Disneyland: Star Wars & California Adventure Park: Soarin’ Around the World

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Happy Halloween from the happiest place on earth: Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park! On this show we will show you videos from inside both of these major tourist attractions from Halloween Day, along with the latest Star Wars Adventure section, and Soarin’ Around the World ride . On Halloween Day and Night we had an incredible time on all the well-known iconic rides at Disneyland, including the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, where you can ride in the famous cockpit of the Millennium Falcon! >>>> In Disney California Adventure Park: you can have the experience of a lifetime on the Soarin’ Around the World attraction, where you can ride on a simulated airborne hang-gliding flight over the wonders of the world, over locations in six of the world’s continents! On this show we start out with a ride that has been there since Disneyland’s grand opening on July 17, 1955: The Disneyland Railroad (DRR), that is a 3-foot (914 mm) narrow-gauge heritage railroad, with a route of 1.2 miles (1.9 km) long and encircles the majority of the park, with train stations in four different park areas. It operates with two steam locomotives. The ride takes roughly 18 minutes to complete a round trip. You are able to go through the Grand Canyon area, and then go “back through time” to see the Dinosaurs, as when they first walked on earth! This was a classic fun ride! The trip starts from Main Street, U.S.A. section, and begins with the train traversing a small bridge, passing by the Adventureland section, and going through a tunnel before arriving at New Orleans Square Station in the New Orleans Square section. At the old Frontierland Station depot building, a sound effect of a telegraph operator using a telegraph key to enter Morse code can be heard emanating the first two lines of Walt Disney’s 1955 Disneyland dedication speech. After the journey restarts, the train travels past the Haunted Mansion dark ride attraction, enters a tunnel through the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure log flume attraction, and crosses a trestle bridge over the upcoming Bayou Country section. It then moves over another trestle bridge that wraps around the Rivers of America in the Frontierland section. Occasionally, the Mark Twain Riverboat can be seen in the Rivers of America alongside the train, at which time they will sound their whistles at each other to the tune of Shave and a Haircut. Afterwards, the train rolls through another tunnel before reaching Mickey’s Toontown Depot between the Mickey’s Toontown and Fantasyland sections. Once the journey resumes, the train moves across an overpass and passes by the façade of the It’s a Small World water-based dark ride attraction before reaching a fuel pump disguised as a boulder, where the train stops if the locomotive needs to be refueled. From this point, the train cuts across an access road and goes underneath the track of the Disneyland Monorail before stopping at Tomorrowland Station in the Tomorrowland section. When the journey continues, the train goes across another access road and enters a tunnel containing the Grand Canyon Diorama followed by the Primeval World Diorama. As the train runs alongside the Grand Canyon Diorama, the main theme from On the Trail, the third movement of Ferde Grofé’s Grand Canyon Suite, can be heard; and as the train runs alongside the Primeval World Diorama, music from the 1961 film Mysterious Island can be heard. Shortly after leaving the tunnel, the train arrives back at Main Street, U.S.A. Station, completing what the park refers to as The Grand Circle Tour! Then right across from Disneyland is the Disney California Adventure Park, with my favorite attraction being the Soarin’ Around the World– which is a major upgrade from Soarin’ Over California. On  Soarin’ Around the World you feel the wind in your face during a simulated airborne hang-gliding flight over the wonders of the world, with spectacular aerial footage that simulates the graceful motion of flight! This is an epic aerial adventure, that seems so real that Disney has to warn people that if they are afraid of heights- do NOT go on this ride! You feel exactly as if you had the power to fly like a bird, looking down on so many beautiful sights down on earth- so at some points I needed to hold on tight in my seat- as I felt I may fall down a mountain – even though I knew it was just a video- and I am sitting in a chair 50 feet up in the air- with the video in front of me, to my left and right, and even below my feet – so every direction I look – I see different videos to show all the angles of sight – that I would see in real life – so your brain thinks this is all real! This is actually BETTER that if you were a tourist on foot- because you see things from angles – you can never see as a tourist- unless you were skilled enough to use a hang glider, with an engine- to fly you along the mountains, and pramids from the bottom to the top – like a bird! This is a great experience that everyone should try! Soarin Around the World is in the Grizzly Peak Airfield section of Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort: For children you need to be at least: 40″ tall. They strap you in and prepare you for lift off, which is a big thrill as you’re raised high into the air in front of an 80-foot projection dome for a virtual tour around the world. Incredible IMAX digital projection and spectacular aerial footage simulate the graceful motion of flight. Tip: try to go in row one -it goes 50 feet up in the air! Row 2 goes up 40 feet, and Row 3 only goes up 30 feet.

Your journey begins as the clouds part above the majestic Swiss Alps, revealing a familiar sight to Disneyland fans. Next, you’ll visit polar bears in icy Greenland, swoop past sailboats on Australia’s iconic Sydney Harbor and weave between elephants marching toward Mount Kilimanjaro.

