Ridethrough
Note: The italicized font is the narration for each scene.
I. Je Aime Cette Ville
Paris is a river town. The picturesque Seine flows through this city, simultaneously dividing and uniting it, as it has seemingly done for all of time. The city and the Seine are intertwined, through their culture, history, and romance.
The river represents something far greater: the culture and history of all of France. As we journey down the Seine, we will discover what makes these so unique.
Our time in la Ville Lumière is short, but make no mistake, we shall return. We now pass under the Pont Alexandre, the most famous structure to unite the city, and venture forth into this cultural celebration. Ladies and Gentlemen, Madames and Monsieurs… Ce Est France.
Bathed in light and surrounded by the monumental buildings of Paris, guests begin their journey down the Seine and through French Culture. The opening scene will feature recreations of famous Parisian monuments like the Assemblée Nationale and Place de la Concorde. The setting is night and the city shines like a beacon; the Eiffel Tower can be seen at a distance while Saint-Saens' "The Swan" plays. All of these elements come together to welcome you to France.
II. The French Revolution
We begin our journey with the tumult of the French Revolution. With no bread to eat, the third estate of peasants and common people has risen up to make France their own. Fighting for liberte, egalite, and fraternite, these regular men and women overthrew the reigning monarch and made France into Europe's first republic since Rome. It seems that this new democracy would mean prosperity for the French people.
Robespierre (voiceover): He did not create kings to devour the human race. He did not create priests to harness us, like vile animals, to the chariots of kings and to give to the world examples of baseness, pride, perfidy, avarice, debauchery, and falsehood. He created the universe to proclaim His power. He created men to help each other, to love each other mutually, and to attain to happiness by the way of virtue.
But this would not be the case. The unrest of the revolution was followed by a period known as the Reign of terror. Hundreds would die by public execution during this period, including the former King and Queen. But when all seemed lost, a young French general rose to pull his country out of disarray.
Guests pass under the Alexander Bridge, down a 15 foot drop into the middle of the revolution. Paris in turmoil, and Robespierre is seen giving a speech. Towards the middle of the scene guests are caught right in the middle of a battle with the French army on one side, and the revolutionaries on the other, all shooting at each other. As the boats round the corner, guests come face to face with a public guillotining. Nothing graphic is shown, of course. A large crowd is crowded around the guillotine as someone (Possibly Louis XVI) is about to be beheaded.
III. Napoleon
With the rise to power of Napoleon Bonaparte, France seeks to expand its influence and territory. His legacy as one of the greatest commanders in history will live on through the ages. Watch as Napoleon rallies his troops to ultimate glory.
Napoleon (voiceover): The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies.
[Dialogue break]
Even through his final defeat and exile, Napoleon never lost his love of France. His final request was to be buried "on the banks of the Seine, in the midst of the French people [whom he] loved so much".
The boats enter a open green field where an animatronic Napoleon on horseback is addressing troops on the battlefield. Napoleon rallies the troops. He then rears his horse onto its hind legs recreating his famous pose and the troops begin a war chant as they stare down at the distant city in the background.
IV. Belle Epoque
We now emerge into the Belle Epoque. Unknowingly on the eve of the turmoil of World Wars I and II, France is living in a time of peace, optimism, and discovery.
Throughout this era, the French tradition of National Exhibitions blossom across Europe into a new way to showcase worldwide achievements: the World’s Fair. Paris was host to three such exhibitions during the Belle Epoque.
The Lumière brothers exemplify the innovation of their time, perfecting the kinetoscope and producing the cinematograph. Here they demonstrate the first modern film camera to an audience, showing “Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat”.
Guests pass under a late blue, white, and red banner which reads "Exposition Nationale" and enter into the incredible times of the Belle Epoque. Guests find themselves in a large structure made from wrought iron and glass, lit with a crude, early lighting system. Through the glass, the Parisian cityscape at twilight can be seen, complete with a small flock of hot air balloons, and, of course, a silhouetted Eiffel Tower, accented by popcorn lights. With the sounds of Saint-Saens in the background, guests pass some of the many inventions to come out of the Belle Epoque, including one of the first automobiles, Louis Pasteur's pasteurizer, and even a few airplane prototypes. Rounding a corner, guests come face to face with one of the most important inventions of the 19th century, the Lumière Cinematograph, which would be the foundation of the modern film camera. As the projector, operated by the Auguste and Louis Lumière, flickers and sputters, guests will get a glimpse at one of the first real films "Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat", which shows a train pulling into station. Guests then leave this national exposition, leaving behind the bustle and excitement of this bright, and forward-thinking France.
