Credit: DisneyDisney has confirmed even more plans to update Soarin’ at one theme park.
Soarin’ first opened at Disney California Adventure in 2001 as Soarin’ Over California, a groundbreaking flight simulator that gave guests the sensation of hang gliding across the state. Its innovative ride system and sweeping aerial views quickly made it a fan favorite.
Owing to its popularity, the attraction was brought to EPCOT in 2005, debuting as Soarin’ Over California before later transitioning to Soarin’ Around the World, just as it did in Anaheim. Fans have long favored the original version, prompting Disney to revive it temporarily at EPCOT in 2023 and during Disney California Adventure’s Food & Wine Festival. For now, however, guests primarily take flight over landmarks like the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower, and the Taj Mahal.
Over the years, more parks have also added versions of Soarin’. At Tokyo Disney Resort, the attraction is located at Tokyo DisneySea and known as Soaring: Fantastic Flight. Meanwhile, Shanghai Disneyland’s version is titled Soaring Over the Horizon and opened with the rest of the park in the Adventure Isle area.
While Disney seems resistant to changing the film entirely, it has made several tweaks over the years. For example, it gave cast members operating EPCOT’s version of the ride brand-new uniforms earlier this month. Disney also updated Soarin’ at both EPCOT and Disney California Adventure to fix the widely criticized “bend” in the Eiffel Tower, caused by the film’s perspective warping on the attraction’s curved screen.
Now, it’s confirmed more updates – this time, for the version at Shanghai Disneyland.
Updates Coming to Soaring Over the Horizon
The Disney park plans to add a third theater to Soaring Over the Horizon, increasing the popular attraction’s capacity by 50%.
It will also add “magical surprises” to the attraction, including a brand-new scene. Currently, the ride ends by sending guests flying over the city of Shanghai. The new finale will take place over Shanghai Disneyland itself.
While the ride itself is extremely similar to versions found elsewhere, it distinguishes itself from its sister rides by presenting the ride within an ancient observatory and temple to the Arbori tribe’s Condor god. Soaring Over the Horizon’s preshow and safety spiel are hosted by a shaman of the tribe who gifts Shanghai Disneyland parkgoers with the ability to fly.
NEW: Shanghai Disney Resort is adding a third theater to Soaring Over the Horizon, boosting capacity by 50%. The attraction will also receive a new ending scene. The ride will remain open throughout the expansion.
NEW: Shanghai Disney Resort is adding a third theater to Soaring Over the Horizon, boosting capacity by 50%. The attraction will also receive a new ending scene. The ride will remain open throughout the expansion. pic.twitter.com/1G3pFB3o62
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 23, 2025
Notably, Disney has confirmed that Soaring Over the Horizon will remain open during its transformation. The attraction is currently one of the most popular at the park, with a 40-minute wait at the time of writing (5 p.m. CST). Only Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and TRON Lightcycle Power Run boast longer wait times.
What’s your favorite version of Soarin’?