EPCOT Remy's Ratatouille Adventure coming to Epcot

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I'm confused there's so much discussion about the French language being included in the ride. That takes place in France. In the French pavilion of Epcot. I have not watched a ride through of the Paris version in years, but it makes sense and seems more authentic to hear French while scurrying through the restaurant.

As someone who hasn't been able to see any international parks yet, I'm excited to get a little taste of how it feels being in a completely different environment and not having every single word catered to my language.

I agree it would be nice if there was some further language teaching moment available, but that's something that would enhance the experience, not something that's necessarily needed in regards to the standalone ride.

This is a discussion board where people debate the most minute of all theme park minutiae (again, past topics include trash can designs and pavement gradient).

I think a domestic ride using dual-language dialogue for the first time is pretty interesting stuff, as far as discussion topics go.

For about the 20th time, nothing against French being included in France. I personally enjoy it myself. That doesn't change the fact that it was done out of cost/laziness, or that there's an incredibly easy app-based solution that would significantly enhance the experience for those inclined to delve deeper. I could probably write a solution myself; would just need an app developer to implement in ~15 minutes.

Absolutely not knocking the ride for including French. I'll knock it for being mediocre.

 

[ToTBellHop]

This is a discussion board where people debate the most minute of all theme park minutiae (again, past topics include trash can designs and pavement gradient).

I think a domestic ride using dual-language dialogue for the first time is pretty interesting stuff, as far as discussion topics go.

For about the 20th time, nothing against French being included in France. I personally enjoy it myself. That doesn't change the fact that it was done out of cost/laziness, or at there's an incredibly easy app-based solution that would significantly enhance the experience for those inclined to delve deeper.

Absolutely not knocking the ride for including French. I'll knock it for being mediocre.

I haven’t ridden it yet, but it looks like one of the best rides at Epcot. Perhaps that’s sad.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I haven’t ridden it yet, but it looks like one of the best rides at Epcot. Perhaps that’s sad.

When the highlights of Epcot are nerfed Test Track, nerfed Soarin', Frozen river journey featuring blank walls, and the most underwhelming trackless addition yet, it is quite sad.

As someone who loved Epcot circa 2000 (and really enjoyed the original Soarin'), I think its attractions are pretty terrible right now. Ratatouille doesn't move the needle, as far as I'm concerned, and that's not because of the French.

 

[UNCgolf]

When the highlights of Epcot are nerfed Test Track, nerfed Soarin', Frozen river journey featuring blank walls, and the most underwhelming trackless addition yet, it is quite sad.

As someone who loved Epcot circa 2000 (and really enjoyed the original Soarin'), I think its attractions are pretty terrible right now. Ratatouille doesn't move the needle, as far as I'm concerned, and that's not because of the French.

Spaceship Earth and Living with the Land are the highlights of EPCOT.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Spaceship Earth and Living with the Land are the highlights of EPCOT.

I’ve never really felt strongly about them myself (they’re both solid and unique but somewhat low-key), but honestly, you’re right.

My Epcot highlight was always IllumiNations (and Soarin’ when it was actually good), so a lot is contingent on Harmonious at this stage. I also expect Guardians to be incredibly fun, even if its purpose and fit are lacking.

My impression of Ratatouille has been tainted for 7 years. Said it before, and I’ll say it again: would have happily taken a new pavilion with no ride over it.

 

[UNCgolf]

I’ve never really felt strongly about them myself (they’re both solid and unique but somewhat low-key), but honestly, you’re right.

My Epcot highlight was always IllumiNations (and Soarin’ when it was actually good), so a lot is contingent on Harmonious at this stage. I also expect Guardians to be incredibly fun, even if its purpose and fit are lacking.

My impression of Ratatouille has been tainted for 7 years. Said it before, and I’ll say it again: would have happily taken a new pavilion with no ride over it.

