Epcot Update: Construction & Controversies with Impressions de France & New Music
We’re back at EPCOT for the first Walt Disney World construction update of 2020. Now that the Christmas season is over, work picks up pace here as the park enters its off-season (even with Festival of the Arts beginning very soon). Let’s take a stroll around Future World and World Showcase to see the current state of EPCOT, which is currently short for “Endless Projects: Construction of Tomorrow.”
For this update, we arrived via the Skyliner from Disney’s Hollywood Studios after grabbing our boarding pass (more on that tomorrow) and entered through the International Gateway entrance. Unfortunately, we had a wrapped gondola (line was too long to request an uncovered cabin)…which means no aerial photos of the new Gusteau’s sign added to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure or of Future World from the Highway in the Sky.
Before we start with the update, let’s start with something that can’t be photographed: new World Showcase background music. Last week, a few new instrumental tracks were added to the ~60 minute background music loops in France, China, and Mexico. In the France pavilion, tracks can be heard from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Ratatouille, and Beauty and the Beast. In the China pavilion, there are now songs from Mulan. Outside of the Mexico pavilion, there are now songs from Coco…
Unsurprisingly, this was met with a lot of angst on social media. Some of this I can understand–but I also think there’s an underlying “if we give them an inch, they’ll take a mile” mentality. Didn’t we all love The Story of Coco with Mariachi Cobre? Isn’t Gran Fiesta Tour generally well-received? It may not be ideal, but a few songs dabbled in background music is also hardly intrusive or going to be the straw that breaks theme. It could even lead more guests to appreciate the under-appreciated music loops that fade into the background.
Beyond that, I think hardcore EPCOT fans need to do a better job of picking their battles. These songs aren’t a matter of the writing being on the wall or Disney eroding the thematic integrity of EPCOT. Characters from animated films have been a stable presence in World Showcase since the mid-1990s, or over half of EPCOT’s existence. Freaking out about every little change because it doesn’t perfectly square with the 1982 version of the park is a recipe for constant frustration and heartache, especially when Disney has made it abundantly clear where this park is heading.
This blog has had posts about the difficulty of “Letting EPCOT Go,” so I get it. I still have a tough time with some of the decisions about the direction of the park, but (as I wrote in our Epcot Forever Review) have mostly come to terms with it. EPCOT has been heading down this path for decades; being the old man shouting at a cloud over every little questionable change isn’t accomplishing anything. I’d prefer to enjoy the new park on its own terms, for what it is and could be, rather than lamenting something that once was but will never be again.
That brings me to the next EPCOT-related social media controversy: Impressions de France showtimes. For years, it has seemed like a foregone conclusion that Impressions de France’s days were numbered. At first, it was feared the theater would be consumed by the expansion of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. When it was granted a reprieve from that, many figured it was only a matter of time before that needed the space, either for a shop or supporting offering to help with crowds.
When the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along was announced, it was a shock that the new offering would alternate showings with Impressions de France. Even when that announcement was made, I assumed it’d be a year or less until a blog post with, “due to its overwhelming popularity and feedback from our guests, the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along will now have even more showtimes so more guests can enjoy this beloved attraction…”
I still think that’s the inevitability here. As such, I’m not surprised to find out that Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along will be shown daily from 11 am to 7 pm, with Impressions de France from only 7:30 to 9 pm. We see Impressions de France more than we do literally any other attraction in Epcot. We’ve made a concerted effort to visit every one of its filming locations in France (we’re getting close–mostly just spots around the French Alps remain!).
We’re probably the closest thing Impressions de France has to super fans. I maintain that it’s the best film-based attraction in Epcot (better than Soarin’), almost completely timeless (only a couple of 80s outfits), as well as a beautiful and effective ‘sales pitch’ for visiting France. I think a sing-along is a lame replacement and this being Disney’s idea of “alternating” is very disappointing. Nevertheless, Impressions de France has had a good run–longer than anyone could’ve ever expected. When it does inevitably end, I’ll be sad but understanding.
In the meantime, we’ll be seeing it every night to end our evenings at Epcot. Hopefully other fans of the film will also make a point of seeing it as much as possible, as numbers are ultimately the only thing that’ll prolong its run.
Moving along to a more positive note, the food booths around World Showcase appear prepared for the start of Festival of the Arts.
As we’ve stressed countless times, this is the best event of the year at Epcot. Read our 2020 Guide to Epcot’s Festival of the Arts for more info & planning tips.
Speaking of food, work continues on “Regal Eagle’s Distinctly Patriotic Smokehouse: A Salute to All Foods, But Mostly Barbecued Meats ~ A Sam Eagle Craft Drafts & BBQ Joint” (name not official…YET!)
We shared the full menu & prices last week, which presents good news whether you’re on the Disney Dining Plan or paying out of pocket, as there are a range of entrees that will make Regal Eagle a great ‘bang for buck’ restaurant.
