Ratatouille in Epcot

[Sam Magic]

Not a lot of people do. Which makes it an unlikely candidate for theme park development.

It is massively popular with kids in my generation, hell I'm a fan. Yet it does not belong in Epcot, it is interesting to note that back in the late sixties a ride was planned for Disneylands Tomorrowland as an effort to introduce the show to American Audiences. So Doctor Who will eventually become a theme park ride or land somewhere, the money smells too good. The question is where, and I have one answer: Not Epcot.

 

[lebeau]

More than you think. But don't take my word for it.

Not proof of much. It's a show with a devoted cult following. But still a cult show with limited appeal. Like I said, an unlikely candidate for a theme park. Much less a Disney park. Much less Epcot where it does not fit thematically aside from being British.

I mean, come on, do Who fans want to argue this is likely to happen?

 

[Sam Magic]

Not proof of much. It's a show with a devoted cult following. But still a cult show with limited appeal. Like I said, an unlikely candidate for a theme park. Much less a Disney park. Much less Epcot where it does not fit thematically aside from being British.

I mean, come on, do Who fans want to argue this is likely to happen?

Look, I'm not advocating for it to go in Epcot, however I'm not sure you could say that millions of people is a cult following. The show is popular with kids my age and that is why it's ripe for development somewhere, they want to rake teens in so they will go to whats popular for us. Doctor Who is that category also see my above post.

 

[lebeau]

It is massively popular with kids in my generation, hell I'm a fan. Yet it does not belong in Epcot, it is interesting to note that back in the late sixties a ride was planned for Disneylands Tomorrowland as an effort to introduce the show to American Audiences. So Doctor Who will eventually become a theme park ride or land somewhere, the money smells too good. The question is where, and I have one answer: Not Epcot.

If plans for a Dr. Who theme park attraction were originaly proposed in the late sixties and it still has yet to bear fruit, I would hardly call it inevitable.

I suspect there will be a Dr. Who attraction somewhere. For all I know, there have been several that have popped up over the years at places I have never heard of. But I don't see Dr. Who ever making its way to a Disney park unless Disney comes to own the property. Otherwise, Disney owns more popular intellectual property.

 

[Sam Magic]

If plans for a Dr. Who theme park attraction were originaly proposed in the late sixties and it still has yet to bear fruit, I would hardly call it inevitable.

I suspect there will be a Dr. Who attraction somewhere. For all I know, there have been several that have popped up over the years at places I have never heard of. But I don't see Dr. Who ever making its way to a Disney park unless Disney comes to own the property. Otherwise, Disney owns more popular intellectual property.

Then again that's arguable, the show has massive American and International audiences and it's quickly becoming more popular. BBC is also very protective of the rights, I'm expecting a ride to pop up in Uni anyways. Like you said, Disney has more popular franchises. Though it would be nice to get my Star Wars, Disney, and Doctor Who fixes in one trip without having to leave property

 

[Matt_Black]

Otherwise, Disney owns more popular intellectual property.

They also own more popular IPs than the Twilight Zone; explain to me how Tower of Terror is a failure?

 

[lebeau]

Look, I'm not advocating for it to go in Epcot, however I'm not sure you could say that millions of people is a cult following. The show is popular with kids my age and that is why it's ripe for development somewhere, they want to rake teens in so they will go to whats popular for us. Doctor Who is that category also see my above post.

Here's a cover story from Entertainment Weekly from 2012.

"How do you know when a TV show has become a cult phenomenon? When its (often comparatively small) ratings are eclipsed by the wild ardor of its fans. Take the case of the British science fiction show Doctor Who, whose current lead, Matt Smith, is this week’s cover star. The now 49-year-old Who is hugely popular in its homeland but has always enjoyed a more select appeal here — not that you know that from the devotion of U.S.-based “Whovians.” "

If you look up "cult TV show" in the dictionary, there will be a picture of Dr. Who. It's a bigger cult than some. But it's still a cult and likely always will be.

 

[lebeau]

They also own more popular IPs than the Twilight Zone; explain to me how Tower of Terror is a failure?

Did I say Tower of Terror was a failure? No. Nice try.

I would imagine Disney got the rights to the Twilight Zone for a song. And it's still a more recognizable brand than Dr. Who despite Dr. Who's rising popularity.

If Disney wants to do a ride based on a science fiction property, they have Star Wars and Avatar. Why would they want to pay for the rights to a third IP that doesn't have a fraction of the recognition of those two brands? Heck, they have Tron too! There's no reason for Disney to go shopping for more sci fi franchises.

Then again that's arguable, the show has massive American and International audiences and it's quickly becoming more popular. BBC is also very protective of the rights, I'm expecting a ride to pop up in Uni anyways. Like you said, Disney has more popular franchises. Though it would be nice to get my Star Wars, Disney, and Doctor Who fixes in one trip without having to leave property

Dr Who makes a lot more sense at Universal.

 

[Sam Magic]

Here's a cover story from Entertainment Weekly from 2012.

"How do you know when a TV show has become a cult phenomenon? When its (often comparatively small) ratings are eclipsed by the wild ardor of its fans. Take the case of the British science fiction show Doctor Who, whose current lead, Matt Smith, is this week’s cover star. The now 49-year-old Who is hugely popular in its homeland but has always enjoyed a more select appeal here — not that you know that from the devotion of U.S.-based “Whovians.” "

If you look up "cult TV show" in the dictionary, there will be a picture of Dr. Who. It's bigger cult than some. But it's still a cult and likely always will be.

