Years of ridicule over the warped Paris scene has finally led to a fix as Disney Imagineering will update the Eiffel Tower in Soarin’ Around the World at Disney California Adventure.
For years, one of Disneyland’s most talked-about visual oddities hasn’t come from a mischievous animatronic or a breakdown on Rise of the Resistance—it’s been the Eiffel Tower itself. The iconic Parisian landmark, featured in Soarin’ Around the World, has long appeared unnaturally curved when viewed from the sides of the theater. Now, Disney has finally decided to straighten things out—literally.
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In a quiet but meaningful update, Disneyland officials confirmed that Walt Disney Imagineering is preparing to revise the Eiffel Tower segment of Soarin’, correcting the distorted “boomerang effect” that has plagued the ride since the newer film debuted in 2016.
The fix is expected to debut in the coming weeks at Disney California Adventure, with the revised footage already in use at EPCOT in Walt Disney World.
What Went Wrong With the Soarin’ Eiffel Tower?
The problem stemmed from how Soarin’ projects its footage onto a large, curved dome screen. While breathtaking from the center section, guests seated to the far left or right would often experience jarring visual warping. Nowhere was this more obvious—or more mocked—than during the Eiffel Tower segment, where the famous structure appeared bent like a pretzel stick.
The seating for Soarin’ Around the World at Disney California Adventure in Disneyland Resort – YouTube, Theme Park Steve
Theme park fans across social media have poked fun at the distortion for nearly a decade. Memes, videos, and even merchandise riffed on the “Leaning Tower of Paris.” But now, thanks to updated visual rendering and re-angled shots, the Paris scene will finally get the dignified presentation it deserves.
More Than Just a Straight Tower
This isn’t just a cosmetic fix. According to insiders, the updated scene will offer a more expansive and immersive view of Paris, including extended flyover shots of the Seine River. The revised segment will not only correct the Tower’s posture but add depth and detail that were absent in the original release.
Sleeping Beauty Castle in 2019 after refurbishment. Photo Credit: CrispyCream27, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The update is part of Disney’s broader effort to modernize existing attractions without full overhauls. With Soarin’ remaining a guest favorite, a visual tune-up like this could go a long way toward improving ride quality without needing a major rework.
Why Now?
With Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration underway and heightened scrutiny over ride quality, especially after numerous maintenance issues across both coasts, Disney appears keen to demonstrate its commitment to quality control. Small fixes like these may seem trivial, but to die-hard fans and first-time guests alike, they can make all the difference.
Mickey walks down Main Street USA at Disneyland. (Credit: Mortimer Productions)
It’s also worth noting that Disneyland’s version of Soarin’ frequently rotates between Soarin’ Around the World and the original Soarin’ Over California as part of seasonal events. This technical upgrade will ensure that whenever the world version returns, guests won’t be distracted by an accidentally surreal Eiffel Tower.
Final Thoughts
This change may not be as headline-grabbing as a new land or a ride opening, but longtime parkgoers know—it’s the little things that count. For those of us who’ve ridden Soarin’ from every angle, seeing the Eiffel Tower finally stand tall and proud is more than just a minor tech fix.
A photo of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park via Disney Parks blog
It’s a win for immersion. A win for guest experience. And frankly… a win for geometry.
How do you feel about Disney fixing the curved Eiffel Tower in Soarin’? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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Now all Disney have to do is straighten out its bent agenda.