In today’s episode of “Wait, that wasn’t part of the show?”—a fire broke out at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT today, and no, this wasn’t a next-level pyrotechnic trick from Harmonious 2.0.
Guests in EPCOT’s World Showcase were minding their Mickey bars when they noticed something a little off at the France Pavilion—namely, a suspicious plume of smoke rising from behind the scenes. And just like that, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure turned into Remy’s Real-Life Fire Drill.
Let’s break down what happened, who smelled the smoke, and whether this means EPCOT’s baguette quota will be delayed.
Oui Oui or “Oh No”? Fire at the France Pavilion
It all started around 7 p.m. on a very normal Saturday night. The sky was clear, the Flower & Garden Festival was in full bloom, and guests were casually strolling through World Showcase with drinks in hand—until someone looked up and said, “Uh… is that supposed to be on fire?”
Spoiler: it was not.
Turns out, a walk-in cooler backstage behind the France Pavilion decided to channel its inner firework and spontaneously combust. Not ideal. The irony? It was a refrigerator. The one thing in the park literally designed to keep its cool just… didn’t.
Disney’s Fire Response Team: Fastest Draw in the Park
To their credit, Disney security and Reedy Creek fire crews responded with the kind of efficiency we wish existed at rope drop. Guests were safely evacuated from the immediate area—including from Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, which was probably already making people sweat from the virtual kitchen heat.
And because this is Disney, the evacuation was likely done with a smile, some polite arm gestures, and possibly a chipper cast member saying, “This way, folks! Chef Remy needs a moment!”
Social Media Reacts: The Fire Wasn’t the Only Thing Spreading Fast
Naturally, as soon as people saw smoke, phones came out faster than Lightning Lane reservations at 7 a.m. Twitter (sorry, X) lit up with videos, TikTok got busy with live commentary, and Disney fan blogs started speculating whether this was a sign of “Frozen 3: Elsa vs. Kitchen Fire.”
Damage? Minimal. Drama? Maximum.
Thankfully, the fire was contained quickly and no one was hurt. The attraction reopened later in the evening, and guests were back to zipping through Paris with their tiny rat chef in no time.
Remy, we forgive you. But maybe keep the flambé to a minimum next time, yeah?
So… Should You Still Go to EPCOT?
YES. Let’s be clear—this isn’t some massive theme park catastrophe. It was a kitchen cooler fire, not Spaceship Earth burning down. EPCOT is running as usual, the croissants are still flaky, and yes, the margarita stand in Mexico is still open (we checked).
If anything, this just proves that Disney can handle a crisis with the same flair they use to coordinate nightly fireworks and character meet-and-greets. They’ve got this.
Final Thoughts: Sometimes the Magic Gets a Little Smoky
When a fire breaks out at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT today, it reminds us that even the Most Magical Place on Earth has its “oops” moments. But if anyone knows how to put out flames while keeping smiles on faces, it’s Disney.
Tonight, the smoke has cleared, the pavilion smells like fresh crepes again, and guests are once again saying, “Is it just me or did France get way more immersive?” 🇫🇷🔥
Stay magical, stay safe, and maybe avoid storing flammable things in a cooler. Just a thought.
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