“Our state is known worldwide as a prime boating spot for residents and visitors. Unfortunately, each year FWC officers respond to far too many tragic boating accidents that could have been prevented,” said Maj. Rob Beaton, FWC Boating and Waterways Section Leader. “There were hundreds of accidents reported last year, involving almost 2,000 individuals.” 

In 2022, 54% of all vessel accidents involved collision. The primary causes for these accidents were improper lookout and operator inexperience. To reduce the number of boating accidents, the FWC encourages boaters to pay attention, maintain 360-degree awareness at all times and take a boater safety course. In 2022, 70% of operators involved in fatal boating accidents had no formal boater education. For a summary of Florida’s regulations and available courses, visit: MyFWC.com/Boating.

“We know that an educated boater is safer on the water,” said Beaton. “Everyone can benefit from taking a boating safety course, it makes for a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone on board.” 

Among other tips found at MyFWC.com/Boating, boaters are encouraged to find and wear a comfortable United States Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times while on the water. They should also educate themselves on the dangers of impaired boating. Alcohol and drugs can impair a boater’s judgement, reaction time and overall ability to operate a boat safely. 

“Boating while impaired by alcohol or drugs is dangerous and illegal,” said Beaton. “FWC officers are always on the lookout for impaired operators and these operators will face arrest if found to be operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.” 

To report dangerous boating activity the public can submit anonymous tips by texting  847411 (Tip411) with keyword “FWC” followed by the location and any information about the violation or call 888-404-FWCC (3922). Additionally, there is an easy-to-use downloadable iPhone or Android app: “FWC Wildlife Alert.”

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The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) and Disney Cruise Line are each sponsoring a turtle this year, whose names, Neytiri and Ronal, are inspired by the upcoming premiere of “Avatar: The Way of Water.” Through the use of satellite telemetry, STC will track these two turtles along with 19 others to determine how far and where sea turtles swim during their annual migration. The one to swim the furthest distance wins Tour de Turtles!

“Disney’s commitment to sea turtle conservation in Vero Beach spans almost 20 years, and we are very proud to have recently watched our 1 millionth sea turtle hatchling leave the nest and shuffle its way to the ocean,” said Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment (ASE). “Southeast Florida hosts one of the largest nesting aggregations of loggerhead sea turtles in the world. To ensure Disney’s Vero Beach Resort continues to provide the best habitat for nesting sea turtles, Disney Conservation Team Wildlife conducts daily surveys on the resort’s beachfront to identify, mark and monitor sea turtle nests while engaging guests in our conservation efforts.”

The data collected during Tour de Turtles helps researchers, conservationists and governing agencies make more informed decisions about sea turtle conservation methods and policies. Since the launch of the event in 2008, STC and Disney have collaborated to study 26 loggerhead sea turtles outfitted with satellite transmitters and released from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. The Disney Conservation Fund has also directed more than $4.7 million to help global sea turtle conservation.

“Since our very first Tour de Turtles, Disney has been an invaluable supporter of the event and our organization,” said David Godfrey, Executive Director of STC. “In addition to learning new information about sea turtle behavior, Disney’s support has allowed us to develop new training programs for local students to learn about the tools, technology and techniques sea turtle scientists use every day.”

The Disney Conservation Fund recently awarded a grant to STC to develop two educational initiatives that will train Brevard County youth to become future stewards of the environment and sea turtle conservation. The Sea Turtle TECH (Technology Education Challenges Horizons) mentorship program and Conservation Career Training Program provide STEM-focused activities to introduce students from diverse and underserved communities to the fundamentals of protecting sea turtles. Students in these programs attended this year’s Tour de Turtles event to better understand how this and other outreach initiatives play a crucial role in protecting sea turtles.

In addition to Tour de Turtles, Disney Conservation Team Wildlife studies and monitors sea turtle nests during the summer nesting season along the five-mile coastline at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. From approximately May to October, Disney Vacation Club members and resort guests also have the opportunity to assist the sea turtle conservation team by joining outings to observe sea turtles while learning how they can protect sea turtles through their own daily actions.

Tour de Turtles is a research and education program of the Sea Turtle Conservancy and is an example of Disney Planet Possible at work. To learn more and follow the turtles’ migration, visit the Tour de Turtles website at www.tourdeturtles.org.

