Impressions de France Review and Planning Info
Impressions de France opened on: October 1st, 1982.
Pull up a list of all Epcot attraction planning reviews here.
Location: Impressions de France is located in the same building as the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along in the France Pavilion.
Extra Magic Hours: No.
Show Length: 18 minutes.
Show Schedule: Disney typically shows Impressions de France from 6:30pm through 8pm with the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along shown from 11am until 6:30pm. This schedule may change with the Ratatouille ride opening. Double check your Times Guide/app for show times if you’re planning on seeing Impressions. At a minimum, it will likely have to be after 6:30pm. You can also pull up the schedule on DisneyWorld.com here.
Type: Film.
Similar to: A mix of Awesome Planet and Canada Far & Wide.
Requirements: Only your ability to visit the France Pavilion during the limited hours that the show is now offered.
Scary Factor: Only the chance that Disney gets rid of the show altogether.
When to Go: At your convenience in the evening. You might see the 6:30pm presentation, have dinner from 7pm to 8:30pm at a nearby sit-down restaurant like Chefs de France or Monsieur Paul, then watch the nighttime spectacular. Any showtime works, though. The theater will not fill to capacity.
What to Expect: Impressions de France is presented on five screens similar to a Circle-Vision 3D film. The screens around the theater show what you would see if you were looking in that direction, for a much wider view than normal. In this case, the viewing angle is about 200 degrees, and there are comfortable, plush chairs to sit on and enjoy the show. Impressions is then 18 minutes of majesty and grandeur as Disney takes you around France, from the Cheverny Forest, to Versailles, to a cognac vintner. What a life. You can watch the full show here, but it won’t do it justice.
Where to Sit:
As usual, my preference is to sit as far away from the other people as possible. There’s enough room at the front of the theater that you can walk around to the other side of the theater and fill into a seat on that side. That’s usually your best move. If you would prefer to listen to other people whisper loudly during the entire show, very excited that they’re able to identify the Eiffel Tower, then a middle seat in a middle row offers the best view.
FastPass+: No.
Total Experience Time: Shows should be scheduled at 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm, and 8pm, and last about 20 minutes. Double check when the show starts with the cast member at the entrance. If the next show is more than ten minutes away, you might enjoy looking around one of the nearby shops before returning.
The Impressions lobby now features six displays about French cinema and art that are also worth checking out.
When to Arrive: As close to showtime as possible.
Rating: 8/10
Josh’s Take: Impressions de France is quintessential Epcot and a beautiful film presented in a comfortable theater. While the film is now digital, it does show its age, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Parents with antsy kids probably want to skip Impressions as there isn’t necessarily a whole lot to hold their attention here. The schedule may also make seeing the film difficult.
Leave a Reply