As has become tradition, Soarin’ Over California is returning for another limited run in 2026. This time, it’s happening with a twist and running longer, starting for Disney California Adventure’s 25th Anniversary and continuing until Soarin’ Across America debuts in Summer 2026. Here’s the latest.
Typically, Soarin’ Over California returns each year for a limited engagement during the DCA Food & Wine Festival. That event is also returning, with this year’s festivities running from March 6 through April 27, 2026. This trend started back in 2020, when the OG Soarin’ was brought back alongside the debut of Magic Happens Parade at Disneyland as counter-programming to that. It’s continued every year since, minus 2021 when the parks were closed.
Prior to that, the same thing happened with OG Soarin’ returning to Disney California Adventure in an effort to draw people away from the opening season of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Both times, it has worked. Disneyland locals love Soarin’ Over California–probably because it’s better.
Trotting out the superior, Golden State-centric version of Soarin’ is Disneyland Resort’s modern day version of bringing back the Main Street Electrical Parade, a time-tested tactic that has happened like clockwork every few years for the last couple of decades (speaking of which, when is that happening again?!).
For 2026, the tried and true return of the OG Soarin’ is starting earlier and ending later! The original returns ahead of Disney California Adventure’s 25th Anniversary, which celebrates the opening of Disney’s California Adventure back on February 8, 2001.
Soarin’ Over California, which is one of DCA’s few remaining opening day attractions, will return for a limited run beginning February 6, 2026 and continuing through July 1, 2026.
The return of Soarin’ Over California is just one thing that Disneyland is doing to celebrate DCA’s 25th Anniversary, with most of the festivities kicking off on February 6, 2026–two days before the actual anniversary.
On July 2, 2026, the all-new airborne adventure, Soarin’ Across America, will debut in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. (The opening date for Soarin’ Across America is not new-news, but you might’ve missed it–the announcement came as part of the Full 2026 Calendar of Events at Disneyland.)
Although details are still limited, Disney previously announced that the fan-favorite attraction Soarin’ will be receiving an all-new airborne adventure across the United States in Summer 2026. The new bi-coastal offering will showcase the United States—from sea to shining sea—highlighting some of the country’s natural beauty and iconic cityscapes.
Soarin’ Across America will be brought to life with the iconic elements that make Soarin’ unforgettable – the flight, the sights and score, even the scents! Walt Disney Imagineering is hard at work capturing more than a dozen breathtaking locations for the new flight.
On a personal note, I cannot wait to fly over some of my favorite places in these great United States. If you’re curious about the destinations we’re hoping are featured in Soarin’ Across America, check out our list of the Top 18 U.S. Flyover Places for Soarin’ Across America. I had a tough time limiting the list to “only” 18 entries. Suffice to say, I am really, really excited for Soarin’ Across America!
Soarin’ Across America is just one part of a new campaign called “Disney Celebrates America.” This kicked off on Veterans Day and continues through the July 4th weekend in 2026. This celebration will bring together Disney’s beloved brands to honor America’s past, celebrate the present, and inspire its future.
The celebration will culminate on the July 4th weekend with a 24-hour, multi-platform broadcast, “Disney Celebrates America,” highlighting America’s 250th anniversary events nationwide across Disney’s linear networks and streaming platforms, including Disney+, Hulu, ABC, ESPN and more.
That 24-hour broadcast ends with a special evening fireworks broadcast from Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. It’s safe to assume it’ll also be highlighted by the debut of Soarin’ Across America at DCA.
There were previously questions about when Soarin’ Around the World would close, and whether there would be a refurbishment or gap between the current version ending and Soarin’ Across America debuting. As we pointed out, there doesn’t necessarily need to be a refurbishment ahead of the changeover.
This confirms no downtime, at least at Disney California Adventure. Soarin’ Over California will end on July 1, 2026 and Soarin’ Across America debuts the next day. It’s always possible there’s a brief closure before July for a refresh, but there’s no reason to believe that’ll be the case–at least, not at DCA. It should be like flipping a switch, with one version being shown one day and another the next.
A refurbishment at EPCOT is still possible and, honestly, we hope one happens. The projectors could stand to be upgraded and/or cleaned, the queue repainted and refreshed, etc. It doesn’t need to be a lengthy closure–a few days to a week during the shoulder season would suffice. It doesn’t necessarily need to occur right before Soarin’ Across America debuts, but the ride could use some TLC!
Back when Soarin’ Around the World first opened, there were actually a couple of closures in 2016 to prepare for the new attraction. When the opening actually did occur, the OG Soarin’ simply closed early one day and Soarin’ Around the World debuted the next day. Here’s hoping for a repeat of that.
Speaking of EPCOT, there’s no reason to believe Soarin’ Over California will make a return prior to Soarin’ Across America. That last happened during Disney100 and was popular with fans, and we fully expect that ‘card’ to be played again…just not right now.
Back during its original run, most guests visiting EPCOT didn’t even realize Soarin’s locations were exclusively in California. Unless you’ve visited Anza-Borrego, Yosemite National Park, Tahoe, Malibu, Camarillo, etc., you probably couldn’t identify where the footage was shot.
You might’ve just assumed the desert, waterfall, rushing rapids, ocean, orange groves, etc. were simply generic–but stunning–locations. Point being, Soarin’ Over California should also return to EPCOT again at some point, hopefully in tandem with Soarin’ Across America.
Wait times for Soarin’ Over California usually spike as compared to the Soarin’ Over the World and the rest of the attractions at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. The local Southern California audience goes wild for the OG Soarin’, with applause upon seeing the Golden Gate Bridge and at the end of the Disneyland flyover.
This is especially true on the first weekend of Soarin’ Over California. The first morning is always fun during DCA’s Food & Wine Festival, when Cast Members hand out oranges to guests as they get off the ride as a nod to the orange groves scent on the attraction.
This year, it wouldn’t surprise us if there’s also a send-off for Soarin’ Over the World. Whereas that version normally returns after a couple of months, that won’t be the case in 2026. To the contrary, we don’t know when–or if–Soarin’ Over the World will return. It probably will at some point, but if Soarin’ Across America is well-received, we’d expect it to stick around for at least a year. After that, Disneyland will likely rotate Soarins, much like they do fireworks shows, to keep locals coming back.
Personally, I hope the run of Soarin’ Across America continues indefinitely by popular guest demand (because that’ll mean it’s actually good). At some point, I hope Over California is added to the list of departures–at both DCA and EPCOT–with guests having the option of choosing their own adventure. I am fine with Soarin’ Over the World returning at some point, but won’t be upset if it doesn’t.
As I’ve said countless times at this point, Soarin’ Over California is one of the very few OG Disney’s California Adventure attractions that stands the test of time (right there with California Screamin’ and Grizzly River Run). The video still looks great, and the scents are as delightful as ever, and the flight is exhilarating and enjoyable. It’s the perfect family-friendly attraction.
Suffice to say, Soarin’ still stands the test of time, just like Impressions de France, which is still shown in EPCOT 40+ years later. Actually, unlike Impressions de France, you never get an up-close look at any people (and their dated attire), so there’s not much to date the footage. Here’s hoping that Soarin’ Across America measures up to California, and exceeds the World!
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Your Thoughts
Are you excited about the extended return of Soarin’ Over California? Or are you more looking forward to the debut of Soarin’ Across America? Do you hope that the latter is so good that it runs indefinitely? Would you prefer to see Soarin’ or Soarin’ Around the World…or both? Hope there’s eventually a rotation, or ‘choose your destination’ dynamic? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!