French Pavilion

[PUSH]

I have had trouble communicating with CMs in that pavilion as well. Also, and I suspect this is cultural, but it seems to me that French speakers (from France, not Canada) seem to like to speak in very soft tones.

That's a cultural thing. French people tend to "eat their words." They don't open their mouths much at all when they speak, whereas Canadians open their mouths wider. This is the main reason French people tend to be difficult to understand.

 

[PUSH]

To answer your question...

I've never tried it, but I've thought about it. I've done 4 years of French. I was going to speak in French at the old Boulangerie Patisserie, but I didn't end up doing it since the CM didn't seem thrilled at all to be there, he barely uttered a word, and it was so packed that I didn't want to hold things up.

 

[3dstage]

I would hope so. While I've had some great experiences with CMs in the French Pavilion (purchasing perfume for the kid's mom and grandmother and at the bakery), I've had some terrible ones as well (only Pavilion I can say this about).

Last trip we did Chef's de France, and they seated another couple for my ADR. When I went to ask what had happened, after around a 30 minutes past ADR time wait sitting on the fountain outside, I was, quite literally, condemned to sit in the corner by the FOH Manager on Duty (not at a table...on a stool, in the corner.)

We were, however, seated soon after that.

I joked about it in my trip report that Disney is so keen to pay attention to details that they insisted they replicate the rudeness of the French as well!

I've had plenty of those experiences right here at home lol How is that restaurant btw? My only real experience in the world showcase area is doing the "drink around the world" a couple of times with my brother. We successfully completed it last time. But on the first attempt we got as far as Italy and then I had to carry my brother to the car!

 

[englanddg]

I've had plenty of those experiences right here at home lol How is that restaurant btw? My only real experience in the world showcase area is doing the "drink around the world" a couple of times with my brother. We successfully completed it last time. But on the first attempt we got as far as Italy and then I had to carry my brother to the car!

Outside of the service, it wasn't bad. Certainly worth a visit, though I would get different things if we go back (aside from the dessert, which was awesome!), and also make it a point to see Remy!

If you click the 2012 "Report" in my signature, you can read all about it. Post #63 is where I discuss our experience there. I won't post my whole review in this thread.

I'll note, that was blogged that evening. I prefer to trip report live, while the memory is still fresh, rather than after the trip.

 

[3dstage]

To answer your question...

I've never tried it, but I've thought about it. I've done 4 years of French. I was going to speak in French at the old Boulangerie Patisserie, but I didn't end up doing it since the CM didn't seem thrilled at all to be there, he barely uttered a word, and it was so packed that I didn't want to hold things up.

I was talking to one of my co-workers yesterday and she did try to speak some French at the Boulangerie and didn't get the warmest reception. However she did say in one of the shops where it was not quite so busy it was much better. So I'm thinking about the wine shop or in one of the restaurants might be a little better.

 

[3dstage]

Outside of the service, it wasn't bad. Certainly worth a visit, though I would get different things if we go back (aside from the dessert, which was awesome!), and also make it a point to see Remy!

If you click the 2012 "Report" in my signature, you can read all about it. Post #63 is where I discuss our experience there. I won't post my whole review in this thread.

I'll note, that was blogged that evening. I prefer to trip report live, while the memory is still fresh, rather than after the trip.

Thanks, I'll check that out!

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I have been studying French for about a year. I thought while I'm in Orlando this summer that I would visit the French Pavilion at Epcot and attempt to practice my French with some native francophones.

I was wondering if anyone here has done that and what kind of experiences you may have had? Are the people working there generally open to speaking French with a novice? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Be sure to speak French in Canada and Morocco too!

Although you'll have more succes in the Morocco pavilion. The only CM's speaking remotely comprehensible French in the Canada pavilion are the anglophones.

 

[3dstage]

Be sure to speak French in Canada and Morocco too!

Although you'll have more succes in the Morocco pavilion. The only CM's speaking remotely comprehensible French in the Canada pavilion are the anglophones.

Thanks for the tip! I was wondering if they would have French speaking people in the Marocco pavilion.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

I speak fluent French and I always speak French with the CM's who work in the French pavilion AND in the restaurants there -- but be aware that it isn't that they don't want to speak French -- they don't really have time to spend talking French with you....Good places to chat with the CM's is while waiting for the movie to start...
Its actually a great way to practice your French -- especially if you plan a trip to France anytime soon. But beware that real french speakers don't necessariuly have a lot of dialects, but they talk about 5x faster than you have learned in your class. They also don't use the typical textbook phrases for greetings and questions...In class you will learn "Ou habitez-vous?" for where are you from -- the French will say "vous etes d'ou?" -- even little phrases like that are enough to throw you off if you are not familiar with them -- What they will then do is instantly switch to English to continue the discussion. Tell them you are learning to speak French in school and the conversation will be much more interesting....

