Disneyland celebrates USA’s 250th with patriotic Soarin’ Across America re-theme

Disneyland is rolling out the red, white and blue carpets for America’s 250th anniversary.

As part of Disney Celebrates America, a company‑wide commemoration of the country’s big birthday, Walt Disney Imagineers have reimagined the beloved Soarin’ attraction in Disney California Adventure with some extra stars and stripes.

The innovative ride, which simulates a hang gliding flight in front of a dome screen, was originally conceived as Soarin’ Over California upon its debut in 2001, and was re-themed as Soarin’ Around the World in 2016. Now, it’s getting a patriotic twist: Soarin’ Across America glides into the Disneyland Resort on July 2.

But with 50 states and just 12 featured shots in the final product, how could the team settle on which locations to highlight?

“We wanted to go from sea to shining sea,” Walt Disney Imagineering Portfolio Executive Creative Director Tom Fitzgerald tells The California Post, breaking down how each scene was selected.

“If it’s celebrating the 250th, the expectation would be that I’m going to see some patriotic places. I expect that I’m going to see Washington, DC. I expect that I’m going to see the Statue of Liberty. I expect that I’m going to see Mount Rushmore, and maybe I’ll see some special red, white, and blue fireworks at the end,” he says, adding that other locales like the Hollywood Sign, the Grand Canyon and Hawaii’s Hilton Head were chosen for their instantly-recognizable vistas.

Then came a final category to represent the flavor of several different quintessential American landscapes, without specifying the exact locations, like the New England coast, a southern bayou and wide open plains.

“When you finish the journey, you’ll say, ‘You gave me a portrait of America. You reminded me how special this place is,’” Fitzgerald hopes.

Other patriotic offerings at Disneyland during Disney Celebrates America include special flag retreat ceremonies honoring veterans, themed decor, the return of the Celebrate America! fireworks spectacular, military band performances and a celebratory cavalcade honoring America.