Walt Disney World Epcot Fire

Incident Overview

On March 23, 2025, a fire broke out at EPCOT's France Pavilion, located within Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The incident occurred during a busy period, coinciding with Spring Break and EPCOT's International Flower & Garden Festival.

Incident Details

The fire originated backstage at the France Pavilion, specifically in a walk-in cooler located between the Morocco and United Kingdom pavilions. This area is not typically accessible to guests, highlighting the backstage operations' role in the incident. The fire was reported in the late afternoon, with social media posts and videos capturing the event around 7 p.m., showing dark smoke and flames rising from the area.

Cause and Response

The fire's origin was traced to a walk-in cooler in a backstage area, a critical piece of equipment likely used for food storage given the pavilion's theme. The cause remains under investigation, but the rapid response ensured the fire was contained and extinguished by 7:20 p.m. No injuries were reported, which is significant given the high visitor traffic during this period. Guests were evacuated from the immediate area, with specific mention of the Remy's Ratatouille Adventure ride, part of the France Pavilion's attractions, being evacuated to backstage areas for safety.

Impact on Park Operations

Post-incident, the French Pavilion was able to reopen, indicating minimal structural damage to the pavilion itself. However, an important detail is that the Remy's Ratatouille Adventure ride, a popular attraction, did not reopen before the park's scheduled closure at 9 p.m. This suggests that while the pavilion's public areas were restored, the ride's operations were affected, possibly due to safety checks or equipment assessment. This detail is particularly relevant for visitors planning their day, as it highlights a localized impact on park operations.