A decade after its last update, the Soarin’ attractions at both Epcot and Disney California Adventure are getting a new film — at least for a little while.
Called Soarin’ Across America, this version of the attraction will “showcase the United States—from sea to shining sea—highlighting some of the country’s natural beauty and iconic cityscapes,” according to a post on the official Disney Parks Blog. Disney added that its Imagineers are filming at “more than a dozen” locations for the new film.
The new film will debut sometime next summer as part of Disney’s new “Disney Celebrates America” promotion commemorating the 250th birthday of the United States.
However, the Soarin’ change is not expected to be permanent. Disney described Soarin’ Across America as a “limited time” offering to multiple members of the media, indicating the current version of the attraction — Soarin’ Around the World — will return at some point.
Soarin’ debuted in 2001 as part of the opening day lineup of Disney California Adventure with a film entirely based around California landmarks. That version of the ride was ported over to Epcot in 2005.
The Soarin’ Around the World update debuted first at Shanghai Disneyland in June 2016 and was immediately installed in both Florida and California, though DCA has occasionally brought back the original 2001 ride film for limited engagements during that park’s Food and Wine Festival.
Soarin’ Across America is one of several ride updates coming to Disney’s U.S. parks in 2026, alongside the rethemed Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the new version of Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run coming to both Florida and California.
Bigger Disney park additions, including the addition of “Cars”-themed attractions to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and a new Tropical Americas land in Animal Kingdom, are likely to open in 2027 or later.