Soarin’ Over California Ending at EPCOT in Florida
Soarin’ Over California is back at EPCOT in Walt Disney World for a limited run, replacing the ‘Around the World version of the ride temporarily. This occurred with the company’s 100th Anniversary celebration, which concluded its run at the end of last year. (Updated February 21, 2024.)
EPCOT was the center of the Disney100 celebration at Walt Disney World, which began last fall. The event nominally celebrated a century of magic and innovation, while also ushering in the future as the multi-year transformation of EPCOT wraps up. The 100 Years of Wonder festivities finished at the end of last year. All signs and such have been removed over the course of the last month.
For its part, Soarin’ Over California returned on September 22 with the start of Disney100 at EPCOT. At the time, Walt Disney World did not announce an end date, so we speculated that it could discontinue service on a few different dates. Perhaps New Year’s Eve, at the end of the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, or after the finale of the 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Arts. All of those dates came and went, and Soarin’ Over California continues to take flight.
Walt Disney World has announced today (February 21) that Soarin’ Over California will once again be grounded after a few months of flights. Here’s the official announcement from Walt Disney World:
Soarin’ Over California – Closing Soon
Glide through the air on Soarin’ Over California through February 27, 2024. Then, enjoy Soarin’ Around the World—returning on February 28, 2024!
If you’re a diehard Walt Disney World fan who’s sad to see Soarin’ Over California go or disappointed that you missed this service, there’s a decent possibility that departures from EPCOT to the Golden State resume again in the future. The OG Soarin’ has returned to Disney California Adventure a few times.
It’s pretty much always been in an effort to draw people away from Disneyland–the first time was during the opening season of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, then when Magic Happens debuted. It now occurs annually for DCA’s Food & Wine Festival, which coincides with spring break.
It usually works. Locals love Soarin’ Over California–probably because it’s better. Trotting out the superior, Golden State-centric version of Soarin’ is the modern day version of bringing back the Main Street Electrical Parade, a time-tested tactic. I’m relieved that we’ll be able to experience it again, and that the strategy is finally being piloted in Florida.
As for when Soarin’ Over California could return to Walt Disney World again, the most obvious possibility in my view is during the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival. Disney could do a California-themed booth over by the Land pavilion, tie that with Soarin’ Over California, and have a nice draw for fans during the slower months of August and September.
For what it’s worth, such a scenario wouldn’t be a first for EPCOT. Back before work on the now-paused Play Pavilion began, the former Wonders of Life pavilion served as a festival center and showed the film ‘Seasons of the Vine,’ which was a film originally made for Disney California Adventure (the theater was converted to Blue Sky Cellar).
However, we wouldn’t expect this to occur for the 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival. It’s probably too soon to bring Soarin’ Over California back again, and wouldn’t really move the needle as a draw. It’s also possible that Walt Disney World won’t ever bring it back, if guest satisfaction scores were markedly lower for the Golden State version. However, we doubt that’s the case–if it were, Walt Disney World would’ve ended Soarin’ Over California’s run on December 31 with all the other Disney100 stuff, not extended it until February 27, 2024.
(What follows is my standard commentary about why this is a good idea, even for Walt Disney World…)
This might seem silly. After all, the original is Soarin’ Over California and Walt Disney World is located in Florida. Moreover, Epcot is a park celebrating the various cultures of the world, not a particular state. Fair points, but I think there are a couple of worthwhile counterpoints.
First, Soarin’ at Epcot is located in World Nature/Future World, not World Showcase. Moreover, it’s shoehorned into the Land, a pavilion that is ostensibly dedicated to human civilization’s interaction with the Earth. California is not just the most biodiverse state, it’s one of the most biodiverse places in the world. With such a range of ecosystems, it’s hard to believe California is a single state. (What a place!)
This range of ecosystems is on full display in Soarin’ Over California, which primarily highlights the Golden State’s natural wonders (few of which scream “this is in California!”). This is what made Soarin’ a sensible location for the Land pavilion in the first place. Its farm, desert, coastal, mountain, etc. scenery makes it a natural counterpart to Living with the Land.
On this note, it’s worth pointing out that most guests visiting Epcot during the time it ran the original Soarin’ (with “Over California” dropped from the name) didn’t even realize the locations were exclusively in California. Unless you’ve visited Anza-Borrego, Yosemite National Park, Tahoe, Malibu, Camarillo, etc., you probably couldn’t identify where the footage was shot. You might’ve just assumed the desert, waterfall, rushing rapids, ocean, orange groves, etc. were simply generic–but stunning–locations.
Most of the places in Soarin’ Over California are not as readily identifiable as those in Soarin’ Around the World. Orange groves and coastline tend to blend together. The Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, and Great Wall of China…not so much. If Soarin’ returned to Epcot in exactly the same presentation as when it left, the overwhelming majority of first-time guests would simply assume it’s a flyover of the United States.
