“Major Downgrade”: Disney Fans Furious After Classic EPCOT Ride Replaced by “Fake” CGI Overlay

EPCOT fans are once again divided over a major attraction update. Disney has begun previewing a brand-new version of a ride that has existed in various forms for decades. While the company hoped the change would feel like a celebration, many preview guests walked away disappointed.

Online reactions have been especially harsh. Some longtime Disney fans accused the company of taking shortcuts and relying too heavily on CGI rather than the immersive visuals that made the original experience so beloved. Others argued the update felt surprisingly cheap for a modern Disney Parks attraction.

Not everyone hated it, though. Some preview guests actually preferred the new version. Still, the early reactions show Disney may have another controversial EPCOT replacement on its hands.

EPCOT Has a Long History of Replacing Classics

EPCOT has constantly evolved over the years, and several classic attractions have disappeared in favor of newer experiences.

Maelstrom eventually became Frozen Ever After in the Norway Pavilion, replacing the original mythology-inspired boat ride with a story centered around Anna and Elsa. Universe of Energy later became Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, while World of Motion eventually became Test Track.

Some of those replacements became major successes. Others continue to divide fans years later.

That history matters because EPCOT guests are used to seeing beloved attractions change. Now, another iconic ride is facing that same level of scrutiny.

How Did This Ride Become an EPCOT Staple?

For many Disney fans, Soarin’ remains one of the most emotional attractions at Walt Disney World.

Soarin’ Around the World took guests on a journey across famous global landmarks using giant curved projection screens, scents, wind effects, and gentle motion. Riders floated above places like the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall of China, and African savannas while the attraction’s sweeping score tied everything together.

Over time, though, the ride also gained criticism for its CGI-heavy transitions and distorted visuals. Some fans jokingly referred to parts of the attraction as “jump scares” because of how abruptly scenes changed.

Even with those complaints, Soarin’ Around the World remained one of EPCOT’s signature attractions.

Disney Reimagined the Attraction for America’s 250th Anniversary

Disney officially closed Soarin’ Around the World on May 14, 2026, for a major reimagining tied to the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary.

The ride has now become Soarin’ Across America, a limited-time overlay featuring famous American landmarks and scenery. Disney positioned the update as a patriotic celebration to showcase the country’s beauty.

On paper, the idea sounded promising. Many fans hoped Disney would deliver sweeping aerial footage and emotional storytelling similar to earlier versions of the attraction.

But once previews began, reactions quickly became mixed.

Fans Are Calling the New Overlay a Downgrade

The biggest criticism of Soarin’ Across America is its heavy reliance on CGI and its slower pacing.

One preview guest wrote:

“It felt like a slideshow of some pictures with a bunch of PowerPoint fade transitions. Nothing was cohesive and everything was abysmally slow. Above all, the glider had extremely limited motion compared to the World and California versions. What was Disney thinking here? I’ve been a fan of a lot of what has been done at the parks lately, but this one missed the mark.”

Another fan specifically criticized the visuals:

“I wish there was less CGI. The Statue of Liberty near the beginning kind of killed it for me.”

Other guests described the overlay as “pretty bad” and complained about “a lot of unnecessary CGI” throughout the ride. Several riders also called many scenes “bland” compared to previous versions.

For longtime Soarin’ fans, that criticism feels significant because the attraction traditionally worked best when it felt grounded in real-world cinematography rather than artificial visuals.

Some Guests Actually Prefer the New Version

Despite the backlash, not every guest disliked the overlay.

Some preview riders praised Soarin’ Across America and felt Disney improved several issues found in Soarin’ Around the World. One guest called it “much better than Around the World because there aren’t 40 jump scares,” while others complimented the updated scents tied to the scenery.

Another fan described the attraction as “considerably better” than Around the World overall.

That split reaction may ultimately define the overlay moving forward.

Disney’s Latest EPCOT Change Is Already Dividing Fans

Disney has spent decades reshaping EPCOT, and every major replacement tends to create strong opinions among fans.

Soarin’ Across America was clearly designed to feel nostalgic and celebratory ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. But for many preview guests, the attraction currently feels more artificial than immersive. Complaints about CGI, pacing, and weaker transitions are already dominating online discussions.

At the same time, other guests genuinely seem to enjoy the refreshed experience and believe it improves on problems found in Soarin’ Around the World.

Now Disney faces the same question it always encounters when updating an EPCOT classic: did the company modernize a beloved attraction, or did it replace something timeless with something that feels far less authentic?