Originally Posted By TDLFAN This past week I had my chance to finally ride the newest attraction at Walt Disney Studios Paris Park, based on the delightful "Ratatouille" movie, the ride is called "Ratatouille: L'Aventure Totalement Touquee de Remi". Please be advised that there may be some spoilers here. First up, I rode three times. All times I rode I utilized the Single Rider line, which appeared to move at a moderately fast pace thanks in part to the good loading job done by the CMs and also by the expansive loading platform that can board up to 6 "rat mobiles" (with capacity for 6 guests each). On my visit, the stand by wait was posted at 50 minutes and the single rider was 15 mins. I waited almost 20 mins, which was fine with me. The fastpasses have all been distributed by 3pm when I arrived at the attraction. The WDSP park is a precarious adventure, being touted by many as Disney most lacking park. That in true IMHO. This park needs major placemaking and thematically speaking, huge upgrades. It's slowly getting to that point but still its a long way to go. The entire Ratatouille are is just lovely, albeit a little smaller than I expected, but the authentic looking french facades and whimsical touches make it the most elaborate area inside WDSP. Its a huge step up from the rest of the park, especially the opposite end of the park which I call "the wastelands". This lovingly crafted Parisian corner offers guests a fun ride, a lovely restaurant, Chez Remi, and coming soon a gift shop. The Ratatouille touches are cute and clever everywhere, from the signage to the lovely fountain in the courtyard, and cobblestone street. Now on to the ride, which is sponsored by Credit Mutual. The entrance into the ride is divided by the Fastpass return, single rider and stand by lines. The stand by line goes mostly outdoors to the right side of the building in a nicely appointed Parisian style canopy, before it goes indoor to what appeared to me like being on roof tops, complete with a Gusteau's neon sign as seen on the movie. The Fastpass and Single rider lines are more like just long corridor with much less theming. There is a tall iron work partition/fence dividing the fastpass and single rider line. However just feet before the turnstiles, the fence ends, and this is where I witnessed some legendary european guest bad behavior. It is well posted at the beginning of the single line that parties will be split to fill open seats. Well.. much to my disapointment, I saw a grown man and young daughter in the single line, getting up to the point before the turnstile, then going under the rope cutting into the stand by line. Other guests looked to him but didn't say anything. I did alert the CM after the offending two were already situated to board the ride. The CM went to confronted the wrong person, I was trying to call his attention to the right man and daughter but by that time it was too late and vehicles were dispatched. CM then came back and was told he talked to the wrong person, but he dismissed it as being too late now and "doesn't matter". Granted I give him credit for trying to catch up with the rude guests but hed mishandled the situation by comfornting the wrong party. This is a area where imrovement is needed in managing the line. Seems to me they needed to build the tall fence all the way to the turnstiles and not end it 6-8 feet short of it. Of course, the stand by guests were also at fault for allowing the man to cut into their line at the last moment. I get the feeling this is something few people will try to pull to get on the ride much faster by cheating the system. I brought this to the attention of Guest Relations on the way out to DLP park later in the day. Now the ride. The boarding platform is expansive and designed in an "L" shape that allows for quick boarding and efficient movement of the trackless vehicles. The movement of the vehicles in the embarking and disembarking areas is well designed to use the expansive available space. Just before you board, you collect your 3D glasses, similar to the ones used at Star Tours 3D and Escape from Gringotts/Spiderman/Transformer at Universal. The vehicles look like cute animated rats and accomodate up to 6 guests. The lapbar comes down, you put on your 3D glasses and off you go. The rat mobiles move thru an alleyway of sorts where the spirit of Gustaux invites us to come in and proceed into the restaurant.. This was my first surprised as I expected some 3D imagery but not HUGE cinerama style screens. Vehicles park around the screen and the adventure begins. This is where we also noticed vehicles have a bit of a simulator effect to them, like vibration and banking forward, etc. They also spin and separate in different ways throughout the ride. After the filmed introduction, which lasted a bit too long (I guess I expected more real sets like TDL's Hunny Hunt or HKDL's Mystic Manor), you come to realize you are rat size, seeing the world from 3 inches off the floor, so every thing towers around you. You can also see other rats' eyes looking at you from hidden corners and such. Creepy fun haha. Sadly having the 3D glasses on, somewhat blurs the view of what few real sets are there throughout the ride. I found myself looking