Soarin' Across America started carrying regular EPCOT guests on Friday, May 22, four days before Disney's announced public opening date.
By Friday afternoon, the soft opening had moved from preview chatter into regular guest access. The formal public debut remained Tuesday, May 26, which made the early rides a true soft opening: great if you caught it, not something to build a whole day around yet.
The early start follows Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club previews from earlier in the week. That preview window already had the ride moving guests again. Friday is the bigger turn because regular park guests were able to get in before the holiday weekend really hit its stride.
The new version takes guests on a simulated flight across the United States for the country's 250th birthday celebration. Disney's first look points to settings such as New England, New York Harbor, Grand Canyon West, Hawaii, and Mount Rushmore, plus a new musical arrangement by Bruce Broughton based on Jerry Goldsmith's Soarin' themes.
Disney says the Soarin' Challenge Across America, made with National Geographic, will add a trivia-style challenge while guests wait.
Disney California Adventure is still scheduled to get Soarin' Across America on July 2. At Walt Disney World, the May 22 soft opening gives EPCOT a fresh Memorial Day weekend draw before the May 26 wave that also includes The Little Mermaid, A Musical Adventure and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.
Source: Walt Disney World and Disney Parks Blog.
Image credit: Disney Parks Blog.