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“Florida’s latest visitation estimates are incredible news for our economy and all Floridians,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Economists originally projected that Florida tourism wouldn’t fully recover until 2024. Florida’s visitation numbers continue to break records and defy conventional wisdom. Florida’s tourism industry begins 2022 with incredible strength, proving that freedom first policies will always win.

“Our Q1 visitation estimates show that 2022 is shaping up to be another amazing year for Florida tourism,” said Dana Young, VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO. “In addition to breaking more pre-pandemic records domestically, we are seeing an exponential rebound in Orlando as well as our international numbers, which we expect to continue in the months ahead. VISIT FLORIDA is incredibly proud of its marketing efforts that have gotten us here today, and we thank Governor DeSantis for his unwavering support of our organization and tourism industry.”

Additional highlights from VISIT FLORIDA’s latest visitation estimates include:

• Florida welcomed 1.3 million overseas travelers in Q1 2022, an increase of nearly 169 percent from Q1 2021.
• Overseas visitation to Florida in Q1 2022 was 14 percentage points closer to full recovery than the rest of the United States.
• Canadian visitation to Florida during Q1 2022 accounted for 578,000 visitors, an increase of more than 955 percent from Q1 2021.
• Over 39 percent of visitors traveled to Florida by plane in Q1 2022, marking the highest share for air travel since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.
• Total enplanements in Florida were up over 70 percent in the first quarter of 2022.
• Quarterly hotel demand in Florida exceeded pre-pandemic levels for the first time in Q1 2022. Compared to the same period in 2021, the number of hotel rooms sold grew by 31.4 percent during the first three months of the year. Florida’s average daily rate (ADR) was up over 38 percent, and its occupancy rate increased by nearly 24 percent.

Florida tourism’s sustained record-breaking growth further demonstrates our state’s enduring popularity and leadership in the recovery of the U.S. travel sector. 

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In addition to the live concerts, partygoers can also revel in the following Mardi Gras festivities:

SPECTACULAR “PLANET MARDI GRAS” PARADE
This year’s original nighttime parade theme, “Planet Mardi Gras,” comes to life in six incredibly detailed floats that fuse Mardi Gras flare with dazzling cosmic-inspired elements like comets, rockets and martians. These new floats join Universal’s traditional lineup of New Orleans-inspired floats to wind through the streets of Universal Studios Florida on select nights – accompanied by high-energy performers, catchy music and tons of beads.

SAVORY FLAVORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Guests can take their taste buds on an international culinary journey by sampling more than 50 tasting-sized delicacies inspired by diverse flavors from around the world. Signature dishes include the tasty Crawfish Boil and melt-in-your-mouth Beignets from New Orleans, Coconut Curry Shrimp Laksa (a sweet and spicy noodle soup) from Southeast Asia, and Salchipapas (a popular street food made with sausage and potatoes) from Central America. The best way to experience all the flavors of Mardi Gras is with Universal Orlando Resort’s “Food & Beverage Card and Lanyard,” which allows guests to enjoy more for less by paying $65 for a $75 card and $120 for a $150 card.

“FLOAT FACTORY WAREHOUSE” TRIBUTE STORE
The Mardi Gras Tribute Store is back with an all-new theme, Float Factory Warehouse, featuring four highly themed rooms designed to depict the creative process of bringing a parade float to life. Guests will encounter everything from pencil sketches and scale models to colorful parade décor and props while exploring the latest Mardi Gras gear and themed treats. Click here for a full walkthrough video of the Mardi Gras Tribute Store and here to download photos of the store.

For more information about Universal’s Mardi Gras, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/MardiGras.

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“In Florida, we have put Freedom First – protecting Floridians’ freedom to earn a living, to operate businesses and to choose educational options tailored for their children,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “As a result of our commitment to freedom, Florida’s economy continues to thrive and Floridians are better able to provide for their families. Today, I am proud to announce my budget proposals that will build on our foundation of freedom by investing in priorities that matter to our residents. This budget puts Floridians and their freedoms first, keeps taxes low, and addresses key priorities – all while maintaining record budget reserves.”

The budget recommends four tax holidays and the permanent elimination of a fee to allow working Floridians to keep more money in their pockets. 