While Soarin’ Around the World highlights the natural world (or rather, a version of nature created by a computer), it focuses more on landmarks. There’s a reason distortion isn’t as pronounced in the original Soarin–because instead of architecture and linear elements, the attraction primarily features geography that can mask distortion better.
I’m not particularly averse to Soarin’ Around the World, but the CGI, cheesy animals, and distortion has worn on me over time. Moreover, I think Soarin’ Over California is not showing its age at all. If anything, it benefits from its footage being real, whereas the extensive CGI of the new version will inevitably date itself much sooner.
In addition, the return of OG Soarin’ to Epcot is a great “throwback” at Walt Disney World. Outside of merchandise and food, Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration didn’t contain nearly enough nods to the past. While this particular one would be the not-so-distant past (~5 years ago), it would likely be appreciated by many longtime Walt Disney World fans who still miss the original Soarin. It’s a great move to showcase the past, present, and future of EPCOT during Disney100.
That’s pretty much my ‘case’ for bringing OG Soarin’ back to Epcot. (There’s also the third option of running Soarin’ Over California in one theater, and figuring out a logistical way to let people choose.) Okay, let’s review: that is more on-theme to the Land pavilion, less distortion, no CGI, California > the World…anything else? Oh yeah, have a nice flight!
Personally, I hope Soarin’ Over California returns to EPCOT again in the future. The attraction itself is largely unchanged and still looks modern. The film was updated to a digital projection shortly before being retired, and it still looks crisp and clean. The scents, including a new one, are as delightful as ever.
The original Soarin’ is one film that stands the test of time, just like Impressions de France, which is still shown in Epcot 30+ years later. Actually, unlike Impressions de France, you never get an up-close look at any people (and their dated attire), so there’s not much to date the footage. Basically just the Los Angeles skyline, which has grown tremendously since ~2000. To my knowledge, almost everything else is virtually unchanged (actually, I think the particular orange grove is now a housing development–but you wouldn’t know from looking at it), which is the beauty of filming the natural world.
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Your Thoughts
Are you excited about the return of Soarin’ Over California at EPCOT? Do you hope that it returns indefinitely? Would you prefer to see Soarin’ or Soarin’ Around the World…or both? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
What a split down the middle of opinion over this ride! My family and I agree that it’s Soaring Around the World. We saw Soaring CA this past November and just were not wowed. We didn’t realize until we were on the ride that it had reverted to CA. I know the graphics may bug people – I can see why, but we loved the locations of World. The experience felt better. More immersive. We even ordered Soaring oil scents to remember this ride that we’re so fond of! Glad to have it return..
I like what Patrick K (below) said best: “… my daughter … is finally tall enough to ride Soarin’ for the first time, and I’ll love it because she’ll love it.” Good for you, Dad!! Whatever version you happen to see (or remember having seen) – at the end of the day, isn’t the world as seen through the eyes of a child the best view of all?
The ‘World’ version in our opinion, is far better than CA version, based on having seen the CA one back in the day and thought it very good, then the World version which is impressive, but now again having just last week seen CA again, sadly the CA version does now not compare to the ‘World’ one. in fact we will probably not bother to ride Soarin again if it is the CA version especially if there is a long wait! That said, I appreciate others may well disagree, we are all different and that’s fine!!
Personally having seen the California version back in the day and thought it wonderful, then Soarin the ‘World’ version which impressed me too but just last week I was on the California one with my family again and to us now the verdict is ‘the World’ is far superior and my family and I would not bother to ride Soarin again if it was CA now but would, and have been on the World version many times. We all have our favourites, which is fine!
One thing that needs to change in Soarin’ Over California if they are going to continue using it is the Coronado/San Diego scene. When flying over the aircraft carrier USS JOHN C STENNIS there are clearly F-14 Tomcats on the flight deck. Those were retired from the inventory in 2006.
Love the original. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until I saw it again in January. I don’t care for the cgi animals in the world version or the transitions. And do get me started on the distortions.
hello, I was happy to introduce my family to Soarin Around the World and I was very disappointed by the images offered this month of February… I understand the interest for the residents but for us who came from far away (France)…
Have a good day,
It’s just really WEIRD that Soarin Over California is only in Florida right now. And that Soarin Around the World in California ends at EPCOT. Might be time to update both…
who rides this that doesnt see the leaning tower of the taj mahal, or the leaning tower of eiffel. that around the world movie needs to go as it is ridiculous to watch if your not in the middle section. the ca version doesnt have this and its what makes it the better version by far
I’m so incredibly excited for Soarin’ Around the World to return! What an emotional crescendo, flying over Iguazu Falls, to the Eiffel Tower, to Spaceship Earth. It feels like some of the locations would qualify as “Walt favorites,” from Matterhorn Mountain to Neuschwanstein Castle. As a huge Jerry Goldsmith fan, I’m glad his melodies and style are still heard in “World.” Respect for the California version as the OG, and I can see why it would be a point of pride at DCA and even a strategic seasonal cameo at WDW…but I’m so excited for the global voyage to return to Epcot. Now if they’d just bring back the Listen to the Land song during the greenhouse boat ride, that would be the chef’s kiss.
