Soarin’ has been a fan-favorite ride since 2001 when it debuted at Disney California Adventure. Since then the ride was updated from Soarin’ Over California to Soarin’ Around the World and now Soarin’ Across America, timed just right with the America 250 celebrations. This newest version is filled with iconic cities, grand views, our nation’s capital and a reworked beginning that just feels right. EPCOT already hosts an entire section of the park dedicated to the American Adventure, but this update adds in even more.
Soarin’ Across America officially debuts May 26 at EPCOT and July 2 at Disney California Adventure. This update has not changed the ride vehicles, safety requirements or thrill level of the attraction. Instead it continues the memorable music, the soothing simulator movements and adds new, real-world footage of the United States of America to the attraction’s enormous screens.
The sights
Disney used real world footage with a bit of CGI magic to create special moments in this version of the attraction. It should be noted that this version uses significantly less digital scenes than the Soarin’ Around the World version. As the theme is showcasing America, it is great to see that authentic footage was used whenever possible. Riders will soar over:
- Cape Canaveral, Florida
- New York Harbor, New York
- Portland Head Light Lighthouse, Maine
- National Mall, Washington D.C.
- Bayou Swamplands
- Scenic Railways (perhaps the Appalachian Mountains?)
- Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota
- Cow Ranch in the Midwest Region
- Grand Canyon
- Denali National Park, Alaska
- Diamond Head, Hawaii
- Los Angeles, California
- Hollywood, California
- EPCOT, Florida
Beginning the ride with a rocket launch got lots of “oohs” and “ahhs” on our ride through. Formerly this attraction would start in the clouds, revealing a location after floating in the sky. Instead, Soarin’ Across America starts very strong with a Kennedy Space Center launch, bringing the sounds and sights of one of the U.S.A.’s biggest feats to the forefront of the ride. One thing the attraction nails is making sure to show America from all areas. We get the southern aspects of Florida and the bayou, the northeastern shores of Maine, the distinct natural wilderness of Alaska and the far-away tropics of Hawaii’s beaches, while still making sure to hit the West Coast, the nation’s capital and the farmlands of America.
The smells
The smell aspect was the one area that felt the least changed. From what our group could tell, the only smell was that of grass, the same smell you get on the Soarin’ Around the World version of the ride during the Kilimanjaro scene. There were a few scenes that felt they could have been better choices to add in a signature scent moment. The orange smell on the original Soarin’ Over California was one of the top memorable moments for many fans.
This iteration of the ride has scenes across the United States and there were area where smells may have been better used:
- Suntan lotion in Hawaii
- Salty sea air in New England (although a form of this was also used in the California version)
- Hot dogs in New York
- Earthy musk in the Bayou
But overall, many of the locations showcased don’t lean heavily towards smells or they would use smells we have already had, much like we get with the cow scene using grass.