• The budget includes a Fuel Tax Holiday to provide a reprieve from increasing gas prices and save Florida Families over $1 billion.
• Additionally, it proposes the elimination of fees charged for the issuance of a Florida Identification Card to save Florida families $14.7 million.

Florida’s economy has enjioyed 18 consecutive months of job growth. The Governor’s budget includes:

• $105 million, an increase of $100 million over the current year, for the Rural Infrastructure Fund to support local rural infrastructure projects such as roads, storm, wastewater systems, and internet access for rural communities.
• $100 million for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to support projects that create workforce training opportunities and invest in critical infrastructure.
• $50 million in recurring funding for VISIT FLORIDA, Florida’s tourism marketing agency.

Investments in highways, bridges, and ports give Floridians the freedom to open and operate businesses, knowing that their goods will swiftly travel through our ports and on our roads. The Freedom First Budget provides $9.27 billion for the State Transportation Work Program.

The budget invests $25 million to maintain and restore the Freedom Tower, to ensure that the Freedom Tower continues to be a beacon of freedom and serves as a symbol of the democratic values we hold dear.

Governor DeSantis is proposing higher funding for K-12 education and for teachers and students. Included in the Freedom First Budget are:

• A second round of $1,000 bonus checks for approximately 179,000 teachers and principals in Florida. He is also proposing $600 million – a $50 million budget increase over the past year – for teacher pay, continuing Florida’s efforts to reach a minimum teacher salary of $47,500.
• An increase in per-student funding to raise this year’s budget to $8,000 per student. This will represent the highest amount of per-student funding in Florida’s history.
• The Base Student Allocation increase is $124 per student. 
• $421 million for school safety and mental health initiatives. That funding includes $210 million for the safe schools program – an increase of $30 million over the previous year, $140 million for mental health – a $20 million increase over the previous year, $42 million for school hardening grants, and $4 million for safety initiatives at Jewish Day Schools.
• To fully eliminate the Florida Standards Assessment and implement progress monitoring in its place, Governor DeSantis is proposing $15.5 million in recurring funding to provide progress monitoring tools to schools.
• $500,000 to expand access to the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative into every school district in the 2022-2023 school year.
• To make Florida the number one state for Workforce Education by 2030, $534 million in funding to support workforce education programs is included in the proposed budget.

The Freedom First Budget backs the blue. Governor DeSantis’ Freedom First Budget includes:

• $226.7 million to provide salary increases for those working in public safety – including 25% raises for all veteran state sworn law enforcement; 20% salary increases for entry-level state sworn law enforcement.
• A $5,000 signing bonus for every recruit who is new to the law enforcement profession in Florida once they complete their training and they officially become a law enforcement officer.
• Providing the State Officer Certification Exam free of charge to law enforcement officers relocating to Florida and covering the cost of any necessary equivalent training programs for relocating officers, up to $1,000 per officer.
• Creating a law enforcement academy scholarship program to cover the cost of enrollment for men and women seeking to serve their state and communities through police work.

Florida is also committed to supporting those who serve. Our National Guard has been called upon time and time again during times of emergency, and we must ensure they are ready to serve Floridians. Governor DeSantis is proposing more than $100 million in our National Guard which includes:

• $87.5 million to build three new readiness centers.
• $2.2 million for a new headquarters building for the National Guard Counter Drug Program.
• $5.1 million to fully support Florida National Guardsmen seeking higher education degrees.
• The budget also includes $5.4 million to establish the Florida State Guard to serve Floridians.

The Freedom First Budget also includes $8 million to implement a program to protect against harms from illegal immigration, and $2.4 million in E-Verify enforcement.

Florida’s natural resources are the foundation of our state’s communities. The environment drives tourism, affects property values, anchors many local economies, and is central to our quality of life. The Freedom First Budget reaffirms Governor DeSantis’ commitment by recommending more than $4.4 billion to protect our environment and natural resources.

The Freedom First Budget proposes more than $980 million for to restore the Everglades and protect Florida’s water resources. This would bring Florida’s four-year investment to $3 billion, surpassing our goal of $2.5 billion and doubling the investment of the previous four years. This includes:

• More than $660 million for Everglades restoration.
• $195 million for targeted water quality improvements.
• $35 million to improve water quality and combat the negative impacts of harmful algal blooms, including blue-green algae.
• This includes $5 million in additional funding dedicated to address red tide cleanup.

