Walt Disney Global has introduced that Remy’s Ratatouille Journey will quickly shut for refurbishment at EPCOT, all through which period the primary of a number of deliberate improvements to the Global Show off appeal will likely be made. This covers adjustments, which can be already proving arguable amongst enthusiasts, and why we view this as a certain replace and improve.
If this information is already sounding acquainted, it’s as a result of simply closing month Disneyland Paris (the only in actual France) introduced that Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy will hold up its chef’s hat for a big renovation beginning this month. Right through that closure, the groups at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris and Disneyland Paris are cooking up one thing particular, pulling out the entire stops to boost and refresh this iconic enjoy at Walt Disney Studios Park.
The refreshed Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy appeal will reopen to visitors in Spring 2026 (once more, we’re nonetheless speaking concerning the Disneyland Paris model). At the menu for this renovation is a beneficiant serving of technical upgrades and scenic improvements, all sparsely crafted to supply a greater visitor enjoy on this planet of Ratatouille.
Disneyland Paris additionally introduced additions onboard the appeal, together with enhanced projections, and larger-than-life props and set items – specifically crafted by means of Disney Imagineers – that may upload further taste to key scenes. Those adjustments are aimed toward bettering visitors’ belief of being reduced in size to the scale of Remy and his rodent friends.
This renovation additionally serves up the easiest alternative to modernize the Rat Experience’s technical apparatus, together with changing all video projectors with state of the art fashions The improve may also come with the projection of enhanced video media within the appeal, providing optimum visible high quality.
With those additions, and following a number of months of trying out and visitor surveys, the appeal’s media content material will now be completely projected in 2D. Which means that Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy will not make the most of 3D glasses when the appeal reopens.
We began with elaborate background in a publish concerning the refurbishment at EPCOT as a result of Walt Disney Global made a miles, ahem, briefer announcement for what sounds adore it’s in large part the similar mission:
“Remy’s Ratatouille Journey will enjoy a brief downtime Nov. 10-13, 2025 and can go back with enhanced virtual visuals and clearer imagery projected in 2D. Remy’s enthusiasts will spot new props and lighting fixtures improvements when they’re added to the queue and appeal over the following couple of months.”
That’s the level of what we all know up to now, as Walt Disney Global shared the scoop with an alert blurb at the appeal’s authentic web site. There’s been no formal announcement, press unencumber, thought artwork, or the rest.
As common readers most likely know, those blurbs are incessantly flawed. To be completely fair with you, the very first thing I did was once double-check the Disneyland Paris refurbishment calendar to verify this wasn’t by accident copied over from that. It wasn’t–that is an authentic announcement this is correct for Walt Disney Global.
We have now a large number of ideas about this variation, however a lot of it overlaps with our protection of the DLP information from a pair months in the past. So let’s get started with the issues which are distinctive to Walt Disney Global…
Larger Image EPCOT Implications
Probably the most issues we’ve been discussing for some time is EPCOT’s menu of trip reimaginings and improvements, and why it’s not going that a couple of primary points of interest would pass underneath the knife on the identical time.
Probably the most issues we’ve mentioned at period is how the 2025-2026 Walt Disney Global Experience Refurbishment & Closure Calendar is like items of a puzzle. That to be able to accommodate the lengthier trip reimaginings which are most likely at the horizon, different points of interest will most likely shut for briefer ones first.
It’s because Walt Disney Global is handiest prone to take one primary appeal down for refurbishment at a time. When up to now mentioned the continuing Spaceship Earth Experience Refurbishment, we speculated that it may well be laying the groundwork for a long reimagining, whilst additionally carrying out duct tape maintenance earlier than different tasks are knocked out in 2026. After which, it may well be Spaceship Earth’s flip for a 12-24 month closure.
It does no longer appear coincidental that Spaceship Earth is reopening from its 2-month closure after which Remy’s Ratatouille Journey is last for a couple of days in November, proper between the busy Jersey Week and get started of the Christmas season (word that even supposing this closure encompasses Veterans Day, it’s normally the weekend previously that’s busy–no longer the vacation itself)
This Remy’s Ratatouille Journey improve information comes a little bit over per week after Walt Disney Global introduced that Frozen Ever After is being enhanced with subsequent technology Audio Animatronics of Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff. Even though the timing of that mission has but to be specified, Walt Disney Global has indicated it’ll get started in early 2026. Our wager is that’s a multi-week, however no longer multi-month mission.
All of this does appear to support the animating thought at the back of that ‘items of a puzzle’ manner, which was once very similar to what was once achieved at Magic Kingdom closing summer time and fall earlier than the closing year-plus Giant Thunder Mountain Railroad closure.
Excluding GEO-82, there was once not anything for EPCOT in Walt Disney Global’s 5-year Plan that was once printed eventually yr’s D23 Expo. Clearly, that should alternate. EPCOT can’t coast with not anything new till 2030. And because it doesn’t seem to be getting any brand-new rides or pavilions all through that point, trip reimaginings should fill the distance.
