Credit: Sarah Larson, Inside the MagicA beloved EPCOT attraction is officially closing its doors today, May 13, 2026, to make way for an entirely new experience. Guests are waiting in line now to ride the classic one more time before it changes.
Soarin’ Around the World Closes for Good: But Here’s What’s Coming Instead
For many EPCOT guests, Soarin’ is not just another ride. It is one of those rare Disney experiences that makes the world feel impossibly big and wonderfully close at the same time.
It begins with a lift, a breath, and that familiar sensation of leaving the ground behind. Families who have ridden it for years know the feeling well: feet dangling, music swelling, wind brushing their faces, and the screen opening into a journey that somehow feels peaceful and grand all at once.
That is why the latest change at EPCOT feels bigger than a simple attraction update. Fans are noticing that this is one of those Disney World moments where nostalgia, excitement, and a little bit of heartbreak all arrive at the same gate.
EPCOT’s Beloved Flight Is Reaching Its Final Boarding Call
Today, Wednesday, May 13, marks the final day for guests to experience Soarin’ Around the World at EPCOT before the attraction closes to make way for Soarin’ Across America. Walt Disney World’s official attraction page lists Soarin’ Around the World as available through May 13, with Soarin’ Across America set to debut May 26, 2026.
For guests visiting EPCOT today, the timing matters. Early Theme Park Entry begins at 8:30 a.m., the park opens to all guests at 9:00 a.m., and EPCOT is scheduled to close at 9:00 p.m. That gives fans one final full park day to board the current version before the lights go down and the attraction prepares for a new chapter.
Guests are already reacting to the closing with the kind of emotional urgency Disney fans know well. For some, this is a “one last ride” situation. For others, it is the end of a version of EPCOT that has been part of their vacation rhythm for nearly a decade.
Why Does This Version Mean So Much to Disney World Guests?
Soarin’ Around the World has been part of EPCOT since 2016, when it replaced the original Soarin’ Over California film. Over time, the attraction became familiar in its own right, giving guests a sweeping tour across some of the planet’s most recognizable landscapes.
The current film lifts riders above the Swiss Alps before moving across the globe. Along the way, guests pass polar bears in Greenland, sailboats on Sydney Harbour, elephants near Mount Kilimanjaro, the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal, Monument Valley, Fiji’s Lau Island, and Iguazu Falls before ending above nighttime Paris with the Eiffel Tower glowing below. Disney’s official description highlights many of these international stops and the attraction’s globe-spanning format.
That final Paris scene has become especially memorable for many fans. It is the kind of Disney finale that feels designed to make guests exhale before the theater lights return. Losing that version, even temporarily, can feel like losing a small piece of a past vacation.
What Makes Soarin’ Feel Different From Other EPCOT Attractions?
Part of Soarin’s staying power comes from how physical the experience feels without being intense. The attraction uses an 80-foot, 180-degree IMAX digital projection dome, synchronized motion, aerial footage, wind effects, and scents designed to match the locations riders are seeing.
Then there is the music. The score, adapted by Bruce Broughton from Jerry Goldsmith’s original Soarin’ composition, has become one of the emotional anchors of the attraction. Even guests who do not know the composers by name often recognize the feeling the music creates.
A surprising change like this hits differently because Soarin’ is not built around speed, drops, or screens alone. It is built around wonder. That is why fans are saying goodbye with such strong feelings today. The ride may remain, but the journey they know is changing.
Soarin’ Across America Is Preparing for Takeoff
The next version, Soarin’ Across America, will focus entirely on locations across the United States. Disney has described the new experience as a simulated flight from “sea to shining sea,” highlighting natural beauty and iconic cityscapes as part of America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Today is the last day to ride Soarin’ Around the World at EPCOT. The attraction closes tonight, with Soarin’ Across America taking its place on May 26, 2026. – @wdwmagic on X
Today is the last day to ride Soarin' Around the World at EPCOT. The attraction closes tonight, with Soarin' Across America taking its place on May 26, 2026. pic.twitter.com/nOpmtHX8wK
— WDWMAGIC.COM (@wdwmagic) May 13, 2026
Disney has already confirmed that the Grand Canyon will be part of the new film, with new aerial cinematography created for the updated attraction. The company has also said the reimagined experience will keep the core elements that make Soarin’ recognizable, including the flight sensation, sights, score, and scents.
Annual Passholders will get an early look on May 19 and May 20, when preview flights are scheduled before the attraction opens to all guests on May 26. Passholders can join the standby queue during normal operating hours, subject to capacity.
What Could This Mean for EPCOT Guests Going Forward?
For now, the biggest impact is emotional and practical. Guests visiting EPCOT today may want to prioritize Soarin’ Around the World early, especially if they want one final ride before the changeover begins.
But looking ahead, Soarin’ Across America could give EPCOT a timely new draw heading into the summer season. The Land pavilion will soon have a refreshed version of one of Disney World’s most beloved family attractions, and longtime fans will be watching closely to see whether the new film captures the same sense of awe.
For guests saying goodbye today, it may feel like a big part of their EPCOT memories is being removed. But in true Disney fashion, that empty space is not staying empty for long. The flight is changing course, and soon, guests will be invited to rise into the clouds again.
Source: WDWMagic
