News Remy's Ratatouille Adventure coming to Epcot

[Movielover]

I think the problem with Paris is that it is missing some classic rides that its cousins have.

The problem was that they had planned attractions to circumvent Paris not being able to have some of the classics like Jungle Cruise and Splash Mt, but due to the resort's failure (not helped by the massive ego and overblown projections from the company), those attractions were either cut back (Discovery Mountain) or outright cancelled (Indiana Jones Adventure). Not to mention the original plans for Disney-MGM-Studios Paris...

But the park is still one of the best looking MK's... when it's maintained.

 

[TiggerDad]

Does either castle in the US have a dragon in the dungeon? Just one example of details that DLP does right.

 

[NateD1226]

Does either castle in the US have a dragon in the dungeon? Just one example of details that DLP does right.View attachment 318001

Nope!

 

[SoFlaDisneyFan]

I can heartily agree with you about Disney Studios...It always felt half-baked, but the main Disneyland Paris park does not feel like a third generation photocopy to me... All the Disney parks around the world have that "Same as, but different" feel to them...Some more than others... Disneyland Paris did a lot of things better than it's cousins... Their version of Main Street feels so much more complete and detailed than WDW...which seems to feel less like a town and more than just a huge mega mart. The castle itself has gorgeous details, the projection , firework,and fountain show is head and shoulders above WDW's version (which is funny because it was designed for WDW, and TDO passed on it). The Frontierland of the park has tons of extraneous detail...much more than WDW's Frontierland... Phantom Manor is wonderful and promises to be even more so when it comes out of refurnbishment. Pirates of the Caribbean feels like the most complete of all the different versions (When the effects are all working ) and Adventure Isle is beautifully done and the best iteration of the Tom Sawyer's Island concept...
on the not so great side, they seem to have a problem with keeping up with maintenance on the show scenes in some attractions...Sometimes effects are not up to full show standards. There are some missing attractions here and there...and their Tomorrowland could use a lot more expansion, but in general, the park is hyper detailed and very charming...

Had I been able to spend a bit more time there, perhaps I would have found more to appreciate. We did both parks in one day. It was also my first experience with an international Disney park, so maybe that "same as, but different" vibe was just something I had not anticipated. As someone else mentioned, the Cast Members have a lot to do with this. They aren't as friendly and outgoing as their American counterparts and do not seem as interested in creating a magical atmosphere. The operations aspect seemed to be very lacking there. We waited for ages in a counter service line. It is funny you mention Main Street as I found that to be the least impressive area of all lol. It was short, small, and just seemed like a faint replica of the American Mainstreets. Perhaps I just didn't explore it enough. The dragon below the castle is an amazing touch and something I wish we had in every park. I thought the ability to walk through and explore Sleeping Beauty Castle was a welcome and unique experience. I did love Skull Rock and the pirate ship in the lagoon near the Pirates attraction. That was great. I would defintely say their Pirates is superior to WDW's Cliff Notes version, although the original in DL is still the best. I also agree that Adventure Isle is the best iteration of the Tom Sawyer Island concept. As you mentioned, their Frontierland is very expansive, far more so than WDW. I wasn't in love with the Star Wars overlay of Hyperspace Mountain. The theming for that ride was all over the place. Star Wars and Jules Verne just do not vibe that well lol. I think what I was most bummed about was the fact that the ONE attraction I had been dying to experience for YEARS was closed for refurbishment until 2019: Phantom Manor. As a HM loon, this was semi-devastating, so perhaps that sort of dampered my perception of the rest of the park lol.

 

[HauntedPirate]

I really can't find a good comparison to Rat in WDS to something here in the States.

And I concur with many of the points made, particularly around customer service and cleanliness, as well as some of the level of detail that DLP has.

 

[UpAllNight]

The French aren’t as into it as the Americans...this stretches from CMs to guests, and for me this is the most noticable difference between the parks.

It’s absolutely gorgeous though. Much prefer the USA take on Tomorrowland/Discoveryland though.

For all the WDS issues it has a better lineup of rides than DHS

 

[Timothy_Q]

For all the WDS issues it has a better lineup of rides than DHS

It's sad how true this is.

Especially now that GMR is gone

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Yes, as much as I enjoyed Ratatouille, it really can't compare to HM, which is in a league of its own. That said, I much preferred Ratatouille to Frozen Ever After, and I'd even go so far as to call it highly original (not to say groundbreaking). It is, of course, all a matter of taste and opinion, but I think more people than not will appreciate this particular addition to Epcot.

I preferred Ratatouille to FEA, but I don't find the comparison such a bad one to be honest. They are different types of attractions, with Ratatouille being far more frenetic and fun. I think both, though, are on a similar level of being fun and well-executed rides that live up to classic Disney standards without quite reaching the heights of a full-blown e-ticket. That said, I seem to have enjoyed FEA a lot more than most people (anyone?) on here seemed to!

