Ratatouille in Epcot

[Ignohippo]

I was aware of very blue sky but nothing more.

Thank God.

 

[Lee]

I was aware of very blue sky but nothing more.

Agreed.
It has been proposed, but I know nothing beyond that.

 

[Sam Magic]

Agreed.
It has been proposed, but I know nothing beyond that.

Thank God, as much as I was okay with it I'm glad the chances are slim.

 

[lazyboy97o]

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

Since World Showcase is no longer relevant they should just transform it into Cars World Grand Prix Land.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Thank God, as much as I was okay with it I'm glad the chances are slim.

Did they say that? Or did they say "it was a proposal [and I don't yet know anything beyond that.]"?

 

[doctornick]

Thank God, as much as I was okay with it I'm glad the chances are slim.

Where are you getting that from? I see Lee and Martin's response as "it's been proposed but hasn't moved past that stage AFAIK", not "it's been proposed and rejected".

For better or worse, if TDO/Burbank feel that Epcot needs a new bold offering, it wouldn't surprise me if Ratatouille is at the top of the list (especially with Fitzgerald in charge). I think the bigger question is whether TDO/Burbank are interested in funding a large project at Epcot at this time or in the near future. It doesn't sound like anything is greenlit at the present time.

 

[dupac]

Where are you getting that from? I see Lee and Martin's response as "it's been proposed but hasn't moved past that stage AFAIK", not "it's been proposed and rejected".

For better or worse, if TDO/Burbank feel that Epcot needs a new bold offering, it wouldn't surprise me if Ratatouille is at the top of the list (especially with Fitzgerald in charge). I think the bigger question is whether TDO/Burbank are interested in funding a large project at Epcot at this time or in the near future. It doesn't sound like anything is greenlit at the present time.

I think it is known that the probability of a blue sky/proposal ever making it to the physical realm is small. Not that it doesn't exist.

 

[mitchk]

Seems like a long shot, but good old Tom does love everything that isn't EPCOT. I understand trying to draw people in, but... It just seems ironic that a guy who put together a lot of script for the original SSE is soo..... I'll just wait to see what happens before I finish my run on sentence..lol

 

[doctornick]

I think it is known that the probability of a blue sky/proposal ever making it to the physical realm is small. Not that it doesn't exist.

Ok but that's a somewhat different issue. Ratatouille isn't in some blue sky stage -- it's already been developed and being built. A ton of ideas get stopped in the proposal stage.

I would tend to agree that the chances of Ratatouille coming to Epcot in the near future are low -- because the chances of anything significant being built in Epcot are low. But I would argue that if TDO/Burbank decides that they do want to make a major investment in Epcot and build a new attraction (especially one in WS), that Ratatouille in France would actually be quite likely to be the option to be chosen. Point being that I don't think the concerns about folks on this thread (regarding theme or appropriateness for WS) would be a concern at all -- the significant barrier would be coming up with the funds to pay for it.

 

[dstrawn9889]

and that could be easy as earmarking 5.00 of every gate entry to Epcot to get it done(while raising the gate price to that of MK.)

 

[tl77]

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.

I've written a half dozen posts here as to how I feel about Epcot, but the fact is that place is stale the way it sits now, that's why they've had to the depend on festivals and concerts to draw people for the passed few years. Soarin' is the biggest attraction they have now, but there's no guarantee that version 2 will be as well loved as version 1

Aside from that though adding "one" ride like Ratatouille to France won't make WS as a whole into a family destination... I don't believe it will ever happen anyway, but I think that since the other 3 parks are getting these movie franchise based attractions, along with Harry Potter and Universal down the road, they just don't need to add them to Epcot, especially since Epcot has a monorail to the Magic Kingdom at it's front door and boat ride to the Studios out the back

Epcot is more like the Animal Kingdom than the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and AK are both unique concepts. Everything in AK is custom made for that park, and the majority of it can only be seen in that park, and I think they need focus on making Epcot a unique place again as well, instead of grab bag of cloned rides from around the world.

 

[Kman101]

I can't see how Soarin' 2.0 WOULDN'T be popular. It fits Epcot far better (going over the world instead of just california). Yeah, to some, the appeal might be lost, but there's also been vague rumors of it being like Star Tours and going to different destinations, which makes re-rideability much higher.

And personal feelings towards the Rat ride aside, it would be popular regardless of what a couple hundred of us think. That being said, TDO still has to pony up the cash or greenlight it and that seems unlikely simply because of their track record, not because of the ride itself.

Just like Pandora will be popular despite what many want to see it as failing. Nothing Disney puts in will fail. It's just not what many personally want so there's skepticism and people are unsure of it's longevity. A well themed ride or land (movie tie-in or not) will draw guests. They're thirsty for new things.

Whether I agree or wnat the ride or not, it would be popular and draw families that way. It's not entirely what Epcot needs (it needs much more than that and even Soarin 2.0).

 

[DisneyGentleman]

I was aware of very blue sky but nothing more.

