Original Soarin' Over California film to return to EPCOT's The Land pavilion

23 days ago in "Soarin'"

Posted: Saturday September 9, 2023 5:00pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Starting September 22, Soarin' Over California will return to EPCOT's The Land pavilion.

Originally opened in 2005 at EPCOT, Soarin' Over California sends guests on a sweeping flyover above the wondrous Golden State for a birds-eye view of the rich landscape and topography. The original Soarin' Over California film last played at EPCOT on June 16, 2016.

Soarin' Over California will play for a limited time as part of Walt Disney World's Disney100 celebration. Disney has not yet given any indication of how long it will be available.

Soarin' Around the World which currently plays, opened on June 17 2016 as a reboot of the original Soarin' attraction. It takes guests to six continents, and specifically the Great Wall of China, Sydney Harbor in Australia, Monument Valley, Great Pyramids of Egypt, Switzerland's Matterhorn mountain, and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. 




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Twirlnhurl1 day ago

I went on it once last week (concourse B center carriage) and once this week (concourse A left side carriage) and it definitely bumped around a fair bit before settling against whatever pushes it up and down last week. This week it bumped more that normal, but not nearly as much as last week. I am not sure if that is related to the carriage, the simulator, or maybe the programming? Definitely not how it used to be.

DisneyFanatic121 day ago

I never remembered the LA traffic scene being so sped up. It obviously always has been, but I don’t remember it being so. Interesting to say the least! I’ll just add this in to this post: Rode it last week and it would’ve made me sick if I went a second time because it shook SO MUCH (and I can ride Simpsons once or twice just fine). Whatever was wrong with it seems to have been fixed, since tonight I rode in Concourse C and it was smooth. I don’t know what was wrong, but I’m happy it was fixed!

Cmdr_Crimson1 day ago

I Guess for some....

WondersOfLife1 day ago

I'd say EO's tribute definitely ran it's course. Theres a reason why it was replaced with practically nothing better and still garners the same attendance. Magic Eye theatre needs a despicable me/jimmy neutron style 4d attraction starting figment and Dreamfinder, with a new multiverse invention (since that's all the rave now) going into different Disney's movies and causing chaos. Basically Philharmagic with Figment and Simpsons Ride style vehicles.

WondersOfLife1 day ago

Now THATS a Epcot festival I'd pay a hefty fee for! Imagine learning different sewing techniques from all around the world. That'd be lit.

networkpro1 day ago

Captain Disco must remain buried.

Cmdr_Crimson1 day ago

I'd rather it not....

EPCOT-O.G.1 day ago

I wonder if the renewed popularity for this return paves the way for a Captain EO return as well?

ClippersRoyal1 day ago

The theme needs to stay

larryz1 day ago

It's like "Flying with Elrond."

gerarar2 days ago

Road Soarin' today. Last time I've been on the California version was probably about over a decade ago at DCA (when it was under heavy construction). Barely remember it, but was quite surprised with this version today. The cuts weren't too bad. They jumped along with the music, which I thought fit. Only part that was ehh was the LA traffic as it was too janky. Love the orange smells tho! 🍊 Could care less what version is playing as I always think it's a pleasant ride overall. Maybe rotate the versions throughout the year or offer both versions in separate theaters or something. Also the ride was quoted a 85 mins wait today (9/30) at 4pm, but only waited 20 mins. In and out in about ~25 mins. There was a huge lightning lane backlog, so maybe they were accounting for that.

vikescaper2 days ago

We went on Soarin’ twice today and I want to take back every bad thing I may have said about Soarin’ over California during it’s original run at Epcot as it is superior to Around the World.

Cmdr_Crimson5 days ago

Meh, just switch it to a Band of Grizzlies..Problem solved..

Touchdown5 days ago

Bingo. The Romani people view that as a slur. So it would bring controversy.