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Try EPCOT’s New Remy Attraction – But Lower Your Expectations

Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration is under 25 days away! 18-months of fun celebrations kick off on October 1, 2021 – and we are eager to check out all Disney has to offer. Over at Magic Kingdom Parks, Disney is gearing up for their new nighttime spectacular, “Disney Enchantment” which is sure to wow the crowds as it lights up the sky, Cinderella Castle, and Main Street, U.S.A. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, colorful kites are preparing to take to the sky with the “Disney Kitetails” daytime show. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is preparing for the Tower of Terror to become one of the Beacon’s of Magic that we’re highly anticipating. But, the one Park probably dishing out the most 50th Anniversary excitement is EPCOT! Their newest attraction opening on October 1 in time for the 50th Anniversary, “Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure”, is not the attraction we were hoping for to celebrate 50 years of magic.

Credit: Disney

EPCOT is bursting with excitement for the 50th with the new Space 220 Restaurant, and new merchandise flagship shop called “Creations” and revived Club Cool opening soon. Plus, EPCOT’s newest nighttime spectacular, “Harmonious” is on the way in time for October 1. One of the biggest buzzes right now however is the opening of Walt Disney World Resort’s newest attraction, “Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure” located in EPCOT’s France Pavilion.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (Credit: Disney)

We’re sharing our honest opinion here. This isn’t the opinion of every writer for DisneyDining, so be aware that you’re getting a one-sided perspective. Honestly, our hope in sharing our experience is that you go in with lowered expectations when riding Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Even though Remy’s doesn’t officially open to the public until its grand opening on October 1, we were among many of Disney’s Annual Passholders invited to the France Pavilion for a soft opening on September 6 that had a chance to preview Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

Credit: Disney

The expanded World Showcase France Pavilion for the new attraction is stunning! It is beautifully done and the fountain is going to become one of those must-do photo op locations. The Remy merchandise is adorable. Plus, the new La Crêperie de Paris is drool-worthy! With so much goodness, we were sure the ride would deliver.

EPCOT France Pavilion Expansion (Credit: Disney)

We waited roughly 40 minutes to ride which for a new attraction isn’t completely surprising. As we waited in the queue we took in all the details and weren’t super impressed by anything we were seeing. As you enter what seems like the entrance to Gusteau’s restaurant, you round the corner to find some art displays which yes, tie into the France theme but not really into the whole rooftop, kitchen, or Ratatouille experience.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is a 3D ride, so while masks are still required indoors, you can expect to be fogging up the 3D glasses for most of your journey. The ride moves through different rooms that each offer a simulated screen with favorite characters from the film Ratatouille. Much of the scene skits are cute as Disney Imagineers try to achieve the feeling of being rat-like among the large props.

Credit: Disney

While we anticipated the experience to be similar to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, we don’t feel the two can compare. There is more movement, effects, and excitement with Runaway Railway. The Ratatouille ride is more of a watch the screen with much less movement kind of experience. I think the issue was Disney relied heavily on the screens to provide the feeling of movement but it doesn’t come across well in the rat ride vehicle compared to Runaway Railway.

Credit: Disney

On our ride, the attraction stalled, leaving us staring at the same screen on repeat for a minute or two. Overall the transitions from room to room seemed slow. The thing we were most surprised by however was that for most of the attraction, Remy spoke in French. It was particularly noticeable in the final scene when I believe they are celebrating their established rat restaurant – but Remy spoke in French so we really had no idea. The person next to me asked if they copied over the voice from Disneyland Paris so they didn’t have to pay for an English version. Something to note, however – another Disney Park fan who has been on the attraction had an English-speaking Remy, so it could have just been our experience… or at least we hope so.

The ride is very short. As we got off, the group of 5 of us looked rather disappointed as well as other Guests unloading the surrounding vehicles. There was no clapping or cheering for the new ride. We did however have one young child with us that enjoyed it, so that was encouraging that maybe children will find it appealing!

The problem? We think Disney is hyping up Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure WAY too much. Due to COVID closures, the two anticipated Walt Disney World theme Park roller coasters including EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Magic Kingdom’s Tron Lightcycle Power Run will not be ready for the 50th. This leaves Disney with the one and only attraction to talk about – Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. In addition to that, Disney has announced Remy’s will be a virtual queue or pay to ride only with “Lightning Lane“. When you think virtual queue – you likely think of Disney’s Hollywood Studios Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction. To put these two attractions in the same virtual queue category is very, very odd. We aren’t sure Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is worth the 7:00 am wake-up call to try to snag a virtual queue, and we definitely will not be paying to ride this attraction.

Remy’s FastPass Sign: Soon to Be “Lightning Lane”

Despite the hope that Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure would deliver that WOW newbie attraction for EPCOT, it falls very short. We expect to see families enjoy this light-hearted attraction as a cute experience, especially for the little ones. Just like all Disney attractions, everyone should try it at least once, but personally, we would not wait more than 10-20 minutes to ride in the future. Our hope in sharing our opinion is that if you go in with low expectations, the ride experience may be much more enjoyable for you and your family. Have you had a chance to ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure during the Passholder and Disney Vacation Club Member preview time? Let us know your experience!

Jamie Sylvester

I'm a Disney nerd! A kid at heart who loves the magic and memories of Walt Disney World. I follow all things Disney and enjoy the vacations, day trips, weekend getaways, and geek out over the planning of such events. My goal is to experience as many Disney desserts and cocktails as possible! Married to another Disney nerd and blessed with a daughter and son, we thoroughly enjoy the magic at Disney and are here to help others experience the magic as well.

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