Disney World Reveals Timeline for Soarin' Changes at EPCOT

Ready for takeoff? Soarin’s next destination is home with an all-new American adventure landing in 2026!

©Disney

We’ve been expecting a new Soarin’ experience in time for America’s 250th celebration, and now Disney has officially charted the flight plan — complete with an opening timeline for when we’ll expect to see this change in EPCOT.

Disney has just announced that the new anticipated version of Soarin’, aptly named Soarin’ Across America, will be running by Memorial Day in 2026.

©Disney

This new version of Soarin’ will run on a limited-time basis during Disney’s “Disney Celebrates America” company-wide celebration commemorating the milestone 250th anniversary of the United States. While we already knew to expect the changes, we weren’t exactly sure of WHEN we could expect these changes to take over until now. If you’re visiting close to Memorial Day, it might be worth expecting the ride to be closed for a bit while Disney works to switch over the new ride’s show.

©Disney

Soarin’ has never been a stranger to reinvention, though! Longtime Disney fans will remember that the attraction first debuted as Soarin’ Over California, a groundbreaking experience that whisked riders above iconic Golden State landscapes — from the vineyards of Napa Valley to the crashing surf of Malibu. Its combination of flight simulation, sweeping aerial cinematography, and that unforgettable orange-grove scent instantly made it a fan favorite at Disney California Adventure, and later at EPCOT when the attraction expanded to Disney World.

Soarin’ Over California

But as Disney continued to evolve its parks with new ways to tell stories, Soarin’ received its first major transformation. In 2016, the ride took on a broader scope and became Soarin’ Around the World, giving visitors the chance to glide over international landmarks like the Great Wall of China, the (leaning, yet since fixed) Eiffel Tower, and the Great Pyramids of Giza. This updated version became the new standard across both coasts and has been the primary experience for most of the attraction’s life.

Eiffel Tower

However, nostalgia has a way of calling — and Disney listened. During the Disney 100 Years of Wonder celebration, Soarin’ Over California made a surprise return for a limited-time engagement. EPCOTians (or EPCOT visitors if you’re not a Cosmic Rewind fan) were thrilled to once again soar above familiar sights and smells from the original film, and the revival was embraced so enthusiastically that Disney extended its run before eventually restoring Soarin’ Around the World to its current position.

Soarin’ Over California returned for Disney’s 100 Years of Wonder

Now, with America’s 250th anniversary approaching, Soarin’ is preparing for another major chapter: Soarin’ Across America. This upcoming iteration will focus on the diverse, sweeping landscapes of the United States, bringing the attraction full circle in a way — returning “home” to an American-themed experience, but on a much grander scale. It’s another reminder that Soarin’ continues to evolve right alongside the fans who love it.

©Disney

In fact, Disney gave us a peek behind the lens at a few of the upcoming scenes they were filming for this ride when they first teased the upcoming change — and honestly, it made us even more hyped to see the finished project on the big screen!

With every evolution, Soarin’ has managed to honor its past while embracing something new and Soarin’ Across America looks ready to continue that tradition. One thing’s certain: EPCOT’s skies are about to get a whole new view. Don’t go anywhere — we’ll be bringing you all of the latest updates on this change AND taking you for a ride on Soarin’ Across America when it debuts right here, at DFB!

This Disney World Park Will Be EMPTY in 2026

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