I had low expectations and high hopes. I believe Over California was an all-timer simulator, and Around the World made me grumble in my seat.
Across America isn't Over California, by any means, but thankfully it follows its' footsteps enough to be a perfectly servicable alternative. After some stumbles with some weird pacing choices with the score starting a little too early within the clouds, and starting off with a seagull jumpscare a la Soarin 2.0, it finds its' footing as it leans towards the relaxed yet active atmosphere of the original.
Most transitions are hard cuts or soft fades, no jumpscare prop planes or killer whales to get to the next scene. Those smooth transitions allow you to really engross yourself in the wonder and beauty of the vistas you're flying over, instead of the experience of 2.0, which was instead spent scanning the scene for impending threats.
It might sound boring, but I really appreciate that Soarin 1.0 and 3.0 share a similar voice in how they keep things interesting and engaging. There aren't any really jarring moments outside of Mike's golf ball or the Seagull, but you take a lot of close calls! You narrowly fly through the sails of two boats, hop a gust of wind the very second before slamming into the orange cliffs of the Grand Canyon, cut a couple of trees or a helicopter a bit close for comfort - but each time, you find your way out and the relaxing experience continues. It's well done.
I will say, despite everything I just said, this is the most boring Soarin'. This is the third version of this ride, and so when we see snowy mountains or relaxing beaches, the easy answers for engaging activities to show off are often already taken. The moose is fun, but the snowy mountains scene here is nothing compared to the snowboarding scene in 1.0. If only because of the guy who falls down and faceplants during the original scene. I'm only joking a little there, I really do think that's an important element. A little detail that isn't hard to miss per say, but gives Dad something to go "Hah! Did you see that?" to their kid. A little gag they feel in on that gives them something to look out for on their next ride through. I think with an inherently relaxing and potentially overly stoic ride like Soarin', that level of slight irreverence is necessary to maintain high interest. This ride misses on that front quite a bit.
I believe a really core part of Soarin Over California's purpose has been forgotten across most of these updates, similar to the "You are the crash test dummy" purpose of Test Track, an incredible hook that the ride struggles to justify itself without. For Soarin', it's the wonder of flight, and of human flight specifically. These joyous moments passing by hot air balloons, soaring at high speeds over gridlock LA traffic, flying high above Disneyland park like a firework. Feeling the power of the Blue Angels as they rock your glider back and forth, or when the music kicks in and portrays the strength of the Aircraft Carrier and the loud Helicopter landing on it nearby. And my favorite part of the whole thing - the little moment where after the most beautiful waterfall vista of the experience, after the music has swelled to a ceremonious bombast, you share a small and nearly silent moment with another hangglider, who you can hear give a little "Whoohoo!". That is Soarin'. It's about that feeling of wonder and adventure, of daydreaming about the skies, and about the human connection that's gotten us to where we are today.
Here, they've gone for an overall "modes of transportation" theme instead. It is distinct, but similar, and they use it well to tie together both the different biomes for the simulator and the "American Celebration" theme as a whole. It doesn't resonate for me in the same way as the original shows' themes do, but I do appreciate the push towards more purposeful ideas than "Look at that CGI Eiffel Tower!" which just entirely and catastrophically missed the point of the whole ride.
The intro scene in Across America is incredible, and fits alongside Soarin' 1.0 in execution, theme, visual style basically flawlessly. All while also being a great representative of its' own themes of human transportation, American Celebration, and American expansion / exploration. It's a remarkable pinpoint perfect venn-diagram of all of those ideas. I really love that we don't start in the clouds here, like we did for 1.0 and 2.0. That moment of hanging in the air, hearing the countdown, anticipating this insane achievement of human flight in such a tactile and wonderous way. What a striking moment. I can't think of a more killer opener than that. Whoever directed that scene understands Soarin'.
I don't quite think the rest of the show hits in the same ways, but it does a solid job trying. The bayou scene is definitely the most unique thing here in comparison to the originals. The score especially gets to stretch out pretty far away from baseline for that scene, I enjoyed it all quite a bit. I was also hoping we'd get a few new iconic smells out of this version, and while I didn't expect leather / cattle, I can't say it wasn't new or interesting! Especially paired with the cowboys, it's definitely all very "America".
Other more America-centric locations miss a bit. Mount Rushmore is very static, and really doesn't pop in any meaningful way, nor does it add very much to the tactile experience of flying, or even flying above America specifically. At least, no more than flying above the Eiffel Tower said about France, which already wasn't a lot.
I'm largely trying to ignore most of the America-centric elements. They exist, and I'm largely ambivalent. I am not opposed to patriotism in the ways that are posed here, but ... Well, I'll just say this and end the conversation here - I wish I existed in an environment where I felt totally unambiguous, even just neutral, on celebrating America and its' signifiers right now. Because of everything going on and all that has gone on for ... awhile now, that is just not where I find myself, and so it's hard to feel very "wondrous" or "daydreamy" about .... all of that. Alright, back to theme parks.
I'll probably go on Soarin' again now, which is exciting! Even if it doesn't hit the highs of the original, I can't expect that of it. That is an insanely high bar to clear, personally. And outside of a few little stumbles, it delivers a solid take on Soarin's existing ideas with just enough awareness of the ride's inherent strengths and weaknesses to show its' own new ideas off with a similar gusto, even if I don't find most of those new ideas to be ... especially compelling haha. It does enough right to channel that original spirit into EPCOT's present moment, and that's more than I expected of it!
Now with The Land refreshed, and Moana elevating the larger Seas pavilion area, all eyes must seemingly turn to the somehow still-forgotten Imagination pavilion. Soarin' is back, Moana is surprisingly fun, and Turtle Talk remains one of the best "living character" attractions around, but there is still a pretty massive imbalance from the high energy left-half of the park to the slowly improving right-half. I can only hope they've been working on perfecting a stellar Imagination dark ride starring Figment, because if that ends up happening, I think EPCOT could possibly be in the strongest place it has ever found itself in.