The budget also invests $3 million to remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades and over $550 million to increase the resiliency of Florida’s coastal and inland communities.

Finally, the Freedom First Budget invests more than $151.7 million to protect our prized properties and waters in Florida, including:

• $100 million for the Florida Forever program.
• $51.7 million for infrastructure improvements and natural resource management at our award-winning state parks. 

To support health care the Freedom First Budget includes:

• More than $200 million in funding to support direct care workers with pay raises.
• $100 million – a $37 million increase – for cancer research. 
• $15 million, an increase of $10 million over current year, in funding for Alzheimer’s Disease research to enhance diagnosis and prevention strategies for those Floridians impacted by this disease.
• $188.6 million in behavioral health initiatives including mental health and substance abuse services to ensure Floridians get the help that they need.
• $133 million to provide services to those served by the child welfare system, including foster parent support and adoption subsidies, including:
• $8.9 million towards childcare subsidies for foster parents, assisting them in covering the cost of early education and child care by raising the foster care subsidy up to $300 per month.
• $11.2 million for maintenance adoption subsidies and adoption incentives to aid state employees who make the decision to adopt a child from foster care. 

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Since launching in August 2020, VISIT FLORIDA’s in-state, drive market, and domestic marketing campaigns have yielded consistent growth for Florida tourism and the state’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In 2020, the experts thought Florida’s economy would be among the most impacted in the nation because of how important tourism is to our state; instead, we are setting the pace for job creation and visitation in the U.S.,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We have been able to set these records because in Florida we kept businesses open and made sure Floridians could keep working. In just fifteen months, Florida’s visitation numbers have surpassed past pre-pandemic levels, helping drive revenue, job growth, and economic activity to all 67 counties in our state.”

“VISIT FLORIDA and its tourism partners around the state continued to deliver outstanding results for Florida tourism in Q3 2021, with total visitation surpassing 2019’s for the first time since the pandemic began,” said Dana Young, VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO. “Though the ever-evolving nature of the pandemic may continue to pose challenges, the steps we have taken as an industry and as a state have put us in the best possible position to overcome anything that comes our way. Looking ahead, VISIT FLORIDA will only be hitting the accelerator as we reenter the global travel arena and the lucrative winter travel season.”

While tourism in other states was completely paused, Florida was the only state marketing outside its borders for seven months, seeing steady growth in visitor volume each quarter. As a result, Florida is driving the recovery of the U.S. travel industry.

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The first inbound plane from the United Kingdom landed a little after 2:30 p.m. from Manchester, England. “We are glad to have the British back,” says Phil Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “We have a lot of people who have been focused on this day and making sure they have, “The Orlando Experience.”

The celebration went beyond simply welcoming back United Kingdom flights. It also marked the first-ever flight from London/Heathrow, a service route long sought after by airport leadership.

This new service route connects Orlando, the most-visited destination in the United States, to the busiest airport in Europe. Central Florida residents will benefit greatly from the new connection with direct nonstop access to London/Heathrow, which provides connecting service to over 190 other markets across the world.

According to a report by Bloomberg, Orlando is positioned to be one of the top five places international guests choose to visit now that travel restrictions have been modified.

Additional U.K. flights resume November 15 when British Airways begins London/Heathrow service and London/Gatwick connections on the 19th. Aer Lingus will resume Dublin service on November 27h and Manchester service on December 11th.

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Fully vaccinated travelers, from more than 30 countries including the UK, can visit for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Vaccinated people who have had a negative test taken no more than three days before traveling can enter without quarantining.

Children under 18 do not need to be vaccinated but are encouraged to take a COVID-19 test after arriving.

Masks are still mandatory on planes and in airports and travelers must follow state and local rules at their destination.

The first inbound flight arrives at 3:05 p.m. The Virgin Atlantic plane is arriving from Manchester, England, and the first passengers are expected to enter the main terminal between 4:15 – 4:30 p.m.

Face masks or appropriate coverings are required within any airport facility, per the Transportation Security Administration.

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To place the month into better perspective, when compared to 2019, prior to the pandemic, overall traffic was down about 15 percent or about 21,000 fewer passengers per day on average.

