New Disney Unscripted Episode Explores the Making of Soarin’ Across America
Disney has shared a behind-the-scenes look at how Soarin’ Across America came to life in the latest episode of Disney Unscripted. The 20-minute documentary pulls back the curtain on everything that went into the updated attraction, from its new score and aerial shots to ride programming and environmental effects. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys seeing how attractions are built, take 20 minutes. This one is worth your time.
The video opens on the Barbra Streisand Scoring Stage at Sony Pictures Studios, where composer Bruce Broughton conducts a 103-member orchestra performing his updated score. Soarin’s music has always been my favorite part of the ride, so seeing the recording session was the highlight of the documentary for me. Even better, filmmakers keep returning to the studio between other segments, giving us plenty of opportunities to watch the orchestra at work.
The documentary then cuts to a helicopter flying over the various scenes featured in the updated attraction. The production team traveled more than 28,000 miles and made 900 helicopter and 60 drone passes to capture everything. A drone was used to film the bayou scene, which seems painfully obvious in hindsight. There’s no way a helicopter could have gotten those tight shots.
Imagineers working the night shift
The focus then shifts to Disney California Adventure, where the attraction was being updated after hours. We learn that Industrial Light & Magic handled the visual effects and color balancing. After reviewing those details on a wall of monitors, the creative team eventually decides there’s only one real way to evaluate their work: boarding the ride.
One of the best segments gives us a glimpse behind the massive projection screen during overnight testing sessions. On the other side of the theater, crews attached a desk to the ride seats and ran cables from Imagineers’ laptops to the attraction’s control systems. That allowed them to ride while simultaneously adjusting ride motion, timing, and environmental effects.
Imagineers installed footrests to keep their legs from falling asleep during hours of suspended testing. They also wore coats, you know, because of all the wind testing.
No narrator, no hype, just people doing the work
What makes the Disney Unscripted documentaries work so well is the presentation. There’s no dramatic narrator telling us how magical everything is. Occasionally, you hear an off-camera producer asking questions, but for the most part, you’re simply watching talented people do their jobs. It feels like you’re in the room.
And the little details are fantastic. At one point, the audio team is adjusting timpani levels while riding the attraction. As someone who’s spent plenty of time recording and mixing music, that made me laugh. I only ever did that in a studio with a nice set of monitors.
I could go on and on about this doc, including Cast Member reactions and a graphic artist sharing her inspiration for the attraction poster. But honestly, just watch the video. If you’re interested in theme park design, it’s absolutely worth your time.
Disneyland’s version of Soarin’ Across America debuts on July 2, 2026.