In our remark to the Frozen Ever After information, we puzzled what could be subsequent: May Remy’s Ratatouille Journey additionally get a snappy refresh in 2026, adopting the adjustments coming to the model in (actual) France? Would possibly the brand new China movie in any case come to fruition? There are a couple of little fast hits which may be knocked out subsequent yr.
Because it seems, that hypothesis was once flawed. Remy’s Ratatouille Journey is a snappy hit in 2025, no longer 2026! (Wondrous China…you’re subsequent?!) It’s our hope that those sooner tasks are being knocked out earlier than the second one segment of the EPCOT overhaul, highlighted by means of year-plus reimaginings of Spaceship Earth and Adventure into Creativeness.
Walt Disney Global Turning a New Web page?
When up to now writing concerning the Rat Experience refurbishment at Disneyland Paris, we puzzled whether or not it could be a near-term precedence at EPCOT. For something, there are a lot larger fish to fry within the park. For any other, it’s additionally a miles more recent appeal at Walt Disney Global (opened in 2021 vs. 2014 at DLP).
In spite of everything and most importantly, Walt Disney international is notoriously averse to investment tasks like this. There were such a lot of occasions when smaller scale tasks that quantity to appeal improvements versus fully-fledged reimaginings occur in different places however no longer Walt Disney Global as a result of native management has the general say, and declines the upgrades. (Somebody noticed shifting cannons in recent years on Big name Wars: Upward push of the Resistance? Now not in case you did the DHS model!)
Alternatively, it’s honest to show that–particularly at EPCOT–alternate appears to be within the air. Plenty of results had been restored on legacy points of interest. Soarin’ had its distortion mounted. Frozen Ever After is getting new Audio Animatronics. Now this. (Check Monitor 3.0 doesn’t depend; that’s a larger mission and one as a consequence of the sponsorship type.)
It’s imaginable that that is all coincidental. I’m very skeptical of that being the rationale. In order that leaves a few selection explanations.
The primary is that native management at Walt Disney Global has noticed the sunshine, and now understands the worth of bettering points of interest to extend their enchantment. Possibly the updates to Jungle Cruise a couple of years in the past, Hatbox Ghost in Haunted Mansion, Nation Endure Musical Jamboree, and even Check Monitor 3.0 taught them this lesson. They’ve noticed the culmination of spending on those tasks and are prepared to take a position.
The opposite rationalization is a newly-empowered Walt Disney Imagineering is asking the pictures and has extra inner political capital to ‘affect’ selections or drive Walt Disney Global’s hand. Name it the Bruce Vaughn Impact, if you wish to have. I can’t say with whole walk in the park that that is what’s taking place, however I’ve heard a couple of issues to signify it’s the case.
With Imagineering’s ever-growing presence in Florida, we must get started seeing increasingly like this. It’ll be Walt Disney Global, and no longer Disneyland, that begins receiving extra of the “puppy tasks” and upgrades which are lovingly-made to legacy points of interest. (That’s no longer what that is–I imply extra typically.)
What follows is remark concerning the 2D adjustments to Remy’s Ratatouille Journey that have been up to now introduced for DLP…
Theme Parks Shifting Clear of 3D?
This isn’t simply an remoted prevalence; it’s an industry-wide development to transport clear of 3D rides.
Common has transitioned a number of points of interest from 3D to crisper and glasses-free 2D projection imagery. When it opened in California, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Adventure appeal used 3D projection generation. Because of visitor proceedings concerning the 3D “improve” to that appeal, Common briefly backtracked. The similar factor came about at Common Studios Japan, which switched to 4K 120 FPS projection generation for each its Harry Potter and (now unfortunately defunct) Spider-Guy rides.
Common Orlando has just lately achieved the similar with Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and Cranium Island: Reign of Kong. Maximum significantly, Epic Universe opened with 0 3D points of interest. Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem is augmented fact, so technically goggles are required, however that’s the one trip–and utterly other. Different points of interest using monitors that may have required 3D glasses opted in opposition to them.
There have likewise been reviews of Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy doing exams of the appeal in 2D to solicit visitor comments. This in truth started in 2019, earlier than resuming within the closing couple years. (A few readers reported experiencing one thing equivalent at EPCOT.)
There are a number of causes for ditching 3D. One is clearly no longer desiring to scrub 3D glasses or change stolen ones.
There also are repairs bills related to holding the projections calibrated. It’s secure to suppose 2D is more cost effective and labor-intensive than 3D, from an operational viewpoint. (If Walt Disney Global did make the verdict for this variation by itself, decreased repairs prices may just’ve been the deciding issue.)
