Soarin' Across America Surprised EPCOT Guests by Opening Four Days Early

If you happen to be at EPCOT right now, you may have just gotten an unannounced gift. Soarin’ Across America quietly soft-opened to all guests on May 22, 2026 — a full four days before its official debut date of May 26. According to Disney Tourist Blog, the attraction was running with a posted 25-minute wait by 2 p.m., and guests were already boarding without any fanfare from Disney.

This is the kind of soft opening that Disney parks fans dream about stumbling into.

What Is Soarin’ Across America?

Soarin’ Across America is a brand-new version of the beloved Soarin’ attraction, replacing Soarin’ Around the World at EPCOT. Where the previous film took riders on a globe-trotting journey, this version stays home — and goes deep. The new film celebrates America’s 250th anniversary as part of Disney’s company-wide “Disney Celebrates America” initiative running through the Fourth of July weekend.

In the air, you’ll glide over a remarkable cross-section of the country: the rugged New England coastline, the grandeur of New York Harbor, the vast sweep of Grand Canyon West, the iconic faces of Mount Rushmore, bayou country, the Great Plains, autumn heartland colors, northern wilderness, and the island shores of Hawaii. It’s a lap around the country without leaving your seat.

The experience carries all the hallmarks that made Soarin’ an EPCOT institution — the gentle lift, the wind on your face, the layered scents drifting up from below. What’s new is the musical backbone: a fresh orchestral arrangement by Bruce Broughton reimagines the classic Jerry Goldsmith Soarin’ themes for this American journey. Walt Disney Imagineering creative director Tom Fitzgerald described the film as “a tapestry of urban wonders, natural beauty, and iconic locations that celebrate the spirit of the nation.”

The queue at EPCOT has also been refreshed. Guests waiting to board will find “Soarin’ Challenge Across America,” a trivia experience developed in partnership with National Geographic that poses playful state superlatives — things like “Most Likely to Strike Gold” and “Most Likely to Lend an Ear.” It’s a welcome upgrade over standing in a static line, and the kind of detail that makes the wait feel intentional rather than incidental.

What the Early Opening Means for Your Trip

If you’re heading to Walt Disney World this weekend, Soarin’ Across America is effectively open now. The official May 26 opening aligns with the start of Cool Kids’ Summer and Memorial Day weekend — the busiest stretch of early summer at the parks — so the early soft opening is likely Disney’s way of working out any operational wrinkles before the crowds arrive in force.

Once the official opening hits, Early Entry kicks in: on-site hotel guests can ride starting at 8:30 a.m., with regular rope drop at 9 a.m. Extended Evening Hours for select resort guests begin June 1 (9 p.m. to 11 p.m.), and After Hours availability starts June 11. In other words, there are going to be a lot of ways to get on this ride this summer — but getting on it during the softer pre-opening days is about as good as it gets.

A Good Moment for EPCOT

We’ve watched EPCOT go through a lot of change over the past several years — some of it welcome, some of it debated. A new version of Soarin’ that leans into American landmarks, pairs it with a reimagined classic score, and wraps it in a National Geographic queue experience feels like the kind of thoughtful update that fits the park’s original spirit. It’s not a reinvention. It’s a refresh done right.

If you’re in the park before May 26, head to Future World and see what the line looks like. You might be among the first people to fly over Mount Rushmore and catch the scent of the bayou at EPCOT. That’s a pretty good afternoon.