Glide above marvels like the Great Wall of China, the Great Pyramids of Egypt and the Taj Mahal in India. Cruise over Monument Valley, Fiji’s Lau Island and thundering Iguazu Falls in South America. Gaze down at the Eiffel Tower as it sparkles like a jewel in the night, surrounded by the lights of Paris. An Uplifting Musical Score: The original (in 2001) Soarin Over California ride film at both Disney California Adventure and Epcot has an unforgettable score, that was written by Academy Award-winning composer: Jerry Goldsmith, who is said to have come down from his first ride in tears. This score is performed by the London Studio Orchestra.

In addition to finding it visually beautiful and magical, he said that his father was a pilot who loved all things Californian. “I’d do anything to be part of this project,” Goldsmith said. “I’d even score the film for free.” His soundtrack plays during the entire attraction, starting with a crescendo in the low strings while the screen is still dark. Numerous variations of a serene theme for horn and strings are heard, and several statements of a fanfare accompanies the grandest vistas.

The original ride score was included on Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World official albums, including Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection: Disneyland. It continues to be heard as ambient music in the Disneyland Resort Esplanade and Epcot’s entrance plaza.

When the attraction was updated in 2016 to feature locations around the globe, composer Bruce Broughton affectionately adapted the beloved musical themes and infused each note with all-new sounds, regional instruments and international influences. With stirring sights and sounds, this must-see attraction will leave your heart soaring! and performed by the London Studio Orchestra. Soarin’, also known as Soarin’ Over CaliforniaSoarin’ Around the WorldSoaring Over the Horizon and Soaring: Fantastic Flight, is a flight motion simulator attraction at Disney California Adventure, Epcot, Shanghai Disneyland, and Tokyo DisneySea. It employs a mechanical lift system, a projected presentation on an 80 ft (24 m) concave 180-degree dome screen, and artificial scents and wind to simulate a hang gliding flight over locations in six of the world’s continents. Many consider it the first flying theater.

The attraction’s first iteration, Soarin Over California, was an opening-day attraction at Disney California Adventure on February 8, 2001. It took guests over several locations in California and included a pre-show on the history of California’s aviation industry. It was also installed at Epcot in Walt Disney World as Soarin in 2005. Soarin’ Over California has returned regularly as part of the park’s Food & Wine Festival during the spring season. This original ride film, which lasts four minutes and 51 seconds, takes guests on a simulated hang-glider tour of California. Appropriate scents (citrus, pine, sagebrush, ocean mist) fill the air as the ride vehicles move gently to simulate the sensations of flight. In addition to the state’s various landscapes, it also highlights its diverse recreation, including snow skiing, river rafting, kayaking, golf, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, surfing, and of course, hang gliding. Its locations are:

  • Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
  • Redwood Creek in Humboldt County
  • Napa Valley
  • Monterey Bay Sanctuary
  • Lake Tahoe and Heavenly Mountain Resort
  • Yosemite Falls and Half Dome in Yosemite National Park
  • PGA West Palmer Course in La Quinta (credited in the queue as Palm Springs)
  • Valencia orange groves over unincorporated Ventura County (credited as Camarillo)
  • Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
  • USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego
  • Malibu Beach
  • Downtown Los Angeles
  • Disneyland Resort in Anaheim

Each ride vehicle consists of three rows of seats under a wing-like canopy, with a capacity of 87 guests. After guests have been safely restrained in the vehicle with standard lap belts, the canopy descends slightly and a cantilever system lifts the chairs forward and into the air with the guests’ feet dangling freely. The vehicle is lifted forward so that guests look into a large, concave movie screen onto which aerial views are projected. The original film’s scenes were shot at an IMAX HD frame rate of 48 frames per second, twice the conventional rate of regular films. The vehicle is moved forward toward the center of the dome so guests can see only the projected images and experience the sensation of flight. The ride structure contains about one million pounds (454,000 kg) of steel; 37 tons (33.5 metric tonnes) are lifted during each ride cycle!

To enhance the illusion, subtle vertical movements of the seats are synchronized to the film. Sensations of horizontal motion are created with a combination of vertical carriage movement and turning the image on the screen. Scents complementing the scenes are also injected into the air streams blowing on riders. When it opened, the scent was only present during the Redwood Creek scene and the Valencia Orange Farms scene. In the updated show, scents include rose blossoms in the Taj Mahal scene, grass in the Africa scene, and a sea breeze in the South Pacific scene. One of the resort’s most popular attractions, it utilizes the park’s Genie+ system, allowing guests to reserve specific ride times to avoid long queues. It reopened on May 15, 2015, with new exterior theming and updates to its screen and projection system. It now utilizes a laser illuminated digital projection array, replacing its original IMAX systems. Several exterior changes include the replacement of the mock-up RS-25 rocket engine with a fire lookout tower. While in line, guests pass the Wings of Fame, an homage to California’s aviation history, including profiles of the P-51 Mustang, SR-71 Blackbird, and Bell X-1. There is also a section dedicated to aviators such as John J. Montgomery, Amelia Earhart, Jimmy Doolittle, Charles Lindbergh, Jack Northrop, the Wright brothers, Howard Hughes, Jacqueline Cochran, Kelly Johnson, Paul MacCready, and Chuck Yeager. Inspirational music from a variety of aviation-related films is played in the queue areas, including PattonMacArthurAir Force OneThe Blue MaxExplorers (all by Jerry Goldsmith), The American President (by Marc Shaiman), DragonHeartDragon: The Bruce Lee Story, Angels in the Outfield (1994) (both by Randy Edelman), The Last Starfighter (by Craig Safan), Apollo 13, and The Rocketeer (both by James Horner)- which my good friend Ray was the lead Stuntman as the Rocketteer himselfAlways (by John Williams) and the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers (by Michael Kamen). The Air Force Song and “Jupiter” from Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets are also heard, based on their use in The Right Stuff.

