EPCOT guests now have an early chance to experience Soarin’ Across America before its scheduled official opening. The new film has soft opened to all visitors, giving Disney World fans a preview of the attraction’s updated flight path and overall presentation. For anyone planning a visit soon, this is a useful development because soft openings can offer early access, but they can also change without notice.
What the Soft Opening Means for Guests
A soft opening is an unannounced or limited early operating period before a formal launch date. In this case, Soarin’ Across America is already welcoming guests ahead of its official debut on May 26.
That matters for visitors who are in EPCOT now or arriving in the next few days. If the attraction is operating, guests may be able to ride before the publicized opening date. At the same time, soft openings are not guaranteed. Disney can close the attraction temporarily, adjust hours, or suspend access at any point as operations continue to be tested.
For trip planners, the key takeaway is simple. If riding Soarin’ Across America is a priority, check the My Disney Experience app during the day and be prepared for changes.
What Has Changed at Soarin’
The ride system itself remains the same. Guests still board the familiar flight simulator inside The Land pavilion, where the attraction uses a large projection dome, motion seating, music, and scent effects to create the feeling of airborne travel.
The major change is the film. Soarin’ Across America replaces Soarin’ Around the World, which closed on May 13. The new version shifts the focus from international landmarks to locations across the United States.
Disney has said the new film is built around regions and seasons, showing a range of American landscapes and settings. The goal appears to be a broader visual tour of the country, with stops that include urban areas, coastal scenes, and natural environments.
Why Disney Made the Update
This change ties into the 250th anniversary of the United States, which has influenced several entertainment and presentation choices around the resort. A domestic version of Soarin’ allows Disney to connect the attraction more directly to that milestone while still using the established ride format that guests already know.
From a creative standpoint, the update also gives EPCOT a different tone inside one of its best-known attractions. Instead of presenting a global travel montage, the new film narrows the focus and gives guests a more specific theme.
For longtime Disney World visitors, that means the experience may feel familiar in structure but different in mood and identity.
Conclusion
Soarin’ Across America is now operating at EPCOT ahead of its official opening, giving guests an early look at the attraction’s new direction. While the ride system remains familiar, the updated film changes the experience in a meaningful way by focusing on American destinations rather than a worldwide tour.
For Disney World fans visiting EPCOT this week, it is worth checking whether the attraction is running. A soft opening can be one of the easier ways to experience a major update before the official launch.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
