Paperwork filed for addition to Soarin' as speculation of adding a third theater builds

Posted: Friday November 7, 2014 2:00pm EST by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has filed building permit paperwork for what is speculated to be a third theater for the hugely popular Soarin' attraction at Epcot.

The attraction has had long lines ever since opening in 2005, with Soarin' being one of the only major rides at the park that can be experienced by the whole family. With the introduction of FastPass+, capacity has proven to be an even bigger issue.

Much like the rumored expansion of Toy Story Mania at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney is looking to improve the available allocation of FastPass+ and standby line capacity by adding an additional ride system.

Vaguely described in the permit as 'Add facility to existing attraction - Project 87," the address is in the location of Soarin', and includes an expiration date of September 2016 - about the time needed to build on a new theater to the attraction. The building contractor is PCL, who has worked with Disney on numerous large projects. Perhaps the biggest hint that it relates to Soarin' is in the "Project 87" name - Soarin' seats 87 guests.

Work is also thought to be underway on creating a new film for the ride, which would presumably coincide with the expansion in a major relaunch of Soarin'.

Disney has not yet publicly announced or confirmed any changes to Soarin'.

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

RSoxNo1Feb 07, 2017

I feel that Ripsaw Falls is longer. They should have sherpas in the queue to help you in your travels.

jaxonpFeb 06, 2017

Yep I was gonna say Indian Jones. I think that's longer and clearly way more Theme.

ToTBellHopFeb 06, 2017

Those right-hand centrifuges on M:S have a long exit, too.

marni1971Feb 06, 2017

It's on a par with Forbidden Eye.

AbsimilliardFeb 06, 2017

I rode Fuji Airway at Fuji-Q Highland last week and I was knocked off my feet. I had seen this online video of the original film on the ride: Next, I rode it and it was very different as they reshot many features in 6K quality and even added some references to a nearby attraction in the park. Add an impressive storm scene and it was amazing! What's even more remarkable is that Brogent squeezed the ride in an existing building and for that reason, it has 4 10 passenger wings. The theme is that you're taking a risky flight on a new tour jet where you sit on the wings of the airplane to see Mount Fuji.

DisneyJeffFeb 06, 2017

The only difference is that you need to walk an extra 1.5 miles to get back to the Land pavilion. Seriously, is there an attraction with a longer exit?

jaxonpJan 30, 2017

I'm in the, I miss the old Soarin group. I think the music makes a bigger impact than anything. The new score is a reminder of how great the old one was and that's all I can think about while riding it. I do like the music during the Eiffel Tower segment... even if the tower is bent.

DisneyRoyJan 30, 2017

See the link to this post... http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/soarin-expansion-and-new-soarin-around-the-world-film.892968/page-41#post-6845319 There are other construction photos in this thread (pages 44 on).

RteetzJan 30, 2017

It looks exactly like the other theaters. Not much more to say or see.

mm121Jan 30, 2017

was there ever any pics of it posted? or is there just not much to see?

Coaster LoverJan 30, 2017

Anytime you project a straight line onto a curved surface it will appear curved unless you are looking at it head on. If you don't believe me, take a soup bowl and draw a line (in dry erase marker) across the diameter of the bowl. Hold the bowl up and look at it head on. Now move your head (or the bowl) so your no longer looking at it straight on and BAM, once you get off of center it begins to curve. I believe I had heard once that when they were building the miniatures to film Back to the Future: the Ride, they were conscious of this issue and purposely didn't build anything with straight lines or right angles just so the effect wouldn't be as noticeable.