Disneyland Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, Disneyland is set to roll out a red, white, and blue carpet.

As part of Disney’s nationwide celebration, Imagineers have revamped the beloved Soarin’ ride at Disney California Adventure, now infused with the national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner.

This iconic attraction, which creates the sensation of hang gliding in front of a large dome screen, first launched in 2001 as Soarin’ Over California. It was later rethemed in 2016 to Soarin’ Around the World. The upgraded version, Soarin’ Across America, will premiere at the Disneyland Resort on July 2nd.

But there’s a challenge: with 50 states and just 12 highlight spots, how does the team choose which locations to showcase?

“We wanted to capture the essence of America, from coast to coast,” Tom Fitzgerald, executive creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering, explained, detailing the selection process for each scene.

“For a 250th anniversary celebration, you want to include iconic locations. I imagine seeing D.C., the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, and perhaps some festive red, white, and blue fireworks to finish it off.” He also mentioned recognizable views like the Hollywood sign, the Grand Canyon, and Hilton Head in Hawaii as must-haves.

The final selection aims to represent a variety of classic American landscapes without pinpointing exact locations, capturing the spirit of places like the New England coast, southern bays, and expansive plains.

“I hope that by the end, people will feel they’ve been given a portrait of America and remember just how special this country is,” Fitzgerald said.

Additional patriotic festivities at Disneyland during the Disney Celebrate America event will include a flag-raising ceremony to honor veterans, themed decorations, and the revival of the Celebrate America fireworks display, along with military bands and a parade commemorating the nation.