Something new is already taking shape inside EPCOT, and this time, Disney cast members are getting the very first look before the public steps inside. After months of anticipation surrounding the return of Soarin’ Across America, previews are now officially underway at The Land Pavilion, giving Disney Cast Members an early chance to experience the attraction before it opens to guests later this month.Credit: Steven Miller, FlickrThat alone is enough to get longtime EPCOT fans talking. Soarin’ has always held a unique place at Walt Disney World. Even after the attraction shifted to Soarin’ Around the World nearly a decade ago, plenty of guests continued to look back fondly on the original California-inspired version and the emotional feeling it delivered. Now, Disney is introducing an entirely different direction with a patriotic spin tied closely to America’s 250th anniversary celebration.And based on the first details emerging from inside EPCOT, Disney is not treating this like a simple movie swap.EPCOT’s Land Pavilion Already Looks DifferentGuests walking through EPCOT this week may notice that the Soarin’ area inside The Land Pavilion suddenly feels much more festive than before. Disney has already added patriotic decorations around the attraction’s entrance, including red, white, and blue accents, stars, stripes, and themed bunting attached to the pavilion structure.The updates are part of Disney’s new “Disney Celebrates America” presentation tied to Soarin’ Across America. While the attraction itself does not officially open to the public until May 26, cast members are already testing the experience behind the scenes as Disney prepares for the busy summer season.Credit: Sarah Larson, Inside the MagicThat preview process is fairly standard for Walt Disney World attractions. Disney frequently allows cast members to experience rides, shows, and updated offerings before Annual Passholders or regular guests. It helps the company test operations, crowd flow, timing, and technical issues while also giving employees familiarity with the experience before answering guest questions.Still, Soarin’ Across America feels a little different because of the amount of nostalgia surrounding the attraction.A Big Shift After Ten YearsSoarin’ Around the World officially closed on May 13 after operating at EPCOT for ten years. For many guests, that version of the attraction was always somewhat divisive. Some loved the international approach and massive landmarks, while others never fully connected with it the way they did with the original Soarin’ concept.One of the biggest criticisms involved the visual distortion that occasionally appeared throughout the film. Fans regularly pointed to scenes like the Eiffel Tower bending unnaturally on the curved screen system. Even in the latest online discussions surrounding the closure, many Disney fans continued debating the “warping” effect that became associated with Soarin’ Around the World over the years.Credit: DisneyThat is part of the reason why excitement for Soarin’ Across America appears unusually high right now.Disney’s newest version will focus entirely on locations across the United States, featuring sweeping aerial footage from coast to coast. Scenes reportedly include everything from New England shorelines and New York Harbor to Grand Canyon West, bayous, plains, wilderness areas, and tropical island settings.The overall tone seems designed to celebrate landscapes, regional diversity, and Americana in a way that aligns with the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration.Fans Are Already Hoping for Classic Soarin’ Elements To ReturnWhenever Disney changes a beloved attraction, longtime fans immediately start looking for hints that older elements may return. That is already happening with Soarin’ Across America.Across fan communities, some guests are now wondering whether Disney could reintroduce popular effects tied to earlier versions of the attraction. One of the biggest topics involves scents. Many longtime EPCOT fans still remember the orange grove smell from the earlier Soarin’ experience and are hopeful that Disney may bring back familiar environmental effects to make the attraction feel more immersive again.Credit: DisneyOthers are curious whether the new film will reduce some of the distortion issues that affected Soarin’ Around the World. Because many of the new scenes focus heavily on natural environments instead of towering international structures, some fans believe the curved-screen warping may be less noticeable this time around.That could end up being one of the biggest wins for Disney if guest reactions are positive after previews begin expanding.Annual Passholder Previews Start SoonWhile cast members are currently the first group testing the attraction, Annual Passholders will not have to wait much longer.Disney has confirmed that Passholder previews for Soarin’ Across America will take place on May 19 and May 20. Unlike some preview events that require reservations or virtual queue systems, Disney is handling this one through a traditional standby line during normal park hours.That sounds simple on paper, but crowds could still become intense.Passholder preview events at EPCOT often attract major demand, especially when they involve new rides, limited-time experiences, or heavily nostalgic offerings. Since this version of Soarin’ replaces a ten-year attraction and leans heavily into Americana themes ahead of summer travel season, there is a strong possibility that waits could climb quickly once previews begin.And once the attraction officially opens to all guests on May 26, it will arrive during one of the busiest stretches of the year for Walt Disney World.Soarin’ Could Become One of EPCOT’s Biggest Summer DrawsDisney is already stacking summer 2026 with major additions across Walt Disney World. Magic Kingdom is continuing its massive Frontierland transformation, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is debuting multiple entertainment offerings, and Animal Kingdom is preparing for the launch of Cool Kid Summer activities and Bluey’s Wild World.But EPCOT quietly may have one of the strongest crowd-pulling additions of all.Soarin’ has always appealed to a massive audience because it reaches almost every type of Disney guest. Families can ride together. Older guests enjoy it. Younger kids often view it as their first “thrill ride” experience without an intimidating coaster element. It also sits inside one of EPCOT’s most popular air-conditioned pavilions, making it even more valuable during Florida’s brutal summer heat.Credit: Eden, Janine, and Jim, FlickrNow, Disney is layering nostalgia onto that formula.That combination could make Soarin’ Across America one of EPCOT’s most talked-about additions this summer, especially if guest reactions end up stronger than they were for Soarin’ Around the World.At the very least, the cast member previews now underway suggest Disney is entering the final stretch before one of EPCOT’s biggest attraction updates in years officially takes flight.The post Disney Begins Final Testing Phase for Soarin’ Across America at EPCOT appeared first on Inside the Magic.