The France Pavilion’s Palais du Cinema at EPCOT has a little upgrade waiting for guests. After closing for a scheduled refurbishment in February, the theater that hosts both Impressions de France and the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along reopened in May with brand-new seating throughout.
What Changed
Every seat in the Palais du Cinema has been replaced. The new chairs maintain the same fold-down style as the originals but arrive with a noticeable aesthetic and comfort upgrade: red velveteen padded backs, faux leather brown seats, red plastic arms, and built-in aisle lighting that makes navigating the darkened theater easier without pulling attention from the screen. The ends of each row now feature carved decorative panels instead of the old flat panels, adding a more polished look to the space.
The lobby, exterior, and theatrical costume and prop displays in the waiting area are all unchanged.
About The Palais du Cinema
The Palais du Cinema has been a fixture of the France Pavilion since EPCOT opened on October 1, 1982. Impressions de France, an 18-minute cinematic tour through the landscapes and culture of France, is one of the park’s original attractions and screens during early morning and late evening hours. The Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, a 15-minute experience inspired by the 1991 animated classic told from LeFou’s perspective, was added to the rotation in 2020 and runs from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
For guests looking for an air-conditioned break in a quieter corner of EPCOT’s World Showcase, the France Pavilion theater remains one of the best spots in the park. The updated seating makes that pit stop a little more comfortable.
