News Remy's Ratatouille Adventure coming to Epcot

[Surferboy567]

Not annoyed. Just don't want newbies thinking that Jim's that reliable.

Saying "grain of salt" is what's said for almost all rumors, even from reliable insiders because Disney has been known to change their mind at the last second (or even a few weeks later, cf. Main Street Theater).

Jim's rumors just needs a different warning sign... like an eyeroll.

Got it! Yeah, I don’t want to spread misinformation on here. I’ve been on here long enough to know what that can do to a discussion.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Almost entirely agree, except for him being reliable long ago.

My memory of him going back probably as far as the late-1990s was that there was always a sense that he made leaps of logic in his rumours and inside tales. That doesn't mean that he has never had any inside sources, but he always seemed like he was pulling together what information he had (which was often the equivalent of other 'insiders' that repost info from these boards today) and then trying to make good guesses to fill in the blanks.

Fair play to him for staying around this long and building quite a following. And, again, I'm sure he has had and may still have some decent inside sources over the years. He's never been exactly rigorous in reporting rumours, though, and I think his podcasts and articles (if he still writes them) are best viewed as entertainment.

Agreed.

I’ve been around on message boards for... a long time now. Jim was always known (as far as I can remember) as the gossip columnist. He got the occasional thing correct, but mostly had weird info...

He was no Al Lutz.

 

[_caleb]

Agreed.

I’ve been around on message boards for... a long time now. Jim was always known (as far as I can remember) as the gossip columnist. He got the occasional thing correct, but mostly had weird info...

He was no Al Lutz.

JH’s “Why For?” articles used to work because he sort of channeled a Walt-esque storyteller’s tone and generally understood Disney values. But the values changed long ago, and he seems to have tried to be the next Al Lutz (instead becoming just another fan with an opinion like the rest of us).

 

[tirian]

Well, he used to be reliable, but long ago.

As a Disney watcher, you can usually guess what Disney is going to do, especially if you're reading info from more reliable sources. Jim has, over time, proposed his presumptions and guesses as inside info more and more so. But good guessing will only get you so far.

Jim also hears things being discussed, but doesn't seem to be aware of how definite or spit-bally those things are. And if it's just spit-ball, those things rarely get re-discussed as "we looked at it and decided we aren't going to do it." And thus, Jim has kept certain rumors alive long after they've been definitively killed or tabled by Disney.

When you're not actively involved with Disney as an employee with them, or an employee of a contractor they use, you lose contacts over time.

I would imagine with the several employee purges that have happened recently, access to inside info will be become even more difficult for outsiders who once had an inside contact.

Many of the open-secret sources — the ones who freely spoke to fans and didn’t hide their feelings — were laid off or retired. There’s no room for personal opinions that contradict the corporate IP mandates; everyone should always agree and be happy to do so. Anyone with a slightly different opinion is instantly a troublemaker and a threat to the mindlessly happy machine. This is Disney’s current corporate environment. This is a microcosm of a larger problem in society. Agree with the machine or else.

A chunk of those imagineers took the “or else” and formed their own consulting agencies. But even though their opinions are valid, they have limited access to internal gossip, and internet rumors have dried up or been wildly incorrect.

TBH, most of the rumors from those early days of Internet forums weren’t much more than cafeteria gossip anyway.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

Many of the open-secret sources — the ones who freely spoke to fans and didn’t hide their feelings — were laid off or retired. There’s no room for personal opinions that contradict the corporate IP mandates; everyone should always agree and be happy to do so. Anyone with a slightly different opinion is instantly a troublemaker and a threat to the mindlessly happy machine. This is Disney’s current corporate environment. This is a microcosm of a larger problem in society. Agree with the machine or else.

A chunk of those imagineers took the “or else” and formed their own consulting agencies. But even though their opinions are valid, they have limited access to internal gossip, and internet rumors have dried up or been wildly incorrect.

TBH, most of the rumors from those early days of Internet forums weren’t much more than cafeteria gossip anyway.

Sounds like another version of “cancel culture”- i.e. a win for no one.

 

[tirian]

Sounds like another version of “cancel culture”- i.e. a win for no one.

