EPCOT Remy's Ratatouille Adventure coming to Epcot

[TiggerDad]

If the estimated delay for opening is truly the second half of 2021, then it seems odd that there's been a bunch of updates recently which sounded like they were the 'finishing touches': completion of the kiosk outside, further painting detail on the exterior wall, the illumination of the signs above the entrance, and the mentioning of it during the recent Thanksgiving special.

If there is to be a long delay, I really hope that its not for the reason highlighted in the second part of the sentence above: timing for maximum impact. If all of the work on the ride is completed and management decides to mothball an otherwise functional attraction for six months or more, that would be a slap in the face to all of the Disney customers who are traveling to WDW during the first part of 2021(even with covid still being an issue) to provide much needed revenue and who will be facing likely increased crowd sizes at Epcot (due to parkhopping towards the afternoon/evening) with a perfectly good ride sitting dormant just to 'wow' the people coming for the 50th anniversary in the fall.

I do not have any insight into the timing, but it's pretty clear that you have a trip planned for the first part of 2021, and that you seem incapable of looking at things from anything other than the perspective of what's best for you personally.

From Disney's perspective, they have a cap on how many visitors they can accommodate. They anticipate that cap will go away at some point in the future, at which point, they will want to really boost attendance at that point. There is no need to boost attendance right now. Given those facts, why on earth would they open their biggest available attraction right now versus waiting until it could drive attendance?

If you don't want to be slapped in the face, then maybe you should stay home until everything is open.

 

[tommcp516]

I do not have any insight into the timing, but it's pretty clear that you have a trip planned for the first part of 2021, and that you seem incapable of looking at things from anything other than the perspective of what's best for you personally.

From Disney's perspective, they have a cap on how many visitors they can accommodate. They anticipate that cap will go away at some point in the future, at which point, they will want to really boost attendance at that point. There is no need to boost attendance right now. Given those facts, why on earth would they open their biggest available attraction right now versus waiting until it could drive attendance?

If you don't want to be slapped in the face, then maybe you should stay home until everything is open.

First of all--you may be a 'Well-Known Member' according to your avatar--but you know nothing about me or my capability of looking at things from other perspectives, and your tone and personal comments were completely uncalled for.

I fully appreciate the logistical considerations that would go into desired attendance levels vs current visitor accommodation levels. My point (not in any way directed towards you, btw) was that there seemed to be a lot of recent activity around the attraction: announcing in November at the IAAPA Expo that it would be opening in 2021, followed by a 'sneak peak' video, and work crews photographed completing the kiosk, adding finishing touches to the exterior artwork, and illuminating the signs at night WHILE THE PARK WAS STILL OPEN.

So to respond to your comments--if their plan is truly to "boost" and "drive attendance" in the late summer or fall--why on earth would they take all of these steps now and then have everything--including the electronic/lighting displays--sit dormant for all of those months, after they've raised some expectation in guests that the opening of their biggest available attraction might be right around the corner?

 

[lazyboy97o]

First of all--you may be a 'Well-Known Member' according to your avatar--but you know nothing about me or my capability of looking at things from other perspectives, and your comment and tone about being slapped in the face was completely uncalled for.

I fully appreciate the logistical considerations that would go into desired attendance levels vs current visitor accommodation levels. My point (not in any way directed towards you, btw) was that there seemed to be a lot of recent activity around the attraction: announcing in November at the IAAPA Expo that it would be opening in 2021, followed by a 'sneak peak' video, and work crews photographed completing the kiosk, adding finishing touches to the exterior artwork, and illuminating the signs at night WHILE THE PARK WAS STILL OPEN.

So to respond to your comments--if their plan is truly to "boost" and "drive attendance" in the late summer or fall--why on earth would they take all of these steps now and then have everything--including the electronic/lighting displays--sit dormant for all of those months, after they've raised some expectation in guests that the opening of their biggest available attraction might be right around the corner?

You’re the one who invoked the slap in the face comment...

The reason work is being finished now is because it is easier and cheaper to just finish it than try to figure out a way to leave it unfinished.

 

[puckett26]

Considering WDW’s operating track record with new big ticket attractions, I would open it while crowds are low to ensure the attraction is not breaking down multiple times per day when crowds return to normal. It’s not cheap to sit on a nearly completed project of this magnitude. It may potentially increase revenues at Epcot to the extent it helps sell park passes that would otherwise be available. Especially by forcing people through world showcase where I spend more money than I should each visit. Why not get some return on investment now and still drive future demand?