It’s simple to peer the cynical aspect of this, however the easy reason for losing 3D is the visitor enjoy. In some visitors who’re extra susceptible to movement illness, 3D can exacerbate that. Others put on prescription glasses and 2 3D glasses on best of that poses demanding situations. Most likely there are different diseases of which I’m unaware.
As any person who has no problems in any respect with any of this, my grievance is just that 3D results don’t at all times paintings. When 3D projections are in best alignment, it may be unbelievable.
However the sensible fact is that I’ve skilled many points of interest with subpar calibration, and that in an instant took me out of the enjoy. It’s simple to mention that theme parks must be higher about preventative repairs and calibration, however every so often these items simply occurs.
Conversely, I will see how some enthusiasts–specifically those that had been lucky to just have certain 3D reports–would imagine this a downgrade. Immersion will arguably be misplaced, and many others. Readers have been beautiful flippantly break up in keeping with the DLP Rat Experience shedding 3D, which truthfully stunned me–I figured the response could be a minimum of 75% certain.
To every their very own, however I’d argue that each Common appeal that has dropped 3D is for it. I don’t trip Harry Potter and the Struggle on the Ministry, Monsters Unchained, and even Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and assume, this may be higher with 3D glasses. That has actually by no means crossed my thoughts with any of the ones.
Probably the greatest 3D appeal of all-time is the one who actively leaned into (and poked amusing at) the gimmick, MuppetVision 3D. Possibly Mickey’s PhilharMagic. The entire relaxation have felt like they’ve used 3D as a crutch at best possible. Motion pictures have “wanted” it to distinguish themselves from strange films, so their use of 3D is extra comprehensible.
However, all rides at Common Orlando and Walt Disney Global that also use 3D could be with out it. Rides are other than displays, and just right ones shouldn’t want the crutch of 3D.
From my viewpoint, the issue with Remy’s Ratatouille Journey is that it’s no longer a just right trip and more or less does want the crutch. However which may be remedied with new props, including to the immersion and better-concealing the monitors.
That is exactly why the transfer from 3D to 2D is arguable amongst Walt Disney Global enthusiasts. As a result of with out the crutch, there’s the potential of Remy’s Ratatouille Journey to fall flat. For it to be much more noticeable that you just’re parking in entrance of a display, observing a movie. The argument may well be made that 75% of the present appeal is principally a 3D film on wheels!
Whilst any person who thinks Remy’s Ratatouille Journey is overhyped, that’s too harsh for me. Whilst there are prolonged classes of screen-centric motion, there’s additionally so much to like concerning the Rat Experience.
It has parts which are dynamic and tasty. There’s a large number of swift however clean motion as you race across the eating place. Remy’s Ratatouille Journey is a in reality fluid and amusing enjoy that’s appropriate for visitors of every age.
The top level is darting thru and underneath outsized props that promote the concept you’re a rat operating round a kitchen. There’s additionally some level dressing in different spaces in an try to droop trip disbelief.
The parts of Remy’s Ratatouille Journey that characteristic bodily props and dimensional environments paintings extremely smartly. The ones flashes of brilliance expose what may just’ve been a ten/10 appeal.
Sadly, that doesn’t describe many of the trip enjoy. Lots of the appeal lacks entirely dimensional units. The majority of it takes position in entrance of a chain of gigantic monitors–and it’s very obtrusive that you just’re observing motion spread on a display fairly than actively taking part within the shenanigans.
Imagineering must have addressed this when cloning the Rat Experience at EPCOT. Even again when the model opened at DLP, this was once the typical complaint. They might’ve tried to raised hide those monitors so that you can no longer damage the suspension of disbelief that the remainder of the trip accomplishes.
Most likely this was once deliberate in the house stretch of building, however budgets have been reduce because of COVID. I doubt that, however we’ll by no means know. Possibly it’s what’s in any case taking place over the following a number of months with the addition of latest props within the trip.
In the end, we’re happy and pleasantly stunned that those improvements are coming to Remy’s Ratatouille Journey at EPCOT. Imagineering set the desk for Remy’s Ratatouille Journey to be a very good appeal, however did not ship at the primary route. Extra and higher props and different ways to distract from the huge empty rooms with giant monitors may just in reality boost the appeal and carry it from Cooks de France caliber to Monsieur Paul degree.
Making plans a Walt Disney Global shuttle? Know about accommodations on our Walt Disney Global Motels Critiques web page. For the place to devour, learn our Walt Disney Global Eating place Critiques. To save cash on tickets or resolve which sort to shop for, learn our Guidelines for Saving Cash on Walt Disney Global Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular have a look at artful pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney Global Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most efficient position to start out is our Walt Disney Global Commute Making plans Information for the whole thing you want to grasp!
Your Ideas
What do you recall to mind Disney ditching 3D on the Remy’s Ratatouille Journey? Cautiously constructive concerning the new props and improvements being added to the queue and appeal over the following a number of months? Do you settle or disagree with our overview? Any questions we will let you resolution? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas under within the feedback!
