News Remy's Ratatouille Adventure coming to Epcot

[Pixieish]

I get the feeling you take issue with the theme of Test Track more so than the attraction itself. If a Tron overlay was chosen as a future retheme, would you see yourself enjoying this attraction any more or less? You could stick all the bells and whistles from Tron in the show building, maybe plus the outdoor element with a tube that glows with different LEDs, but would you still find it enjoyable?

What I'm trying to say is if you break down almost any attraction, not just at WDW, you're simply riding through a big, empty warehouse. Spider-Man at IoA is a big warehouse, Ratatouille will be as well, and the new SWL Alcatraz attraction will be a massive show building, too. I guess I don't understand the argument of "this ride looks like a giant warehouse" because all attractions are. Just my thoughts.

HAHAHA...I'm right there with ya...the quote in my post got messed up because I didn't complete a previous reply and it got stuck in there and tried to quickly delete it. (Unsuccessfully, obviously, lol) I'm going to go try to fix it.

 

[deWild]

No, I get it. I just don't think a Tron overlay would change much because it is already incredibly similar. If we want to talk about rides literally in a boring warehouse, look at Transformers. That thing is hideous.

Oh, I see what you mean now. Yeah I was going to bring up the Transformers building because it's quite awful to stare at. However, personally I find Transformers to be very enjoyable, although I may have to pass on riding it over and over thanks to motion sickness.

Going back to what CherylM was getting at though, if you break down any themed attraction you will find a ride system inside a show building. Ratatouille and SWL's Alcatraz fall in this category as well. Now I ask the question: What makes an attraction most enjoyable? For example, Transformers is an eyesore but many say the ride is fantastic, or Ratatouille appears to have a beautiful architectural scheme, it fits in with the rest of France at EPCOT, yet I've noticed several comments on how poor the actual ride is.

 

[deWild]

HAHAHA...I'm right there with ya...the quote in my post got messed up because I didn't complete a previous reply and it got stuck in there and tried to quickly delete it. (Unsuccessfully, obviously, lol) I'm going to go try to fix it.

Ah, I gotcha now.

 

[disneygeek90]

Oh, I see what you mean now. Yeah I was going to bring up the Transformers building because it's quite awful to stare at. However, personally I find Transformers to be very enjoyable, although I may have to pass on riding it over and over thanks to motion sickness.

Going back to what CherylM was getting at though, if you break down any themed attraction you will find a ride system inside a show building. Ratatouille and SWL's Alcatraz fall in this category as well. Now I ask the question: What makes an attraction most enjoyable? For example, Transformers is an eyesore but many say the ride is fantastic, or Ratatouille appears to have a beautiful architectural scheme, it fits in with the rest of France at EPCOT, yet I've noticed several comments on how poor the actual ride is.

The theming of the ride is absolutely what separates and makes you even forget you're in a warehouse. At the end of the day, every indoor ride is. I think you get the warehouse vibe even more in TT because aside from the blue lights, there's really not much to look at in the inside portion of the ride itself. You swerve around a few times in a grey building, and then exit. Compared to RSR, it's a nightmare tbh.

 

[Pixieish]

You keep saying "today's generation" needs short rides. Based on what? As I said, the short attention span nonsense is spouted about every generation. What cultural shifts occurred between 1982 and today that have destroyed attention spans?

As to needing "some thrills," particularly at the expense of more elaborate, classic rides - for twenty years Disneyland had one coaster. It still doesn't have a looping coaster. What cultural change took place that Disney parks NEED conventional, physical thrills? The Magic Kingdom is the most popular park in the world and its most thrilling ride is a (poorly maintained) wooden coaster from the 70s. Or... is the whole "thrills" thing just convenient malarky being pushed by execs?

I am fully in favor of adding Rat. I only used that because it's an example of the "new tech" with which they're upgrading EPCOT - and MGM, and so on.

And I am fine with some IPs, but it HAS become a crutch and Disney's understanding of synergy across media is hopelessly narrow.

I strongly disagree with Soarin' being better than Kitchen Kabaret, especially the new one. And man... TT much better than WoM? I mean, I love vacant parking garages as much as the next guy, but I can drive 60mph on my own.

What's weird is that you loved a lot of the classic rides, but are somehow convinced people today wouldn't love them. You're buying the crud that WDW execs are shovelling. The "kids need thrills" - "kids need short rides" - "kids are used to screens" - is all garbage that the PR department is using to cover their cost cutting, margin increasing motives. It has NO basis in reality.

Sorry, I have to disagree with you on Test Track. We're a family of 4 and the design-a-car part has become tradition that our sons split so hubby and I each have a kid and each "team" tries to out-design the other. My boys (6 and 11) absolutely adore Test Track exactly the way it is! (Even the joltiness of the "test" area!)

 

[RSoxNo1]

I strongly disagree with Soarin' being better than Kitchen Kabaret, especially the new one. And man... TT much better than WoM? I mean, I love vacant parking garages as much as the next guy, but I can drive 60mph on my own.

Sorry, I have to disagree with you on Test Track. We're a family of 4 and the design-a-car part has become tradition that our sons split so hubby and I each have a kid and each "team" tries to out-design the other. My boys (6 and 11) absolutely adore Test Track exactly the way it is! (Even the joltiness of the "test" area!)

