EPCOT’s latest attraction overhaul is already creating heated reactions online, and Disney fans do not seem to agree on whether the company made a smart decision.
Disney recently began previewing a new version of a longtime EPCOT attraction. While Disney clearly intended the overlay to feel nostalgic and uplifting, many guests walked away frustrated instead.
Some fans now believe Disney leaned too far into CGI and stripped away the realism that helped make the ride such an emotional experience over the years.
Others, however, think the new version improves several problems found in Soarin’ Around the World.
EPCOT Has Always Evolved
Major attraction replacements are nothing new at EPCOT.
The park has changed dramatically over the years as Disney introduced newer intellectual properties and updated ride systems. Maelstrom eventually became Frozen Ever After in the Norway Pavilion, Universe of Energy later became Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and World of Motion eventually became Test Track.
Some of those changes became fan favorites almost immediately. Others continue to spark debates long after the original attractions disappeared.
Now, Soarin’ has become the latest EPCOT attraction caught in the middle of that cycle.
Soarin’ Around the World Became a Fan Favorite
Soarin’ Around the World spent years serving as one of EPCOT’s biggest attractions.
The ride used giant curved projection screens, scents, wind effects, and gentle gliding motion to make guests feel like they were flying across the globe. Riders visited famous landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and the Great Wall of China, while the attraction’s emotional soundtrack carried the experience forward.
At the same time, though, the ride developed a reputation for awkward CGI transitions and warped visuals. Some guests jokingly referred to sudden scene changes as “jump scares.”
Even with those criticisms, Soarin’ remained one of the park’s most recognizable experiences.
Disney Introduced a New America-Themed Overlay
Disney closed Soarin’ Around the World on May 14, 2026, as part of a reimagining connected to America’s 250th anniversary.
The attraction is now operating in previews as Soarin’ Across America, featuring famous landmarks and landscapes from across the country.
The idea initially sounded like a natural fit for the attraction. Many guests expected Disney to deliver sweeping visuals and emotional storytelling similar to earlier versions of the ride.
Instead, preview reactions quickly became mixed.
Guests Are Criticizing the CGI
Many preview guests believe Disney relied too heavily on artificial visuals throughout the attraction.
One guest wrote:
“It felt like a slideshow of some pictures with a bunch of PowerPoint fade transitions. Nothing was cohesive and everything was abysmally slow. Above all, the glider had extremely limited motion compared to the World and California versions.”
Another rider specifically pointed to CGI in the Statue of Liberty scene, saying it “kind of killed” the attraction for them.
Other guests described the overlay as “pretty bad” and criticized what they called “unnecessary CGI” and bland scenery throughout the experience.
For fans who loved Soarin for its realistic aerial footage and immersive feeling, those complaints aren’t a major concern.
Other Fans Think Disney Improved the Ride
Not every reaction has been negative.
Some guests actually prefer Soarin’ Across America over Soarin’ Around the World. One rider said the attraction worked better because there were not “40 jump scares” interrupting the experience. Others praised the scents used during the ride and felt the visuals flowed more smoothly overall.
Another guest called the overlay “considerably better” than Around the World.
That split reaction may persist throughout the rest of its limited run. Disney clearly wanted Soarin’ Across America to feel like a patriotic celebration ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary. Still, early previews show the new overlay is already becoming one of EPCOT’s most divisive updates in recent memory.
