I love the France Pavilion in EPCOT as much as anyone else, but sometimes, people can make it a little…unpleasant.
Chefs de France
France is arguably the most popular pavilion in the World Showcase with some of the best food, a very busy ride, and just some lovely vibes overall. But it can get crowded and a little bit hectic throughout the day, especially due to some “hacks” that fans have learned over the years. And I’m here to say…some of these are getting out of control!
Rope Dropping Through International Gateway
The first “hack” that has really taken off in recent years is rope dropping through EPCOT’s back entrance at International Gateway. This entrance is located right next to the France Pavilion, and thus, it makes the pavilion VERY popular first thing in the morning.
EPCOT International Gateway
It used to be that you had to be coming from an EPCOT area resort to use the International Gateway entrance, but with the addition of the Skyliner station, Disney has added Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, and Riviera Resort guests to that list.
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Rope Dropping Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Going hand-in-hand with the first hack, we have to mention the people who now rope drop Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. This dark ride opened in 2021, and it has been fairly popular since, with wait times often getting above an hour on busy days.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
But here’s the problem — people know that it can get a long line, so they all rush there first thing in the morning. Then, the wait time spikes immensely for the first few hours of the day. Honestly, sometimes you’d be better off waiting until the afternoon for this one.
The Most Popular Ride in EPCOT You Should Skip — Click Here!
Eating at Les Halles
Okay, this might sound wild coming from the people who are probably the #1 fans of Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie, but have you SEEN the line for that place recently?! We absolutely adore this quaint bakery because of its delicious and affordable eats, but it might not be worth it if you have to wait an absurdly long time in line to order.
Les Halles lines
And even after you get in line and get your food, you’re not guaranteed a table at which to eat your items. We’ve definitely spent several minutes in the past wandering circles around the tables waiting for one to open up…and most of them don’t have chairs.
Read Our Les Halles Review Here!
Watching Fireworks From the Bridge
One feature of the France Pavilion that really stands out is the bridge that connects the pavilion to the International Gateway. It’s a great spot for family photos, but also a very popular spot for watching nighttime fireworks at EPCOT. Don’t get us wrong, the views are pretty good, but the crowds are getting out of hand.
France Pavilion Bridge
People line up to watch the fireworks here WELL in advance, and the crowds can get several people deep. Part of the appeal is that you’re very close to the International Gateway exit so that you can be first in line to the Skyliner once the show ends. But hear us out — if you watch from the other side of the World Showcase, you can have a leisurely walk to the park exit, complete with empty pavilions!
Luminous in EPCOT
France is one of the BEST pavilions in EPCOT, so we totally get the hype for spending as much time as possible here! Hopefully, your next visit will be lovely.
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It’s a shame that Disney didn’t think to move Les Halles to a bigger location during the France Pavillion expansion. That could have added so much seating.