For longtime Disney fans, few attractions spark nostalgia quite like Soarin’ Over California—and next week, it’s officially coming home.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Disney California Adventure, Disneyland Resort is bringing back the original Soarin’ experience beginning February 6, giving guests a limited-time chance to fly once more over the Golden State the way they did when the park first opened in 2001.

When Disney California Adventure debuted on February 8, 2001, Soarin’ Over California became an instant park favorite. The pioneering flying theater attraction—complete with sweeping aerial footage of the Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite National Park, Palm Springs, downtown Los Angeles, along with the scent of orange groves and a soaring musical score—redefined what a theme park ride could be. Its success was so immediate that Disney expanded EPCOT’s The Land pavilion to install the attraction in Florida, essentially exporting a love letter to California across the country.

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Over time, that popularity grew into something global. Disney eventually introduced Soarin’ Around the World, featuring landmarks from across the globe, which now plays at parks in Anaheim, Orlando, Shanghai and Tokyo. Still, for many fans, the original California-focused version remains unmatched.

While the attraction has made occasional return appearances over the years, this run carries added weight. The attraction will run from February 6 through July 1, anchoring the park’s anniversary celebration with a heavy dose of nostalgia.

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The milestone extends well beyond a single ride. In early 2001, Disneyland Resort completed what was then its largest expansion ever: a second theme park, an upscale resort hotel and a dining-and-entertainment district that transformed a former parking lot into a multi-day destination. Twenty-five years later, Disney California Adventure, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Downtown Disney District are all marking their anniversaries together in 2026.

These celebrations also layer onto the ongoing Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration, creating a rare moment where multiple eras of Disney history are being honored at once. Throughout the resort, guests will find limited-time food, merchandise and experiences designed to nod to where these destinations began—and how far they’ve come.

The timing also sets up what comes next. On July 2, Disney California Adventure will debut a brand-new version, Soarin’ Across America, created in honor of the United States’ 250th birthday. That show is also set to appear at EPCOT around Memorial Day.

As Disney California Adventure looks ahead to its next chapter, this return offers a chance to remember exactly where the journey began.

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This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.