Disney is launching a refreshed version of its popular Soarin’ attraction, called Soarin’ Across America, at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World in the summer of 2026. This new experience will replace the current Soarin’ Around the World film at Disney California Adventure and EPCOT, taking guests on a brand-new flight over the United States.
Disney announced the project on the official Disney Parks Blog, sharing details from the Walt Disney Imagineering team about what it will involve and how it ties into the upcoming celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
A Coast-to-Coast Flight Experience
Soarin’ Across America will let guests experience a flight over famous American landmarks, both natural and man-made. Disney says the film will feature over a dozen stunning locations across the U.S., all combined into a single, beautiful journey celebrating the country’s diversity.
The new ride will use the same technology that made the original Soarin’ attractions so beloved – a motion-based “flying theater.” Guests will be lifted into the air in front of a giant curved screen, feeling like they’re truly flying with synchronized movement, wind, and scents as they see the scenery below.
Disney Imagineering explained that this new version will celebrate America’s history, current achievements, and future possibilities, designed as a patriotic show in recognition of the country’s 250th birthday in 2026.
Behind the Scenes of a Massive Production
Production on the new Soarin Across America ride is underway! Disney Imagineers are filming all over the United States, capturing real aerial views. They’re using a variety of equipment – including helicopters, drones, and special stabilized cameras – to create the breathtaking scenery Soarin’ is known for.
Disney carefully selected and prepared each filming location, even shipping 33 cases of special camera gear nationwide to maintain a consistent look. The team describes the project as a celebration of America’s diverse scenery, seamlessly moving between beaches, mountains, plains, and cityscapes.
According to a representative from Walt Disney Imagineering, they aimed to showcase the variety of America’s landscapes and cityscapes by using flowing camera work to move seamlessly from one location to another.
While the exact places haven’t been announced, early looks at plans and photos from the production team hint the tour might visit national parks, famous landmarks, and both the east and west coasts—and could even end with another fireworks display.
What Guests Can Expect
The ride technology, waiting line, and boarding process for Soarin’ Across America will be the same as previous Soarin’ rides. The biggest update will be a new film.
The ride is known for its immersive scents – in the past, it’s featured smells like orange groves, pine forests, and the ocean. These scents are coming back, but this time they’ll represent different parts of America. Disney Imagineers have suggested new smells inspired by specific regions, like the scent of desert sage, mountain trees, and fresh sea air.
Although Disney didn’t directly say Patrick Warburton would continue in the role, they included him in the video announcing the updated Soarin’ Across America ride. This suggests the popular voice of the flight attendant will remain part of the experience.
Is Soarin Across America Permanent or Limited-Time?
There’s some confusion about how long the new Soarin Across America attraction will be around. Disney’s official blog post doesn’t say it’s temporary, suggesting it’s a permanent change celebrating the whole country. But in a video announcing the update, actor Patrick Warburton describes it as a “limited-time” experience.
That one phrase has caused a lot of discussion among Disney fans. Some think it means the new movie is only temporary and connected to the celebration of America’s 250th birthday, while others believe the phrase “limited-time” was just marketing speak and doesn’t actually confirm how long the movie will be shown.
Disney has often switched between short-term and long-term updates for its Soarin’ attraction. We recently saw Soarin’ Over California return to Disney parks for a limited time before being replaced with Soarin’ Around the World. Because of the significant effort involved in creating Soarin’ Across America and releasing it in multiple parks, it’s likely Disney plans for this version to last for a while, although they haven’t officially said so.
As a huge theme park fan, here’s what I’m hearing about this new attraction: it’s basically the next version, and it’s set to open during the park’s big 2026 anniversary. Whether it sticks around long-term or eventually gets swapped out for something else – maybe a different movie-themed experience – will really depend on how much people like it and how things are running after it opens. It’s all still up in the air, but I’m excited!
A Surprising Return to Americana
More than just a ride, Soarin’ Across America feels like a return to Disney’s roots in American culture. For years, many Disney fans have noticed the parks moving away from classic American themes. Beloved attractions like Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America – once central to Walt Disney’s vision of adventure and patriotism – have been altered or closed, shifting away from the uniquely American stories that originally made Disney special.
This updated version of Soarin’ is different. Instead of just flying over landmarks, it directly celebrates America – its beauty and spirit are the focus. The film aims to capture the essence of the country, from its natural landscapes to bustling cities, with sincere admiration. It feels like a heartfelt effort to recapture the sense of national pride and excitement that Walt Disney originally brought to his theme parks.
This new attraction at EPCOT, a park dedicated to global understanding, offers a positive message: celebrating American pride doesn’t have to mean overlooking other cultures. And at Disneyland, a park deeply connected to Walt Disney’s love for America, the timing is perfect. With the nation approaching its 250th birthday, Disney appears to be revisiting its history and embracing the patriotic feeling that inspired classic attractions like Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Main Street U.S.A., and The American Adventure.
It might seem like a small thing, but Disney’s choice to showcase American scenery and history feels genuinely patriotic. At a time when many companies avoid distinctly American themes, this feels like a welcome return to the company’s roots – a recognition that celebrating what makes America special has always been a key part of its appeal.
A National Celebration in Flight
The new Soarin’ Across America attraction is intentionally opening in 2026, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States. This timing is meant to add special meaning to the ride, as it will be part of the nationwide celebrations and offer visitors from around the world a display of American beauty and values.
The new film at EPCOT enhances the park’s overall goals of celebrating innovation, discovery, and togetherness. Its message also fits well with The Land pavilion’s themes of worldwide cooperation and valuing the Earth’s natural wonders.
Soarin Across America at Disney California Adventure is a new version of the popular Soarin Over California ride, which first opened in 2001 and became a key part of the park’s appeal. While a later version, Soarin Around the World, took guests on a global adventure, Soarin Across America brings the experience back to the United States with updated effects, offering a familiar yet refreshed ride for those who remember the original.
Looking Ahead
Disney hasn’t announced a specific launch date for the updated Soarin’ Across America ride, but it’s anticipated to open at both Disneyland and EPCOT sometime during the summer of 2026.
For now, Soarin Around the World will still be available at both parks. When the updated version launches, it’s likely to be very popular, so guests should anticipate significant crowds and longer-than-usual wait times, particularly when it first opens.
Soarin’ Across America is a popular Disney ride that uses flight simulation, movies, music, and even scents to create a truly amazing experience. It’s both a tribute to Disney’s history and a sign of the company’s renewed focus on American themes – something it hasn’t prioritized in quite some time.
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2025-10-20 16:59