I believe WDW is approaching a value bubble that may burst in the future jf prices continue rising at recent paces. The WDW on site experience is not offering value that is correlating with sky rocketing prices. The value is predominantly being lost at the resorts. The lack of frequent (included) transportation and amenities that would justify the room rate are sometimes non existent. Combine that with parks that are not being maintained to past standards and poorly managing capacity - people like myself who absolutely love WDW start to question the cost and alternatives. Spending thousands of dollars more than alternative vacation options (although less desirable) without a guarantee that you get to experience all of the top attractions and grossly overpay for room rates is starting to blow holes through vacation budgeting. Just my opinion don’t tar and feather me folks.

 

[brihow]

Considering WDW’s operating track record with new big ticket attractions, I would open it while crowds are low to ensure the attraction is not breaking down multiple times per day when crowds return to normal. It’s not cheap to sit on a nearly completed project of this magnitude. It may potentially increase revenues at Epcot to the extent it helps sell park passes that would otherwise be available. Especially by forcing people through world showcase where I spend more money than I should each visit. Why not get some return on investment now and still drive future demand?

I believe WDW is approaching a value bubble that may burst in the future jf prices continue rising at recent paces. The WDW on site experience is not offering value that is correlating with sky rocketing prices. The value is predominantly being lost at the resorts. The lack of frequent (included) transportation and amenities that would justify the room rate are sometimes non existent. Combine that with parks that are not being maintained to past standards and poorly managing capacity - people like myself who absolutely love WDW start to question the cost and alternatives. Spending thousands of dollars more than alternative vacation options (although less desirable) without a guarantee that you get to experience all of the top attractions and grossly overpay for room rates is starting to blow holes through vacation budgeting. Just my opinion don’t tar and feather me folks.

I used to go to WDW every year and haven't been back in 4 years and don't plan on returning for another few years. There is a huge part of me that loves Disney and going to the parks, but the disappointing experience of my last trip combined with all of the recent demolition doesn't really interest me. I don't know if I'm the exception or the rule but I would rather spend my money elsewhere, for now at least.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I believe WDW is approaching a value bubble that may burst in the future jf prices continue rising at recent paces. The WDW on site experience is not offering value that is correlating with sky rocketing prices. The value is predominantly being lost at the resorts. The lack of frequent (included) transportation and amenities that would justify the room rate are sometimes non existent. Combine that with parks that are not being maintained to past standards and poorly managing capacity - people like myself who absolutely love WDW start to question the cost and alternatives. Spending thousands of dollars more than alternative vacation options (although less desirable) without a guarantee that you get to experience all of the top attractions and grossly overpay for room rates is starting to blow holes through vacation budgeting. Just my opinion don’t tar and feather me folks.

We're not anywhere near that bursting bubble. Disney has been tightening budgets and raising prices aggressively for WDW with the purposeful intent of reducing the number of guests that show up during peak times. Just look at how day-ticket prices fluctuate by what days you plan to attend.

WDW, especially MK, has an overcrowding problem. They don't want more guests. They want the same or even less guests that pay even more per person. (What business doesn't want that?)

Iger himself on a quarterly call said that guest satisfaction goes down on very crowded days. That hurts the brand. That hurts long term attachment and repeat business. That hurts people's willingness to spend even more when they're at the park.

Until they can build up more capacity, especially at the three under-utilized parks and make them more attractive to pull people from MK, WDW will continue to raise prices. And they'll do so, because they can. They've been doing it for years and the numbers continue to grow. They'll keeping raising prices until they find that breaking point.

Disney can't run the parks at a price point that everyone can afford, otherwise, there would be 200 million people visiting every year, and MK would be as crowded every day of the year as they are during Christmas week... and they can't handle that. Short of a permanent reservation system, the only control on stopping overcrowding is raising prices. And it looks like we're still nowhere near that breaking point.

 

[puckett26]

I used to go to WDW every year and haven't been back in 4 years and don't plan on returning for another few years. There is a huge part of me that loves Disney and going to the parks, but the disappointing experience of my last trip combined with all of the recent demolition doesn't really interest me. I don't know if I'm the exception or the rule but I would rather spend my money elsewhere, for now at least.

