Soarin' Across America Passholder Previews Set for May 19 and 20 at EPCOT

8 days ago in "Soarin'"

Soarin' Across America
Posted: Tuesday May 5, 2026 7:56am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Annual Passholders get early access to Soarin' Across America before the attraction opens to all guests on May 26. Disney has confirmed passholder previews on May 19 and 20 at EPCOT.

There's no separate registration or booking process for the previews. Passholders can simply join the standby queue during normal park operating hours, subject to capacity.

What you need to qualify

To take part, you'll need:

  • A Walt Disney World Annual Pass with valid admission on the preview date
  • A theme park reservation for EPCOT, if visiting before 2pm
  • No active blockout dates on your pass for those dates

Park reservation requirements are subject to change, and reservations are limited and subject to availability.

Park hopping on preview days

If you're planning to visit multiple parks on May 19 or 20, you'll need to enter the park where you have a reservation first. After 2pm, you can visit EPCOT without a reservation — with the exception of Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays, which still requires one.

Soarin' Across America replaces Soarin' Around the World, which closes on May 13. The new film takes you on a simulated flight across the United States, covering natural landscapes and city skylines from coast to coast. General guests get their first flight when the attraction opens May 26.

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Fox&Hound40 minutes ago

Maybe we can get FL and the orange grove scent back!

Figments Friend8 hours ago

So not sure if this has already been mentioned… Some patriotic decor is already on display near the entrance to ‘Soarin’. Panels are attached to one of the Pavillion supports closest to the Attraction entrance, and there is also now a metal bar installed above these panels that looks like it will hold a vertical banner. I was over there today and noticed this, but didn’t snap a pic. Can do so tomorrow as I will be back over at Epcot. Also… When did they install the nice graphic art posters honoring scenes from ‘Soarin Over California’ and ‘Soarin Around The World’ in the queue? They look nice and make the first area of the queue a bit more interesting than just the usual blank walls. The art is pretty nice, too, made to look like travel posters for the various destinations one visits during both Attraction films. -

JustInTime8 hours ago

It was really rough but that was a big focus during the downtime.

HauntedPirate22 hours ago

Biff21522 hours ago

Yup, didn’t even come close to topping the original even though it had the ENTIRE EARTH to work with. I really hope this new version is worthy of staying long term so World never has to come back!

Smiley/OCD23 hours ago

I was never a fan of the world version…it always seemed like it was done “”on the cheap”…good riddance.

wdwmagic1 day ago

Today Is the Last Day to Ride Soarin' Around the World at EPCOT Before It Closes Today is the final day to ride Soarin' Around the World at EPCOT, with the attraction closing tonight ahead of its replacement. Soarin' Across America takes over from May 26, with Annual Passholders getting early access on May 19 and 20. https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/Soarin/news/13may2026-today-is-the-last-day-to-ride-soarin-around-the-world-at-epcot-before-it-closes.htm

dmc4932 days ago

lol was it plussed or did we just not see it gradually get dimmer over the last 20 years?

JustInTime2 days ago

Glad to see they plussed the lighting

osian4 days ago

People have homed in n the Eiffel Tower, it became a cliche really, but the warping effect is evident and pronounced everywhere with all shapes. The Taj Mahal with an oddly shaped dome that warps in real time as you approach, Spaceship Earth which became an egg, the hidden Mickey fireworks exploding around it produced lopsided ears, the sails of the boats which bend more and more as they get closer to the camera, even the hulls are warped.

Tha Realest5 days ago

Yeah, I wonder if it’s because locations featured in “Across the World” made the warping effect more pronounced because of all the straight lines, something that doesn’t occur frequently in nature. Because it feels like “Over California” showcased more natural locales than man-made structures? Or is the Eiffel Tower more of a one off because it was (originally) the principal and primary focus of that sequence

Baloo1245 days ago

I didn't think about that. Yeah a long distance Manhattan shot with ESB in the center could definitely work.

MisterPenguin5 days ago

"It'll be a salute to all things America, except the tall parts."

UNCgolf5 days ago

It shouldn't -- it would have the same issue as the Eiffel Tower where it would be warped/bent for some riders, at least if it's a focal point. If it's a more long distance view of the NYC skyline it might work.

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