I'm 100% behind the design component of Test Track. That feels like vintage EPCOT Center to me. Having said that, the current ride is lacking. I could see it greatly improved with lighthearted video of how our designs do in the various tests the Sim Car just went through. They can further stress in the attraction narrative that the Sim Car is intended to be balanced and we can "learn" what our cars would do in the same situation. All we see now is a number score, but we don't fully get what those mean other than a ranking.

 

[Bender123]

I'm 100% the design component of Test Track. That feels like vintage EPCOT Center to me. Having said that, the current ride is lacking. I could see it greatly improved with lighthearted video of how our designs do in the various tests the Sim Car just went through. They can further stress in the attraction narrative that the Sim Car is intended to be balanced and we can "learn" what our cars would do in the same situation. All we see now is a number score, but we don't fully get what those mean other than a ranking.

Outside of them occupying the same building, I don't think its possible to compare WoM and TT (same as KK and Soarin')...They are both fantastic examples of what Disney does best and so different that I don't think a best could ever be solidly chosen. This isn't a comparison of something like Journey into Imagination, where its an obvious downgrade...My issue is that I wish the new fantastic experience didn't need to replace the old fantastic experience.

 

[michael.fumc]

I guess at least you'd have something you'd actually want and need a fastpass for in tier 2 if that were to happen and do we really see them having that many tier 1 attractions?

Tier 1:
GotG
Rat
FEA
TT
and don't forget ROE

Tier 2:
Soarin ( everyone will pick this and it will be busier than ever )
MS
Figment
Nemo
LwtL
Spaceship Earth
Character M&Gs


Additional FP+
new attraction in UK?
if they put something new in the 3d theater?

My hope would be that TIER system wouldn't be needed with the additions, but there probably will still have something in place

 

[aladdin2007]

My hope would be that TIER system wouldn't be needed with the additions, but there probably will still have something in place

like fees

 

[michmousefan]

The thing is, on most days now you can get a Soarin' FP same day AFTER you've used your first 3. Adults can get a FEA, SSE and M: S Fastpass, ride Test Track single rider and get a same day FP for Soarin' on most days.

Was at the park on a fairly busy Sunday - last Sunday, to be exact - and at 7:30pm Soarin was a 20-minute standby wait. No biggie. Practically the same length of waiting as with FP.

 

[Marlins1]

Increased capacity and the new version is simply not as interesting or fun as the old one. Soarin' used to be one of my favorite rides, now I can take it or leave it. Pretty much the same with Test Track. Sad when Frozenstrom ends up being the best of the big three updates.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Increased capacity and the new version is simply not as interesting or fun as the old one. Soarin' used to be one of my favorite rides, now I can take it or leave it. Pretty much the same with Test Track. Sad when Frozenstrom ends up being the best of the big three updates.

I disagree. Frozen is a better attraction but doesn't fit the theme as well. TT is much more interactive and IMO better. Soarin 2.0 makes more sense bc you would never hang glide 25 feet above an aircraft carrier, river or orange grove etc.

 

[cjkeating]

I've said this before either in this thread or another that I think the 'hate' for Ratatouille from some posters is unjust.

If anyone has any questions I'd be more than happy to answer them in the most factual and unbiased way as possible as someone who has ridden the ride on numerous occasions.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I disagree. Frozen is a better attraction but doesn't fit the theme as well. TT is much more interactive and IMO better. Soarin 2.0 makes more sense bc you would never hang glide 25 feet above an aircraft carrier, river or orange grove etc.

Wait, wha? Are you saying it makes more sense now that you hang glide over the Matterhorn? Was there sarcasm I missed?

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Wait, wha? Are you saying it makes more sense now that you hang glide over the Matterhorn? Was there sarcasm I missed?

I guess that's also true. Wasn't thinking straight but I think it makes less sense that you glide over an aircraft carrier

 

[UpAllNight]

Soarin 2 fits more as it makes more sense to be flying over the world, then randomly, just California.

 

[Timothy_Q]

Soarin 2.0 is the Soarin Epcot should have received from the beginning. 1.0 never fit the park.

Which one is a better attraction is another discussion though

 

[Marlins1]

Soarin 2.0 is the Soarin Epcot should have received from the beginning. 1.0 never fit the park.

Which one is a better attraction is another discussion though

Agreed completely. The changes to both TT and Soarin' improved their fit thematically - I don't think there can be any question about that. Unfortunately IMO both rides became less enjoyable but I know some feel differently. Frozen to me is the exact opposite. The new theme doesn't fit but they actually improved the ride.

 

[Marlins1]

Anyway back on topic - WS needs a couple rides on the west side. I think Ratatouille will be a great add and the fact that everything else in the pavilion stays makes it even better.

 

[Daveeeeed]

Agreed completely. The changes to both TT and Soarin' improved their fit thematically - I don't think there can be any question about that. Unfortunately IMO both rides became less enjoyable but I know some feel differently. Frozen to me is the exact opposite. The new theme doesn't fit but they actually improved the ride.

Nailed it!

Anyway back on topic - WS needs a couple rides on the west side. I think Ratatouille will be a great add and the fact that everything else in the pavilion stays makes it even better.

Let's go Brazil!!!