Soarin’ Across America to Feature New Bruce Broughton Score
When Soarin’ Across America debuts at EPCOT this month, guests will hear a new arrangement of Jerry Goldsmith’s iconic themes, courtesy of composer Bruce Broughton. Honestly, I’m looking forward to the music more than the updated visuals. And I really love those visuals.
This marks the second time Broughton has composed music for the attraction. He previously scored Soarin’ Around the World in 2016, expanding on Goldsmith’s original work following the composer’s passing in 2004.
While Goldsmith’s original score had touches of Americana, we expect even more in this update. After all, guests will be flying over the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, New York Harbor, and other American landscapes. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear influences from Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, or Charles Ives. Maybe even a little Duke Ellington and John Williams.
Broughton brought that authenticity to his Soarin’ Around the World update by using instruments and musical styles appropriate to the featured locations. He also remained true to Goldsmith’s beautiful themes. We expect more of the same this time.
You can compare Goldsmith’s and Broughton’s scores below.
Goldsmith had one of the greatest careers in film score history. He gave us the music for Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Mulan, Air Force One, Rudy, and Explorers. You can hear selections from several of those films while waiting in the Soarin’ queue.
But despite all those accomplishments, Goldsmith reportedly jumped at the opportunity to score a Disney theme park attraction. That’s because Soarin’ combined his two biggest passions: music and flying. He even said he’d have composed the score for free.
Broughton’s résumé is also impressive. He scored Silverado, The Rescuers Down Under, Tombstone, among several others. He also composed music for several Disney attractions, including Spaceship Earth and Ellen’s Energy Adventure.
Soarin’ Across America – and its excellent score – debuts May 26, 2026, at EPCOT and July 2, 2026, at Disney California Adventure.
