Credit: DisneyDisney World fans barely have time to catch their breath right now. Across the resort, construction walls are going up, attractions are disappearing, and entire lands are transforming before guests’ eyes. May has been one of the busiest months Disney has had in years for operational changes. From permanent closures at Magic Kingdom to ride reimaginings and refreshed experiences across multiple parks, it feels like every week brings another update.
Now, another major EPCOT change is almost here.
Disney World will temporarily shut down a 21-year-old attraction starting May 14, giving guests just a short window left to experience the current version before it disappears. The closure will not last forever, but when the attraction returns later this month, guests will notice a very different experience awaits them.
Here’s what you need to know before the countdown officially begins.
Disney Keeps Reworking Its Classic Attractions
At this point, longtime Disney fans have gotten used to saying goodbye to familiar experiences. Disney World has spent the past several years aggressively updating, replacing, or reimagining attractions across all four theme parks.
Magic Kingdom alone has seen massive changes recently. Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island are gone as Disney prepares for the new Piston Peak National Park expansion. Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is currently closed as Disney works on transforming the attraction into a Muppets-themed coaster experience. Animal Kingdom continues tearing down DinoLand U.S.A. to make room for the Tropical Americas project.
Even attractions that are not permanently disappearing are still getting adjusted, refreshed, or temporarily overhauled.
That brings us to Soarin’ at EPCOT.
Disney is once again changing one of the park’s most beloved experiences, though thankfully, this update is more of a temporary celebration than a complete replacement. Still, it means guests have only a limited time left to experience the current version before operations pause this week.
An EPCOT Staple
For many EPCOT fans, Soarin’ remains one of the park’s must-do attractions.
Located inside The Land Pavilion, the simulator attraction gives guests the sensation of hang gliding over some of the world’s most famous destinations. Riders lift high into the air in front of a massive curved screen while wind, scents, and movement effects create the illusion of flight.
The current version, Soarin’ Around the World, debuted in 2016 and replaced the original Soarin’ Over California, which guests had loved for years. Instead of focusing on a single state, the updated version takes riders around the globe, featuring locations such as the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower, the African savanna, Sydney Harbour, and more.
The attraction remains wildly popular nearly a decade later.
On busy days, Soarin’ still pulls long standby waits, especially during EPCOT festivals and holiday periods. Lightning Lane reservations for the attraction continue to fill quickly during crowded travel seasons.
Part of the ride’s lasting popularity stems from its approachability. Unlike more intense EPCOT attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind or Mission: SPACE, Soarin’ appeals to almost everyone. Families, older guests, and even people who normally avoid thrill rides can usually enjoy the experience together.
That broad appeal is one reason Disney continues using the attraction for special overlays and limited-time versions.
Now, another temporary transformation is about to begin.
Why Is the Ride Closing on May 14?
Starting May 14, Disney will temporarily close Soarin’ Around the World at EPCOT.
The closure is tied directly to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration. When the attraction reopens on May 26, guests will no longer experience the international version currently operating inside EPCOT.
Instead, Disney will bring back a modified version of Soarin’ Over California-style storytelling with a new patriotic focus centered on famous American landmarks and landscapes.
The temporary experience, titled Soarin’ Across America, will celebrate locations across the United States as part of Disney’s broader America 250 offerings happening throughout the parks and resorts.
Disney has not released all the scenes guests will encounter yet. Still, the attraction is expected to showcase iconic locations across the country while celebrating American history, landscapes, and national identity ahead of the 250th anniversary festivities.
The short refurbishment window between May 14 and May 26 gives Imagineers time to update ride programming, visuals, and operational systems ahead of the debut.
The reopening date also lines up with a surprisingly busy stretch across Walt Disney World.
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster’s Muppets reimagining is preparing for its May 26 debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. EPCOT is also preparing for the limited-time Soarin’ Across America experience at the same time. Over at Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad recently returned following its lengthy refurbishment project as Disney continues refreshing multiple headliner attractions at once.
In other words, Disney World is entering one of its busiest operational periods in recent memory.
EPCOT Guests Only Have Limited Time Left
Because the attraction closes May 14, guests visiting EPCOT effectively only have today and tomorrow left to experience Soarin’ Around the World before the temporary shutdown begins.
Thankfully, the downtime itself will be relatively short. Disney is only keeping the attraction closed for about two weeks before reopening the updated version on May 26.
Still, guests should understand that the Soarin’ experience returning later this month will not be identical to the one currently operating.
For fans who specifically love the global destinations featured in Soarin’ Around the World, this is effectively the final call before the temporary patriotic overlay takes over EPCOT for the next several months.
Honestly, though, this feels like one of the more fun temporary changes Disney has introduced lately.
Unlike some reimaginings that permanently erase classic attractions, this update feels more celebratory than destructive. EPCOT has always balanced global culture with technological optimism and large-scale storytelling, and a limited-time attraction honoring America’s 250th anniversary actually fits surprisingly well inside the park.
Plus, many longtime Disney fans still have a soft spot for Soarin’s earlier versions anyway.
That means while guests only have a short time left to experience the current ride, the replacement may end up becoming one of EPCOT’s more interesting limited-time offerings in years.
