Why ‘Impressions de France’ is Disney’s Best Attraction

I love Disney World. Growing up less than two hours away, I loved when my family and I had the opportunity to spend the day at Magic Kingdom or Epcot (I’ve only been to Animal Kingdom twice and Hollywood Studios once). Going to Downtown Disney was a favorite day-trip, though their rebranding the area as Disney Springs will be the topic of another blog post. Among my favorite attractions are Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Soarin’ (I haven’t been in awhile, so I have yet to experience New Fantasyland). But dearest to me is actually a film in Epcot, Impressions de France, the 180° film in the France pavilion. While perhaps not the most exciting or adventurous, I think that it’s one of Disney’s best attractions.

The appeal of Impressions de France is more obvious when spending a whole day at Epcot (also comedically known in my family as “Every Person Comes Out Tired”). It’s a country-related film for which you can sit down, an advantage over Canada’s and China, which are 360° and are viewed standing up. (The American Adventure show allows the audience to sit, but as a historical presentation it does not showcase the landscape of our country). However, by the time one arrives at the France pavilion after hours of walking, sitting in the air-conditioned theater is refreshing, the same way the PeopleMover (also known as the Tomorrowland Transit Authority) in the Magic Kingdom can be a welcome respite. The lines are usually not long; audiences usually only have to wait until the previous run of the film is over.

But besides these beneficial reasons, Impressions is also a work of art. Clocking in at 18 minutes, it never feels its runtime. The title is fitting, since the viewer is served a delightful array of images featuring France’s diverse terrain, all with limited narration. The result is an impressionistic depiction displaying the beauty of both the country and her people, without explanation, thus achieving the cinematic goal of filmmakers to “show, don’t tell.” Scenes of such everyday occurrences as a vinter opening a wine bottle, a man chopping wood in the forest, and an old couple walking their dog along a cliff are presented with such serenity and simplicity that the result is endearing. Bolstered by breathtaking cinematography, the 180° aesthetic makes you feel like you’re moving sometimes, not unlike the experience Soarin’ creates, just with shorter lines.

The visual aspects of the film, however, rank second to the rapturous music. Honed from rich orchestrations of French classical music and supplemented by elegant original pieces by Buddy Baker, the gorgeous score amplifies the images, leaving an indelible impression. This film has the best arrangements of “Clair de Lune” and Satie’s “Trois Gymnopedies #1." Even those viewers without a background or interest in classical music can appreciate the tender, at times delicate, enhancement it provides. And it is the score that elevates the attraction from another country-based movie to a piece of art.

News of the Beauty and the Beast Sing-a-long partially taking up the film’s designated space was concerning, but the recent 4K restoration gives hope that this attraction won’t be going away any time soon. It currently holds the world record for “longest running daily screening of a film in the same theater,” and hopefully that streak won’t end any time soon. Because if it does, it would substantially decrease the value of the price of admission.

If you’re feeling nostalgic, here’s a recording of the recent restoration, though if you haven’t seen it, I suggest going to Epcot and experiencing it firsthand, instead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m4hvpaEkMo