Soarin’ Around the World Gets an Updated Finale in EPCOT!

Since debuting in 2005, Soarin’ has been one of the most popular attractions in EPCOT.

Initially, the ride took guests on a hang gliding tour over California, celebrating the sights and smells of the Golden State.

In 2016, however, Disney updated the attraction and introduced fans to Soarin’ Around the World. The second iteration of Soarin’ took riders across the globe, getting them up close and personal with the world’s wonders, including Sydney Harbor, the Great Pyramids of Egypt, and the Great Wall of China.

Credit: Disney

The world tour concludes at EPCOT, with a sweeping view of Spaceship Earth.

However, as EPCOT has undergone a radical transformation in the last five years, the version of the park that guests saw on Soarin’ no longer matched reality. Former pavilions, including Innoventions and the Universe of Energy, were still featured, while newer constructs like World Celebration and Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind were not.

The Finale Has Been Updated

Well, I am happy to report that Disney has finally updated the Soarin’ Around the World finale. The final scene now depicts EPCOT as it is today.

The focus of the new EPCOT scene has shifted to the EPCOT logo and the Beacons of Magic lighting effects added to Spaceship Earth.

Fireworks still shoot off, creating a hidden Mickey for guests to gawk at as the ride concludes.

Here is a video of the finale!

Soarin’ Around the World received an updated Eiffel Tower and finale scene that features the new World Celebration Gardens 🌐 #EPCOT pic.twitter.com/DPTardP7gi

— MickeyBlog.com (@MickeyBlog_) November 20, 2024

The Eiffel Tower Has Been Straightened 

In addition to updating Soarin’ Around the World’s ending, Disney also updated the Paris scene.

Previously, the Eiffel Tower appeared curved as guests approached, breaking the immersiveness of the attraction. Fans have long derided the Eiffel Tower scene as sub-par, and it is often held up as an example of the flawed nature of the second iteration of Soarin’.

Now, the scene has been fixed, and the tower stands straight!

All in all, the recent changes to Soarin’ Around the World are minor, but they make a big difference. It is great to see Disney continuing to invest in the attraction!