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Are you looking forward to seeing the new France Pavilion expansion at EPCOT? We have some never-been-seen pictures and details of this exciting expansion.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
It has been a long time coming for guests of Walt Disney World. The grand opening of the new expansion in EPCOT’s France pavilion is nearly here!
The expansion opens soon on October 1st. Helping to kick off the new expansion is of course EPCOT’s highly anticipated new attraction, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
Like Rise of the Resistance, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will utilize a virtual queue. However, if you want to bypass using the virtual queue, guests do have another option. For a complete guide on how to score a chance to ride this new attraction without using the virtual queue, take a look at this helpful post HERE.
New France pavilion expansion
Parts of the expansion opened earlier this year, but a large portion has been blocked off in preparation for the ride and new restaurant, La Crêperie de Paris.
Joe Vitale, Senior Production Designer with Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Parks Blog have shared a first look into the newly expanded pavilion today with guests.
As part of the historic transformation of EPCOT, this expansion nearly doubles the size of the existing France pavilion and delivers on the design intent of World Showcase by celebrating real countries and the fantastic stories they inspire.
Joe Vitale – Senior Production Designer of Walt Disney Imagineering
Take a look at the wonderful details that make the new France pavilion expansion “authentically French and “Ratatouille-inspired”.
Walking from the existing France pavilion into our new mini-land, you’ll find a beautiful allée along the water, designed to evoke the feeling of a Parisian park beside the river Seine. As you take a stroll along this path, made to look like the decomposed granite often found in parks and gardens throughout Paris, be on the lookout for rat motifs in the railing and cast-iron benches that begin to hint at the world of Chef Remy awaiting you around the corner.
Continuing down this path and turning onto the new Allée des Marchands (Alley of the Merchants), you’ll soon find La Crêperie de Paris, serving sweet crepes and savory buckwheat galettes. The restaurant features a traditional blue façade found throughout the Brittany region of France, which is both well known for its crêpes and the inspiration for our own eatery within EPCOT.
Beyond the crêperie, you’ll soon pass beneath an ornate, cast-iron arcade that creates a natural transition from our real-world celebration of France to Remy’s fantastic Paris, as depicted in Disney and Pixar’s award-winning film “Ratatouille.” Facades in this area feature a bolder color palette and exaggerated architectural details, evoking the whimsical world of Paris seen in the film.
Guests of all ages will enjoy exploring this corner of Paris and discovering details throughout. Like Chef Remy in his toque atop the fountain, or the illuminated Gusteau’s sign in the distance, hinting at the adventure that awaits within the attraction. Take notice of the manhole cover near the fountain, as you may discover an homage to the scene in the film where Remy is first brought to Paris through the sewers.
There are many fun nods to other characters from the film as well, such as these wine bottles in the neighboring storefront featuring the food critic Anton Ego. Eagle-eyed fans might recognize the significance of the vintages found on each bottle, as they relate to milestone years for the “Ratatouille” story. Nearby you’ll discover Chef Skinner’s scooter and Chef Colette’s motorbike, which make for a fun photo opportunity for fans of the film.
We cannot wait to see see the new expansion and experience Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure! Be sure to keep following Kenny the Pirate for more news and updates regarding all of the celebration for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary.
What do you think of the new France pavilion? Are you looking forward to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure? Do you have plans to go on the new attraction soon? Tell us about it in the comments below or on our Facebook page.
Maggie Baltz
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