With transatlantic service still waiting to fully resume, international traffic at MCO has shifted to the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. For now, the international traffic crown belongs to JetBlue with 21 percent of the market and Copa and Spirit Airlines both with 19 percent.

August 2021 Statistical Data:

• Domestic traffic climbed 196.73 percent for the month with some 3,325,116 total passengers
• International traffic climbed 1,300 percent over this time last year with 193,056 passengers
• Despite the dramatic international increase to certain areas, international traffic is still down 84 percent compared to 2019′
• Combined, overall traffic was up 210.09 percent with a total of 3,518,172 passengers in August
• On a rolling 12-month basis, MCO has now recovered to 32,249,712 annual passengers from the pre-pandemic high of nearly 51 million

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On Oct. 1, 2021, EPCOT will officially open an expansion to its France pavilion in World Showcase, the park’s latest example of imagination blending with authenticity to create new stories for guests. Anchoring this expansion is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, a new family-friendly attraction inviting guests into the larger-than-life world of “Ratatouille.” Joining the attraction is La Crêperie de Paris, a new restaurant offering authentic French cuisine in both table- and quick-service options and a menu from celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse.

These scrumptious new experiences help kick off “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” an 18-month event beginning Oct. 1 to honor the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. They also mark a milestone in the multi-year transformation of EPCOT, serving up a new generation of immersive storytelling at the park.

Expansion Blends Real-World France with Whimsical Paris from ‘Ratatouille’  
The France expansion more than doubles the size of the existing pavilion, with a seamless transition between the original and new sections. In a scene reminiscent of the Seine River of Paris, guests begin their journey to this new area of the park with a stroll down a waterside pathway near the EPCOT International Gateway, with Disney Skyliner gondolas gliding majestically nearby. They’ll walk under an art nouveau-style archway evoking a Paris Metro station before rounding a corner and entering a French market street called Alleé des Marchands (“Alley of the Merchants”).
After passing La Crêperie de Paris, guests walk under an ornate, cast-iron arcade that serves as the transition from real-world France to the fantastical vision of Paris from “Ratatouille.” Pixar artists coined the term “crookedology” to describe the fanciful interpretation of the “City of Light” in their film, and Disney Imagineers applied this aesthetic to Remy’s Paris at EPCOT. Imagineers worked with Pixar to design buildings in the pavilion that evoke the whimsical, handmade architectural style seen in “Ratatouille,” where lines become a bit less straight, colors are bolder, and other exaggerated details create the feel of an animated film.
The theme continues with a “Ratatouille”-inspired fountain as the focal point of this fanciful area of the pavilion; the three-basin structure features rats holding bottles and flutes of champagne as water shoots out of the bottles toward the top basin. There Remy stands atop the fountain wearing his classic French toque (hat) and holding a cooking spoon.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Is a Culinary Journey for the Whole Family
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is a family-friendly attraction where guests feel as if they shrink to the size of a rat and race through Gusteau’s restaurant, joining the “Little Chef” in creating a culinary masterpiece. The attraction’s entrance, located at the end of the pavilion’s new plaza, looks like a Parisian theater and features a classic marquee with hand-laid golf leaf and nearly 200 lights.

After entering the theater, guests eventually find themselves on the rooftops of Paris where Gusteau invites them to join Remy for a special meal the “Little Chef” is creating. They board colorful rat-shaped vehicles and then don 3D glasses to begin their adventure, seeing everything from a “rat’s-eye view.” Imagineers worked with Pixar artists to create animated 3D scenes that feel as if the film has come to life right before guests’ eyes, blending with oversized sets to provide an immersive environment full of sights, sounds, smells and other effects celebrating “Ratatouille.”

From falling through a skylight to scurrying through Gusteau’s kitchen to hiding out in the restaurant’s pantry, guests feel as if they’re right alongside Chef Remy. At times they may dodge a mop, avoid being trampled by giant feet or marvel at massive pieces of food all around them.
The trackless vehicles travel in groups of three and move forward and backward while spinning, tilting and bouncing along as the rats scamper from one scene to the next. Depending on which vehicle guests board, they may take a slightly different path through the attraction and notice new details if they experience Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure multiple times. Characters speak in a blend of English and French, adding to the overall authenticity of the France pavilion.

