Travel Tuesday: New Epcot films celebrate countries’ inspirational stories

As Epcot begins its transformation, the new Epcot films are more than just entertaining tales. These three films celebrate the countries behind those stories.

While the Disney Parks are filled with magic, Epcot celebrates the wonder of the world around us. As Festival of the Arts opens on February 17, three new Epcot films debut for guests. From a journey through Canada to singing with a beauty, these new films celebrate countries’ inspirational stories.

Although green fencing still seems to fill parts of Epcot, the historic transformation of the Disney theme park begins to unveil pieces of its new vision. With the concept of bringing the world around everyone to the Disney experience, these new films are inspirational, yet not overreaching. The entertainment in the education is never forgotten.

During a media preview event, Disney showed two of the three new films. For families, the “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along” will become a must-stop in France. While everyone knows the tale as old as time, this version of that story has a little twist.

Similar to other twists on classic Disney tales, this sing along takes the approach of another character bringing Belle and the Beast together. Without giving away the twist, this sing along will definitely have both young and old singing all the favorite songs, and laughing a lot, too.

As a fan of the original, animated Beauty and the Beast, it was delightful to hear the voice of the iconic Angela Lansbury. The original Mrs. Potts is featured in the sing along and adds a sense of nostalgia to the twisted tale.

While many people adore the Disney tales, sometimes people forget the French literature that has inspired many of those films. As guests enter the Palais du Cinéma, a new exhibit is staged. “Tales as Old as Time: French Storytelling on Stage and Screen” showcases how French literature has inspired stage and screen. From artistic ballets to sweeping operas to popular musicals, those classic tales are deeply rooted in cultural history.

The Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along will rotate with the Impressions de France film in the France pavilion’s Palais du Cinémais. The “Tales as Old as Time: French Storytelling on Stage and Screen” exhibit is located in the lobby area.

As France celebrates the artistic inspiration of its literature and culture, the new Canadian film showcases the vast, varied country that is Canada. “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360” journeys through Canada’s various regions and popular cities.

With narration from Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy, the story is definitely authentic. More importantly, guests might leave learning a few more Canadian facts that they may not have realized.

Lastly, Epcot is adding “Awesome Planet” which will be shown in The Land. This 10-minute movie looks to encourage everyone to be better stewards of our plant. It serves as a call to action as people explore how diverse yet connected all aspects of the plant are. Narrated by Ty Burrell, the movie could be the inspiration for everyone to do better.

The new Epcot films will debut on February 17 during the opening day of the Festival of the Arts. The films will run throughout normal park hours.

How do you think these new Epcot films fit into the Epcot transformation? What is your favorite Epcot attraction?