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Soarin’ Across America is now open to all EPCOT guests early, giving Walt Disney World visitors a surprise head start before the attraction’s previously announced May 26, 2026 opening date.
WDW News Today reported that the new limited-time Soarin’ film opened to all guests on May 22 after previews for Cast Members, Annual Passholders, and select groups. The attraction was showing a posted wait time in My Disney Experience, but Lightning Lane was not available at the time of that report.
What Changed At EPCOT?
The change is simple: guests no longer have to wait until May 26 to ride Soarin’ Across America at EPCOT. The attraction is now operating for regular park guests inside The Land pavilion.
This appears to be an early opening rather than a separate preview window. That still means guests should treat operations as flexible during the first few days. If the attraction has technical pauses or changes its availability, that would not be unusual for a new film and updated experience.
What Is Soarin’ Across America?
Soarin’ Across America is a limited-time version of Soarin’ created for the United States’ 250th birthday celebration. Instead of the global route from Soarin’ Around the World, the film focuses on U.S. locations, natural landscapes, and patriotic imagery.
Disney previously revealed scenes including Mount Rushmore, New England, New York Harbor, the Grand Canyon, southern bayous, western plains, Hawaii, and seasonal heartland scenery. We covered those details in our earlier look at the new Soarin’ Across America scenes for EPCOT.
Should You Ride It Now Or Wait?
If Soarin’ is a priority for your EPCOT day, this is good news. You can now treat it as part of the regular attraction lineup instead of waiting for the May 26 launch.
The tradeoff is demand. New attraction films usually pull extra attention, and Soarin’ already has broad appeal for families because it is indoors, air-conditioned, and more approachable than EPCOT’s bigger thrill rides. A 45-minute wait around opening is not shocking, and waits could move around as more guests realize the film is available.
If Lightning Lane is not showing for the attraction during the early opening period, the standby line may be your only option. That makes the morning or later evening the best bet if you want to reduce wait time without reshaping your whole EPCOT day.
How This Affects Late-May Disney World Plans
This early opening makes EPCOT a little more interesting before Memorial Day weekend fully lands. It also spreads out a busy Disney World week that includes the new Mandalorian and Grogu mission at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and the May 26 opening of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.
For Passholders, this also changes the value of the earlier preview dates. If you missed the preview, you may still be able to ride before the original official opening. For everyone else, it means one more reason to check the My Disney Experience app before assuming a ride is still closed.
If you are comparing EPCOT with Hollywood Studios for late May, our guide to Passholder previews for Soarin’ Across America and the Muppets coaster gives more context on how Disney stacked these openings.
FAQ
Is Soarin’ Across America open at EPCOT now?
Yes. WDW News Today reported that Soarin’ Across America opened to all EPCOT guests on May 22, 2026, four days before its announced May 26 opening.
Is Lightning Lane available for Soarin’ Across America?
Lightning Lane was not available at the time of WDWNT’s early-opening report. Guests should check My Disney Experience for the latest same-day options.
Where is Soarin’ Across America located?
At Walt Disney World, Soarin’ Across America is inside The Land pavilion at EPCOT.
When does Soarin’ Across America open at Disneyland?
Soarin’ Across America is scheduled to open at Disney California Adventure on July 2, 2026.
Are you making Soarin’ Across America your first EPCOT stop now that it opened early, or would you wait until the first-week rush settles down? Let us know in the comments below; we would love to hear your plans.
Source credit: wdwnt.com
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