Those who have visited Epcot at Disney World will know that it differs significantly from the resort’s other three theme parks — opened in 1982, it was built not around lands or rides but a World Showcase Lagoon featuring 11 pavilions that recreate the atmosphere of different countries.
The France Pavilion, which has everything from a street recreating the Haussmann architecture of Paris with buildings that sell French brands like Guerlain in what one would initially assume to just be display windows to a Ratatouille ride and multiple restaurants selling French dishes at different price points, is consistently ranked as one of the most intricate and best pavilions.
Along with the rides and restaurants, the France Pavilion also has the Palais du Cinéma showcasing the “Impressions de France” panoramic film and “Beauty and the Beast” singalong.
Cinema in Epcot’s France Pavilion to reopen after three-month renovations
Designed to look like the extravagant Parisian cinemas built in the Lumière age, the theater was closed down at the start of 2026 for refurbishments.
As first reported by local watchdogs, the Palais du Cinéma is set to reopen on May 10 without changes to what Disney will screen. An 18-minute film that shows viewers scenes from different French cities and regions, “Impressions de France” has been getting screened across five curved screens to recreate the panoramic experience since Epcot first opened in 1982.
Related: Disney World shut down four classic rides, attractions
While some will argue that the older footage of France appears too dated, the film has now become a classic Epcot attraction that many visitors specifically come to the France Pavilion to experience.
“On your virtual journey, ride along with horsemen and hunting dogs in the Cheverny Forest, reflect on the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, visit a bustling marketplace in Normandy and see vintners and cognac makers at work,” Disney writes in its description of the film.
Disney
Here is what is getting shown at Palais du Cinéma at Epcot
While “Impressions de France” has previously been awarded the Guinness World Record as “the longest running daily screening of a film in the same theater,” in recent years Disney had been playing it on a limited schedule for hardcore Disney and film history fans.
Prior to the closure, it played for 30 minutes at park opening and 45 minutes at park closing while the “Beauty and the Beast” singalong played the rest of the time outside those hours to accommodate families who would typically wander into the cinema while exploring the France pavilion.
More Travel News:
- Airline to launch unusual new flight to Cayman Islands from the U.S.
- What you can expect at Disneyland’s new ‘World of Frozen’
- Unexpected country is most luxurious travel destination for 2026
- U.S. government issues strange warning on Ireland travel
Disney has not commented on the exact refurbishments it has made during the three-month period beyond calling them routine — for other rides, this has traditionally meant things like deep cleaning and carpet upgrades.
Meanwhile, the “Frozen Ever After” ride that was added to the Norway Pavilion in 2016 reopened earlier this year after a monthslong refurbishment to improve the audio track. The same version of the ride also opened at Disneyland Paris in April as part of the new Frozen land that had been built in the European park over the last five years.
Related: What you can expect at Disney’s new ‘World of Frozen’