Soarin' Best Row: Where to Sit at EPCOT
Published August 31, 2026 · Updated October 12, 2026
If you want to avoid staring at a horribly bent Eiffel Tower on Soarin’ Around the World, you need to sit in Section B, Row 1.
Soarin’ Around the World is a staple of any EPCOT day, but the ride has a well-known flaw. Because the massive IMAX dome screen is curved, the projection distorts heavily on the edges. If you get seated on the far left or right, the CGI elements—especially tall landmarks like the Taj Mahal and the Eiffel Tower—look like they’re melting sideways.
Here is the smart move to ensure you get the absolute best flight possible.
The Ultimate Seat: Section B, Row 1
When you enter the final loading area, you are sorted into three concourses: A (left), B (center), and C (right). Inside each concourse, you are assigned to Row 1, 2, or 3.
If you want the flawless, fully immersive experience without optical illusions, Section B, Row 1 is the only place to be.
- Section B (Center): This puts you dead center in front of the screen. The distortion is virtually eliminated because you are looking at the projection head-on rather than from an aggressive angle.
- Row 1 (Top): When the ride mechanism lifts off, Row 1 becomes the highest tier. Not only does this give you an unobstructed view of the entire screen, but it also guarantees you won’t spend your flight staring at the dangling feet of the guests in the rows above you.
How to Request the Best Seat
You don’t have to leave this up to chance. You can absolutely request a specific seat, and it is a completely normal thing to ask.
When you reach the Cast Member who is assigning rows and concourses, simply ask politely: “Would you mind if we waited for Concourse B, Row 1?”
In almost every case, the Cast Member will tell you to step to the side and wait for the next flight cycle. This will add about 5 to 10 minutes to your total wait time, but the massive upgrade in your ride experience is worth every second.
The one exception: If it is peak holiday crowds and the Cast Members are aggressively trying to clear a heavily backed-up Lightning Lane Multi Pass queue, they may occasionally deny requests to keep the line moving. But based on recent patterns, asking nicely works flawlessly the vast majority of the time.
The Worst Seats to Avoid
If you don’t want to wait an extra cycle and just take what you’re assigned, be aware of what you might get.
- Section A and C (The Edges): The further out you go, the worse the curve gets. The Eiffel Tower sequence at the end of the ride is the most notorious offender—from the edges, it bends so aggressively it looks like a boomerang.
- Row 3 (The Bottom): Not only do you get the feet of Rows 1 and 2 dangling in the top of your field of vision, but you are also closest to the floor, which can break the immersion of flying high above the earth.
Fitting Soarin’ Into Your EPCOT Strategy
Soarin’ Around the World is located in The Land pavilion, which is a massive indoor complex. Florida weather is notoriously unpredictable, and a heavy afternoon rainstorm can easily mess up your Disney World days. The Land is one of the absolute best places to take shelter during a downpour. You can grab a meal at Sunshine Seasons, ride Living with the Land, and hop into the Soarin’ line while you wait for the storm to pass.
When it comes to wait times, Soarin’ can see significant lines during the middle of the day. It is an eligible attraction for Lightning Lane Multi Pass. If you buy Multi Pass for the day, Soarin’ is a solid advance selection to lock in, ensuring you skip the standby wait.
If you are going standby, your best bet is early in the morning right after rope drop, or in the last hour before the park closes. You can use the SupaPark wait forecaster at supapark.com to see exactly when the line historically drops for the day, helping you slot it perfectly into your itinerary. And if you’re trying to grab a Lightning Lane but the times are pushed out, SupaPark’s live alerts can ping you the second a refill drops so you can instantly snag it in the My Disney Experience app.
After your flight, remember that EPCOT is a foodie must-visit. Head out into the World Showcase and grab a snack—whether you’re the type to grab a classic Caramel Popcorn in Germany or just a simple Dole Whip, you’ve earned it after a perfect flight.
What Is the Best Row for Soarin’ at EPCOT?
The best row for Soarin’ Around the World is Row 1 in Concourse B because it gives you the cleanest center-screen view with no dangling feet above you.
Think of Soarin’ seating in two parts: the concourse controls your side-to-side angle, and the row controls your height once the ride lifts. Concourse B is the center section, so the screen distortion is lowest there. Row 1 rises to the top, which keeps your sightline open and makes the flight feel more convincing.
If you can only get one part of the request, prioritize Concourse B first. A center seat in Row 2 is usually better than an edge seat in Row 1, because the biggest distraction on Soarin’ is the curved-screen distortion at the far left and right. But if you want the full best-seat answer, ask for B1.
The quick seat ranking
- Best: Concourse B, Row 1
- Still very good: Concourse B, Row 2
- Fine if you are not picky: Concourse B, Row 3
- Most distorted: Far sides of Concourse A or C
The smart move: when you reach the row assignment Cast Member, politely ask if you can wait for Concourse B, Row 1. It may add a little time, but it is the seat that makes Soarin’ look the way most guests expect it to look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best section for Soarin’ Around the World?
The best section is Concourse B, Row 1, because it positions you dead center and at the very top, eliminating both screen distortion and the dangling feet of other guests.
Can you request a specific row on Soarin’?
Yes, you can politely ask the Cast Member assigning seats if you can wait for Section B, Row 1, and they will usually have you step aside to wait for the next ride cycle.
Does asking for a specific seat on Soarin’ add to your wait time?
Yes, requesting a specific concourse and row will typically add about 5 to 10 minutes to your wait time, as you will have to wait for the next group to load.
Is Soarin’ included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass?
Yes, Soarin’ Around the World is included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass, making it a great option to book in advance to skip the standby queue.
Is Row 1 or Row 2 better on Soarin’?
Row 1 is better because it lifts to the top and keeps other guests’ feet out of your view. Row 2 is still a good choice if you are in Concourse B, but it is not the cleanest possible view.
Is Concourse B more important than Row 1 on Soarin’?
Yes, if you have to choose, Concourse B matters more because it reduces the curved-screen distortion. The ideal seat is still Concourse B, Row 1.
Is Soarin’ Lightning Lane Single Pass or Multi Pass?
Soarin’ Around the World is included with Lightning Lane Multi Pass at EPCOT, not sold separately as a Single Pass. EPCOT’s Single Pass attraction is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Does Soarin’ cause motion sickness?
Soarin’ is a gentle glider-style simulator with a wide wrap-around screen, so the discomfort guests report is usually mild screen-induced queasiness rather than jolting. Sitting in the middle section reduces the warped-image effect that tends to trigger it.
Is there a height requirement for Soarin’?
Yes — Soarin’ has a posted minimum height, so check the current requirement at the entrance or in My Disney Experience before you queue with a smaller child. Your feet dangle during the flight, which is the part that surprises first-timers most.
Go deeper — the full guides: Avatar Flight of Passage Height Requirement & Ride Tips · Will Your Kid Hate Soarin’? How to Decide (And Where to Sit)
SupaPark tracks live wait times and crowd forecasts, and pings you the second a hard-to-get reservation opens or a ride goes walk-on — free to start at supapark.com.
Keep planning: today’s crowd forecast · is Lightning Lane worth it