above the glasses' frames to see the details of the sets etc. As the ride progresses, we are in the restaurant hiding away from patrons under tables and food carts. Until we are found to be there, and mayhem begins.. as the restaurant staff pursues us with comic and furiously fast concequences as we try to escape from being squashed by the staff. The mayhem takes us on a trip thru the dining room, the restaurant's kitches etc. One of the most effective moments in the ride is when we are under the moving food cart. We see the spinning cart wheels on either side of us, plus the 3D film in front. Does give you a sense of being small and hiding under the cart. Not to give away the ride but it all ends in a positive note when we join Remi and rat friends having a lovely dinner under plants (like a ceiling of them) and a string of xmas lights as mood lighting. This final scene is again a combination of 3D film and set pieces framing it. Once the ride comes to an end, the storyline continues as we get off the vehicles to come upon a huge window that overlooks the real Bistrot Chez Remi restaurant. At the boarding platform, I found it quite intriguing how some vehicles yield to the ones disembarking, then back up into their spots pretty much like when you back into a spot when you paralleled park, while other times the vehicles just move sideways into their spots. Again, the choreography makes embarking and disembarking much faster and efficiently. Plus visually interesting. Kudos to the Imagineers for this inventive locomotion of rat mobiles. Now about the ride.. It is a delightfully fun adventure. The combination of movement and synchronization is very well done. The mayhem is fun and sometimes a bit scary and loud for little ones so beware of that with kids under 4 yrs of age. The 3D filmed sequences are ok for the most park but some of them looked a bit blurry. In this age of HD, I don't think they did their best work there, or maybe the 3D glasses are to be blamed or the fact that you may see these films from different angles depending where your vehicle parks at. I would have preferred to see more actual sets and less filmed portions with are actually 15-40 seconds in duration. Not sure if there are more than one screen per same scene because the building looks cavernous enough to hold different traveling paths thru the ride and you can see that duality during the ride. So if you ride several times, you may get a slightly different angle on the scenes. Very well done in that regard. So while I recommend it for being a fun ride, I can only bring myself to rate it a B. The problem that I have with it is not so much the ride or storyline, but the execution of it. This ride is NOT ground breaking in any way. It employs a ride track system that is versatile but that has been used before at TDl, HKDL and even Sea World Orlando, plus the extensive use of 3D films and screens and lesser use of actual sets, makes it more like an experience comparable to Universal's Spiderman and Transformers. So this Ratatouille ride is NOT something we have not seen before, sadly. Feels like Disney is trying to copy or keep up with what Universal already is good at offering guests in equally designed experiences. So if you go to Paris, stop by Walt Disney Studios and enjoy this little ride for what it is: a fun whimsical romp. As mentioned before, TDLFAN rates it a B. Go check it out.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I do apologize for some of the typos up above.. I was rushing to get this review done. And auto-correct does not help me either UGH!!! Anyways I mentioned before that the ride disembarks near the Chez Remi Bistro. I had the pleasure to have dinner at this delightful restaurant, which continues the attraction's storyline and theming. Everything inside the restaurant is "rat size", so you are led to believe you are still a mouse-size being. The attention to details is excellent here. From the bottle caps used as table pedestal's, to the huge wine corks, bottles and plates, salt/pepper shaker bottles used as flower pots, or spoons holding candles as light fixtures (in addition to the xmas lights you see at the end of the ride..) It's all great theme and fun environment. My favorite touch was the pina colada umbrella sticks set up on some tables. It was here that I had the pleasure of running into one of our LPers, Gurgitoy2, who was kind enough to let me join him for dinner. He had beef with pommes frites and I had a vegetaian style tofu platter. It came with cut baguette bread basket and side of ratatouille, with was delicious. There are other seafood and chicken selections and a variety of spirits, wine and soft drinks etc. A nice selection of deserts round up the menu, which I didn't find too terribly expensive. My menu was 29 euros and included a side starter salad and main dish. deserts and beverages are priced separately so that's where it can get pricey, disney style. Note that reservations to eat here are recommended but I was a walk in and only waited 5 mins to be seated. So with a nice atmosphere and themes, decent menu and delicious food, I recommend trying this restaurant on your next visit so I rate Bistrot Chez Remi rstaurant an A experience. Go eat there.
