Possible Attraction in France pavilion (Epcot) Update - new Attraction Greenlit

Daveeeeed

Daveeeeed

Well-Known Member
Any questions about Ratatouille in Paris being them at me!!! I can even tell you about the 3D glasses as I kind of took one:oops::cool::p
 
Thanks phoenicians

Thanks phoenicians

Well-Known Member
Without trying to start the whole toonification of epcot debate I think Rat is fine in the France pavilion. Is it my number one option to put theorem no it isn't but its a far better fit than a lot of other ips would be. May have missed this since I've been off for awhile but it would be great to see a new pavilion/country added as well. I know that was originally talked about, but not sure if this has replaced that...hope not.
 
DDLand

DDLand

Well-Known Member
David2319 said:
Any questions about Ratatouille in Paris being them at me!!! I can even tell you about the 3D glasses as I kind of took one:oops::cool::p
Click to expand...
I wasn't aware that it was 3D. Hmm. That's not my favorite in a dark ride, but does explain why so many people who watch videos are not impressed. I tend to think attraction videos are incredibly inferior replacements for riding the actual ride, and when you throw 3D glasses into the mix it becomes even more difficult to get any sense of an attraction's makeup. It's one thing to do a review on a movie you've seen, it's entirely another to watch a shaky cellphone recording of the movie and critique it. Part of rides are also physical movements and the vibe of the place too. It would be like someone attempting a review of movie they'd only seen through a cell phone recording with no audio. Hard to tell.

I haven't seen a video so I won't comment, but I have heard mixed reviews. Some are more positive, but others pan it for its lack of physical sets and poor execution.

There are two uses for screens. One is when something would be physically or financially impossible to portray with real sets. The rise from the depths and ocean battle in PotCBftST is justified because there's no way that could ever happen using current technology. The other is when it's simply the cheapest easiest way out. If there's one question I would ask about the Rat, is where it falls in that spectrum?

Furthermore, does it actually lend itself to a dark ride concept?

Notably around the time Disney was finishing this project up, they had launched another trackless attraction pushing technological barriers. Mystic Manor. Does anyone have a favorite of the two?
 
Daveeeeed

Daveeeeed

Well-Known Member
DDLand said:
I wasn't aware that it was 3D. Hmm. That's not my favorite in a dark ride, but does explain why so many people who watch videos are not impressed. I tend to think attraction videos are incredibly inferior replacements for riding the actual ride, and when you throw 3D glasses into the mix it becomes even more difficult to get any sense of an attraction's makeup. It's one thing to do a review on a movie you've seen, it's entirely another to watch a shaky cellphone recording of the movie and critique it. Part of rides are also physical movements and the vibe of the place too. It would be like someone attempting a review of movie they'd only seen through a cell phone recording with no audio. Hard to tell.

I haven't seen a video so I won't comment, but I have heard mixed reviews. Some are more positive, but others pan it for its lack of physical sets and poor execution.

There are two uses for screens. One is when something would be physically or financially impossible to portray with real sets. The rise from the depths and ocean battle in PotCBftST is justified because there's no way that could ever happen using current technology. The other is when it's simply the cheapest easiest way out. If there's one question I would ask about the Rat, is where it falls in that spectrum?

Furthermore, does it actually lend itself to a dark ride concept?

Notably around the time Disney was finishing this project up, they had launched another trackless attraction pushing technological barriers. Mystic Manor. Does anyone have a favorite of the two?
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First and foremost, it's a great attraction. Unfortunately screens (likewise used at other parks like Universal etc.) were used as replacements for sets in some areas, but the difference is here is that it actually complements the ride (as with Spider-Man, and Forbidden Journey). I prefer Ratatouille to Gringotts as there are sets and screens in many areas. I think if it were to be cloned the final screen needs to have sets added to it, but the ride's current pacing, music score, among other things are superb.

One thing that is impossible to capture on camera is the incredible immersion into the screens. Not only is 3D actually beneficial to this ride, the vehicle has slight high-tech movements (you feel like the rat vehicle is tapping its feet and also tilts). Scents and heat like Spider-Man also help the immersion. I still prefer Spider-Man, but this is a family ride so it couldn't have as good perils in the screen, but instead it makes it up by having the constant tension of Skinner about to kill you.

Another thing that is so good is how the screen interacts with the vehicle. For instance, Linguini pushes you away and you spin while going in the away direction. Also remember that famous overnight that has flames over you? They have that in sync with the screen and vehicle.