It is, but it’s not related to American political parties. I guess I should take this opportunity to shout, “I’M NOT BEING POLITICAL” before someone tags it or cries or complains or whatever.

 

[aladdin2007]

Many of the open-secret sources — the ones who freely spoke to fans and didn’t hide their feelings — were laid off or retired. There’s no room for personal opinions that contradict the corporate IP mandates; everyone should always agree and be happy to do so. Anyone with a slightly different opinion is instantly a troublemaker and a threat to the mindlessly happy machine. This is Disney’s current corporate environment. This is a microcosm of a larger problem in society. Agree with the machine or else.

A chunk of those imagineers took the “or else” and formed their own consulting agencies. But even though their opinions are valid, they have limited access to internal gossip, and internet rumors have dried up or been wildly incorrect.

TBH, most of the rumors from those early days of Internet forums weren’t much more than cafeteria gossip anyway.

after I read that the only thing that came to mind was Scientology, it really does sound like that is the form of mindset in the company today, others as well no doubt which is hugely concerning. I could say more but since this is a ratatouille thread I wont,,,,but you made interesting points.

 

[Crazydisneyfanluke]

Agreed.

I’ve been around on message boards for... a long time now. Jim was always known (as far as I can remember) as the gossip columnist. He got the occasional thing correct, but mostly had weird info...

He was no Al Lutz.

"A wrong clock is right twice a day" is the quote that comes to mind for Jim.

 

[IveBeenJack]

So this is going to fuel posts about a potential soft opening... lol

But personally I could see Disney opening up the area so guests can access Le Creperie De Paris. But hold off on the attraction until a little later, maybe for the start of Flower and Garden.

I think boarding groups will be needed around this area, otherwise physical distancing will be a nightmare in such a confined courtyard area. Also the attraction will surely have to run at one party per Rat-mobile as Plexiglass dividers will ruin the 3D experience. @marni1971 any thoughts on the plexiglass?

 

[WEDway Inc & Company LLC]

They do have an Earnings Call for Investors coming up on February 11th...

 

[DCBaker]

 

[castlecake2.0]

I’ll never not be annoyed that they didn’t attempt to do anything to this blank wall in your face as you enter the new area. How much does a fake window and some brick cost?

 

[gerarar]

Some more pictures courtesy of BlogMickey:

 

[UNCgolf]

I’ll never not be annoyed that they didn’t attempt to do anything to this blank wall in your face as you enter the new area. How much does a fake window and some brick cost?
View attachment 523421

It's pretty ridiculous.

 

[Little Green Men]

I’ll never not be annoyed that they didn’t attempt to do anything to this blank wall in your face as you enter the new area. How much does a fake window and some brick cost?
View attachment 523421

Even a tree would block it

 

[Giss Neric]

So if Harmonious will debut in spring, Rat will most likely open Jan/Feb.

 

[Magic Feather]

So this is going to fuel posts about a potential soft opening... lol

But personally I could see Disney opening up the area so guests can access Le Creperie De Paris. But hold off on the attraction until a little later, maybe for the start of Flower and Garden.

I think boarding groups will be needed around this area, otherwise physical distancing will be a nightmare in such a confined courtyard area. Also the attraction will surely have to run at one party per Rat-mobile as Plexiglass dividers will ruin the 3D experience. @marni1971 any thoughts on the plexiglass?

Not Martin, but, anecdotally, Kong at Universal uses Plexiglass and 3D just fine (only some weird glare quirks here and there). I’m not sure if plexi is being installed, but I’d honestly be surprised if it wasn’t already.

BG’a were discussed for Rat, and as much as it would be interesting to see, I really struggle to see a world where Disney does that to a ride that guests can actually be let down by. The queue would definitely stretch like crazy, but they can likely pull it off.

 

[Surferboy567]

I really thought we would of heard a date or something at the media event today.

 

[Soluna16]

People are being trained to operate this ride currently based on my connections. Maybe February or March?

 

[Surferboy567]

People are being trained to operate this ride currently based on my connections. Maybe February or March?

I just think it’s weird they haven’t said anything about anything.

Nothing about the 50th
Nothing about Rat
Nothing about The Starcruiser
Nothing about Space 220
Nothing about HarmonioUS

I think they should make a press release, maybe talk about something at the media event. Something.