The Walt Disney Company is prepping for a major celebration of America’s semiquincentennial (easier said as the 250th anniversary). Alongside a multi-month celebration, the Disney Parks team is ready to bring new visuals, smells and a score to the iconic attraction, Soarin’. Soarin’ Across America will debut in 2026 on both coasts at EPCOT and Disney California Adventure.
Soarin’ Over California debuted in 2001 at Disney California Adventure and has been a fan favorite ever since. The attraction has now debuted in Disney Parks around the world, such as EPCOT, Tokyo DisneySea and Shanghai Disneyland. These attractions share the family-friendly ride profile, which takes guests on a journey where they are lifted off of the ground, raised in front of a massive screen and gently moved through a simulated experience.
Soarin’ Around the World, known by a few different names at Disney Parks across the globe, debuted in 2016. This update to the attraction took the storyline from California to the entire globe, showcasing locations such as Fiji, Switzerland, Brazil, Paris, China, the United States and more. Now, Disney preps a new version, coming to the EPCOT and Disney California Adventure versions of the attraction: Soarin’ Across America.
Soarin’ Across America | EPCOT & Disney California Adventure
Disney states, “Soarin’ Across America will take guests on a breathtaking journey, highlighting some of the country’s natural beauty and iconic cityscapes.” While nothing is yet confirmed, I can imagine some pretty exciting views such as:
- National Parks
- Historic U.S. Cities
- An aerial view of Disney Parks’ host cities, Orlando and Anaheim
- A fireworks finale over Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York or Boston
- Throwbacks to the original Soarin’ Over California
Disney has been a core part of the American zeitgeist for a century. It feels right to have one of Walt Disney Imagineering’s most beloved modern rides bring the American Spirit to both coasts. Disney states, “Through heartfelt storytelling, experiences, and meaningful support for veterans, military families, and communities, Disney will shine a spotlight on the people, places, and moments that make our nation special—a tradition of honoring and uplifting others that’s been part of Disney’s story for more than a century.”
Walt Disney Imagineering creates third version of Soarin’ attraction
Work has already begun on this update, Disney revealed in a Disney Parks Blog post, “The new bi-coastal offering will showcase the United States—from sea to shining sea—highlighting some of the country’s natural beauty and iconic cityscapes. This will be brought to life with the iconic elements that make Soarin’ unforgettable – the flight, the sights and score, even the scents!”
As camera equipment and drone technology has continued to upgrade year-over-year, I can assume the Imagineering team has aimed for some unique destinations. At nearly 3,800,000 total square miles of land, there is a lot of “America” to cover in one ride.
Soarin’ Across America is part of the finale of Disney Celebrating America, a multi-month celebration of the United States of America. It all begins Veterans Day (November 11, 2025) and continues through Independence Day weekend (July 4, 2026), with Soarin’ Across America making its debut around that time.
