should do is keep the original film and play the new one down the other side - as both Soarin's have two flight mechanisms. Of course everyone would crowd for the new film, but I'd have a Fastpass so I wouldn't care.

 

[CanadianGuy]

After reading the article, I'm just wondering how they can make any significant changes in a little over three weeks?

The article mentioned an '09 release.

True or not .. changing the film and reprogramming the ride mechanism would actually not be all that difficult. Probably the worst part would be coordinating the smells and the airflow such that they don't linger.

All in all this is an amazing simple attraction when it comes to updating the film.

In fact, if Disney were so inclined, they could simply do much this prep work in the off hours in one of the theatres with minimal downtown for the full ride.

Knox

 

[jfinke]

Now if only they would do the same with StarTours.

 

[jheigl]

Now if only they would do the same with StarTours.

I believe they are, or will be soon. I think it was mentioned by Spielberg.

 

[raidermatt]

The article mentioned an '09 release.

True or not .. changing the film and reprogramming the ride mechanism would actually not be all that difficult. Probably the worst part would be coordinating the smells and the airflow such that they don't linger.

All in all this is an amazing simple attraction when it comes to updating the film.

In fact, if Disney were so inclined, they could simply do much this prep work in the off hours in one of the theatres with minimal downtown for the full ride.

Knox

I don't know, when some of us said they should have done a new film or at least updated it for Epcot we were told by many that it would be expensive and a waste.

Not by you necessarily, but it's just interesting how the winds of opinion can change depending on what Disney actually does or is rumored to do.

 

[OKW Lover]

So, is this a new item? Or just the same old rumor being recycled?

 

[CanadianGuy]

I don't know, when some of us said they should have done a new film or at least updated it for Epcot we were told by many that it would be expensive and a waste.

Not by you necessarily, but it's just interesting how the winds of opinion can change depending on what Disney actually does or is rumored to do.

Actually to be more precise the article mentioned a LATE '09 release.. there is a LOT of time in a year.

I know it's not thot so by some.. but I tend more towards realist than pixie dust. And it's very much a possibility to do the required work to release this in a year. And let's be in absolute agreement on one thing, film PERMITS do not a film make. Lots of times permits are issued and nothing is done.

Having said all that.. I do tend to agree with the PP who said "It's unlikely Disney will spend the money as long as the attraction is drawing the numbers.."

The question is.. despite anecdotal reporting.. do Disney's numbers show that Soarin is "slipping" from previous peaks?

Knox

 

[rodkenrich]

,

 

[raidermatt]

Having said all that.. I do tend to agree with the PP who said "It's unlikely Disney will spend the money as long as the attraction is drawing the numbers.."

The question is.. despite anecdotal reporting.. do Disney's numbers show that Soarin is "slipping" from previous peaks?

Knox

I know I'm just spinning my wheels here, but the above is just another example of the difference between the Disney that built itself into an icon and succeeded when every other studio went under or was taken over, and the Disney we have today.

Any of us can look at turnstile counts and react to fewer clicks.

 

[jfinke]

I believe they are, or will be soon. I think it was mentioned by Spielberg.

Not sure what Spielberg would have to do with it. Now, if Lucas came out and said the ILM is working with Disney to revamp the ride, that would be taken seriously.

In all honesty, I don't think that it would take much to revamp it. But, it probably depends on the age of the computers controlling the ride. The hydrolics are obviously still working.

And since the new movies are all cgi anyways, it is not like they have to reshoot everything. Heck, my video card in my computer could render something on the fly that would give the current show a run for its money.

 

[GoofyWaterCoaster]

I hope it's better than this one, because I would be very disappointed if they changed it and it was bad, because this one is great! They may have the line split for the new or old one too, instead of telling you which way to go

 

[CanadianGuy]

I know I'm just spinning my wheels here, but the above is just another example of the difference between the Disney that built itself into an icon and succeeded when every other studio went under or was taken over, and the Disney we have today.

Any of us can look at turnstile counts and react to fewer clicks.

Agreed.. now to my point - does anyone KNOW if the Soarin' numbers are down?

As I said, anecdotally that wouldn't appear to be case.. but then.. who knows.