Blue sky amidst blue ocean.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

But...it isn't over any atheist sensitivities that Christ the Redeemer would likely not be build. But because of religious sensitivities, often so easily inflammable.

Imagine if that Norway stave 'church' had been a consecrated church - with toon princesses in it! Lutherans would be up in arms.

Imagine if the Morocco minaret/mosque had been part of an actual mosque. WDW's guests would have to cover their legs and arms, plus all those much more private body parts they leave exposed. Men and women would have to enter the pavilion separately, families split up, shoes taken off. Never mind Yasmine meeting&greeting people in a bra. WS would have to be permanently patrolled by guards with machine guns!

What of a Christ the Redemeer statuette that receives the same respect Disney shows Norway? 'Disneyfied', with a pink magicband around his wrist, a sign above his head reading INRfp+, and the DVC shop beneath Jesus hanging on the cross advertising its products with such typical Disney punnery as 'you too can permanently hang out at WDW'.

It's not atheist sensitivities, but religious sensitivities that make Disney shy away from religion in their parks.

I'm ok with religious landmarks as long as they're not preachy or too specific but I feel that the giant Jesus statue would be crossing the line...UNLESS they made it a generic, no notable details statue. No facial structure, no heart on fire or any of that stuff. I would be ok with that. A...compromise.

Just to back you up here, as an avowed atheist, I could care less if there are statues of Jesus in the parks as long as they are treated as statues and not being used for any religious conversion purposes. To me, as an atheist, a statue of Jesus is no different than the Venus De Milo. It’s a work of art.

That being said, I do find the giant godzilla sized Jesus statue to be an odd choice for a WS Icon. It seems like it doesn’t fit with the rest of the pavilions very well from a purely aesthetical standpoint. But, that’s just my opinion.

Right there with you

And just the concept art created quite the fuss over religion in this thread alone. Imagine what the argument would look like if this plan came to fruition. I don't see it happening, for reasons this discussion has shown.

That said, I'm proud no one took to bashing one another here over religion and lack of. Good on all of you.

Unless it happened and was deleted, but I don't see the marks of the mods usual " keep it civil y'all" here.

 

[Sam Magic]

I'm ok with religious landmarks as long as they're not preachy or too specific but I feel that the giant Jesus statue would be crossing the line...UNLESS they made it a generic, no notable details statue. No facial structure, no heart on fire or any of that stuff. I would be ok with that. A...compromise.




Right there with you

And just the concept art created quite the fuss over religion in this thread alone. Imagine what the argument would look like if this plan came to fruition. I don't see it happening, for reasons this discussion has shown.

That said, I'm proud no one took to bashing one another here over religion and lack of. Good on all of you.

Unless it happened and was deleted, but I don't see the marks of the mods usual " keep it civil y'all" here.

Have you ever seen the statue? I think most people are mistaking this for a generic Catholic statue, instead it's a very Art Deco one:

 

[Mike S]

It would be great to see this ride come to WDW. The preferred spot would obviously be at Pixar Place over at the Studios, but I wouldn't be too bothered if it was in Epcot.

 

[yeti]

Blue sky amidst blue ocean.

This comment deserves many likes

 

[articos]

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):

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 had a few thoughts in other threads about Epcot recently.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Have you ever seen the statue? I think most people are mistaking this for a generic Catholic statue, instead it's a very Art Deco one:

I have. But I'm referring to even more generalized than that. No distinct facial features. More basic. Art Deco or not, the face on the statue still represents, and quite obviously, Jesus.

Making it more generic would be a good compromise. Not that it really matters, this pavilion will never be built anyhow.

 

[michael.fumc]

I can't see how Soarin' 2.0 WOULDN'T be popular. It fits Epcot far better (going over the world instead of just california). Yeah, to some, the appeal might be lost, but there's also been vague rumors of it being like Star Tours and going to different destinations, which makes re-rideability much higher.

And personal feelings towards the Rat ride aside, it would be popular regardless of what a couple hundred of us think. That being said, TDO still has to pony up the cash or greenlight it and that seems unlikely simply because of their track record, not because of the ride itself.

Just like Pandora will be popular despite what many want to see it as failing. Nothing Disney puts in will fail. It's just not what many personally want so there's skepticism and people are unsure of it's longevity. A well themed ride or land (movie tie-in or not) will draw guests. They're thirsty for new things.

Whether I agree or wnat the ride or not, it would be popular and draw families that way. It's not entirely what Epcot needs (it needs much more than that and even Soarin 2.0).

I agree Soarin' is already a very popular ride in Epcot, (mainly because of lack of rides in Epcot and because it is still a pretty awsome attraction), I imagine that it already is ridden' multiple times, at least with my family that is true, if Soarin' 2.0 is like star tours with going to different destinations, it will become even more popular. The only problem with that is they will need another attraction or Soarin' may become like TSM. However I thought Star Tours would start helping the TSM crowd but it doesn't look like that has happened.