I think Soarin over CA was a nice temporary treat, but it’s not in great shape. The film is grainy and looks low res. Either restore it with some of those big park profits or retire it for good. It’s also clearly time to get some new footage to refresh Around the World but at least it’s still in decent shape to use for now. This is one of my favorite rides so I hope it gets some TLC soon!
How can they not see that Soarin Over the World needs to be replaced or retired? Soarin over CA is so much better. They should keep the CA one until they make a new one, which is over due like a lot of Epcot refurbishments. On a side note, it’s hard to believe I’m saying this about Epcot considering that Epcot was supposed to get such a huge overhaul and has had a seemingly endless amount of construction walls up.
So glad to hear the OG Soarin is being put out to pasture. I saw Soarin-CA in DCA back in 2014 before I saw Soarin – World in Epcot for the first time in 2016 and had not seen Soarin CA until this past January. Time has not been kind to CA (in more ways than one!). At first, I loved the immersion, the nod to nature, and the spirit of adventure when I first saw Soarin- CA since this was my first ever Soarin experience. But, in my humble opinion, it completely lacks Disney’s quintessential charm and magic that is present in Soarin- World. I don’t go to Disney to see a public service announcement about a particular state or country (i.e., Impressions de France). They are fine, I have no problem or objections to them but Disney parks are Disney parks because of their unparalleled ability to bring more than just immersive reality…they bring it with charm and magic. That magic and charm, is soarin-ly lacking in Soarin- California. I am not sure who or what is to blame for the presentation in Epcot but it is so distracting. The clarity was “Standard Definition” compared to Soarin-World’s “High Definition.” Also, the transitions between scenes are really jarring. The scenes are spliced together haphazardly like it was a “fun with drones” project. Again, if you never saw Soarin-World, maybe this isn’t a big deal to you, but compared to Soarin-World, Soarin-CA’s production value is amateur hour. There is no smooth or fun transition from one scene to the next like in World. So I guess I would have to counter with “Okay, let’s review: that is more on-theme to the Land pavilion (the World (Antarctica, African plains, South Pacific, etc.) easily trumps California), significantly better production quality, infusion of Disney charm and magic (you’re at a theme park, not a California Welcome Center), and California’s taxes > the World…anything else? Oh yeah, have a nice flight! 🙂
The “smooth” and “fun” transitions in World are AWFUL. They’re jarring and not smooth at all. Completely forced. The cuts in OG are timed to flow with the music and work perfectly. Just speaks to today’s ADHD that we need forced CG transitions and fake animals in every scene.
It was nice to see the California version over at Epcot but unlike the prevailing opinions in these comments, which tends to be typical of Disney super-fans(nostalgia over facts), the Soarin’ Around The World version is significantly better for a number of reasons: 1) it looks better, 2) it sounds better, 3) there’s more focus on the “ride” aspects, 4) the lighting and scents are FAR better utilized than the California version and finally 5) the scenes are more seamless and have a more interesting flow while the California version has some very abrupt cuts.
Agreed %1000
I agree, the transitions caused me and some of my family members to get nauseous.
Noooooooooo! While I knew this was coming–and was lucky enough to see the OG Soarin’ last November at WDW–I’m disappointed.
It’s like the difference between a great restaurant that focuses on a single cuisine and does it incredibly well versus one that has a section for all cuisines and does none of them well at all–but people recognize that spaghetti is Italian and sushi is Japanese so we can get a little of everything! It’s really a bastardization of the format, the CGI is terrible, the landmarks are cheesy, and it has no focus, soul, or big idea like the CA one does (other than, oh let’s throw the Taj Mahal and Pyramids in there bc they’re like important and stuff).
Other than that, no complaints. I’ll be taking my daughter to WDW in September and she’s finally tall enough to ride Soarin’ for the first time, and I’ll love it because she’ll love it. But from an overall Imagineering and user experience standpoint, this is a far inferior product.
As someone with vertigo, both of these versions and France show require plenty of eye closing to successfully navigate. I was excited to see the OG when we were there in November but found it waaaaaay more dizzy inducing than the world version! Glad to see the world return!
I love original Soarin, it is so much better than Soarin Round The World with its wonky CGI. The original has a far superior soundtrack too.