 

[3dstage]

I speak fluent French and I always speak French with the CM's who work in the French pavilion AND in the restaurants there -- but be aware that it isn't that they don't want to speak French -- they don't really have time to spend talking French with you....Good places to chat with the CM's is while waiting for the movie to start...
Its actually a great way to practice your French -- especially if you plan a trip to France anytime soon. But beware that real french speakers don't necessariuly have a lot of dialects, but they talk about 5x faster than you have learned in your class. They also don't use the typical textbook phrases for greetings and questions...In class you will learn "Ou habitez-vous?" for where are you from -- the French will say "vous etes d'ou?" -- even little phrases like that are enough to throw you off if you are not familiar with them -- What they will then do is instantly switch to English to continue the discussion. Tell them you are learning to speak French in school and the conversation will be much more interesting....

Thanks so much Ron this is very helpful information, especially the tip about the movie. From a lot of the responses I've received, I get the sense that it's often super busy there. I've only been to Epcot a couple of times and in the French pavilion I only recall going to the wine shop. It didn't seem that busy, was I just lucky and hit it at a good time?

I'm taking classes at L'alliance Française so I am getting a taste of the "on the street French." BUT that said, my listening comprehension certainly has a ways to go to catch up to warp speed French

 

[Soarin2u]

I have been studying French for about a year. I thought while I'm in Orlando this summer that I would visit the French Pavilion at Epcot and attempt to practice my French with some native francophones.

I was wondering if anyone here has done that and what kind of experiences you may have had? Are the people working there generally open to speaking French with a novice? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

I am a Japanese Speaker and I have lived in Japan for 6 months. Last year when I just began studying I visited The Japanese Pavilion at Epcot. Though the Japanese are known for there politeness, they seemed almost to excited to see a white person studying their language! They helped a lot and gave me useful tips! Though it was awkward when they laughed at my mistakes, I still enjoy the experience. The only thing that annoyed me was that one waitress who tried to test me....
It went a lot like this.....

HER:-"Do you know the word cat," .... ME: Hai! Neko!...
HER:"Well do you know the word bunny?" ME: Hai! Usagi wa kawaii desu! ".
HER:...Eel?" ME: Unagi.
HER..."Hovercraft?" ME: Hobakurafuto.
HER: "Say my Hovercraft is full of eels. ME: " Watashi no hobakurafuto wa unagi de ippai desu!...
She left me alone after that.

I'd hope the French Pavilion would be the same way! Excited to meet people learning their language! Just give it a try! They should be on there best behavior anyways!

 

[Mark In KY]

I love everything about the France pavilion and the only French I know is, "Oo La La l'enfant" to all the cute women working there.

 

[PUSH]

I love everything about the France pavilion and the only French I know is, "Oo La La l'enfant" to all the cute women working there.

That literally translates to "Oo la la the child."

 

[DsnySodec]

Je puet parler francais, si vous voudrais parler avec moi.

I studied frech for about 6 months, and havent had any one to speak with in about 7. I too would like to try my skill at disney, so far miami was the best city ive found...lol. I need the practice.

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

I speak a bit of Canadian French - mainly because I had to learn it in school. The French from France is totally different. I can't understand half of what they say. I can understand Cajun French easily though. I'm from Nova Scotia and when we tossed all the French out of here they went from being "Acadians" to being pronounced "Cajuns". I'm more at home speaking basterdized bayou French then upperclass Parisienne French.

My uncle always said if you took out the red wine and replaced it with moonshine you'd be able to understand the "snooty buggers"

 

[luv]

I've heard many people practicing languages with the employees. I think they do it on a regular basis! Good luck!

 

[Nemo14]

I actually speak whale at Sea World.....

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I speak a bit of Canadian French - mainly because I had to learn it in school. The French from France is totally different. I can't understand half of what they say. I can understand Cajun French easily though. I'm from Nova Scotia and when we tossed all the French out of here they went from being "Acadians" to being pronounced "Cajuns". I'm more at home speaking basterdized bayou French then upperclass Parisienne French.

My uncle always said if you took out the red wine and replaced it with moonshine you'd be able to understand the "snooty buggers"

Do you understand all those Haitian taxi drivers?

 

[PUSH]

I actually speak whale at Sea World.....

I use Morse Code at Universal...

 

[englanddg]

That literally translates to "Oo la la the child."