I'm glad you enjoyed your visit to Paris but saddened to hear that DLP left you underwhelmed. I personally think the main park is stunning and in some respects thematically and experientially superior to its American counterparts. What it's missing is that certain "magic" that pervades the American parks and is created in large part by the CMs (and I say this as a Brit). The DLP CMs are far more nonchalant and do almost nothing to curtail antisocial behaviour (especially guests smoking outside designated areas).

I'm also a fan! The level of detail in the main park is often quite stunning, particularly all the little pathways and nooks and crannies that you just don't get at the US Magic Kingdoms. I love those arcades on Main Street and that very quiet, almost hidden covered pathway that leads from Main Street to Fantasyland, for example. Hopefully the recent takeover by Disney takes care of some of the maintenance issues. Although character focussed, I've stayed at the Santa Fe, Sequoia Lodge, and Newport Bay Club hotels since their refurbishments in recent years and was impressed. Particularly love the Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced Sequoia Lodge!

SoFlaDisneyFan's point about service is well taken, though. Waiting for a coffee on Main Street can take an eternity, though I tend to find that is typical of service in France. I'll also never understand some of their decisions, such as closing the Ice Cream parlour on the hub right before thousands of people start to gather outside the front door to wait for the evening fireworks.

 

[Bocabear]

Had I been able to spend a bit more time there, perhaps I would have found more to appreciate. We did both parks in one day. It was also my first experience with an international Disney park, so maybe that "same as, but different" vibe was just something I had not anticipated. As someone else mentioned, the Cast Members have a lot to do with this. They aren't as friendly and outgoing as their American counterparts and do not seem as interested in creating a magical atmosphere. The operations aspect seemed to be very lacking there. We waited for ages in a counter service line. It is funny you mention Main Street as I found that to be the least impressive area of all lol. It was short, small, and just seemed like a faint replica of the American Mainstreets. Perhaps I just didn't explore it enough. The dragon below the castle is an amazing touch and something I wish we had in every park. I thought the ability to walk through and explore Sleeping Beauty Castle was a welcome and unique experience. I did love Skull Rock and the pirate ship in the lagoon near the Pirates attraction. That was great. I would defintely say their Pirates is superior to WDW's Cliff Notes version, although the original in DL is still the best. I also agree that Adventure Isle is the best iteration of the Tom Sawyer Island concept. As you mentioned, their Frontierland is very expansive, far more so than WDW. I wasn't in love with the Star Wars overlay of Hyperspace Mountain. The theming for that ride was all over the place. Star Wars and Jules Verne just do not vibe that well lol. I think what I was most bummed about was the fact that the ONE attraction I had been dying to experience for YEARS was closed for refurbishment until 2019: Phantom Manor. As a HM loon, this was semi-devastating, so perhaps that sort of dampered my perception of the rest of the park lol.

You are going to love Phantom Manor... I went for the first tiome back in the 90s and was blown away... Smoe things not as great as our Home Mansion, but most of it better...more interesting... The back story is sad and beautiful...and creepy. I am so curious to see what they change when it reopens.
I think that is one of the fun things traveling to the different Disney parks around the world... the "Same but different" aspect is really fun to see and explore... I agree with you 100% about the cast members at DLP. I think it is a cultural thing... They just don't get that Disney warmth you get from a lot of cast members stateside...An example, it was a cold and rainy day when we were there, and we stopped at the bakery to get a coffee... the woman gave me my cup, I asked if I could get some milk or cream, she looked me squarely in the eyes and said a curt "No"... Parisians do not use milk in their coffee after breakfast... but being an international park I just assumed they wouldbe willing to give you some coffee creamer. I went to another counter and asked another worker who did the exact thing...No!. and turned and walked away... I was shocked.

 

[LittleBuford]

That said, I seem to have enjoyed FEA a lot more than most people (anyone?) on here seemed to!

I'm also a fan, though I know I shouldn't admit to that here! It is a very enjoyable ride and doesn't have the feel of an overlay.

 

[eddie104]

The French aren’t as into it as the Americans...this stretches from CMs to guests, and for me this is the most noticable difference between the parks.

It’s absolutely gorgeous though. Much prefer the USA take on Tomorrowland/Discoveryland though.

For all the WDS issues it has a better lineup of rides than DHS

Funny you said that considering DHS had pretty much the same rides as WDSP and also those better rides doesn't help their attendance.

 

[IMDREW]

I go to DLP a few times a year and have recently noticed that a lot of the CM’s behaviour is also influenced by the weather. Sounds weird, but it’s been like this in my experience. On a beautiful summer day most are very happy and kind and willing to help. Put that beside a cold and somber day in january and it’s really the complete opposite! Definitely not an excuse, but I’ve noticed it.

