Disney is at it again.
The company announced it is updating a couple of decades-old crowd-pleasers. In this case, the rides aren’t going away, but they are getting a major overhaul in a move that has become a core business strategy for The Walt Disney Company.
Revamps like EPCOT’s multiyear reimagining (e.g., “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” transformation), or the “Test Track 3.0” or “Spaceship Earth” refreshes, show one way Disney is addressing changes in attendance and taking on competition from Universal’s Epic Universe park.
Now Disney has revealed it will retheme a popular ride in two parks.
Disney soars above the competition
When I rode the original “Soarin’ Over California,” which launched in 2001 in Disney’s California Adventure park, I couldn’t believe how joyful the experience was. I still remember being surprised when the scent of oranges wafted through the theater.
It was easy to see why versions of the ride quickly became one of Disney’s signature crowd-pleasers both in California and Florida.
When the ride transformed into “Soarin’ Around the World” in 2016, it expanded the experience to international destinations, and it was even better.
The views from the simulated hang gliders — bird’s eye angles of iconic spots like the Eiffel Tower, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Swiss Alps, and the Great Wall of China — are spectacular and about as close to the real thing as you can get, unless you’re in an actual hang glider.
Related: Disney announces drastic theme park changes no visitor wants
Now, “Soarin’ Across America” will bring the spectacle closer to home — in both parks — celebrating iconic U.S. landmarks from coast to coast.
The details were just revealed, and the new rides will debut at Epcot and Disney California Adventure in 2026.
The move is partly about nostalgia and partly about staying competitive, and profitable, in a theme-park industry that’s rapidly evolving.
Disney has a formula that works, and earnings to prove it
According to Disney Imagineering, “Soarin’ Across America“ will feature updated visuals, new technology, and a patriotic focus timed to coincide with the U.S. Semiquincentennial, — aka American’s 250th birthday — in 2026.
While attendance fluctuates year-to-year, Disney’s Experiences segment, which includes parks, cruises, and resorts, remains one of the company’s most enduringly profitable divisions.
The Walt Disney Company by the numbers:
The following data comes fromThe Walt Disney Company earnings:
- Disney’s Parks & Experiences segment generated $34.15 billion in revenue in FY 2024, up 4% year-over-year.
- Operating income hit $9.27 billion, also up 4%.
- In Q3 FY 2025, the division reported $9.09 billion in revenue, up 8%, with operating income rising 13% to $2.52 billion.
- Domestic parks saw operating income jump 22% year-over-year, driven by higher per-guest spending on food, merchandise, and premium experiences.
- The division as a whole is projected to grow its operating income by another 6% to 8% in FY 2025.
Disney’s theme parks remain its biggest profit driver
Disney’s theme-park business continues to outperform expectations despite smaller crowds, driving nearly one-third of total company profits, according to The Walt Disney Company FY 2024 and Q3 FY 2025 earnings reports:
- Parks & Experiences Revenue: $34.15 billion, a 4% YOY increase
- Operating Income: $9.27 billion, a 4% YOY increase
- Q3 FY 2025 Revenue: $9.09 billion, an 8% increase
- Q3 FY 2025 Operating Income: $2.52 billion, a 13% increase
- Domestic Parks Profit Growth: A 22% YOY increase, driven by higher per-guest spending
- Annual Attendance (2023): About 142 million guests, a 17% increase
- Magic Kingdom Attendance: 17.7 million, a 3.4% increase
- EPCOT Attendance: 11.98 million, a 19.8% increase
- Stock Performance (DIS): A 12% increase YTD 2025
Why Disney is revamping a popular ride
Disney crowds are cooling, according to Fox35 Orlando, so a revamp like “Soarin’ Across America“ could serve as both a creative and a financial catalyst.
New attractions boost marketing reach, inspire local and repeat visitation, and drive incremental spending. Investors may appreciate the proof that Disney continues to deploy capital strategically.
From an investor standpoint, the parks remain a cornerstone of Disney’s long-term value proposition. The segment now generates nearly one-third of company profits, providing stability as streaming and linear television evolve.
Analysts at Jefferies recently said in an October 2025 interview that CEO Bob Iger has “righted the Ship” and gave that as a reason for a bullish outlook on Disney stock (DIS), which has climbed roughly 12% year to date.
Constant reinvention is in Disney’s DNA
Disney constantly revamps rides and refreshes attractions to keep the brand relevant across generations. Each refresh represents a tangible reinvestment in Disney’s storytelling advantage and competitors like Universal, Six Flags, and SeaWorld can’t easily replicate.
And Disney shows no sign of slowing down. Future projects include the “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain“ expansion at Magic Kingdom, a new “Zootopia” land, and additional integration of intellectual properties across resorts worldwide.
Then there are Piston Peak National Park and Villains Land…
At a time when theme-park attendance is showing both resilience and selectivity, Disney’s aims to keep reinventing before the company’s audience demands it.
