Ratatouille in Epcot

[Horizonsfan]

I'm pretty sure that Impressions de France takes up about 75% of that big square building with the rest of it necessary for waiting areas and crowd movement. They could possibly have an entrance through the market area (now the expanded bakery) but that might cause a bottleneck of traffic. Someone suggested an entrance off a promenade along the canal which could work and give them the opportunity to theme that wall of the pavilion better.

Another solution would be to have guests watch Impressions de France in mouse-shaped cars and at the end of the film they all break-off and scurry about the kitchen a bit.

Edit: Here's an excellent resource:... France Plan >>>>

Yeah I utilized the floorplan to create that, that's why I stated the theater would be reduced in size by about 50%. You are correct the rest was for crowd holding areas. However all that works on the premise that the theater is playing to a packed house. What I'm stating is that you could reduce the allocated area, present the show, and still create a large vestibule to get to the new attraction.

 

[Captain Neo]

Thankfully Bob Iger's days are numbered

Posts like this are hilariously childish. Why exactly would Bob Iger's "days be numbered"? I would be careful too as that could be perceived as a kind of threat

Edit: If you are referring to him voluntarily stepping down in 2016 be aware he will still be involved with the company as Chairman of the board as well as a large shareholder.

 

[doctornick]

Why not have the entrance to Ratatouille be a new corridor on the side of the existing France pavilion and have the ride dump guests into the existing retail (like Impressions already does), with maybe expanding that space? It seems to me that there is space between the existing pavilion and the canal to make a queue to lead to the back of the pavilion, which can leave Impressions intact as is.

 

[Sam Magic]

Another solution would be to turn IoF into a smaller circle vision show.

Posts like this are hilariously childish. Why exactly would Bob Iger's "days be numbered"? I would be careful too as that could be perceived as a kind of threat

He is out in 2016, it's not a threat, it's fact.

 

[Sam Magic]

Why not have the entrance to Ratatouille be a new corridor on the side of the existing France pavilion and have the ride dump guests into the existing retail (like Impressions already does), with maybe expanding that space? It seems to me that there is space between the existing pavilion and the canal to make a queue to lead to the back of the pavilion, which can leave Impressions intact as is.

You could do that with my map, in fact that's what I propose.

 

[doctornick]

You could do that with my map, in fact that's what I propose.

Sure. The point being that a lot of space exists in WS. If in fact the Ratatouille ride comes to the France pavilion, it can certainly occur with leaving the present space intact. If the Ratatouille rides comes and results in Impressions de France being replaced, it will be as a cost-cutting move, not due to space limitations.

 

[doctornick]

You know, we've had a lot of pages discussing this ride (and assorted other things), but it occurs to me that it's a basically a weak rumor -- HTF didn't exactly say it was imminent -- with not confirmation yeah or nay that it's even being considered. Can anyone with connections let us know if Ratatouille is seriously an option being considered for Epcot? I know @WDW1974 is not around at the moment, but can anyone one comment on any rumblings?

@Lee @marni1971 @articos Anyone?

I think it might be worthwhile to point out what HTF said (which, combined with his tweet, started this all):

I've heard rumbles of a few projects potentially being green lit for Epcot and DHS to start construction as soon as FY2015. The idea behind the France Pavilion receiving the attraction is to build upon the world showcase and it's offerings, F&B sales, and crowd distribution in the AM and early afternoon.

Epcot in General is your food and beverage capital, it's primary duty to the suits is to produce net profits through ridiculous margins on said F&B. So one idea is to get families into the World Showcase at rope drop via new attraction(s), new breakfast offerings, and earlier entertainment.

Long term though it seems that it's very possible we see Epcot get some much needed TLC. Soarin 2.0, Ratatouille, an update to Illuminations, and a Future World cosmetic update may come to make an effort to rebrand the long neglected cash cow that is Epcot. AKA Harry Potter has got them worried...

Also FWIW, I'm merely sharing what I've overheard in a impromptu conversation. I'm not trying to create waves here as I'm known for being on the Universal side of things but rather spark conversation. For those who may of read my material elsewhere they will tell you I'm not always right but I could care less if I am or not. I'm more interested in getting the creative juices flowing and having fun.

 

[Captain Neo]

Another solution would be to turn IoF into a smaller circle vision show.

He is out in 2016, it's not a threat, it's fact.

He is vacating the CEO position but will still be Chairman which is a more powerful position

 

[Sam Magic]

Sure. The point being that a lot of space exists in WS. If in fact the Ratatouille ride comes to the France pavilion, it can certainly occur with leaving the present space intact. If the Ratatouille rides comes and results in Impressions de France being replaced, it will be as a cost-cutting move, not due to space limitations.

The problem is that I can not see Impressions de France being replaced, it's seen as the best Epcot film.

 

[Sam Magic]

He is vacating the CEO position but will still be Chairman which is a more powerful position

Depends on how he uses it...

 

[marni1971]

Can anyone with connections let us know if Ratatouille is seriously an option being considered for Epcot?

I can't confirm it.