About Rat, I do like the ride and it has some great potential. But the whole thing comes apart (for me) with the ride vehicles not tilting and failing in creating a feeling of running, jumping etc. Most of the time they position you in front of the screen and you just sit there, watching a screen until it’s time to move to the next room. It doesn’t pull you in the screen/action and if you just look forward, you always see the floor which ruins the illusion of the screens. If you look up, the screens are huge and impressive. But most people look forward and miss that. The few real sets are the magic (especially the pantry and Paris rooftops in the beginning) and should’ve been used more. But then those 3D glasses unfortunately make it all so much darker. So the ride’s got some pros and (more imo) cons.

Really needed more tweaks imho, but still an enjoyable ride.

Knowing OLC in Tokyo, the new BTATB ride won’t have these problems and will be amazing. Makes me wish we got that instead of Rat..

 

[eddie104]

I go to DLP a few times a year and have recently noticed that a lot of the CM’s behaviour is also influenced by the weather. Sounds weird, but it’s been like this in my experience. On a beautiful summer day most are very happy and kind and willing to help. Put that beside a cold and somber day in january and it’s really the complete opposite! Definitely not an excuse, but I’ve noticed it.

About Rat, I do like the ride and it has some great potential. But the whole thing comes apart (for me) with the ride vehicles not tilting and failing in creating a feeling of running, jumping etc. Most of the time they position you in front of the screen and you just sit there, watching a screen until it’s time to move to the next room. It doesn’t pull you in the screen/action and if you just look forward, you always see the floor which ruins the illusion of the screens. If you look up, the screens are huge and impressive. But most people look forward and miss that. The few real sets are the magic (especially the pantry and Paris rooftops in the beginning) and should’ve been used more. But then those 3D glasses unfortunately make it all so much darker. So the ride’s got some pros and (more imo) cons.

Really needed more tweaks imho, but still an enjoyable ride.

Knowing OLC in Tokyo, the new BTATB ride won’t have these problems and will be amazing. Makes me wish we got that instead of Rat..

OLC really has no say how a ride turns out Disney Imagineering handles all of that and people need to stop over hyping the company like its the best in the world. All they do fund and maintain the the Tokyo parks which hasn't been perfect and sorry I'm ranting because I'm tired of reading this.

 

[IMDREW]

OLC really has no say how a ride turns out Disney Imagineering handles all of that and people need to stop over hyping the company like its the best in the world. All they do fund and maintain the the Tokyo parks which hasn't been perfect and sorry I'm ranting because I'm tired of reading this.

I have not said they design the stuff and/or are the best in the world. Just saying they don’t slice the budget for these kind of things so bad it starts to show. Can’t say that about the rest. I’ll be having a better look at things when I go to the Tokyo parks for the first time in january so maybe my opinion will change.

 

[jaxonp]

I rode Rat last week.. seems as though many of the effects have stoped working. The ride vehicle wasn't doing any of the things it used to do.. just moving from point a to b now. I hope they fix it.

 

[eddie104]

I have not said they design the stuff and/or are the best in the world. Just saying they don’t slice the budget for these kind of things so bad it starts to show. Can’t say that about the rest. I’ll be having a better look at things when I go to the Tokyo parks for the first time in january so maybe my opinion will change.

I didn't mean to go off on you and again apologize and I understand what your saying regarding budget.

 

[HauntedPirate]

I rode Rat last week.. seems as though many of the effects have stoped working. The ride vehicle wasn't doing any of the things it used to do.. just moving from point a to b now. I hope they fix it.

What effects are there? I only got sprinkled with water in one scene, plus smelled the oranges in another.

 

[lazyboy97o]

OLC really has no say how a ride turns out Disney Imagineering handles all of that and people need to stop over hyping the company like its the best in the world. All they do fund and maintain the the Tokyo parks which hasn't been perfect and sorry I'm ranting because I'm tired of reading this.

Oriental Land Company absolutely has a say in how an attraction turns out. They own and operate the parks, as such they ultimately decide what they do and do not purchase. It’s not some mystery box situation. They have to hire Walt Disney Imagineering but they do not have to just accept whatever is cooked up in Glendale.

 

[Sharon&Susan]

Oriental Land Company absolutely has a say in how an attraction turns out. They own and operate the parks, as such they ultimately decide what they do and do not purchase. It’s not some mystery box situation. They have to hire Walt Disney Imagineering but they do not have to just accept whatever is cooked up in Glendale.

If they had no choice, there’d be a Hollywood Studios in Tokyo.

 

[eddie104]

Oriental Land Company absolutely has a say in how an attraction turns out. They own and operate the parks, as such they ultimately decide what they do and do not purchase. It’s not some mystery box situation. They have to hire Walt Disney Imagineering but they do not have to just accept whatever is cooked up in Glendale.

They don't own any of the Disney products and are only licensing to use them in their parks so like I said they barely have a say. OLC is not in the business of designing theme parks but people seem to believe Disney let's them do what they want as far as adding new attractions when in reality they have to consult with Imagineering to create them.

If they had no choice, there’d be a Hollywood Studios in Tokyo.

Where do you think the concept for Tokyo DisneySea came from because it wasn't from thin air but from California and you guys got DCA instead.