Two Epcot Rides Are Getting Big Changes, And I'm Way Happier With One Than The Other

Spaceship Earth lit up at night behind momorail
(Image credit: Walt Disney World)

Your favorite ride at Walt Disney World or Disneyland will inevitably change. Whether it gets entirely replaced, or simply updated with something that didn’t used to be there, rides will likely undergo a major update at some point. While any changes to nostalgic favorites are often viewed as negatives by fans, the reality is that for every change that isn’t well received, there’s one that is.

And then sometimes you get both at the same time. The last couple of days have revealed major changes at Walt Disney World for two different rides at Epcot in the coming months (one of which can also be found at Disneyland Resort). And I’m even split, because while one has me excited, the other is bumming me out.

France pavilion at Epcot

(Image credit: Walt Disney World)

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Is Losing Its 3D

Two months ago, it was revealed that Remy's Totally Zany Adventure, the Ratatouille-themed attraction at Disneyland Paris, would be undergoing a refurbishment that would remove the attraction’s 3D video elements. At the time, I wrote that I was afraid the same thing would happen to the attraction at Epcot, and unsurprisingly, that exact change was recently announced, as the ride will close for a few days next month to make this change.

While I’m not surprised, I’m disappointed. Transforming the video portion of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure into 2D quite literally makes it less impressive than it previously was. 3D adds something to a simple video that makes it more interesting, and it’s just the sort of thing that a theme park can do that you simply won’t find in other places.

While I’m not saying I will be avoiding Remy going forward, I will certainly be less excited to go on it the next time I have the chance. Although maybe that’s ok, because there’s another Epcot ride undergoing a change in the future that I’m much more interested in seeing.

Soarin Around the World signage

(Image credit: Walt DIsney World)

Soarin’ Across America Is Coming to Epcot and Disney California Adventure

2026 will mark the 250th birthday of the United States of America, and the company that brought us an entire animatronic musical revue, America Sings, for America’s 200th birthday, will be doing something special for this birthday too. This morning it was announced that Soarin’ Across America will replace Soarin’ Around the World at both Epcot and Disney California Adventure next summer as part of a major celebration of America by Disney.

The announcement of the new addition came via the attraction’s Chief Flight Attendant, Patrick Warburton, who hosts the introductory safety video before the ride, and gave a patriotic spin on his normal spiel. All I can say is, “Nice work, pal.”

No word on exactly when the new video will debut or how long it will last. This will mark the third version of Sarin in U.S. parks. The original Soarin' over California still returns to Disney California Adventure for a few months every year. The current standard version, Soarin' Around the World, recently fixed a major the famous tilting Eiffel Tower.

This is a change I can get behind. While I obviously can’t be sure that Soarin’ Across America will be the best version of Soarin’ ever, Soarin’ is always great, and so getting a new version of the attraction will be fun for however long it lasts.

Dirk Libbey
Content Producer/Theme Park Beat

CinemaBlend’s resident theme park junkie and amateur Disney historian, Dirk began writing for CinemaBlend as a freelancer in 2015 before joining the site full-time in 2018. He has previously held positions as a Staff Writer and Games Editor, but has more recently transformed his true passion into his job as the head of the site's Theme Park section. He has previously done freelance work for various gaming and technology sites. Prior to starting his second career as a writer he worked for 12 years in sales for various companies within the consumer electronics industry. He has a degree in political science from the University of California, Davis.  Is an armchair Imagineer, Epcot Stan, Future Club 33 Member.

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