This is follows the announcement by Walt Disney World that Sam Eagle of the Muppets will host the restaurant.
It’s difficult to say how much work remains to be done, but we’re still anticipating that this restaurant opens in late February or March 2020. The start of Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival seems like as good of a prediction as any.
Moving to the front of World Showcase, we have the new Refreshment Port restrooms that opened late last month.
These are a huge improvement over their now-demolished, undersized predecessor.
Between the new restrooms and the Refreshment Port is the temporary Starbucks Traveler’s Cafe.
This has a modern modular design style that you might see featured in Dwell. Fitting for EPCOT, but not so much for this particular corner of the park. Either way, it’s temporary.
Continuing along this same path, we can see the remnants of Innoventions.
The argument could be made that this is poor show, but short of erecting gigantic walls and huge scrims for the next 2+ years (which wouldn’t even be practical during storm season), I’m not sure how this is avoidable given the location. I personally enjoyed watching the in plain view transformation of DCA several years ago, and also find this fascinating.
It takes you aback the first time you see this demolition in person, but I say good riddance. Then again, I have no sentimentality towards Innoventions.
At no time in my adult life have either of these buildings offered anything even remotely justifying the prime real estate they consumed in Epcot. My only disappointment is that the other side isn’t being demolished, too.
Back over by the Seas pavilion, the front entrance bypass has opened. We’d expect this pathway to be open for the next couple of years.
On the right side of the frame here is the Innoventions building that will be demolished to make way for the Moana Journey of Water walk-through.
Bouncing over to the other side of Future World, here’s a current look at the Space 220 Restaurant by Mission Space.
Walt Disney World still hasn’t provided an official opening date for this beyond “this winter.” It remains to be seen whether a debut by March is realistic–we’re hopeful it’ll be open by May 2020.
This area is now pretty quiet, as Test Track has closed for its refurbishment, which runs through the end of February.
For more info on this and other closures, see our 2020 Refurbishment Calendar for Walt Disney World.
Nearby, MouseGear has set up temporary shop in the portion of Innoventions behind Electric Umbrella.
Electric Umbrella still has not closed, and we’d now anticipate it won’t until the two new restaurants debut (and perhaps not until Spaceship Earth begins its 2-year overhaul).
Here’s a look inside the temporary MouseGear.
It’s nothing special, but gets the job done. It follows the similar open floor-plan approach used in the World of Disney remodels, right down to the signs on the walls with popcorn lights indicating what’s in each area.
We’ll wrap up this construction update at the front of Epcot, where half of the entrance area has reopened with the Leave a Legacy monoliths removed and new planters and pavement installed. It remains to be seen how faithful this is to the concept art released last year. So far, so good!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of the current state of Epcot and its construction projects? Thoughts on music from animated films in the World Showcase BGMs? What about the limited showtimes for Impressions de France? Looking forward to visiting Endless Projects: Construction of Tomorrow during your next WDW trip, or dreading visits to the park while it’s an active construction site? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Impressions de France is our favorite attraction in Disney World. Haven’t been back since they closed it. Who can we contact to protest the closing of this wonderful attraction?
The French Bakery is also our favorite eating spot.
Impressions de France is our favorite attraction in Disney World. Haven’t been back since they closed it. Who can we contact to protest the closing of this wonderful attraction?
The French Bakery is also our favorite eating spot.
I wish I’d seen this blog prior to visiting EPCOT yesterday. Part way through our day we headed to my favorite EPCOT attraction and were tickled to get there just before the doors closed for a new showing. I was quite confused when the sing along began and a bit disgusted that the Disney powers-that-be felt that they needed yet another Disney movie “advertisement” prior to their wonderful French cultural movie. Except it wasn’t an intro… It finished and we were ushered point of the theater. I came very close to tears. It would not have surprised me for then to reshoot the film in higher resolution after all these years and always feared they’d change it up a bit too much when they did so, but to have it replaced with an animation short that provides no insight into all the beauties of France was unthinkable to me. I am so glad that it’s not gone completely and will go see it tonight thanks to your blog, but what a shame they’ve made it unavailable to the daytime visitors. My kids are now adults and loved this beautiful introduction to France as they were growing up as well as the other interesting, educational and imagination stirring presentations and activities. It’s so frustrating and disappointing to see the continued dumbing down of this park.
Walt was a futurist which is part of what makes EPCOT so magical. Can’t wait for Ratatouille!
I am an original EPCOT visitor and fan, including Innoventions with its many attempts at interactive exhibits and mini-attractions, but I’m also a bookish nerd type and a logical realist. The fact is, compared to other parks, many guests historically found Epcot boring, or at best, okay as a bunch of one-and-done experiences. Like other Disney World areas (looking at you, Tomorrowland), it is an endless challenge to balance the nostalgic memories of the prior generation with business realities and the massive commercial opportunities provided by Disney’s expanding film franchise. And it’s nearly impossible to maintain the original, cohesive dual themes of Future World and World Showcase with constant, incremental updates. That’s just how it is, folks.