I think Spaceship Earth is one of my top 5 favorite attractions, even in its current somewhat diminished form. At one point EPCOT had 3 or maybe 4 of my 5 favorites ever at WDW (Horizons and Imagination definitely, World of Motion potentially... plus the original Living Seas pavilion as a whole experience was one of my favorite things Disney has ever built).

Living with the Land isn't quite that high on the list, but I love it for what it is.

I also would have greatly preferred a new pavilion with no ride over Ratatouille, but that wasn't going to happen any time soon.

 

[MisterPenguin]

The ironic thing is I probably speak more French than most on the other side of this conversation. Just trying to have empathy for others who may want to learn something from what they heard.

(In retrospect, speaking French is very Karen. Now where’s the manager?)

You need to shout "garçon" really loud several times in a heavy American accent.

 

[MisterPenguin]

On the contrary, it would be so very Epcot to support guests who have that initial spark to learn more, rather than shrug and say, “you’re on your own, have you tried Google Translate?

Google Translate is worthless in the parks. It doesn't have a Shyriiwook setting.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Sometimes I turn off The Little Mermaid out of rage whenever “Les Poissons” comes on. What the hell is he even talking about? I assume poisoning the crab. I won’t let my children listen to such disturbing content so we instead sing wholesome classics like “What Made the Red Man Red?” or the “Siamese Cat Song.”

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Sometimes I turn off The Little Mermaid out of rage whenever “Les Poissons” comes on. What the hell is he even talking about? I assume poisoning the crab. I won’t let my children listen to such disturbing content so we instead sing wholesome classics like “What Made the Red Man Red?” or the “Siamese Cat Song.”

At this point I'd think we can move past the low-effort strawman of "it's in French, make it English." That's not anyone's point.

Also not saying the attraction's plot is difficult to understand. It's not. A toddler could follow it.

Any other irrelevant counterpoints people feel the need to repeat?

 

[UNCgolf]

Sometimes I turn off The Little Mermaid out of rage whenever “Les Poissons” comes on. What the hell is he even talking about? I assume poisoning the crab. I won’t let my children listen to such disturbing content so we instead sing wholesome classics like “What Made the Red Man Red?” or the “Siamese Cat Song.”

All you do is turn it off?

You're not even trying if you aren't sending emails to Disney demanding they edit the movie to remove that scene.

 

[ToTBellHop]

All you do is turn it off?

You're not even trying if you aren't sending emails to Disney demanding they edit the movie to remove that scene.

I say we march on Chapek.

 

[jaxonp]

What Disney should really do with the French is provide a full list of phrases used and what they mean, so those with no background whose curiosity is piqued have somewhere to turn.

It's not always the easiest language to spell when going by sound (e.g. dépêchez-vous).

On the flipside, Disney should be teaching the Ratatouille CMs at least a handful of French greetings, as well as how to actually say them. Heard a friendly "bonjour" in the video I watched, but the poor CM couldn't even pronounce it correctly.

If those asks are too much, we'll know the real driving factor here was laziness/cost.

God forbid Americans embrace another culture or language in EPCOT of all places. Great work by Disney to keep the original and celebrate the French culture. They are proud of who they are and their language.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

God forbid Americans embrace another culture or language in EPCOT of all places. Great work by Disney to keep the original and celebrate the French culture. They are proud of who they are and their language.

If that’s what you take from everything I’ve posted, you’ve missed my whole point entirely.

 

[ToTBellHop]

If that’s what you take from everything I’ve posted, you’ve missed my whole point entirely.

What did France do to you?

Other than provide baguettes, eclairs, and crepes (all French words understood by most Americans)?

 

[doctornick]

There are some nuances in French that aren't necessarily repeated in English.

e.g. Linguini telling us « dépêchez-vous, va ici » (hurry up, go here!), which in English becomes "go, go!"

(I actually can't tell if he's saying va ici or voici, but the latter makes more sense grammatically; would change the meaning to "hurry up, here!")

