The new “Soarin’ Across America” films coming to the venerable flight simulator rides at Disneyland and Disney World will debut just in time for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The new “Soarin’ Across America” attractions will open on May 25 at Epcot and July 2 at Disney California Adventure in celebration of the nation’s semi-quincentennial.
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The Soarin’ hang-gliding flight simulator attractions combine mechanical lift systems with three rows of seats and aerial footage projected onto an 80-foot-tall concave domed movie screen to create a visual tour tied to a specific theme. Past tours have taken riders across California and around the world.
The “Soarin’ Around the World” attractions will trade scenes of the Great Wall of China, Egyptian pyramids and Eiffel Tower for a flight from sea to shining sea when the new “Soarin’ Across America” films open.
Walt Disney Imagineering will use advanced cameras and lenses mounted on helicopters and drones to capture the aerial footage for the updated attraction.
“Soarin’ Across America” will be filmed at 33 locations across the United States with the new scenes capturing a bird’s-eye view of the “scenic wonders, amazing cities and the beauty of the coasts” in a celebration of America’s diversity and grandeur.
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Imagineering hopes to paint an emotional portrait of the nation with scenes filmed at natural landmarks, national monuments and large cities.
“As always with Soarin’ films, the biggest challenge is choosing where to go and what locations would work best in this unique film format,” Imagineering Chief Storytelling Executive Tom Fitzgerald said in a statement. “Now with the 250th celebration, we’ll immerse our guests in a celebratory flight that spans from sea to shining sea.”
A teaser video featuring Chief Flight Attendant Patrick Warburton promises a limited-time itinerary of amber waves of grain and purple mountain majesties.
“America’s packed a lot into her 250 years,” Warburton said in the pre-flight video. “So you’ll want to pack a lot of party favors.”
Permitted carry-on items include Betsy Ross flags, hot dogs, apple pies, bald eagles, bunting, pocket constitutions, powdered wigs and red, white and blue Minnie Mouse ears, according to Warburton.
The new “Soarin’ Across America” film will be reminiscent of the “America the Beautiful” film that played in the Circle-Vision 360 attraction in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland.
Disney has not yet announced if “Soarin’ Over California” will return again during DCA’s Food & Wine Festival in March and April before the debut of the new “Soarin’ Across America” in July.