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!
I am very excited to hear the original Soarin’ is returning and hope it is there for my next trip. I would be thrilled if it is a permanent change. I would also be interested in a version that features only natural scenery from US National Parks. I find the visual, scents, and music in the original a superior experience compared to Soarin’ Over the World.
For our trip planning, we rate attractions A-D with A = must do and multiple times if possible, B= must do once, C = will do if others want to but otherwise skip, D = skip. The current Soarin’ Over the World is a C for me and the original is an A!
had no idea you can see mountains looming in the distance beyond Disneyland,.. had to look it up,. San Gabriel Mountains,.. snow-capped even. Can these be seen from the park? I mean, wow,..
Not sure if they can be seen from inside the park, but they can definitely be seen from nearby. We could even see them all the way from our hotel room in Huntington Beach!
My photo in the post is from Mickey’s Fun Wheel (or whatever they’re calling it these days). That’s about the only (or at least the best) spot in the parks from which the mountains can be seen, but they’re visible while driving all around SoCal.
didn’t realize it was your photo, Tom,.. thought it was from some kind of drone,.. and Laura, thanks for answering,.. smile face emoji
Count me among the many who miss OG Soarin’. It was my first ride EVER at WDW and will stick with me forever for that reason. The new version is ok, but it is just not as good. Everytime we go to Epcot I inevitably make the comment to my wife that I wish they would bring back the original…I wish I could make it there this year, but it’s just not in the cards. I am sad that I will miss it.
Tom, I’m very curious to hear your thoughts on the announced Test Track re-imagining. For me, this announcement was really out of left field and the most unexpected thing to come out of this D23 event and it doesn’t seem like it’s getting much coverage. I’m honestly shocked that they’re investing in an attraction that is still quite popular, absorbs crowds and is mostly still relevant while ignoring Imagination and Mission Space and kicking the can on Spaceship Earth. Equally shocking is that they are going back to (presumably) a non-IP based attraction inspired by World of Motion. Don’t get me wrong, I think that’s fantastic but it feels a little like an April’s fools joke. Us diehard Epcot fans are always wishing for Disney to bring back extinct attractions and for once they may actually do it… sort of…maybe?
Hi Tom – We’re heading to WDW this week for 10 days so we should be able to catch both versions of Soarin’! Do you anticipate any down time for the “switch over”! Hopefully not?!
I love the California version and hate the CGI of the world version. All of your arguments for keeping California with the land pavilion make sense. I thought the same thing about running the 2 films on different sides & letting us choose. I’d probably go 5x more often to California, but would also like the option to see the world version once in a while.
I would like see “a hole new world” theme on soarin theater
It’s a sad commentary on Disney’s view of Park visitors that Disney dumbed down the grand Soarin’ over California into SOW, a world tour of galloping herds of numbers, and man-made landmarks known to anyone who has watched TV. Whatever happened to the educational aspect of Epcot’s mission?
Personally, I think California Adventure should house Soarin’ Over California permanently, and Epcot should house Soarin’ Over the World permanently. It just makes more sense to me.
Disney brass (and sometimes imagineering) seems to have an allergy to ideas that just make complete and total sense at face value. Funny to think in a park called “California Adventure” there aren’t really any attractions that represent having an adventure in California. Oh wait, OG Soarin’ would be EXACTLY THAT.
I’d love an approach where they mainly keep the CA footage (adjust the pre show to highlight the biodiversity instead of the city you’re flying over) but keep the ending a flyover of Spaceship Earth vs a (dated) DL Main Entrance and Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Wait, Soarin’ Over California doesn’t even play at DCA? Why not??
It did originally. And they should of kept it, but they switched over to SOTW. I definitely prefer SOC as the OG.
As residents of Orange County, CA, we make an annual visit to the other Orange County and meet family who live in PA at our DVC “home” for a week in June. I am hoping my hardest that the OG version will still be running at Epcot. It’s superior in every way- and this is coming from someone that did not want the new version to fail. The new version is nice, but the music and cohesion of the California is a thing of beauty. Here’s to hoping that the audience that visits FL will agree and the California will continue forever! Or at least through Summer 2024.
We saw the OG Soarin’ over California when they had it at Disneyland for the 65th anniversary in 2015. We didn’t even know it was a special showing of the OG at the time. It is tremendous.
What a tease with the headline! I hope it end up not being temporary. Soarin over the world sounded like a great update when it was announced, but ended up not being so great.
Bringing back the OG is good, but I still think Soarin’ could have many more reels available and randomly shuffle them so guests won’t know which one we will experience until it starts (like Star Tours or the music in Cosmic Rewind). Maybe each continent can be featured in its own film, and it would still tie-in with EPCOT and International Gateway. The current reel is good, but there is definitely more of the world for us to see.
Well Tom I think we talked about this a few days ago and I am all onboard for this. I suspect I am going to be disappointed but here is hoping that it is still there come 15-26 January when my next World trip takes me out of the UK winter. With the new fireworks coming it could be a good time to be in Epcot.
Seperately, have there been any announcements of dining packages in the front of house for Luminous/indications of them doing it? (Much as id love to sit in Rose and Crown to watch the show as a Brit I find the food a we bit inaccurate/unsdeirable for my tastes for pub food).
I’m really looking forward to this – I’m surprised Impressions de France is only 30 or so years old. It’s incredibly dated and nothing in it reminds of my visits to modern France. It’s a beautiful film – and I would love to have some of those impressions myself, but it’s just a very fantasized version of France.
Great news! It’ll be running during my upcoming Christmas season trip.
When it first arrived in Epcot, as you say in your article I didn’t even realize it was all Claifornia; I just thought “beautiful footage, fun ride.” Even part from CGI issues, I think Soarin Over The World suffers by landing too hard on landmarks rather than the beautiful natural scenery of the original (the best scenes in the World version are the natural ones).
After the original’s return run, if Disney’s worried that Florida visitors will be put off by a California-centric ride, my suggestion to them would be (a CGI-free) Soarin Over The National Parks.
I’m so excited for this news!! I’ll be in EPCOT on Oct. 30th (coming from Utah). When I’m at Disneyland and they have Soarin’ Around the World, I won’t even bother getting in line at all (the smells of that one make me feel sick). But I absolutely LOVE Soarin’ Over California and will ride it any chance I get.
Yay!! My favorite version. Just missed it in California by 2 days in May. Hoping it stays through early December.