I was just there in November 2019 for the Food and Wine Festival (boy has that changed since my day!) and was glad to see Leave a Legacy’s removal. It never looked great, an off-putting cash grab even in its day. I have never quite recovered from the loss of Kitchen Kabaret (but not its drastically inferior replacement, Food Rocks), and I miss the Maelstrom ride and Cranium Command, but that’s about all. I hadn’t ridden Test Track in more than a decade and found it significantly streamlined and improved from its original version. I accept that my once-beloved Horizons and Ellen’s Energy Adventure ran the course through the Circle of Life and would not hold the attention of a post-millennial clientele.
I was quite thrilled when the Three Caballeros were (finally) added to the Gran Fiesta Tour and frankly have been irritated at the lack of character integration which I think should be exploited shamelessly at all Disney parks to the extent the themes can be made to match up. Because, you know, this is Disney, with little kiddos around, who love the characters. So yeah, add the music. For Pete’s Sake, ADD THE MUSIC! Use Sam Eagle at the American Adventure. A cliched, over-the-top to the point of farce hyper-patriotic (and fun, and funny) character, that you happen to own the right to? YES PLEASE! We’re on vacation, let us laugh. Epcot celebrates culture, let us embrace the quirks of our own. Belle est une fille francaise, n’est-ce pas? Use the girl at the France pavilion right there near Remy! Impressions had, as you note, a great run but nowadays people don’t really want to pay $100 plus per day to see a movie full of travel propaganda available for free on YouTube.
This may be blasphemy but I can see that more updates, not fewer, are needed at Epcot. Even in its heyday, the best parts of the Imagination pavilion were the Kodak ImageWorks interactive post-show areas and Honey I Shrunk the Audience. The original ride was sort of lovable but frankly goofy and not in a good way, like the dog, and I was a Cast Member when it was “updated” to the disastrous Eric Idle version sans Figment. So they tried again, but really have never gotten it “right,” in my opinion. Honestly it’s amazing it’s soldiered on while better attractions, like Cranium Command, were discontinued.
There’s also the fact that several land parcels in World Showcase were never sponsored / claimed, leaving convenient real estate just screaming for expansion opportunities, that, once again, are probably far overdue rather than unwelcome invaders. Disney has a responsibility to add more value to a constantly churning young audience and the many projects are a sign of management’s continued effort and attention to keeping the place relevant. I applaud (mostly), grieve a little occasionally, and appreciate the commitment to a sustainable future for my favorite park.
Please, please, PLEASE tell us that the French Bakery will not become extinct with the new France renovation. This is ABSOLUTELY is our favorite place to eat. We love it so much that we have actually driven from Florida’s Gulf coast simply to visit the French Bakery for a meal….complete with TWO raspberry desserts each. Yes, retirement rocks!
You should do a real-life “Impressions” post! We honeymooned in France (and generally love Europe). I think it would be a fun post, and I’m sure you have some lovely photos!
Do a search for ““Impressions de Bricker” France Report” and you’ll find what you’re looking for.
I still feel a nostalgic twinge for old Innoventions–but the Innoventions I cared about was the version I encountered on my first visit as a kid in 1998. Back then it was still part of the World’s Fair feel of the place–it was the first time I had seen a demonstration of a convection oven, and the place seemed full of, well, “innoventions.”
By the time I did the Disney College Program in the mid-aughts, it was…not so much that. Sum of All Fears was alright (though I’ve always found motion simulators a bit disappointing), but the place got emptier and emptier–if I hadn’t had unfettered access to the parks for 4.5 months it’s extremely doubtful I would have bothered to go to all the shows and try out the games, as they were not on par with the other attractions within Epcot. And then by 2009 they couldn’t even keep the buildings filled with sponsors.
So…I miss Innoventions. But the proper Innoventions hasn’t really been around for over a decade, and I don’t think I’ll miss the Innoventions we had at the end of it. Out with the sad, empty buildings, in with new attractions.
I love change!! I can’t wait to see the finished product of the newly redesigned Epcot. When I was there in December it was sort of sad to see all of the construction going on but I kept telling myself and my family that it would all be worth it when it was completed. As far as the new music playing I don’t have a problem with it. I enjoy all the music that comes from Disney movies. I mean who doesn’t love a good Coco song? I will however really miss Impressions de France if it goes away. It’s the closest I have ever came to the country. I do however love a good sing-along!
Hello wanted to know I will be taking the skyline to Epcot for rope drop and it drops us off at international gateway do we get to go farther into the park so we can be closer to get in line for Soarin?
If you are in the park before ropedrop, you’ll be held around the bridge between UK and France. It looks like the walking distance is either about the same or a little further than if you were waiting at the front of the park, but really, it’s probably not enough of a difference to say you should definitely go to the front instead.