I arrived early at Epcot yesterday to capture a little of the new France pavilion music loop before working on a morning photo walk to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The new loop began around the New Year, and includes music from Beauty and the Beast. The video below also includes the songs “Topsy Turvy” and “Everybody Wants to be a Cat” in instrumental arrangements. The whole loop is not Disney music, but that is what has been of interest. The pavilion was almost guest-free when I arrived, so I took some video to go with the music. So much new is happening at my favorite World Showcase pavilion, read below for more information and photos! First up, the video.
For those who don’t know, Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie opens at 9:00 a.m. each day and has for a number of years. It is a favorite stop of mine, especially when the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival starts taking shape in mid-February for its March 4th, 2020 opening (with a new Remy topiary and Ratatouille garden!). The new Disney Skyliner at the International Gateway means the pavilion is a little busier in the mornings, but I arrived at 9:15 a.m. and very few guests were there yet. I would be surprised if Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure doesn’t open early too when it debuts this summer (like Frozen Ever After does in Norway) – but either way, France is going to be an even more popular location soon.
In the past few months, the trees were taken out here on either side of the fountain. It looks so empty now – beautiful, but the trees gave it a little more character and beauty.
And speaking of beauty, we are one week out from the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along at the pavilion! It will play in the theater – as will Impressions de France, which has been here since Epcot opened in 1982. The theater will open back up on January 17th, 2019, opening day of the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. I have experienced a full preview of the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along. It is a nice family-friendly addition to the pavilion. Impressions de France inspired my travels to France and is still my favorite attraction in the park.
This summer, more fun will be added to the France pavilion – not only will Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure be a new family favorite ride, but La Crêperie de Paris will also open in an expanded area of the pavilion. It will including both table service and counter service dining. You can find our latest construction update here.
There is a new digital sign where the beautiful Impressions de France sign once was. It still looks nice, but very different.
The Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along is produced by Don Hahn – he also produced the original movie. The Epcot film is a twist on that original movie, and includes narration by Angela Lansbury (Mrs. Potts in the animated Beauty and the Beast) and new hand-drawn animation. So it will feel familiar but it is not a rehash on the original film.
Signs are still up until the theater reopens.
Here are a few more pavilion photos.
And the price went up slightly on my favorite food item, a full baguette – still just $3.10 for a terrific shareable item. I like to sometimes bring one home for sandwiches or breakfast.
I picked up a baguette to snack off of yesterday (and today) and a hazelnut filled beignet for breakfast.
Stop by the France pavilion and enjoy the new music loop (and soon, the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along!)
