Disney has revealed new first-look details and previously announced opening dates for Soarin’ Across America, the next version of the flight-simulator attraction coming to both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort in 2026.
The new experience begins May 26, 2026, at Walt Disney World and July 2, 2026, at Disneyland Resort, according to Disney Parks Blog. The update is part of Disney Celebrates America, a company-wide initiative commemorating the United States’ 250th anniversary.
What Disney revealed
Disney says the new flight will showcase the United States through sweeping coastlines, cityscapes, and natural landscapes. Confirmed examples include the New England coastline, New York Harbor, Grand Canyon West, autumn colors in the heartland, bayous, the great plains of the West, northern wilderness, and sunlit island shores.
Tom Fitzgerald, creative director and chief storytelling executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, said each scene is meant to help create “a portrait” of what makes America special, with urban wonders, natural beauty, and iconic locations tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The score will include a new musical arrangement by Bruce Broughton, using Jerry Goldsmith’s classic Soarin’ themes. Disney also says ride programming, wind, and other effects will help shape the new Soarin’ experience.
EPCOT is getting a new queue challenge
At Walt Disney World, the EPCOT queue will add the Soarin’ Challenge Across America, a new trivia experience created with National Geographic. Disney says the challenge will use facts from National Geographic titles, including 50 States, 5,000 Ideas, along with photography from the National Geographic archives.
The queue experience will ask guests to match states with prompts such as “Most Likely to Reach for the Stars,” “Most Likely to Lend an Ear,” and “Most Likely to Strike Gold.” The May 14 update describes the Soarin’ Challenge Across America for guests awaiting boarding at Walt Disney World and says it transforms the queue at EPCOT.
Opening dates
- Walt Disney World Resort: May 26, 2026
- Disneyland Resort: July 2, 2026
Disney has not published the full scene list yet, but the May 14 update makes clear that the new film is being positioned as a coast-to-coast celebration of American places, music, and natural beauty and iconic cityscapes.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
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