V. City of Lights
With the horrors of the First World War behind us, we find ourselves in Paris of the roaring 1920’s. Cars and trucks now traverse the streets once populated by coaches and carriages. Electricity courses into buildings across the city, powering everything from telephones to electric lights. And jazz music, the genre of the day, flows out of the cabarets that dot the Parisian map.
[Pause for the singing]
Paris truly has become the City of Lights. It seems the good times will never end here on the banks of the Seine.
''An American In Paris'' can be heard as you are once again welcomed to Paris. You pass the Eiffel Tower and here the horns of car's from the twenties and Jazz as you flow down the river. Projections create the illusion of people walking about the city and cafe's, look closely as you may even see Gershwin drinking a Cafe au lait. In the next half of this scene you are welcomed into a Parisian cabaret where Edith Piaf sings "Non, Je ne regrette rien". As you leave the warm setting of the cabaret you are floating down the middle of the Champs Elysees. Model-T's (projections) zoom past you and bright billboards offer you an exciting goodbye from the Roaring Twenties.
VI. Perseverance
But times have changed. France has fallen to the advances of the Third Reich and is under the rule of Nazi Germany. When French tricolors once flew, the flagpoles of Paris now hold the swastikas of the fascists. But all is not lost.
[Pause for gunfight]
Bands of rebels across France, along with the allied nations, have broken the fascist hold on Europe. Throughout Paris, people rejoice at the sight of the eradication of their occupiers. France is whole again, free again to grow and thrive. It appears that a new dawn is on the horizon for France.
Gloomy skies fill the horizon, a Nazi flag flies over the distant Eiffel Tower and red banners decorate the buildings and bridges you pass under. You are in a conquered France. A car passes and you here the new fascists national anthem "Marechal, Nous Voila!", but then the car stops as does your boat. All hell breaks loose as Parisian rebels defend and fight for the city! Gun shots, bombs, and the likes go off all around you as you see the tricolor raised above the buildings. You move forward and banners that used to represent dominance and surrender now celebrate the victory of the allies, you can hear the crowds cheer as you pass under a bridge and into postwar peace and prosperity.
VII. Moderne
Free of the shackles of the Second World War, the latter half of the twentieth century becomes a rebirth of French culture. In architecture, Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, better known as Le Corbusier, leads a new wave of French modern architects. In film, Sylvain Chomet revolutionizes the way the world views animation.
France’s revival even stretches to sport, with France closing the twentieth century by hoisting the World Cup trophy on home soil.
Guests pass into this rather small room. To the right stands the Villa Savoye, perhaps one of the most iconic examples of modern architecture, designed by La Corbusier. To the left, guests can see a montage of various animations by some of France's most famous animators, namely Sylvain Chomet.
VIII: Forever
And thus, we return to the present day. Over the centuries, France has withstood the test of the ages, surviving revolution and occupation, depression and war.
Through all things, the French spirit has not broken. It has not wavered. It has not faltered. For this is a land of beauty and strength, of power and love. This is France.
[Pause to allow guests to enjoy final scene]
We hope you have enjoyed this cruise through the ages on the River Seine. Please remain seated until the boat comes to a complete stop at the dock. Then, watch your step as you exit to your left. Bon voyage and enjoy the rest of your day here in EPCOT.
Guests finally pass into Paris at night. Silhouettes dance all about the streets, in front of the brightly-lit houses adorned with French flags. Couples kiss, families loo out onto the Seine, and everyone joyously sings along with Edith Piaf's "La Vie en Rose" as fireworks crash over the Parisian cityscape. Guests finally approach the unloading dock as the music shifts back to Saint-Saens' "The Swan." Guests then disembark from their bateaux and leave the excitement of Paris behind to finally return to EPCOT.