Originally Posted By Brad Thank you for your review TDLFAN! It's a pity your excellent reviews don't get more traffic, while the more banal topics get hundreds of responses. Oh well, as Walt said, "Quality will out".
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>It's a pity your excellent reviews don't get more traffic, while the more banal topics get hundreds of responses. Oh well, as Walt said, "Quality will out".<<< Maybe that's because the ride is in Paris and there are only a few European members, like me, here. I guess currently there's only ukfan and me.
Originally Posted By dagobert I hit the POST button too soon. Since most LPers are Americans and will never visit DLP, they are more interested in the US resorts. Nevertheless thanks for the review, TDLFAN. I know you are very critical when it comes to DLP, but since you are giving the ride a B, it must be a good addition to that small park. I'm glad you liked the tofu-dish at Bistro Chez Remy. I'm vegetarian, so it's good to know that the veggie dish is also good.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN It is a great little ride for that park. I would not mind seeing it in EPCOT's France pavillion. It would be perfect there. I hope it's the beginning for better things to come to WDSP park. FYI: crush's coaster now has single rider line as well.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>It is a great little ride for that park. I would not mind seeing it in EPCOT's France pavillion. It would be perfect there. I hope it's the beginning for better things to come to WDSP park. <<< As long as they keep Impressions of France, I'm fine with the addition as well. I think we will have to wait a few more years until WDSP gets a proper placemaking. Over the next years DLP is investing a lot of money in the refurbishments of the hotels. However rumour has it, that TSM is coming to TSPL.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 Yes, I agree with what TDLFAN says in his review. As he said, we ran into each other in Bistrot Chez Remy, which was a very pleasant surprise! The food there is much better than I expected it to be, and it's like a normal Paris quality restaurant..well, of course you're dining on oversized objects, like one of Remy's friends, so that's very unique. The restaurant is very charming and the details are everywhere. It's a classy and clever touch to make it visible from the attraction with a glass window separating the noise. It's a bit like the Blue Bayou or Blue Lagoon restaurants, which adds to the fun. The ride itself is very cute, and I would also rate it highly, but not quite "E" ticket. It's much better than any of the Fantasyland darkrides, so it falls somewhere in between. There is extensive use of 3D screens, but they are huge! And depending on where your ratmobile is parked, you notice different things even in the filmed clips. And, have to second what TDLFAN said about single rider, it's a godsend if you don't want to wait in the standby line. But, I was also there for the rude guests cutting in line, and I was in the car with the wrong family the CM accused...it was confusing to them for sure! I do wish the gift shop had opened with the land, as there's not enough to do there yet, but the mini Parisian plaza is very well done, even if it's near the real Paris. It's the best area in the park right now, and TDLFAN's description of the other side being a wasteland is so appropriate! It was so hot the day we were there and the asphalt only made that area worse when I was on that side waiting for attractions. NO shade, just expanses of black tar...yuck! But, the Ratatouille attraction and min-land are a step in the right direction for sure!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Thanks for adding to the comments gurgitoy. So nice seeing you. Glad you also got to see Disney Dreams as intended to be. Hope we get together somewhere down the line. Maybe Tokyo or Hong Kong. That would be fun.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Nice review, TDLFAN. Shame there's almost no one here to read it. It sounds pretty much like what was expected, although I had hoped for more real sets and less screen reliance. The area does look wonderful. I could see that was there in January. And that park really needs both this type of ride as well as a nice full serve restaurant. Thanks again for the review. I may ask you if I can post it somewhere where it will be read by far more folks.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Thanks again for the review. I may ask you if I can post it somewhere where it will be read by far more folks.>> Plenty of people who truly care DO read it here and I am very glad TDLFAN makes the effort to post here. If you are just looking for number of viewers you can always go to the DIS boards. :-( Love ya Spirit and miss you here. But the ego is obviously still there. That's OK. I have one too.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Trippy, nice to see you still around too! I'm just visiting because my friend put up a review I was interested in. I'm not really into the DIS boards ... Too many folks with scary obsessions with Disney as a brand. I post regularly over on another MAGICal Disney forum when I can. I'm thinking of starting a podcast. Maybe you and TDLFAN can be my first guests ;-) Stay well.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>Thanks again for the review. I may ask you if I can post it somewhere where it will be read by far more folks<<< I'm not sure if more people will read it on other boards. It seems Americans aren't that much interested in other Disney resorts around the globe. Why should they? You have the biggest and the origial Disney resort in your country. So not many will visit Paris.
