Soarin' Across America

When to ride

Average wait by hour, from 5,497 of our own observations of this ride while it was open, over 17 days.

Early or late. Ask for section B, row 1 if you can. The screen is curved, so the outer sections distort the image noticeably and put another row's feet in your eyeline. Cast members will accommodate the request if you ask at the entrance, not at the gate.

Is it accessible?

• You must transfer from a wheelchair or ECV to the ride vehicle.

What boarding is like

Transfer required, and your feet dangle throughout. Guests must be able to sit upright unassisted.

Disney prints: Must Transfer from Wheelchair/ECV · Video Captioning · Service Animals Not Permitted Checked Sep 10, 2026.

What it’s actually like

You are lifted about forty feet and your feet hang free, which is the part that unsettles people afraid of heights — the sensation is convincing. No drops, no speed, gentle tilting throughout. Scent and wind effects. Mild for most people and difficult for anyone with vertigo.

Common questions

How tall do you have to be for Soarin'?

40 inches. It is one of the gentler 40-inch rides on the property, so a child who clears the line is very unlikely to find it too much.

Is Soarin' scary if you are afraid of heights?

This is the question worth asking before you queue. Your feet dangle over a curved screen while the row lifts, and the illusion of altitude is convincing enough that some people who are fine on coasters close their eyes throughout. There is no drop and no speed — the fear here is height, not intensity.

Does Soarin' make you motion sick?

It can. A wide moving image with gentle physical motion underneath is the classic trigger, and it catches people who assumed a ride this calm would be safe. Looking at the edge of the screen rather than the centre helps more than looking away entirely.

Where is the best place to sit on Soarin'?

The middle section, top row. You are lifted highest with the least of other people's feet in your peripheral vision, and the screen distortion is mildest in the centre. The outer sections angle you slightly and the illusion is noticeably weaker there.

Can you stay in a wheelchair on Soarin'?

No — Disney lists a required transfer, and you must be able to sit upright unassisted with your feet unsupported for about five minutes. The dangling is not incidental to the ride, so this is a firmer requirement than it looks.