Epcot closes Soarin for Emergency Maintenance

[HauntedGabe]

WDW Magic is reporting:

Soarin', has been temporarily closed for urgent maintenance. Yesterday a guest managed to exit the glider prior to take off, which has now raised questions about how the guest circumvented the restraint system. Although there were no injuries, Soarin' at Disney's California Adventure has also been closed pending the investigation. No word yet on when the ride will reopen.

Bad time to be a guest in Epcots Future World.

[disneymaniac87]

Future World doesn't really have anything to offer now except Spaceship Earth.

This is sad that some people's idiotic tendencies has to prevent others enjoying one of the best rides in Disney.

[WDW4Ever]

WDW Magic is reporting:

[I]Yesterday a guest managed to exit the glider prior to take off

I'm confused by this wording. Was it up in the air already or was this just prior to takeoff?

[HauntedGabe]

I'm confused by this wording. Was it up in the air already or was this just prior to takeoff?

I wasn't the author but my interpretation of prior to takeoff off means it was not in the air. I took that as after the safety check that guests were tethered in a guest escaped and got off. Like the safety bars and roller coaster pull down harnesses, Soarnin restraints are supposed to lock into place for the duration of the ride.

[Disneynut1958]

I am just wondering why this person felt the need to exit the ride, did she panic? Was she ill? The queue is long enough that if you are not feeling well and/or chicken out...you have a long time to make up your mind before you get to the point of "sitting". Or, was this a person looking for attention, and/or just really wanted to ***** things up? Gotta wonder what kind of questions they asked them for the reason behind their behavior.

[MartianCrab]

Gotta wonder what kind of questions they asked them for the reason behind their behavior.

Oftentimes stupidity is its own answer.

[StewbotTalborg]

Oftentimes stupidity is its own answer.

^ This.

[supernova]

I'm confused by this wording. Was it up in the air already or was this just prior to takeoff?

I wasn't the author but my interpretation of prior to takeoff off means it was not in the air. I took that as after the safety check that guests were tethered in a guest escaped and got off. Like the safety bars and roller coaster pull down harnesses, Soarnin restraints are supposed to lock into place for the duration of the ride.

Gotta agree. Not sure how "prior to takeoff" could mean anything BUT "grounded".

[BamaJenn]

I mentioned this to my hubby and what he thinks is not that someone slipped out of the restraints just prior to take-off but that someone from the prior group had stayed behind and they didn't catch it until the person began walking out. It's a valid theory (in the face of zero information to the contrary especially).

I will say this though... There was a person on one of our trips that asked to stay and watch from the ground after and we overheard the CM explaining just how big of a "no" that was. Betcha people try to sneak in the back all the time and CMs as more concerned with ensuring all the actual riders are buckled and ready to go so they miss it. I'd love to see the "take off" from the ground though I'd never actually try to do it.

[JNota0005DakMC]

why would anyone want to jump off the ride prior to takeoff...? sometimes amusement parks bring out the buffoonery of tourism...

[Mo Noyz]

The "buffoonery of tourism"?!

Is there any other mode?

[WDW4Ever]

Gotta agree. Not sure how "prior to takeoff" could mean anything BUT "grounded".

Misread it at the time

[JNota0005DakMC]

The "buffoonery of tourism"?!

Is there any other mode?

there really isn't... i was trying to be nice...

[Kiliki]

I'm wondering if was a squirmy/fidgety kid... someone not overly aware of the implications of their actions

[GoofyGuy]

As someone that's never been on the ride before (but would like to on our next trip down to the World).
I was always under the impression that it was a screen and you just sat there and the screen actually moved to make it feel like you were flying...., can someone explain exactly what the ride is and does? I appreciate it. If it does go up - how high? how long is the actual experience?

Thanks