 

[Next Big Thing]

Really? I can't see how you can speak for most people from other religions, but why do you have an enormous problem with it? The post you quoted listed several other prominent structures there that I have never heard anyone complain about. Do you have a problem with those structures too? In the countries they represent religion is entwined with culture so IMHO they are not just appropriate, but essential. This is no different.

I'm not saying you aren't entitled to your opinion just trying to understand why you have an enormous problem with it.

It' a huge statue of Jesus in the middle of country... it doesn't take much thought to figure it would cause a bit of a stir among a select group of people.

 

[Darth Sidious]

In Itally I would love a "Roman Gladiators" type thrill-ish ride! (Confession time: OK i got the idea inspired from an episdode of TAR)

In France a Jules Verne thing would be cool, but when people think of France, never the less a France in Disney, I don't really think that Jules Verne comes to mind, at least not before Ratatouille

Which is why they should do it because he is an actual representation of something French as opposed to something american that was set in France.

 

[Darth Sidious]

Do we honestly think Bob Iger would approve of any attraction not based on a movie?

During his tenure there have been quite a few non IP based attractions but they've all been outside the US.

 

[Darth Sidious]

Regardless though, I have this funny feeling, that given the amount money it would take to build and maintain the Ratatouille ride, someone... (most likely the accounting department) will realize there's no upside to sticking a really expensive ride, that primarily appeals to children, in the middle of World Showcase

They want people who wouldn't otherwise be in WS to be there to buy more of their many offerings.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

They want people who wouldn't otherwise be in WS to be there to buy more of their many offerings.

Well then a M&G in Italy for this guy can't be far off.

 

[Ignohippo]

I can't confirm it.

So does that mean it is happening but you can't go on a limb and confirm it, or that it isn't something that you're aware of being considered?

 

[tl77]

I think the point is to stick a significant drawing ride that appeals to children/whole family in the middle of the World Showcase. Based on what HTF said, the thought is to get more people into WS earlier in the day (and more distributed around the WS) to increase the food/drink/merch spending. Adding something more family friendly might encourage more different guests to venture to that part of the WS (instead of going just to Mexico/Norway and not walking around the lake).

France is basically directly across the water from Mexico/Norway so it would basically "force" people to walk around at least half, if not all, of the WS to ride all the rides.

I understand what they are trying to do, I just don't think it's going to work. The trouble with this plan is that a fair amount of people who visit Epcot enter through the International Gateway which is right next to the France pavilion... and they can't really force anybody to do anything, people will go where they want to go, and in few years when Avatar-land finally opens, and assuming someday a Star Wars land opens in the Studios, Epcot will start to look like the "half day" park, or just the park people skip all together... this year I'm skipping Epcot

The irony of course is that when Epcot opened it was more "family friendly" than the Magic Kingdom, Future World had 7 huge, high capacity rides, with very little wait times, no height restriction, and nothing that would scare small children or give granny a heart attack... and it worked great for 15 years until the sponsors started pulling out or insisting on changes, but originally there were plans to put rollercoasters at Japan and Switzerland to entice grown ups to come to the grown up section of the park, to buy alcoholic beverages, exotic food, and high price grown up merchandise... and I think this is the game plan they need to get back around too

 

[marni1971]

So does that mean it is happening but you can't go on a limb and confirm it, or that it isn't something that you're aware of being considered?

I was aware of very blue sky but nothing more.

 

[doctornick]

I understand what they are trying to do, I just don't think it's going to work. The trouble with this plan is that a fair amount of people who visit Epcot enter through the International Gateway which is right next to the France pavilion... and they can't really force anybody to do anything, people will go where they want to go, and in few years when Avatar-land finally opens, and assuming someday a Star Wars land opens in the Studios, Epcot will start to look like the "half day" park, or just the park people skip all together... this year I'm skipping Epcot

I really don't understand what you are trying to say.

If your point is that Epcot is stale and unappealing and will lose guests as a result, then their "plans" (if they are true) to add Ratatouille to France, update Soarin' and potentially other options (Imagination upgrade?) seems to try to address that exact issue. Do you not thing it "would work" if they actually did it? I've got to imagine that the Ratatouille ride would indeed be a nice draw and help out the park, if they indeed built it (I'm skeptical it would be added, but that's a different story).

Obviously, they cannot "force" people to do anything, but if they entice them to do something different -- like give folks who ignore WS (i.e. people with young kids or folks who don't care for eating/drinking/shopping around the world) a reaso to make the trek to France, then some of them will inevitably get something to eat along the way or maybe pop in a shop and buy something. Maybe it won't be in the numbers that Disney wants, but I'm sure it would be something that would come along with a new rat ride.

Regardless, I don't agree with your skepticism about the future of Epcot. It still draws a ton of folks and there's plenty to do (rides/shows/just walking around) even if it is "stale". The Flower show and especially F&W are very popular draws and I don't see that stopping in the near future. Even if people don't care to go for the rides/attractions, the restaurant scene and "drinking around the world" will continue to be popular for guests who can hop over in the evening.