PHOTOS, VIDEO: Soarin’ Across America Debuts at Walt Disney World

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Soarin’ Across America Debuts at Walt Disney World

Soarin’ Across America is a new adventure that showcases the United States from sea to shining sea, highlighting some of the country’s natural beauty and iconic cityscapes in honor of America’s 250th birthday. Watch our full POV video from EPCOT.

Soarin’ Across America

Soarin' Across America

Buckle up and get ready for takeoff! The fan-favorite attraction Soarin’ is taking an all-new airborne adventure across the United States. Be part of this limited-time journey that honors the heart and spirit of the nation as it soars into its 250th birthday celebration.

Experience the iconic elements that make Soarin’ unforgettable: the flight, the sights, the score—even the scents!

The show runs for a limited time, but this could easily be a show we see return for future patriotic holidays or events.

Queue

Though not necessarily integral to this version of Soarin’, Disney did recently replace the carpet and freshen up the lighting throughout the queue. It was most definitely needed. The new carpet’s design is a tan and gray geometric pattern. The hallway with illuminated strips of blue LED lights is also brighter as well.

Walking through the queue, there is a large banner featuring “Soarin’ Across America” text and art. There are also eagles floating from the ceiling.

Posters of various places seen in the other versions of Soarin’ also line the walls of the queue.

For Soarin’ Around the World: Kilimanjaro, Matterhorn, Taj Mahal, Great Wall of China, Giza Plateau, Iguazu Falls, Sydney Harbor

For Soarin’ Over California: Camarillo Orange Groves, Golden Gate Bridge, Malibu Beach, Lake Tahoe, Redwood Creek, Napa Valley, Yosemite National Park

Guests can put their knowledge of the United States to the test with an all-new trivia challenge. The Soarin’ Challenge Across America — created in collaboration with National Geographic — invites guests to discover which state is “Most Likely to Reach for the Stars,” “Most Likely to Lend an Ear,” and “Most Likely to Strike Gold.”

The challenge features fun facts from beloved National Geographic titles including 50 States, 5,000 Ideas and stunning photography from the National Geographic archives.

Pre-Show

Flight attendant Patrick (Patrick Warburton) has a brand-new spiel he gives to guests as they prepare to board their flight.

“Hello, and welcome to Soarin’ Across America. My name is Patrick, Captain Patrick. I’d like to welcome you to this special Semiquincentennial flight. We’ll begin boarding in a few minutes but first here’s a handsome young devil who would like like to acquaint you with some important safety information.”

He leaves the screen and the familiar safety brief from Soarin’ Around the World plays on the screen—to the delight of guests.

Watch it in full below:

Scenes

There are several scenes for the new flight, and Imagineering went to great lengths capturing new footage of iconic cityscapes and natural beauty across the country. The team used satellite mapping and aerial path modeling to film.

We did get a sneak peek of filming in the Grand Canyon, but Disney remained tight-lipped regarding which scenes would be included until recently.

Bruce Broughton created a new musical arrangement of the Jerry Goldsmith Soarin’ themes.

The flight starts off with a scene of a Artemis II taking off from the Kennedy Space Center and moves to the skyline of New York City.

Guests will then fly to the shores of Maine where the Portland Head Light lighthouse is situated on the rocky shores. Heading to Washington, D.C., we get a birds eye view of the National Mall and Washington Monument.

We then move on to the bayou in the southeastern portion of the United States, where we get a good look at the swamp before we get a watch an airboat fly by.

Moving out west, we encounter a train moving through the Branson Scenic Railway before we see Mt. Rushmore’s iconic carvings of presidents.

Then, a rancher on horseback manages his herd of buffalo during the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup in South Dakota. Continuing through the flight, the Grand Canyon comes into view before segueing to the mountains of the Pacific Northwest.

The last stops are the shores of Honolulu and the iconic skyline and sign of Hollywood. We also catch a glimpse of the Griffith Observatory.

Guests end their flight around America with EPCOT, which is lit up to look like the American flag.

Tinker Bell sprinkles her pixie dust as fireworks burst overhead.

Full POV Video

Watch our full POV video for Soarin’ Across America below:

Are you excited to ride Soarin’ Across America? What do you think? Let us know on social media.

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