Originally Posted By Brad "I'm thinking of starting a podcast. Maybe you and TDLFAN can be my first guests ;-)" Hi Spirit - nice to see you back, even if it's only for a quick visit. You may not know my name but I've been here since 2000 under a couple of different monikers, due to having lost passwords, etc. Suffice to say I've been a LONG TIME reader of your posts. TDLFAN can vouch for me and we discussed you on our last get together in HKDL(all good, mind you!). BTW - please let us all know if and when you start a podcast - I'd listen to you over the likes of that sycophantic WDW Radio stooge ANY day! I've actually been thinking for a LONG time now that TDLFAN should do a show on his travels to the various resorts. After the AMAZING guided tour he gave me of HKDL, I truly believe his knowledge should be shared with a much wider audience, although, I could imagine him invoking the "pearls before swine" mantra, to which I agree there WOULD be some veracity. The DOMs just wouldn't appreciate it, nor do they actually deserve it.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Thanks for the review! It sounds like the ride is similar in scale to the Mermaid ride, where it's way more than a traditional Fantasyland darkride, but still not quite enough to be considered a real E-ticket. I think it will help fill a void in WDSP's roster, and will likely be quite popular Is the restaurant a character meal? I remember that being discussed early on, but haven't heard much about it recently. I'm glad that the food was good, since that was a real concern with the limited menu
Originally Posted By TDLFAN OMG!!! Spirit of 74 in da house!!!! But before any podcast appearances or if you copy and post anything I have written here on other forums, please, have your people call my people so we can draw a contract for legal and pay purposes, ok? Brad, it was a pleasure taking you on your personal tour of HKDL and we have to do it again soon. FerretAfros, the scale of the Ratatouille ride is MUCH bigger than the Mermaid's ride at DCA and MK. Voyage of Mermaid is a traditional dark ride with AA's. Remi's Adventure is more 3D films and some sets thrown in between. I did not see one single AA in the entire ride. It's all filmed sequences with some set props. It is a dark ride but totally different than what Disney has done before. Like I said before.. it mimics the show execution of Spiderman/Transformers but is much more tame and family friendly. As for the Bistrot Chex Remi, I did not see it advertised as touristy trap character meal buffet like most WDW restaurants are of late. This is a sit down experience and you're served at your table after placing your order. Of course that is not to say that Remi may make a surprise appearance or that in the future, it could become a character buffet place to increase traffic in there. But as of now, IT IS NOT.
Originally Posted By leemac Glad you enjoyed it TDLFAN. As much as the park desperately needed a dark ride I'm still perplexed over some of the creative decisions. Replicating Parisian architecture in the park just seems weird (although I guess no stranger than a park dedicated to the state it resides in! ) and I also have a major issue with the ride vehicles (never understood why riding in a rat was appropriate). The execution isn't too bad but it lacks the impact of Mystic Manor or Hunny Hunt. Too few physical sets and effects and too much 3D CGI. The Back lot is next for redevelopment. The problem is that the area is dominated by two gigantic show structures in RnR Coaster and LMA! However it couldn't be any worse so any improvement will be a welcome respite.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>The Back lot is next for redevelopment. The problem is that the area is dominated by two gigantic show structures in RnR Coaster and LMA! However it couldn't be any worse so any improvement will be a welcome respite.<<< What a surprise to see you back on LP. Any informations when the placemaking starts and what's going to happen next? Will it become a Marvel land? Are there any other infos about DLP's future you can share with us?
Originally Posted By leemac <<What a surprise to see you back on LP.>> My boss quit SDL this week so I've finally had a little respite! <<Any informations when the placemaking starts and what's going to happen next? Will it become a Marvel land?>> Nothing to announce yet. The third park is almost a lock for MARVEL so there isn't any plans to put it into WDSP. All three of the Back Lot attractions have been worked up in the past few years but nothing has stuck yet. It is such a tough area to work on considering you have two massive show buildings in Armageddon and RnR and the need to block out the LMA set. LMA should have always been buried outside the "berm" - it is a huge headache for planning expansion at the park without pulling it out.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>The third park is almost a lock for MARVEL so there isn't any plans to put it into WDSP.<<< A third park? So we have to wait another 15 years to see Marvel at DLP. That's bad.
