Soarin’ Across America Opening Date Confirmed for Disney World, Disneyland

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Guests will soon be able to experience the updated Soarin’ Across America ride at both Disney parks. The EPCOT version in Walt Disney World will reopen on Memorial Day 2026, while Disneyland California guests can enjoy the new ride starting July 2nd, just in time for Independence Day celebrations.

The ride itself will stay the same, but the video you see will be updated. Instead of showing places around the world, it will focus entirely on the United States. The new video will showcase the beauty and variety of America, highlighting its diverse landscapes and people, and featuring stunning views of more than a dozen cities and natural wonders.

This change is part of several updates planned for “Disney Celebrates America” next year, which will honor the 250th anniversary of the United States.

“Disney Celebrates America”

This news is part of a larger plan for 2026, which includes changes to some rides, special seasonal events, and new attractions throughout the resort. The ride’s new theme connects to Disney’s “Disney Celebrates America” program, honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States with new experiences at all of Disney’s U.S. theme parks.

The celebration will feature more patriotic content, including a full day of broadcasts on July 4, 2026, available on Disney’s streaming platforms, television channels, and other media. The day will end with spectacular fireworks displays at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Disney is adding extra shows of its popular July 4th fireworks display. Called “Celebrate America! – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky,” the show will take place for three nights in a row – July 3rd through 5th, 2026 – at both Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Disneyland.

Disney is planning special patriotic and military-themed merchandise for its parks, online shops, and to offer to members of the military.

Soarin’ Versions Across the Years

Soarin’ Over California first opened at Disney California Adventure on February 8, 2001, and then at EPCOT in May 2005.

The attraction featured stunning aerial views of famous California landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Napa Valley, and Yosemite. It used a combination of huge, wraparound screens, moving seats, and even scents to make guests feel like they were hang gliding over the state. Eventually, it stopped being the main attraction and was shown only during certain times of the year or for limited runs.

Soarin’ Around the World debuted on June 17, 2016, at both EPCOT and Disney California Adventure. This updated version expanded the ride’s scenery by swapping out California-focused views for footage of locations around the globe, including computer-generated imagery. Riders now experience sights like the snowy Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps, the African savannas of Kilimanjaro National Park, the beautiful Fiji islands, and famous landmarks such as the pyramids of Giza, the Great Wall of China, and the Eiffel Tower.

For a number of years, this version of the Soarin’ ride was shown at all the parks. It replaced the original film, which highlighted California, until they started bringing back the older version for limited times during the year.

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2025-12-09 20:56