I doubt it will be a cult forever, the show finally has a strong foothold in the state. It's up to BBC marketing to decide if it will get bigger, who (pun intended) knows what the future holds.

 

[TalkingHead]

No one knows how much of Kong will be projection. Odds are however that it's going to be a large amount and 90% may well not be far off for a guess. The ride portion of Gringotts was stated by whylightbulb to be about 85% projection based, after WDW1974 and several others had mentioned that Universal was trying to diminish the presence of physical sets and figures. Whylightbulb did confirm that this was indeed happening with newer projects and many at Universal Creative weren't very happy with it. There's no telling specifically how much of Kong will be projected, but the odds are likely a substantial amount will be. No one said a percentage though as far as I'm aware.

For that matter @whylightbulb would probably be a good guy to ask about how much of Kong will be projected.

The latest rumor is that Kong will include some AAs, including at least one of Kong himself.

Here's to hoping.

 

[lebeau]

I doubt it will be a cult forever, the show finally has a strong foothold in the state. It's up to BBC marketing to decide if it will get bigger, who (pun intended) knows what the future holds.

Anything is possible.

But just to put things in perspective, Star Trek is still considered a cult by many. And I don't see Dr. Who ever reaching that level of mainstream appeal.

I could be wrong. But I doubt it.

 

[jt04]

The latest rumor is that Kong will include some AAs, including at least one of Kong himself.

Here's to hoping.

Well they should have an extra one gathering dust somewhere.

 

[doctornick]

Not a lot of people do. Which makes it an unlikely candidate for theme park development.

I don't think Doctor Who is being considered to Epcot or any Disney park, let along likely to come to one. So, I find the discussion purely academic. I think the concept first developed because the UK pavilion started to sell some Who merchandise with a Disney spin. So, at a minimum, Disney has thought it is "popular" enough to at least make some money off of it; but that's a far cry from developing a ride or other larger attraction.

That said, I would argue that it would make a good ride not because of the popularity of the show (I agree that it's has a cult following more than widespread appeal) but because it would provide a good basis for an attraction; the type of attraction that would be enjoyable without any knowledge of the source material. I mean, time travel is a pretty broad genre that most people understand and if there are some easter eggs for fans of the show, great.

Again, not gonna happen. But interesting to talk about.

 

[Cesar R M]

Any intellectual property .... Be it Pixar or whatever... Simply just does not belong in World Showcase.

Because frankly, it's not about you & what you like, it's about the host countries and their culture.

Keep reflections of France. And there's plenty of empty space in future world to develop for your "rides."

Give me Brazil, a Brazil themed attraction & a steakhouse.

And while we're at it..... Leave Norway alone. Keep the frozen girls and their four hour tour elsewhere.

I really would love a Churrasqueria

 

[Jabbas]

What's the rumor? Is it the same ride that's being built in Paris that's coming to Epcot?

 

[ellie-badge]

I'm actually pretty excited about this rumor, I'm not going to lie. World Showcase, imho, needs some more attractions and things to do. However, I do agree that Future World needs some fixing up a lot more, namely the previous Wonders of Life building that's just sitting there like a rotting carcass.

I would say maybe re-locate the attraction to the dome and re-theme the area to educate guests about the culinary arts, but World Showcase already sort of educates (or at least serves) them food from around the world and The Land has, well, Living with the Land...

In any case, any attraction is a welcomed addition to Epcot at this point, because we all know that it needs SOMETHING. It may not be exactly what we all want, but it's something, and I'd be pretty happy with it.

 

[Captain Neo]

There have been plans for:

Mt.Fuji E-Ticket (multiple proposals including one with Godzilla!) (Japan)
Bullet Train Simulator (Japan)
Carrousel Theater attraction (Japan)
Rhine River Cruise (Germany)
Rafting Adventure (Canada)
Matterhorn w/Switzerland Pavilion
Russian Pavilion with fairy tale dark ride
Venezuela with Cable Car ride through rainforest
and countless other amazing concepts over the span of 40 years!

aaaand what do we get? a clone of the Ratatouille ride from DSP in Paris

*face palm*

 

[marni1971]

Now it has a massive fan base in the states and globally.

So do most mainstream networked peak time programmes.

It is a niche franchise no matter what.

The soap I work on pulls far more viewers. Should we have one of those in the pavilion instead?

 

[marni1971]

What's the rumor? Is it the same ride that's being built in Paris that's coming to Epcot?

Still trying to confirm if its more than blue sky.
And if so would it be the same ride system.

 

[Matt_Black]

So do most mainstream networked peak time programmes.

It is a niche franchise no matter what.

The soap I work on pulls far more viewers. Should we have one of those in the pavilion instead?

Again, The Twilight Zone is a niche franchise. A fun ride is a fun ride, regardless of what the IP is. Though the right IP, regardless of how "mainstream" it is, can really enhance the attraction.

And, finally, this "niche franchise" has been referenced on Family Guy, Robot Chicken, The Late Late Show, Marvel's Agents of SHIELD, The Today Show, The Big Bang Theory (currently the number one comedy program in America) and more.