Before entering the theater area, guests are placed in one of three preshow areas, called Alpha Gate, Bravo Gate, and Charlie Gate (named for the first three letters of the NATO phonetic alphabet). Just before boarding, guests see a pre-boarding video hosted by their chief flight attendant, Patrick Warburton: who you would recognize from the hit TV series “Seinfeld” – as he played the role of Putty – Elaine’s boyfriend, and you can see this pre-boarding video on our show.

Soarin Around the World, featuring locations, landscapes and landmarks across six continents. Unlike the original film, the updated version heavily utilizes computer generated imagery, including animated transitions between scenes, such as close encounters with a seaplane, a kite, and an eagle. The updated attractions opened on June 17, 2016, at Disney California Adventure and Epcot, along with a third theater for the latter location. The film’s locations are:
  • Matterhorn in Switzerland and Italy
  • Isfjord, Greenland
  • Port Jackson in Sydney, Australia
  • Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany: The palace has appeared prominently in several movies such as Helmut Käutners Ludwig II (1955) and Luchino Visconti’s Ludwig (1972), both biopics about the King; the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), the spoof comedy Spaceballs, and the war drama The Great Escape (1963).  It served as the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle, Cameran Palace in the animated Pokémon film Lucario and The Mystery of Mew (2005), and later similar structures.   It is also visited by the character Grace Nakimura alongside Herrenchiemsee in the game The Beast Within: A Gabriel Knight Mystery (1996). In 2007, it was a finalist in the online selection of the New Seven Wonders of the World!
  • Kilimanjaro National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
  • The Great Wall of China in China: The Great Pyramids in Egypt:
  • Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh, India
  • West and East Mitten Buttes in Monument Valley, Arizona, United States
  • Lau Islands, Fiji
  • Iguazu Falls in Brazil and Argentina
  • Eiffel Tower in Paris, France (Shanghai Disneyland version, Disney California Adventure version, Epcot version); Tokyo Tower in Tokyo (Tokyo DisneySea version)
  • Lujiazui, Shanghai, China (Shanghai Disneyland version); Disneyland, California, United States (Disney California Adventure version); Epcot, Florida, United States (Epcot version); Tokyo DisneySea, Chiba (Tokyo DisneySea version)

All versions (except the Disney California version & Shanghai Disneyland version) have their home park flyover set as the grand finale.  The above and below photos are our photo opps from when one of the Avengers super heroes: Black Widow from the Avengers Campus:  at Disney California Adventure Park, from the big hit Disney Movie series: The Guardians of the Galaxy, posed with us: The opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was at Disneyland Park on May 31, 2019. The Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction is located in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park, where you can fly the Millennium Falcon on a thrilling interactive smuggling mission, and Take Control of the Fastest Ship in the Galaxy! You can ride in the famous cockpit of the Millennium Falcon on a daring flight—and whether you’re a pilot, engineer or gunner, every role is crucial. The engines rumble as the Millennium Falcon blasts off, pushing you and your crew back into your seats when you jump into hyperspace towards adventure.  Along the way you’ll face danger at every turn. Will your mission succeed or fail? It’s up to you—find out if you have what it takes to outmaneuver the odds aboard the Millennium Falcon. Get ready to punch it! On-the-Job Training is Provided if you never flown a starship before. Hondo Ohnaka is looking for discreet flight crews to deliver a backlog of hard-to-find items to particular clientele—no experience necessary! Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction is also located in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park, where you can join the Resistance in an epic battle against the First Order on this exciting ride. Kids need to be 40″ (102 cm) or Taller.  This is an attraction on a Scale That Is Impressive, Most Impressive! It is a massive attraction with multiple ride systems that is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced at the Disneyland Resort… or anywhere else in the galaxy! You are invited to accept a Mission from the Resistance, since they need your help! Hidden in the forest outside Black Spire Outpost, the Resistance is gathering recruits for a secret mission.

With the First Order desperate to extinguish the spark of the Resistance, the mission is bound to have unexpected twists and turns.  When your transport is captured by an imposing First Order Star Destroyer filled with legions of stormtroopers—and even Kylo Ren!—you’re going to need all the help you can get. Fortunately, a covert team of Resistance fighters—including Rey and BB-8—is at the ready to give you a fighting chance to escape… and a chance for the Resistance to rise. So stay tuned and thanks for watching Entertainment & Sports Today TV and Entertainment Today on Time Warner/ Spectrum. To watch other shows go to: EntertainmentandSportsToday.com  Celebrating 30 Years being Broadcast on TIME WARNER / Spectrum!  

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