We used to go every two years and were planning to go in 2021 after all of the park enhancements and attractions were complete. Our last trip was 2018 and the park experience was fine but the cost swelling was more apparent. Now that these attractions are being pushed and pricing will inflate more than it needs to, I am not sure about visiting in 2021 or 2022. In 2018, there was no question at all, and with a family of 5, we appreciate discounts such as free dining. Which brings up another issue because WDW continues to diminish the savings value from discount packages that adds to the “bubble.”

 

[puckett26]

We're not anywhere near that bursting bubble. Disney has been tightening budgets and raising prices aggressively for WDW with the purposeful intent of reducing the number of guests that show up during peak times. Just look at how day-ticket prices fluctuate by what days you plan to attend.

WDW, especially MK, has an overcrowding problem. They don't want more guests. They want the same or even less guests that pay even more per person. (What business doesn't want that?)

Excellent post. We agree on many points but I think I used the wrong term. I should have stated my individual WDW value bubble is close to bursting. I am not seeing the value as I have in the past and agree with your points above. I am a repeat/frequent visitor who is now questioning if/when I will return. I am assuming I represent a growing group of return customers who are currently struggling to justify the value.

Iger himself on a quarterly call said that guest satisfaction goes down on very crowded days. That hurts the brand. That hurts long term attachment and repeat business. That hurts people's willingness to spend even more when they're at the park.

This should be heavily considered when calculating the equilibrium up-front price that does not sacrifice in-park spending to manage capacity better. I am far less willing to spend more at the parks if I feel like the up-front costs are egregious (hotel and tickets). I am looking at reducing my $ spent per day and considering options I never looked at in the past such as staying offsite and limiting how much we spend per day for food, souvenirs, etc. So from WDW's perspective I would be a break-even or loss customer as I spend more in one area and less in others.

Until they can build up more capacity, especially at the three under-utilized parks and make them more attractive to pull people from MK, WDW will continue to raise prices. And they'll do so, because they can. They've been doing it for years and the numbers continue to grow. They'll keeping raising prices until they find that breaking point.

Couldn't agree more and it certainly hurts my perceived value. Waiting too long forced some bad decision making (at EPCOT in particular) and now they are spending billions during a pandemic and investment recapture will certainly be impacted (justifying price increases). My personal breaking point for price (as a total package) may have been reached as we are now looking at staying on site at Universal (or offsite and not associated with WDW) and spending a few days at WDW. I have always stayed on site for at least a week and spent the majority of my time inside Disney Parks. WDW is compromising $ spent per day for average, repeat guests such as myself. Maybe I am underestimating the brand and represent a smaller group.

Disney can't run the parks at a price point that everyone can afford, otherwise, there would be 200 million people visiting every year, and MK would be as crowded every day of the year as they are during Christmas week... and they can't handle that. Short of a permanent reservation system, the only control on stopping overcrowding is raising prices. And it looks like we're still nowhere near that breaking point.

Agree but as mentioned above there has to be an equilibrium pricing model that also factors in $ spent in total per day and not just "up front" revenues from hotel and park tickets. As you mentioned above though, you need capacity to be more evenly distributed through all of the parks to increase $ spent per day at each (which amazes me that MK has so few TS dining options). Perhaps I am falling victim to WDW's pricing/capacity model and my pride is damaged

Side note - thank you very much for the rumor tracking threads. I appreciate the effort and it does a great job of accumulating all of the rumors.

 

[HauntedPirate]

We're not anywhere near that bursting bubble. Disney has been tightening budgets and raising prices aggressively for WDW with the purposeful intent of reducing the number of guests that show up during peak times. Just look at how day-ticket prices fluctuate by what days you plan to attend.

WDW, especially MK, has an overcrowding problem. They don't want more guests. They want the same or even less guests that pay even more per person. (What business doesn't want that?)

Iger himself on a quarterly call said that guest satisfaction goes down on very crowded days. That hurts the brand. That hurts long term attachment and repeat business. That hurts people's willingness to spend even more when they're at the park.

Until they can build up more capacity, especially at the three under-utilized parks and make them more attractive to pull people from MK, WDW will continue to raise prices. And they'll do so, because they can. They've been doing it for years and the numbers continue to grow. They'll keeping raising prices until they find that breaking point.