As for POTC: BotST, it is not as good as that is a super-headliner while this is a headliner. I also think that they needed to use screens for what they wanted to achieve, but that they should have used sets and screens for every scene instead of just about half. If they were to make another screen dark ride at Epcot it would make Ratatouille go down, but having it as the sole 3D dark ride makes it for a unique experience. It's high capacity and incredible loading area also add to the immersion.

I have ridden it about 5 times, (the ride is dead at WDS park closing) so I could soak up lots of little details and the re-rideability is pretty good.

Compared to Mystic Manor I can't say for sure as I haven't ridden it, but Mystic Manor is definitely the more traditional dark ride. The main plus Ratatouille has is the vehicle's movements and the better CGI. Mystic Manor has great sets and animatronics, but from what people say, doesn't have as good rerideability as rides like HM and Tot (though I can't say for myself about Mystic Manor).



I would give Ratatouille an 8.5/10.
Citing that it has an outstanding musical score, a generally great climatic buildup with tension, and great rerideability for a screen ride, but still falls behind Spider-Man and could have used more sets combined with the screens.

I would give Spider-Man a 9.5/10
HWS's Tower of Terror a 9.5/10
The Haunted Mansion 9/10 (iconic-ness aside)
Soarin' 8/10
Splash Mountain 9.5/10
Forbidden Journey 10/10
Dudley do right's Rip-Saw Falls 6/10


If this ride would go to Universal Studios Park it would suck as too many similar screen rides, but placement aside, it could go at any of the other major parks in Orlando and be praised.
 
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yensidtlaw1969

yensidtlaw1969

Well-Known Member
My largest grievance with the Ratatouille ride (which, admittedly, I have only yet experienced through video) is how plainly the attraction's floor does not integrate with the projected scenes in many of the projection domes. Even on YouTube the lack of transition is disruptive. Perhaps it is less so when the attraction is happening around you in 3D, but it does seem pretty glaring.

Part of the brilliance of Star Tours is the way it removes all the seams from the experience - there is literally no direction you can look that would disrupt the illusion. In Ratatouille it seems you need only . . . look forward, as you are meant to? Surely there must have been SOME way of handling this that would be more graceful.


But then, I'm also the kind of person to mildly begrudge the fact that in Shanghai's Pirates you go underwater and travel along the depths of the ocean via water flume. So, perhaps I'm too picky.
 
Daveeeeed

Daveeeeed

Well-Known Member
yensidtlaw1969 said:
My largest grievance with the Ratatouille ride (which, admittedly, I have only yet experienced through video) is how plainly the attraction's floor does not integrate with the projected scenes in many of the projection domes. Even on YouTube the lack of transition is disruptive. Perhaps it is less so when the attraction is happening around you in 3D, but it does seem pretty glaring.

Part of the brilliance of Star Tours is the way it removes all the seams from the experience - there is literally no direction you can look that would disrupt the illusion. In Ratatouille it seems you need only . . . look forward, as you are meant to? Surely there must have been SOME way of handling this that would be more graceful.


But then, I'm also the kind of person to mildly begrudge the fact that in Shanghai's Pirates you go underwater and travel along the depths of the ocean via water flume. So, perhaps I'm too picky.
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Trackless LPS rides suffer from that. It is only an issue on perhaps the last two quick scenes. Not really noticeable in the first few scenes unless you are trying to go away from the experience like Forbidden Journey's KUKA Arms (although that is a far superior attraction).

I think if they are to do Ratatouille since I doubt Gusteau's would also come, I would bet that they will upgrade the ride.
 
DDLand

DDLand

Well-Known Member
David2319 said:
First and foremost, it's a great attraction. Unfortunately screens (likewise used at other parks like Universal etc.) were used as replacements for sets in some areas, but the difference is here is that it actually complements the ride (as with Spider-Man, and Forbidden Journey). I prefer Ratatouille to Gringotts as there are sets and screens in many areas. I think if it were to be cloned the final screen needs to have sets added to it, but the ride's current pacing, music score, among other things are superb.

One thing that is impossible to capture on camera is the incredible immersion into the screens. Not only is 3D actually beneficial to this ride, the vehicle has slight high-tech movements (you feel like the rat vehicle is tapping its feet and also tilts). Scents and heat like Spider-Man also help the immersion. I still prefer Spider-Man, but this is a family ride so it couldn't have as good perils in the screen, but instead it makes it up by having the constant tension of Skinner about to kill you.

Another thing that is so good is how the screen interacts with the vehicle. For instance, Linguini pushes you away and you spin while going in the away direction. Also remember that famous overnight that has flames over you? They have that in sync with the screen and vehicle.

