EPCOT has been through a significant amount of change over the past several years, and the transformation shows no signs of slowing down.Credit: Sarah Larson, Inside the MagicThe park that opened in 1982 as a showcase of human progress and world culture has evolved into something more layered and more experience-driven than its original vision ever anticipated, and the guest-facing evidence of that evolution is visible everywhere from the new lands that have opened to the festivals that now run nearly year-round. Soarin’ has been part of EPCOT’s identity since it arrived in 2016 as an upgrade from the original Soarin’ Over California, offering guests a simulated hang-glider flight over some of the world’s most iconic landscapes.The attraction’s combination of spectacular aerial cinematography, synchronized scents, and the signature sweeping musical score made it one of EPCOT’s most consistently popular experiences and a must-ride for first-time visitors and regulars alike. That version is now entering its final weeks at the park. Disney has confirmed the dates for a significant transformation that will take Soarin’ offline, bring it back in a new form, and potentially change what it looks like beyond just the film on the screen. The timeline is specific enough that it will affect any trip planned for mid-May, and understanding the full picture is worth doing before those plans are locked in.The Dates You Need to KnowCredit: Inside the MagicThe current version of Soarin’, known as Soarin’ Around the World, will have its final operating day at EPCOT on May 13, 2026. The attraction officially closes on May 14. The new version, Soarin’ Across America, is confirmed to open on May 26, 2026, at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort.That timeline creates three distinct windows for guests planning EPCOT visits. Arrive before May 14 and you will experience the current Soarin’ Around the World film. Visit between May 14 and May 25 and the attraction will be completely unavailable. Plan your trip from May 26 onward and you will be among the first guests to experience the updated version.The closure window of approximately twelve days suggests Disney is doing more than a straightforward film swap, which brings us to the more interesting part of what is being planned.This Is More Than a Screen ChangeAt first read, transitioning from Soarin’ Around the World to Soarin’ Across America sounds like a film replacement. A permit filed by Walt Disney Imagineering tells a different story. The permit references the installation of “set elements” for the attraction, which is a meaningful detail. Set elements imply physical changes to the ride space, the queue, or the theater environment itself. Disney has not specified what those changes look like, but the language opens the door for new theming, added props, or environmental upgrades that go beyond anything a simple film swap would require.The fact that twelve days is being allocated for the transition rather than a single day reinforces this. Whatever Disney is installing alongside the new film, it is substantial enough to need real construction time.What Is Staying the SameFor guests who love what Soarin’ currently delivers, the reassuring news is that the core experience is not going away. Disney has confirmed that Soarin’ Across America will retain the ride system, the sweeping musical score, and the signature scents that make each scene feel immersive. The fundamental sensation of gliding through the air over stunning landscapes is intact.Patrick, the Chief Flight Attendant who hosts the attraction’s pre-show, appeared in the announcement video for the new version, which suggests he will remain part of the experience even if a new pre-show has not been confirmed.What the New Version Will Look LikeSoarin’ Across America arrives timed to the United States’ 250th anniversary and will take guests on a coast-to-coast journey through some of the country’s most iconic landscapes and cityscapes. The film promises sweeping natural beauty, recognizable skylines, and scenes that celebrate the American landscape in the same cinematic style that has made Soarin’ one of the most technically impressive attraction formats Disney operates.Whether the Soarin’ Around the World film will ever return is the most significant unanswered question surrounding this change. Disney has not announced a return date or indicated whether this is a temporary anniversary celebration swap or a longer-term change to the attraction’s identity. That uncertainty makes the current version’s May 13 closing feel more consequential than a typical seasonal overlay.The Canada Pavilion Is Also Getting a Change Worth Knowing AboutCredit: DisneySeparate from the Soarin’ update, a smaller but meaningful change is coming to World Showcase. The Refreshment Port location near the Canada Pavilion is being reimagined as La Poutinerie, a dedicated Canadian food stand with updated theming, Air Canada sponsorship, and a focused menu built around poutine and Canadian cuisine.This is less an expansion in the traditional sense and more a formalization of Canada’s presence in that stretch of World Showcase. Refreshment Port was a versatile space that adapted to the park’s festival programming. La Poutinerie gives it a permanent identity tied directly to the Canada Pavilion. For guests who appreciated the flexibility of that location during festival seasons, the change means less adaptability and a more defined Canadian experience year-round. For poutine fans, the dedicated home for that menu category is genuinely welcome.How This Affects Your EPCOT VisitThe Soarin’ timeline is the most impactful piece of information for upcoming trip planning. If experiencing the current Soarin’ Around the World version before it closes matters to you, May 13 is the hard deadline and that date is not far away. Building it into a park day before that cutoff requires checking your calendar now rather than later.If you are visiting EPCOT during the May 14 to May 25 window, remove Soarin’ from your planned day entirely. The attraction will not be operating in any form during that stretch. EPCOT’s other major attractions and the World Showcase remain fully available, but Soarin’ is off the board.If your trip begins on May 26 or later, you will experience the new Soarin’ Across America in what will be its opening days. That is its own kind of appeal for guests who want to be among the first through the updated version.Our EPCOT guide is updated with current attraction status, the Soarin’ transition timeline, and everything else worth knowing about the park right now. Check it before you finalize any EPCOT plans, especially if your trip falls anywhere near the mid-May window. Getting ahead of the Soarin’ closure is the kind of planning detail that separates a smooth EPCOT day from a frustrating one.The post 21-Year-Old Groundbreaking Disney Attraction Ends Operations in 32 Days appeared first on Inside the Magic.