Okay…Disney may have just created the MOST nostalgic version of Soarin’ yet.
Annual Passholder previews for Soarin’ Across America officially begin today at EPCOT, giving Disney fans their first opportunity to experience Disney’s brand-new patriotic reimagining of the iconic attraction before it officially opens to all guests on May 26th. And this version feels VERY different from Soarin’ Around the World — in the best possible way.
Disney World Annual Passholders can now preview Soarin’ Across America at EPCOT on May 19th and May 20th by simply entering the attraction’s regular standby queue during normal operating hours. No virtual queue or advance registration is required.
The attraction officially opens to all EPCOT guests on May 26th as part of Disney’s larger “Disney Celebrates America” initiative tied to the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration.
And honestly? Disney seems VERY aware that this version of Soarin’ is tapping directly into fan nostalgia.
Unlike Soarin’ Around the World, which focused heavily on international landmarks and CGI transitions, Soarin’ Across America leans HARD into sweeping natural scenery, practical aerial cinematography, and Americana-inspired storytelling.
According to Disney and early preview reactions, guests will soar over:
- The New England coastline
- New York Harbor
- Southern bayous
- The Great Plains
- The Grand Canyon
- Forests and wilderness landscapes
- Major American cityscapes
- Coastal shorelines and farmland
The attraction reportedly uses significantly smoother scene transitions compared to Soarin’ Around the World, with fewer digitally warped landmarks and more natural aerial cinematography throughout the experience.
And yes, longtime fans are already comparing the emotional tone to the original Soarin’ Over California!
One of the biggest things preview guests are already talking about? The smells.
Disney has introduced several updated scent effects throughout Soarin’ Across America, helping immerse guests in each region of the country as they transition between scenes.
According to early reactions, guests can experience fresh ocean air along the coastlines, pine and forest scents in wilderness scenes, floral notes over farmland and valleys, Earthy desert aromas near the Grand Canyon, and fresh grass and natural outdoor scents throughout multiple sequences.
And Disney fans KNOW the smells are half the reason Soarin’ works as well as it does!
The updated scent package reportedly feels much more balanced and subtle than some of the heavier fragrance moments used in Soarin’ Around the World, which fans often criticized for becoming overpowering or repetitive.
Disney also updated the attraction’s musical score for the new film.
Composer Bruce Broughton adapted Jerry Goldsmith’s original Soarin’ theme into a more Americana-inspired arrangement featuring sweeping orchestral moments designed to match the patriotic tone of the attraction.
The result reportedly feels emotional, nostalgic, and VERY EPCOT.
And honestly? That soaring score, combined with the new landscapes, may end up hitting longtime Disney fans right in the feelings.
Online reactions from Cast Member previews and early Passholder riders have been overwhelmingly positive so far, especially from fans who missed the simpler, more grounded storytelling style of older Soarin’ films.
Many fans have specifically praised updates like reduced CGI distortions, more natural transitions, better visual clarity, stronger emotional storytelling, improved scene pacing, and, of course, one more round of applause for the more immersive scents.
For some Disney fans, this version already feels like the spiritual successor to Soarin’ Over California they’ve wanted for years.
Following Passholder previews this week, Soarin’ Across America officially opens at EPCOT on May 26th before later debuting at Disney California Adventure on July 2nd.
Disney has not confirmed how long the attraction overlay will remain in place, although many fans expect it could stick around well beyond the initial America 250 celebration period due to strong guest reaction and the scale of Disney’s investment into the new film.
We’ll continue following preview reactions, ride updates, opening day coverage, and additional EPCOT announcements, so be sure to check back soon for more Disney World news, attraction updates, entertainment coverage, and theme park developments.
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