La Crêperie de Paris Serves Up a Traditional French Dining Experience
La Crêperie de Paris is a traditional creperie with a menu from renowned chef Jérôme Bocuse inspired by the Brittany region of France, home to countless creperies. The table-service restaurant serves savory galettes and sweet dessert crepes, along with some of Brittany’s famous hard ciders.

As is tradition in Brittany, La Crêperie de Paris offers thin galettes cooked at a high temperature to allow the outside to crisp while warming the various fillings. The gluten-friendly galettes are made with buckwheat imported from France and feature classic fillings with special twists. Perhaps the best-known combination is the Classique, which includes ham, eggs and Swiss cheese. The Ratatouille, inspired by the “Little Chef” down the street, features tomato, zucchini and eggplant.
The sweet crepes are similarly thin and made from scratch. They include the traditional Gourmande – filled with house-made hazelnut chocolate spread – to the Pomme, which offers caramelized apples and caramel beurre salé. House-made ice cream is available for delicious dessert combinations.

La Crêperie de Paris completes its authentic French dining experience with traditional Brittany hard ciders that pair with both savory and sweet crepes. From the sweet doux to the less sweet brut and demi sec, these ciders are imported from France and made with apples from the Brittany region. The restaurant also offers a prix fixe menu featuring a choice of soup or salad, one savory galette, one dessert crepe and a glass of hard cider, soda or juice.

Crêpes A Emporter at La Crêperie de Paris is a quick-service location at the front of the restaurant, located along the new plaza’s promenade. The walk-up window serves three savory galettes, four sweet crepes, soft-serve ice cream and an assortment of ciders and wines.

Bring the ‘Little Chef’ Home with New Remy-Inspired Merchandise
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure inspires a new line of merchandise available at the newsstand in the new France pavilion expansion and other select retail locations at EPCOT. From apparel to accessories, guests can purchase fashionable finds perfect for Remy-inspired looks and the “Little Chef” in everyone. Highlighting this collection is a new Interactive Chef Hat that looks as if Chef Remy is cooking alongside the wearer just as he did with Linguini in the film.

Tasty Tidbits: Plenty of New Morsels to Savor for ‘Ratatouille’ Fans
The France pavilion expansion and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure offer a veritable feast of “Ratatouille”-related details fans of the film are sure to devour:
• The Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure marquee is 10 feet tall and more than 14 feet wide, featuring nearly 200 lights, hand-applied gold leaf and a sculpture of Chef Remy.
• The iconic Gusteau’s restaurant sign hangs in the distance past the Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure theater, hinting at the fun awaiting within the attraction. When guests enter the queue, they see the sign up close and receive a special magical message from Gusteau reminding them “anyone can cook.”
• Also in the queue, guests enter a French artist’s loft created especially for the EPCOT attraction, modeled after the art studio seen briefly in the film. As they pass through the room, guests see French-inspired paintings, cupboards filled with art supplies and two magical canvases that come to life.
• The attraction finds inspiration in several scenes from the film, including Remy’s first view of Paris, his fall through a skylight into Gusteau’s kitchen, the pantry where he hides from Chef Skinner, and the leafy restaurant Remy creates for himself and his family and friends.
• A number of the oversized products seen throughout the attraction call back to the film, including olive oil named for Linguini and sparkling wine named for Gusteau.
• The massive ham hanging from the ceiling in the pantry weighs 2.7 tons; the fish in the same scene is 26 feet long.
• Inside the attraction entrance, large posters depict Remy, Linguini and Chef Skinner.
• Outside the theater are Chef Skinner’s scooter and Chef Colette’s motorbike, which make for fun photo opportunities for fans of the film.
• Guests can peer into La Cave D’Ego, a wine shop owned by famed food critic Anton Ego; the vintages of wine bottles on display hold special significance to the “Ratatouille” story in both the film and Disney parks.
• The health inspector who plays an important role in the film has an office located along the Alleé des Marchands.
• A Remy motif runs throughout the pavilion expansion, with his image incorporated into a manhole cover, park benches, iron railings, a newsstand and a fountain.
• The waterside pathway leading to the France pavilion expansion is called Rue Auguste Gusteau, an homage to the famous chef.

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