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EPCOT’s France Pavilion Expansion Is Open: Disney Imagineer Gives Insight

Walt Disney World Imagineers have been hard at work in EPCOT’s France Pavilion preparing for the grand opening of the highly anticipated Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction. While the attraction is not yet open, the France Pavilion expansion has officially opened for guests to explore! Disney Imagineer and WDW Site Portfolio Executive, Zach Riddley, took to Instagram to share some insight and photos about the new expansion.

Ratatouille-themed sign announcing “Opening 2021” welcomes guests to the France Pavilion Expansion at EPCOT, highlighting the excitement surrounding this much-anticipated addition.
Credit: Zach Riddley Instagram

As shared via Zach Riddley’s Instagram: I’ve loved seeing your reactions and fan photos from our recently opened portion of the France pavilion expansion at EPCOT! There’s still more to come when Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opens this year, but I wanted to share some of the fun design details our Imagineering team has created to bring this little piece of Paris directly to EPCOT.

Ratatouille Opening 2021 entrance sign gleams beneath a curved glass canopy, framed by lush trees and bright blue sky, highlighting an exciting new attraction coming to the EPCOT France Pavilion as part of the Disney Imagineering expansion.
Credit: Zach Riddley Instagram

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The first thing you’ll notice as you approach this new area is the ornate, Art Nouveau-style archway which is reminiscent of the iconic entrances to some of Paris’ Metro stations. Made of cast-iron and displaying a “Ratatouille” sign inspired by font used throughout the Paris Metro, the entrance to our new neighborhood instantly establishes both our setting and the exciting attraction that will await Guests around the corner. Just beyond the marquee, Imagineers designed a beautiful allée along the waterway. For those of you that have visited the city of Paris, this extension will take you right back to those wonderful strolls along the river Seine.

Elegant yellow building inspired by classic Parisian architecture, adorned with charming balconies, blue shutters, and ornate street lamps set against a clear blue sky—capturing the immersive ambiance of EPCOT’s France Pavilion Expansion designed by Disney Imagineers.
Credit: Zach Riddley Instagram

Textures and materials play an important role here in creating a sense of place that feels authentically Parisian with its own stories to tell. Historically accurate lampposts line a hardscape designed to look like decomposed granite, with cast-iron benches sitting adjacent to ornate wrought iron railings- each revealing subtle hints of Chef Remy in their design. We have paid attention to all the details – down to the exact species of trees, the materials, colors and signage. This is a small section in the grand design of EPCOT and even the forthcoming France pavilion expansion, but the details we are revealing are important when building upon stories of the real world and those inspired by it! C’est magnifique!”

A lively, sunlit walkway by the river at EPCOT’s France Pavilion with bare-branched trees and elegant Parisian buildings, guests strolling beneath a vivid blue sky, capturing the bustling ambiance of a recently expanded Disney attraction envisioned by Imagineers.
Credit: Zach Riddley Instagram
A charming wooden bench by an ornate railing invites guests to relax riverside, surrounded by lush trees and a grand flower pot, capturing the enchanting atmosphere of the France Pavilion Expansion at EPCOT, all brought to life with signature Disney Imagineering detail.
Credit: Zach Riddley Instagram
Detailed view of a decorative park bench at EPCOT’s France Pavilion, showcasing an ornate metal crest with a top-hatted dog, channeling the signature whimsy and creative flair characteristic of Disney Imagineering.
Credit: Zach Riddley Instagram
A classic black streetlamp stands in front of a whimsical yellow building with blue shutters and overflowing flower boxes, perfectly capturing the immersive Disney magic in EPCOT’s France Pavilion Expansion.
Credit: Zach Riddley Instagram

Just STUNNING with incredible details! We’re excited to experience Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure when it opens… hopefully in the very near future!

Jamie Sylvester

I'm a Disney nerd! A kid at heart who loves the magic and memories of Walt Disney World. I follow all things Disney and enjoy the vacations, day trips, weekend getaways, and geek out over the planning of such events. My goal is to experience as many Disney desserts and cocktails as possible! Married to another Disney nerd and blessed with a daughter and son, we thoroughly enjoy the magic at Disney and are here to help others experience the magic as well.

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