As for POTC: BotST, it is not as good as that is a super-headliner while this is a headliner. I also think that they needed to use screens for what they wanted to achieve, but that they should have used sets and screens for every scene instead of just about half. If they were to make another screen dark ride at Epcot it would make Ratatouille go down, but having it as the sole 3D dark ride makes it for a unique experience. It's high capacity and incredible loading area also add to the immersion.

I have ridden it about 5 times, (the ride is dead at WDS park closing) so I could soak up lots of little details and the re-rideability is pretty good.

Compared to Mystic Manor I can't say for sure as I haven't ridden it, but Mystic Manor is definitely the more traditional dark ride. The main plus Ratatouille has is the vehicle's movements and the better CGI. Mystic Manor has great sets and animatronics, but from what people say, doesn't have as good rerideability as rides like HM and Tot (though I can't say for myself about Mystic Manor).



I would give Ratatouille an 8.5/10.
Citing that it has an outstanding score, a generally great climatic buildup with tension, and great rerideability for a screen ride, but still falls behind Spider-Man and could have used more sets combined with the screens.

I would give Spider-Man a 9.5/10
HWS's Tower of Terror a 9.5/10
The Haunted Mansion 9/10 (iconic-ness aside)
Soarin' 8/10
Splash Mountain 9.5/10
Forbidden Journey 10/10
Dudley do right's Rip-Saw Falls 6/10


If this ride would go to Universal Studios Park it would suck as too many similar screen rides, but placement aside, it could go at any of the other major parks in Orlando and be praised.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the time you put into that! It seems we're looking at that as our new Epcot attraction, so this is a relevant conversation to be having. The Orlando comparisons you put in there are helpful.

I think your point about this being one of only a few screen based rides is also valid. We're not going to sink the ship with one quality attraction in this genre. Variety is a good thing.

The one detail that is making me wonder are the rumors of the Mickey Mouse trackless ride. Rat and Mouse opening trackless rides a short drive away. This could be mildly amusing if it ends up happening. ;)

Oh, and I'll just throw in a good word for Mystic Manor. Superb ride that got more and more enjoyable as I rode it. So many fun details! Easily a new Disney classic.
 
Next Big Thing

Next Big Thing

Well-Known Member
P_Radden said:
I feel the same. I just do not see them bypassing the France pavilion to put a direct entrance/exit to this ride on the promenade. My best guess is similar to yours, it will connect somehow like this via a themed corridor or alley way:
View attachment 185118
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The Red walkway you have mapped out here would need to be a bridge in disguise as the pathway below it is crucial to the operation of the France pavilion and is also an emergency exit corridor.
 
MisterPenguin

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
marni1971 said:
The main ride space is the back section (behind the thick line on the roof)
Click to expand...

Ah, thanks. And stupid me, a quick Google search found the blueprints of the ride. :oops:

It's still pretty big at 1.1 acres. If you keep the same blueprints for the ride and allow oneself to reconfigure the queue, it could just barely fit behind France, but, there would be some back stage finessing going on. However, exactly as is, it fits perfectly in the empty pavilion expansion pad between France and Morocco.

upload_2017-1-20_5-1-57.png
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
MisterPenguin said:
Ah, thanks. And stupid me, a quick Google search found the blueprints of the ride. :oops:

It's still pretty big at 1.1 acres. If you keep the same blueprints for the ride and allow oneself to reconfigure the queue, it could just barely fit behind France, but, there would be some back stage finessing going on. However, exactly as is, it fits perfectly in the empty pavilion expansion pad between France and Morocco.

View attachment 185251
Click to expand...
It is still quite a large show building. I wish I could say more but let's see where things go with this.
 
P_Radden

P_Radden

Well-Known Member
MisterPenguin said:
Ah, thanks. And stupid me, a quick Google search found the blueprints of the ride. :oops:

It's still pretty big at 1.1 acres. If you keep the same blueprints for the ride and allow oneself to reconfigure the queue, it could just barely fit behind France, but, there would be some back stage finessing going on. However, exactly as is, it fits perfectly in the empty pavilion expansion pad between France and Morocco.

View attachment 185251
Click to expand...
Nicely done! IMO the best option would be placing it behind the France Pavilion with a walk way along the canal side. Save the expansion pad for the possibility of another country or maybe even an expansion to Morocco at the big doors near Restaurant Marrakesh.
 
D

doctornick

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
P_Radden said:
Nicely done! IMO the best option would be placing it behind the France Pavilion with a walk way along the canal side. Save the expansion pad for the possibility of another country or maybe even an expansion to Morocco at the big doors near Restaurant Marrakesh.
Click to expand...

Exactly. It seems like it is plausible to do so based on the images. Keeps Impressions, better integrates the ride into the pavilion and maintains the in between expansion pad for future use.
 

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