Ratatouille: The Ride

I was reading some details about a rumored new attraction for DLRP and a Ratatouille dark ride, when I came up with the following idea for a Remy/Linguini simulator experience. The ride would be built using a standard simulator platform with hydraulics and programming to follow a movie. The movie would be based on scenes from Ratatouille early on where he’s attempting to control Linguini underneath his hat. Basically, you are Remy and you are in the kitchen scene at the restaurant attempting to make soup or pasta and there are voices and smells all around from the kitchen and characters from the movie. It would sound, smell and feel like you were in a kitchen underneath the chef’s hat. The ride simulator would spin, dip, bump, etc. all around inside a domed screen much like the circle vision films only with a lot more movement and interaction with the film. They could “plus” it by making the film 3D. In fact, now that movies are hitting the big screen in 3D, doesn’t it almost necessitate that all theme park movies should also be in 3D? That’s a topic for another day.

Another “plus” would be to give each guest’s seat a control for different body parts, then everyone would have to work together to control Linguini with Remy “coaching” and offering tips. There could be several pods/simulators, and each would hold 4-6 people. Every seat would have a pull cord, similar to the ones used on Toy Story Mania. Riders would pull the cord when instructed, and it would cause a corresponding reaction by Linquini. They would probably have to put some limitation on the controls and how often you could make him do your move, otherwise it could get pretty wild.

The ride would start by opening with you (Remy) viewing/zooming over the Paris skyline at sunset much like it does at the start of the movie,

and then Gusteau could start talking about the city and cooking, and go into his spiel about how anyone can cook.

Transition to Remy watching and dreaming of becoming a cook. Then quickly transition to the part in the movie where he’s talking to Linguini about his idea to hide under his hat and help him cook.

Then transition to being under the hat, and attempting to walk and move, then going into the kitchen at the restaurant and attempting to prepare a dish. All the while, Skinner, Colette and the other characters from the movie would be talking and yelling at you like in the movie.

At the end, Skinner could come out and rate your dish. He could give either a surprised but suspicious approval, or he could angrily yell his disapproval at you and order you out of his kitchen, or back to the supply room with the broom.

The only question would be where to put such an attraction. I can’t think of a good place in Magic Kingdom, nor Animal Kingdom, but both Epcot at France, and Hollywood Studios would both seem to be great locations for such an attraction. However, Epcot at France might mean removing Impressions de France, which I really enjoy, and it might add a cartoon-like element to World Showcase that might cause issues with some guests. Regardless, I think it’s a neat idea that would fit well in most any Disney park.

All character images are © The Walt Disney Company

Update: 01/14/2012 – Disneyandmore has  posted more details about the attraction that is being built at DLP. It is apparently going to be a dark ride using a trackless vehicle system similar to Pooh’s Honey Hunt at Tokyo Disneyland. The attraction will also utilize 3D projectors and the story will allegedly take place in Gustea’s Kitchen. You can read more about here.