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It’s official — Soarin’ Over California is back. Starting today, February 6, 2026, the beloved original version of the hang-gliding attraction has returned to Disney California Adventure as part of the park’s 25th anniversary celebration. The limited-time run continues through July 1, 2026.
A Fan-Favorite Returns Home
Soarin’ Over California was one of Disney California Adventure’s opening day attractions when the park debuted on February 8, 2001. The ride quickly became a guest favorite and one of the most popular attractions at the Disneyland Resort, with guests lining up for the chance to soar over the Golden State.
The attraction lifts riders into the air on a massive concave screen, simulating the sensation of hang-gliding over California’s most iconic landmarks. Guests fly over the Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite National Park, Palm Springs, Napa Valley wine country, the coast of Malibu, and downtown Los Angeles — all set to an unforgettable score by Academy Award-winning composer Jerry Goldsmith.
If you’ve only experienced the current version — Soarin’ Around the World, which replaced the original in 2016 — today is your chance to experience the ride that started it all. And yes, you’ll get that unmistakable scent of orange groves during the flyover.
What Guests Can Expect Today
The attraction is operating in the same theater in the Grizzly Peak Airfield area of Disney California Adventure. If you’ve ridden Soarin’ Around the World, the ride system is identical — you’ll be lifted into the air in the same hang-glider-style seats. The difference is entirely in the film and the music.
The original Soarin’ Over California film focuses exclusively on California locations, giving it a more intimate, regional feel compared to the globe-trotting World version. The Jerry Goldsmith score is widely considered one of the best pieces of theme park music ever composed, and hearing it in the theater again is reason enough to make the trip.
Expect significant wait times today and throughout the first few weeks of the limited run. This is one of the most requested returning attractions in Disney park history, and nostalgia is a powerful draw. Using Genie+ or arriving early for a shorter wait is recommended.
A Limited Window Before Something New
Soarin’ Over California will run through July 1, 2026. But the story doesn’t end there. On July 2, an all-new version — Soarin’ Across America — will debut at both Disney California Adventure and EPCOT in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the United States Semiquincentennial.
That means this limited run of Soarin’ Over California is a bridge between the past and the future of the attraction. It’s a chance to experience the original one more time before the ride enters its next chapter.
Part of a Bigger Celebration
Soarin’ Over California’s return is one piece of DCA’s 25th anniversary offerings kicking off today. Other highlights include new Mickey and Minnie Mouse outfits on Buena Vista Street, a limited-edition Pixar Pal-A-Round popcorn bucket with “Magic Inside” technology, anniversary merchandise at Elias & Co., and a commemorative park map available on February 8 — the exact date the park opened in 2001.
If you’re heading to Disney California Adventure anytime between now and July 1, Soarin’ Over California should be at the top of your list. This is one of those limited-time experiences that reminds you why the original was so special in the first place.
Image credit: Disney Parks Blog