Or Remy telling everyone at the end, "Hey, thanks for coming everyone!" Followed by « vous êtes toujours les bienvenus, chéris » (you're always welcome, darlings). Those are just two easier examples that jump out from skimming the video.

It's not much, but wouldn't it be cool for people with no French background to be able to learn some of these phrases following the ride? I don't think that's a major ask.

So, I was actually with you in terms of chastising Disney until you provided these examples/translations and now I don't get what you are ranting about.

I thought you were suggesting that the French in the ride provided some deeper meaning or commentary about what was going on and understanding the subtleties about what is being said would enhance the ride experience. But the examples you are citing suggest that, well, the English and French is the same exact sentiments. I mean, yeah, any language is going to have nuanced ways to say something similar but you seem to be nitpicking that they didn't do exact translations in English even though the meanings and implications are apparently the same.

Basically, I'm not sure what exactly you are suggesting. A word by word translation of the French from the ride? Which people will grab and say "oh, it's the exact same stuff they say in English" and just throw it out. This isn't like the translator for the IJ queue that you keep mentioning (or the Aurebesh translator for Star Wars on the Play app). To get the nuance you are suggesting would take significant effort and interest in the part of the party and - if that's the case - a better option would be just to go online and find a transcript of the ride which would be more yield than any small simple thing Disney would do.

I'm all for Disney going a step beyond, I'm just not sure I get the point here.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

What did France do to you?

Other than provide baguettes, eclairs, and crepes (all French words understood by most Americans)?

This is one of the most pointless, perplexing discussions I've ever engaged in after 15+ years on this site.

I like the French. I speak basic French. My grandparents used to live in France.

I also think it would be really cool if Disney took one of its apps (either MDE or Play Disney Parks), where they're constantly trying to force obscure trivia and interactive gimmicks, and used them to fill in the blanks for guests who are curious to understand the dialogue they heard.

That's it.

I'm all for Disney going a step beyond, I'm just not sure I get the point here.

If Disney could do this for an entire system of glyphs that's irrelevant to the on-ride experience of Indiana Jones Adventure, I believe it's a pretty basic ask to offer something similar here. Just a few phrases based on the dialogue in the ride, maybe even a few extra. For those who are curious enough to actually retain some of what they heard, but without the background necessary to spell things out by sound.

It's really a very basic idea. Necessary? No, but it would add so much for those who'd be interested.

 

[castlecake2.0]

Ok I see the point is that you don’t mind the French, but you want a way for it to be translated for people who want to know what is being said. How would you implement that, you mentioned an app? Would it be part of the Play app? Would Canada be included? (Not being rude, genuinely curious)

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Ok I see the point is that you don’t mind the French, but you want a way for it to be translated for people who want to know what is being said. How would you implement that, you mentioned an app? Would it be part of the Play app? Would Canada be included? (Not being rude, genuinely curious)

Yes, exactly this! I'm constantly getting weird notifications from MDE for trivia I don't care about (e.g. it's the 15th anniversary of Soarin'! Learn more about Dumbo!). Likewise, the parks are filled with interactive little stops where Play Disney Parks can trigger an effect in the park. Saw one in DL's Peter Pan queue the other day.

It would be a very simple ask to offer some useful phrases and translations relevant to the Ratatouille experience. As expanded upon later, I even think it would be a great idea for each pavilion whether it has an attraction or not: some useful content that will be highly engaging and meaningful to a specific pool of the audience.

That's really all I'm putting forward. Nothing against the French at all (besides acknowledging the intent: cost & laziness).

 

[lazyboy97o]

At this point I'd think we can move past the low-effort strawman of "it's in French, make it English." That's not anyone's point.

Also not saying the attraction's plot is difficult to understand. It's not. A toddler could follow it.

Any other irrelevant counterpoints people feel the need to repeat?

The past few pages have proven that people don’t actually bother read posts.