Soarin’ Across America Passholder Previews May 19 & 20 at EPCOT: What You Need to Know

If you’re a Walt Disney World Annual Passholder, you have a chance to experience Soarin’ Across America passholder previews before the attraction opens to the general public. Disney has confirmed that Annual Passholders can ride Soarin’ Across America on May 19 and 20 at EPCOT — with no special registration required. The new film officially opens to all guests on May 26, 2026, replacing Soarin’ Around the World, which closes May 13.

This is a straightforward early access opportunity — no virtual queue, no separate booking process. Just show up at EPCOT, meet the requirements, and join the standby line. Here’s exactly what you need to know to make it happen.

Quick Summary

• Annual Passholder previews for Soarin’ Across America are May 19 and 20, 2026 at EPCOT
• No special registration required — join the standby queue during park hours, subject to capacity
• Passholders need valid admission and no active blockout dates on those dates
• EPCOT park reservation required if visiting before 2:00 pm
• After 2:00 pm, Passholders can visit EPCOT without a reservation (except Magic Kingdom on weekends)
• Soarin’ Across America replaces Soarin’ Around the World, which closes May 13
• General public gets their first flight when the attraction opens May 26

Who Qualifies for the Soarin’ Across America Passholder Previews

To take part in the Soarin’ Across America previews, you’ll need a Walt Disney World Annual Pass with valid admission on May 19 or 20. Your pass cannot have active blockout dates on the preview date you’re planning to visit. That’s the baseline.

Beyond the pass itself, there’s a park reservation consideration. If you plan to visit EPCOT before 2:00 pm, you’ll need a theme park reservation for EPCOT on that day. Park reservations are limited and subject to availability, so if you don’t already have one and this is a priority for you, check availability now.

If you’re arriving after 2:00 pm, you can visit EPCOT without a reservation — with one exception. Magic Kingdom still requires a park reservation on Saturdays and Sundays, so keep that in mind if you’re hopping between parks on a weekend.

No Special Registration: Just Show Up

One of the best things about these previews compared to the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Muppets virtual queue previews happening at the same time: there’s no separate registration or booking process for Soarin’ Across America.

You don’t need to log into an app at a specific time or compete for a boarding group. Passholder previews work through the standard standby queue during normal park operating hours. Show up, meet the eligibility requirements, and get in line. The only variable is capacity — if the line is full, you may need to wait or come back.

That simplicity makes these previews much easier to plan around. If you’re already planning a EPCOT day on May 19 or 20, Soarin’ Across America fits right into your park day without extra logistics.

Park Hopping on Preview Days

If you’re a park hopper, here’s how the rules work on May 19 and 20. You’ll need to enter the park where you have a reservation first. After 2:00 pm, you can visit EPCOT without a reservation, which gives you some flexibility if your reservation is at a different park that morning.

For example: if you have an Animal Kingdom reservation for May 20, you’d head there first in the morning, then hop to EPCOT after 2:00 pm to ride Soarin’ Across America. This is a completely workable strategy, especially if the afternoon standby wait is manageable.

What Is Soarin’ Across America?

Soarin’ Across America is the new film replacing Soarin’ Around the World. Instead of an international tour, the new experience takes you on a simulated hang gliding flight across the United States — covering natural landscapes and city skylines from coast to coast.

The attraction itself is the same beloved suspended hang glider simulation with scent effects and synchronized wind. The massive screens, the feeling of soaring overhead, the gentle dips and sweeps — all of that stays. What changes is the destination: you’re flying over America this time, not the world.

Soarin’ Around the World closes on May 13, which means there’s a brief window where the attraction is offline before Passholders get their first ride on May 19.

Should You Plan Around the Passholder Previews?

If you’re an Annual Passholder who’s already visiting Walt Disney World around May 19 or 20, absolutely yes. Soarin’ Across America will draw crowds when it opens to the public on May 26, and riding it during previews means you’ll experience it before most guests — with potentially shorter wait times than opening week.

The no-registration approach keeps things simple. You’re not competing for a virtual queue slot at a specific minute. You just need to be at EPCOT with valid Passholder admission and either a reservation (before 2pm) or your willingness to hop after 2pm.

For Soarin’ Across America passholder previews, the practical move is to target a morning arrival on May 19 or 20 with a direct EPCOT reservation. Get there early, get in the standby line, and you’ll have one of the first rides on the new film. Then enjoy the rest of your EPCOT day knowing you’ve already checked off the marquee new experience.

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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!