OG Soarin’ Returns in March 2022!

Soarin’ Over California is returning for another limited run beginning on March 4, 2022. This occurs simultaneous with the start of DCA’s Food & Wine Festival, which runs through April 26, 2022. However, an end date for the attraction has not yet been announced–meaning it could run through summer, or even forever.

The return of Soarin’ Over California makes sense and the timing would not be coincidental. The same thing last happened in late February 2020, when OG Soarin’ was brought back alongside the debut of Magic Happens Parade at Disneyland as counter-programming to that.

Let’s hope the outcome is different this time, as Soarin’ Over California’s ended up being grounded only a couple weeks after its flights resumed, for reasons that are probably obvious. When Disney California Adventure reopened over a year later, its computer generated successor was back.

Prior to that, the same thing happened with OG Soarin’ returning to Disney California Adventure in an effort to draw people away from the opening season of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Both times, it has worked. Disneyland locals love Soarin’ Over California–probably because it’s better.

Trotting out the superior, Golden State-centric version of Soarin’ is Disneyland Resort’s modern day version of bringing back the Main Street Electrical Parade, a time-tested tactic that will also be occurring in Spring 2022. I’m relieved that we’ll be able to experience it again, but the question a lot of Walt Disney World fans have been asking on social media is, “what about Epcot?!

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 would be a great “throwback” for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. Outside of merchandise and food, the World’s Most Magical Celebration hasn’t contained 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.

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!

Wait times for Soarin’ Over California spiked when the attraction last returned, which was an anomaly as compared to the rest of the attractions at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. The local audience went wild for the return of the OG Soarin’, with applause upon seeing the Golden Gate Bridge and at the end of the Disneyland flyover.

I wouldn’t expect that kind of thunderous reception for the return of OG Soarin’ to Epcot, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see increased demand. It might also be good counter-programming within Epcot once Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind debuts in Summer 2022.

Personally, I hope the run of Soarin’ Over California continues indefinitely and also returns to Epcot. 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. (DCA never had the problem with dust and debris on its film that plagued the Florida version.) 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.

Planning a Southern California vacation? For park admission deals, read Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site hotels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney. For comprehensive advice, consult our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides beyond Disney, check out our Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of other places!

Your Thoughts

Are you excited about the extended run of Soarin’ Over California? Do you hope that it returns indefinitely? What about at Epcot? 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!

34 Responses to “OG Soarin’ Returns in March 2022!”
  1. Nel Epperly January 26, 2023
  2. Larry March 22, 2022
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    • Larry March 22, 2022
  4. S Martin February 13, 2022
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