This series of blogs centers around my favorite things about Disney … those experiences that I find uplifting, enjoyable, memorable, and worth more than one visit. These are my personal “must-do’s” whenever I walk through the main gate of a Disney park and into what Walt Disney himself called “this happy place.”

__________________

Of all the attractions featured at Walt Disney World’s four theme parks since 1971, I have one clear-cut favorite.

It has nothing to do with a lose-your-lunch roller coaster, or a classic Disney character-themed dark ride, or even a beloved parade or fireworks show. And there are no Audio-Animatronics figures or flashy ride vehicles.

In fact, it really has nothing to do with Disney at all … other than the fact that it’s located in World Showcase at EPCOT.

Impressions de France, featured in the France pavilion since EPCOT opened in 1982, left an indelible impression on me the first time I viewed it in 1983.

Impressions de France is a film that highlights France’s rich cultural heritage, exquisite architecture and stunning landscapes.

It is presented in the Palais du Cinema, a theater that features five screens, offering 200-degree coverage. The screen is so wide that the edges are at the peripheral vision of most guests, surrounding them in the sights, sounds and color of France.

The music is what caught my attention the first time I experienced Impressions de France.

Disney Legend Buddy Baker arranged the lilting score for the film, which features the music of several classical French composers, including Claude Debussy, Erik Sate, Paul Dukas and Camille Saint-Saens.

Rick Harper made the initial selections of music used in the film. And Baker conducted the 100-piece Royal Philharmonic Orchestra when the score was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London.

Baker had a long and fruitful career with Disney. He wrote scores for several Disney movies and television shows, including Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.

He then took his talents to Disney park projects, beginning with the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, scoring Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and Carousel of Progress.

Baker wrote the score for the If You Had Wings attraction in the Magic Kingdom, as well as “Grim Grinning Ghosts” with fellow Disney Legend X Atencio for the Haunted Mansion.

As musical director for EPCOT, Buddy supervised and composed music for the Future World pavilions and World Showcase. Among the attractions he scored were Universe of Energy, the American Adventure, in addition to Impressions de France.

When I first saw Impressions de France, I had never been to the country. Since then, I have been fortunate to have journeyed to France on five different occasions.

Many of the sites I’ve seen during visits to France are featured in the film, which has only served to enhance my appreciation of the film.

Those sites include The Fountain of Apollo, the Hall of Mirrors, and the stunning Gardens, all at the Palace of Versailles; picturesque Villefranche near Nice; the bustling Gare du Nord train station in northern Paris; the shoreline at Normandy; the world-famous Champs-Elysee thoroughfare; the stately Arc de Triomphe; the Seine River; Bonifacio on the island of Corsica; Notre Dame Cathedral; the Louvre; and, of course, the Eiffel Tower.

It’s one thing to view fabled landmarks on a screen; it’s quite another to see those same historic sites in person.

We’ve walked the grounds of Versailles and got swept up in the history and sheer elegance of the palace’s Hall of Mirrors.

We’ve strolled along the posh Champs-Elysee [there’s a Disney Store tucked in between more “elegant” stores such as Tiffany and Louis Vuitton]; taken a scenic boat ride along the Seine, marveled at the architectural wonder that is the Eiffel Tower; been moved by the historic significance as we’ve walked along the sands of Arromanches-les-Bains in Normandy; and enjoyed dinner in a café in the shadows of the recovering Notre Dame Cathedral.

When World Showcase was being designed in 1982, the idea was to give guests a taste of each member country … a glimpse into each land’s most noteworthy sites and experiences.

In my opinion, Impressions de France does a marvelous job of capturing the essence of France, with often stunning cinematography, as guests visit picturesque castles and romantic venues, snow-capped mountain tops and lush vineyards, long-admired structures, and modern marvels.

Of course, with the opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, there’s more to see and do on the grounds of the France pavilion.

Make it a point to drop in on Impressions de France. You won’t be disappointed.

NEXT TIME: A Disney “cruise” like no other

Chuck Schmidt is an award-winning journalist and retired Disney cast member who has covered all things Disney since 1984 in both print and on-line. He has authored or co-authored seven books on Disney, including his On the Disney Beat and The Beat Goes On for Theme Park Press. He also has written a regular blog for AllEars.Net, called Still Goofy About Disney, since 2015.

Comments (2)