pdude81
Well-Known Member
It's been a rough 20 years there
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News Remy's Ratatouille Adventure coming to Epcot
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
For me, it's not solely the bare walls -- it's that the sets in general are sparse. There's a bit of simple scenery around the AAs and that's basically it for most scenes. I was completely blind going in (hadn't even seen photos) the first time I rode and I came off thinking it was one of the worst rides Disney had ever built.
While that judgment was probably a bit harsh, I think it's the most underwhelmed I've ever been on a ride and I didn't exactly have high expectations.
Under the Sea feels like it was trying to have the simplicity of an old school Fantasyland ride combined with a larger, more impressive scale in certain scenes, and it just falls flat. They probably would have been better off intentionally going for a smaller scale and actually keeping things simple; the other option was to go ahead and build an E-ticket full of impressive scenes and effects. Instead they did neither.
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i know im in the minority, but I really like under the sea, and i try to go on everytime i visit CA. pre covid in the less crowded parts of the year it was basically a walk on, sometimes a 10 minute wait. totally worth a 10 minute wait. I will say I dont know how they spent 150 million on it either, that number seems crazy to me
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
It's not a bad ride as a walk-on, but I think that's part of the problem. Between the money they spent on it and the overall scale (not to mention the elaborate queue) they were clearly hoping for a huge hit.
I think if people actually had to wait an hour or longer to ride it, it would be widely hated (kind of the opposite of Na'vi River Journey in that regard).
DonaldDoleWhip
Well-Known Member
While I don't think Ratatouille will move the needle for me, I can't argue this point haha.
In a way, it's actually nice to have well-liked attractions that you don't care for; one example that immediately comes to mind is TSMM. I'm still shocked the ride was so popular it warranted a capacity expansion, but at least that means fewer guests in line for the other attractions I like.
For sure, Na'vi River Journey belongs in this same group, although at least it was clearly a C-ticket from the start. I find it similarly enjoyable to these others (and would also choose it over Rat) but would skip all of them if the wait is longer than 15 minutes. Maybe 20 for Ratatouille because it's new, and maybe 25 for Frozen because the AAs are good.
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Sir_Cliff
Well-Known Member
Completely fair, though I didn't find the sets inappropriately sparse if I'm honest. I think I'm alone on this, but I actually thought the pacing was especially good on FEA. There are a few really nice little moments along the way that speak to the pacing and in which the music plays a big role, like coming out at the top of the lift hill to the music of Do You Want to Build a Snowman and seeing the little Olaf AA skating around or even the switch after the Let it Go scene around Marshmallow and the little baby snow things. The lighting is good at creating the right atmosphere, the ride system adds to this atmosphere, and the AAs are all top notch. Finally, I find it strikes a nice balance between featuring the music and familiar settings from the film but avoiding just recounting the story book report style.
For me, it's one of the few signs Disney still knows how to design a good dark ride. I know that's a minority opinion, though!
Completely agree here. I can imagine an alternate version on a smaller scale that relied more on blacklight along the lines of Snow White, Alice, or Pinocchio at Disneyland with, perhaps, a few advanced animatronics in the mix that would have hit the spot. Or, as you say, actually make it an impressive E-ticket. The scale is often too big for me and the figures too shiny and plasticy.
orky8
Well-Known Member
Yes. It’s a great addition. But just a good ride. And that’s ok. Not every ride needs to or should be great.
That this is the hot new ride for the 50th (of another park) is sad
. And the cost for this ride, a clone, just boggles my mind.
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
I think NRJ is a class above any of the others, and would be willing to wait 15+ minutes longer for it than any the rest. That's because the things it does really well are among the things I enjoy the most, so I understand why other people feel differently.
None of them are worth long waits, though.
I also despise TSMM and wouldn't wait 10 minutes for it.
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UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
This is the way I feel about NRJ! And also clearly a minority opinion.
EDIT: Although good maybe isn't the right word. I enjoy it, but I suppose it's more that it shows they still know how to build something with the proper foundation to be a good dark ride.
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doctornick
Well-Known Member
And it's being added to an area of the park devoid of rides which really needs it. And is the type of ride that Epcot could really needs being family friendly and good capacity. I expect once the newness dies down, it will be a good example of a ride that is popular (most people will want to ride it) but not too popular (people won't wait in a massive line for it or base the value of their Epcot day on whether they get to experience it).
Regardless of the exact level of "value" of the ride itself (which is all subjective), it's a great addition to Epcot. They could use a couple of similar additions to other pavilions in WS (I've said before doing some stuff like the DL Pinocchio ride in Italy or the Alice ride in UK would really help to spread out the offerings in Epcot and round it out for most guests).
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
Or a great Mary Poppins dark ride that's not a carousel or enhanced meet and greet.
NRJ is impressive but it also just feels... incomplete. It's like PotC with one really impressive pirate at the end.
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
It's definitely incomplete. It needs more animal AAs scattered throughout, and would be nice if it was a few minutes longer too.
With that said, it has lush, detailed sets that make you feel like you're in another place -- that's the foundational part it does so well, and I really enjoy it because of that. If I had a choice between impressive AAs in basically every scene like FEA with little or no surrounding detail or the full, detailed sets of NRJ with less AAs, I'd take the latter.
Ideally a ride would have both, of course.
Haymarket2008
Well-Known Member
Ugh……4-5 years before we realistically get a new attraction? Yeesh. See you in 2025, Imagination.
disneygeek90
Well-Known Member
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It’s not fair to critique this ride based on the 50th standards. This wasn’t intended to be the 50th ride. To me it’s exactly what the world showcase needs. I’m not going into it with huge expectations, but I’m pretty dang excited to see it in a couple weeks.Yes. It’s a great addition. But just a good ride. And that’s ok. Not every ride needs to or should be great.
That this is the hot new ride for the 50th (of another park) is sad
DonaldDoleWhip
Well-Known Member
It’s totally fair to critique the ride given how it’s been packaged, including:
- A massive, boxy show building indicative of great scale
- A reportedly high budget
- Virtual Queue or upcharge exclusivity
Happy Epcot has something new, and happy for those who are happy, but factor in all of the above and there’s going to be disappointment.
NRJ is akin to pirates WDW if you unloaded just before the first drop.
Who would be considered a master dark ride imagineer or place maker now that Joe is gone?
A look at the new La Crêperie de Paris menu items and details on reservations
Find out more about the food coming to the new EPCOT table service restaurant in EPCOT'S France Pavilion.
www.wdwmagic.com
TikibirdLand
Well-Known Member
I was so disappointed when they cut whatever-was-planned for Mary Poppins. I really wanted to walk down cherry-tree lane!