Certainly creating the attraction on the East Coast on the incredibly tight time frames that they did meant the only viable choice was to use the same film initially.

Perhaps the upgrade was planned all along?

I have no idea.. does anyone here?

Knox

 

[Condorman]

I can't imagine the numbers are down, and even if they are it would be an insignificant amount. Every morning when the rope drops, 80% of everyone who showed up early to Epcot pulls a Carl Lewis right for Soarin' -- not Universe of Energy and not Mission:Space. Soarin' is easily the most popular attraction in Epcot, and for them to make any changes, while I want them, are unnecessary with regards to boosting attendance.

A global theme involving natural or man-made landmarks would be very welcome. However, I disagree with any Floridian version to match what they did in California. CA has arguably one of the most diverse terrains in the USA, with snow-capped mountains, deserts, beaches, forests, etc. Florida, God love ya, does not embody the same natural splendor or spectacle.

Soarin': Over Earth... November, 2009.

Fingers crossed.

 

[zulemara]

Not sure what Spielberg would have to do with it. Now, if Lucas came out and said the ILM is working with Disney to revamp the ride, that would be taken seriously.

In all honesty, I don't think that it would take much to revamp it. But, it probably depends on the age of the computers controlling the ride. The hydrolics are obviously still working.

And since the new movies are all cgi anyways, it is not like they have to reshoot everything. Heck, my video card in my computer could render something on the fly that would give the current show a run for its money.

the quote came from an article on a news site featuring the 3D artist that worked on the new Indiana Jones movie. The article said something like "the next project <name> is working on has even bigger nostalgia. The star tours ride at DL is up next."

 

[mitros]

It is nearly impossible for us to believe that numbers at WDW are "down", much less the numbers at Soarin'. It's impossible to get on that ride without a fastpass, and if you do not get it first thing in the morning, forget it, your not ridin' Soarin'. We have cut our trips in half because of the overflow crowds on property. I'd be thrilled to see less "bodies" at the resorts, restaurants, and especially at the parks........

 

[jfinke]

the quote came from an article on a news site featuring the 3D artist that worked on the new Indiana Jones movie. The article said something like "the next project <name> is working on has even bigger nostalgia. The star tours ride at DL is up next."

Do you have a link? I would be very interested in reading it. This has always seemed to me to be a no brainer. This would have been especially true 7 years ago in the middle the release of the (albeit disappointing) new movies.

 

[wannabef]

It could be done in that amount of time, but it could take every second of it. I'm currently wrapping up a commercial that was originally scripted in April; pre-production began in May; it was shot in June with only one principal location and 2nd unit work in another state; and post has dragged on for nearly two months.

Given the (deceptive) complexity of the original film, the use of helicopters, Wescams, IMAX, etc. and the possibility of scheduling shots for certain seasons, this will not be a run-and-gun production.

I hope this is either:

a. a seasonal tour of the East Coast -- Maine in the fall, NYC in Winter, DC with apple blossoms a-bloomin', Savannah in spring, summer on the beaches of Miami, etc.

b. a Powwaqaatsi-esque study of world cultures, both ancient and modern

 

[Condorman]

Not sure if we're still talking about Soarin' here, because the interview referred to the previous post is an actual one - I remember reading it myself but I don't have a link. However, that one was about Star Tours. It implied that someone at ILM, or some FX house who had done some work on IJ, was testing a new movie for Star Tours. The latest rumor is that they are using the Wonders of Life Body Wars attraction (now defunct) to reprogram the hydraulics and see how the new movie will interact with the actual mechanism.

Either way, it's pretty lame. I rode ST in DL back in 1987 and even then it was "meh." What's the new movie going to have? Coruscant, Hoth, Endor; big deal. They should re-theme ST and even the IJSS into an ILM realm with a TS restaurant of the Cantina from Star Wars and some other e-ticket, like a pod racer (i.e. Test Track - although that probably won't work since they're waiting for Cars Land in DL to open; if it's popular, they'll add it to the Backlot of DHS). I'll go on Star Tours 2.0 if and when it opens, but I won't be high-tailing it towards that end of the park when the rope drops.