Disney California Adventure Is Bringing Back This Nostalgic Ride for a Limited Time

As a Southern California kid, I feel particularly nostalgic about visiting Disneyland—and my favorite attraction was Soarin’ Over California at California Adventure. Sadly, the ride closed down in 2015 to make way for the more expansive Soarin’ Around the World, which opened in 2016. But there’s good news: it’s coming back for a limited time.

In one short “flight,” you climb into a seat and go up in the air to see an 80-foot project dome touring all over California. Each ride gives you a bird’s-eye view of iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Yosemite National Park. It’s multi-sensory, too, and I can still remember the citrus smell emitted when you hovered over orange groves in Camarillo and the dramatic score developed by Oscar-winning composer Jerry Goldsmith.

Daniela Araya/Unsplash

Soarin’ Over California first made a brief return in the summer of 2019, and in 2020, it was a highly anticipated revival for the annual Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. The festival ended earlier than planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was canceled in 2021 while the park was closed down. For the past three years, though, it’s been a staple in the festival lineup, and this year you can board a flight across the Golden State from February 28 to April 21. 

This year, taking a trip on Soarin’ will feel even more sentimental, especially in the wake of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The fires have ravaged places near where you’ll journey on the ride, such as Malibu and downtown Los Angeles. In response to the crisis, The Walt Disney Company announced their contribution of $15 million for “initial and immediate response and rebuilding efforts” for the greater Los Angeles region.