Disney can't run the parks at a price point that everyone can afford, otherwise, there would be 200 million people visiting every year, and MK would be as crowded every day of the year as they are during Christmas week... and they can't handle that. Short of a permanent reservation system, the only control on stopping overcrowding is raising prices. And it looks like we're still nowhere near that breaking point.

Let’s not kid ourselves - Disney wants as many people in the parks paying as much as they can possible get out of them every single day. Iger’s comment was PR fluff, nothing more. As long as people keep showing up and paying, they’ll keep doing what they’ve been doing.

If Disney focuses more on per day spending, that could mean big increases in the cost of APs, especially the ones with fewer blackout dates.

You mean even bigger increases than the near-doubling of Platinum AP prices since 2015, when Chapek was installed as head of the parks? Honestly, that would be cutting off their nose to spite their face. 2020 should have proven to them that they need locals and AP holders, despite those who apparently loathe them.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Let’s not kid ourselves - Disney wants as many people in the parks paying as much as they can possible get out of them every single day. Iger’s comment was PR fluff, nothing more. As long as people keep showing up and paying, they’ll keep doing what they’ve been doing.

It's not that Iger was giving fluff, but was speaking to some very specific metrics that very few would consider a great experience. Disney is still obsessed with the 7.3 attractions metric. They want people minimally satisfied, not over satisfied.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Let’s not kid ourselves - Disney wants as many people in the parks paying as much as they can possible get out of them every single day. Iger’s comment was PR fluff, nothing more. As long as people keep showing up and paying, they’ll keep doing what they’ve been doing.

You're privy to how much customers who give high satisfaction scores spend and return v. those who don't give high satisfaction scores and can separate out how many of each group was present on a 'crowded' day?

 

[HauntedPirate]

You're privy to how much customers who give high satisfaction scores spend and return v. those who don't give high satisfaction scores and can separate out how many of each group was present on a 'crowded' day?

Wait, you aren’t? I didn’t know. I’ll talk to the Bob’s about that next week, see if I can get you into The Club.

I think their focus on the first time/once-in-a-lifetime-vacation guests says where their priorities lie. And it really isn’t on making sure those who are there on the really busy/expensive days are giving high guest sat numbers. But that’s just jaded me talking.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Wait, you aren’t? I didn’t know. I’ll talk to the Bob’s about that next week, see if I can get you into The Club.

I think their focus on the first time/once-in-a-lifetime-vacation guests says where their priorities lie. And it really isn’t on making sure those who are there on the really busy/expensive days are giving high guest sat numbers. But that’s just jaded me talking.

Well, Iger didn't say what he said as a prepared PR spiel. He was asked about 'yield', IOW, how much more can be squeezed out of paying customers to the park. And that's when he noted that getting more bodies into the park has diminishing returns because of guest dissatisfaction with that crowded experience. And so, he talked about squeezing yield out of higher-end upcharge events that don't generally impact most other guests. So, that probably sounds more like Bob to you.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Well, Iger didn't say what he said as a prepared PR spiel. He was asked about 'yield', IOW, how much more can be squeezed out of paying customers to the park. And that's when he noted that getting more bodies into the park has diminishing returns because of guest dissatisfaction with that crowded experience. And so, he talked about squeezing yield out of higher-end upcharge events that don't generally impact most other guests. So, that probably sound more like Bob to you.

That does sound more like Bob.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

Iger himself on a quarterly call said that guest satisfaction goes down on very crowded days. That hurts the brand.

The last sentence says it all- why the parks have less imagination and commitment to quality than they used to. Disney is now a "brand" and the parks are viewed as a tool of promoting that.

 

[WEDway Inc & Company LLC]

Just noting, Luis Fonsi and his family got to experience Remy's Ratatouille Adventure yesterday (12/21.)

 

[MisterPenguin]

View attachment 520262

Just noting, Luis Fonsi and his family got to experience Remy's Ratatouille Adventure yesterday (12/21.)

I see it's finally opening up... slowly.

 

[begood524]

It looks like the Gusteau's sign got additional lighting!

 

[SpoiledBlueMilk]

It looks like the Gusteau's sign got additional lighting!

It's a fun ride. Would be better with the restaurant attached to it, but it seems the improvements they're making in the pavilion will be nice.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Shouldn‘t be too much longer. I gather guests will be riding by the first day of Spring (perhaps soft opening form with a later date like Memorial Day as the formal opening).