Two attractions at Walt Disney World have been closed for several months with no reopening dates announced. Disney just clarified the timeframe for when guests will be able to experience these attractions again and shortened the operating hours. One of these is my personal favorite attraction in all of the park.
These attractions operate differently from everything else at Disney World. We explain these differences and what to expect following their refurbishments. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including Disney World ticket price increases and changes to the Disney Dining Plan.
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EPCOT Attractions Reopening Following Refurbishment
In the France Pavilion in World Showcase at EPCOT, guests can enjoy screenings of two films: Impressions de France, an 18-minute travelogue, and the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, featuring scenes from the 1991 animated movie.
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Both films share the same theater, which has been closed since February 22, 2026.
Disney just announced that the attractions are wrapping up their refurbishments and that both Impressions de France and the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along will reopen on May 10, 2026.
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Disney didn’t mention any specific changes to the films themselves. Impressions de France, in particular, has been unchanged since EPCOT opened in 1982, so any alterations would be a big deal that Disney would likely provide a heads-up about.
I expect most, if not all, of this refurbishment pertained to the theater facilities. Construction crews may have installed new carpet or new seats, or perhaps updated the projection technology. The lobby art exhibition, which highlights how fairy tales have been adapted across visual media through the centuries, may have been updated or replaced. This is all just speculation, though, and Disney has not confirmed any of those specific adjustments. Notably, this theater has no special effects or 3D elements.
Impressions de France and the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along are unique among Disney World attractions in that they are completely different attractions that share the same space and alternate their operating hours.
Starting May 10, the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along will be screened from 10 AM to 6:30 PM. Impressions de France will follow with showings from 7 PM to 8:45 PM.
Before the refurbishment, Disney offered Impressions de France during the first hour and last two hours of EPCOT’s operating day. The entire rest of the day, the theater screened the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along. This means the updated 2026 hours will reduce Impressions de France’s operations to only the very end of the day.
Impressions de France is my favorite EPCOT attraction, so I had hoped its hours would be increased following the refurbishment. It’s a beautiful piece of cinema, and I wish more guests had the opportunity to see it.
Note that the topiary in the above photo is from the ongoing 2026 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival.
Changes Happening in May at Disney World
Walt Disney World’s May 2026 calendar is shaping up to be jam-packed with familiar attractions reopening from refurbishment and new experiences debuting.
On May 3, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen at Magic Kingdom after being closed for over a year.
On May 14, Soarin’ Around the World will close at EPCOT as Disney installs a new version of the attraction, Soarin’ Across America, which will open on May 26.
On May 22, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will introduce a new version of the ride starring the Mandalorian and Grogu.
May 26 will see new experiences opening at all four Disney World parks. In addition to the aforementioned Soarin’ Across America at EPCOT, opening on that date will be Jessie’s Roundup at Magic Kingdom, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets and Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Bluey’s Wild World at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
May 26 is also the kick-off of Cool KIDS’ SUMMER, a season of limited-time activations geared toward families with young children lasting through September 8.
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