We have strong feelings about Soarin’.
We know that is a somewhat predictable thing for a Disney food blog to say about a ride that is not about food, but hear us out. Soarin’ is one of those attractions where the experience is completely tied to all five senses working together — the visuals, the wind, the movement, and yes, the scents.
The orange grove. The sea air. The pine trees.
We notice scents in a way that most people do not, which means we have always paid particularly close attention to this ride. So when Disney confirmed that Soarin’ Around the World is closing in May and Soarin’ Across America is taking its place, we paid attention to everything, including the details that suggest this is a bigger change than a film swap. Here is the full picture and why it matters for your EPCOT trip planning right now.
The Dates, Because These Are Time-Sensitive
May 13, 2026: Last day to ride Soarin’ Around the World at EPCOT. May 14, 2026: Attraction closes. May 26, 2026: Soarin’ Across America opens at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort.
That twelve-day gap between closing and reopening is the first sign that something more substantial is happening here than a one-night film change. If Disney was only swapping the film, they would not need nearly two weeks. A permit filed by Walt Disney Imagineering backs that up, referencing the installation of “set elements” for the attraction. That means physical changes to the ride space, the queue, or the theater itself. Disney has not specified what those changes look like, but set elements are not something you install in an overnight window. Whatever is changing inside that building, it is real.
What Is Going Away and What Is Staying
Soarin’ Around the World has been flying guests over global landmarks since 2016 and it is going dark on May 13. Whether it ever comes back is genuinely unknown. Disney has not announced a return date. This could be a temporary anniversary celebration swap or it could be a longer-term change in the attraction’s identity. For now, all we know is that it ends on May 13 with no confirmed return.
Here is the reassuring part. Disney has confirmed that the core Soarin’ experience is staying intact. The ride system itself is not changing. The sweeping musical score is staying. And the scents, the ones we care about specifically, are staying. Each scene will still have its environmental complement. Whatever the new film shows us, our noses will be fully engaged. That is the part we were most concerned about and it is confirmed.
Patrick, the Chief Flight Attendant from the pre-show, appeared in the Soarin’ Across America announcement video. That is not a guarantee he is staying, but it is a promising sign.
What the New Version Actually Is
Soarin’ Across America is arriving to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary and will take guests on a coast-to-coast flight over iconic American landscapes and cityscapes. Sweeping natural beauty, recognizable skylines, the kind of aerial cinematography that makes you briefly forget you are sitting in a theater at a Florida theme park. The format that has made Soarin’ one of EPCOT’s most technically impressive experiences is intact. The content is shifting to celebrate America specifically, which makes sense for a major national milestone.
We are genuinely curious about the scent choices for American landscapes specifically. Orange groves again? Something Pacific Northwest? We will report back on that immediately after the May 26 opening.
The Canada Pavilion Is Also Getting a Food Update Worth Knowing About
Since we are a food blog and all, we should mention that something is changing near the Canada Pavilion too. The Refreshment Port location is being reimagined as La Poutinerie, a dedicated Canadian food stand with updated theming, a poutine-forward menu, and Air Canada sponsorship built into the identity of the experience.
We have always liked that poutine was available in that stretch of World Showcase and we are genuinely pleased it is getting a proper home. The flexible-space nature of Refreshment Port served a purpose during festivals, and its loss as a versatile location is worth noting for guests who appreciated that. But a dedicated poutine stand with Canadian theming and Air Canada branding is a more intentional version of what was already being served there, and we have no complaints about poutine getting elevated.
How to Plan Your EPCOT Trip Around All of This
Three scenarios and what they mean for you.
If you visit before May 14: Soarin’ Around the World is running. Ride it. The scents are beautiful and the globe-spanning film is genuinely great and there is no confirmed return date after it closes. If it is on your list, prioritize it now.
If you visit between May 14 and May 25: Soarin’ is closed entirely. Remove it from your day. EPCOT has plenty to fill the time and the rest of the park is fully operational, but do not plan around Soarin’ during that window because it simply will not be there.
If you visit on May 26 or later: You are riding Soarin’ Across America in its opening days with whatever physical changes Disney has been installing over those twelve days. That is its own exciting version of a first experience. Opening week crowds will be drawn to it, so go early in the day.
And whenever you are near the Canada Pavilion, stop by La Poutinerie. We will have a full review up as soon as we get there.
We will be at EPCOT the moment Soarin’ Across America opens to report back on everything, including the scents. Our full EPCOT guide is on the site with current attraction status and the Soarin’ transition timeline. Check it before your trip and come find us in the World Showcase when you are done flying over America.
Which version of Soarin’ is your favorite and what do you hope the new scents include? Drop it in the comments.
