Wednesday, 4th June 2014

Ratatouille preview and pre-opening dates confirmed: The Adventure begins here

Ratatouille: The Adventure - L'Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy at Disneyland Paris

If you’re a Shareholder or an Annual Passholder, no doubt you’ve been going “Totalement Toquée” for a few weeks now, waiting to hear exactly when you’ll get your first chance to experience Ratatouille: The Adventure.

Putting an end to what, unsurprisingly, sounds like an onslaught of requests for information, Disneyland Paris has confirmed today the all-important dates.

In a brief notice, Annual Passport previews for 26th – 29th June 2014 are confirmed:

Due to a lot of requests, please note that there will indeed be Ratatouille previews for Annual Passholders (Dream, Fantasy, Francilien) from June 26 to 29.

More information about the registration process will be sent soon by the teams in charge.

Meanwhile, members of the Shareholders Club for Euro Disney S.C.A. were sent their full registration details this morning, with the “Actionnaires” event taking place on 28th June.

If you’re a member of the club, you should have received an email with the full details, though these are also available on the club’s official website under “Your Personal Space”.

Online registration for this event is mandatory, on a first-come-first-served basis, and must be completed no later than Monday, 23rd June 2014.

On the date, Saturday, 28th June, attendees will be able to check in from 9.30am at the entrance of Walt Disney Studios Park, with both the attraction and Bistrot Chez Rémy reserved for shareholders between 10am and 2.30pm (thanks to @Jorienvh_ for these details).

So, let’s recap all the Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy dates in full:

  • 17th June 2014 onwards — Cast Member previews
  • 21st – 22nd June 2014 — Grand Opening / Press Event weekend
  • 26th – 29th June 2014 — Annual Passholder previews
  • 28th June 2014 — Shareholders Club preview
  • 10th July 2014 — Official Public Opening Date

All of which leaves a mighty space to fill of almost a fortnight between the last preview on 29th June and the official 10th July opening, during which we can surely expect some wider public “soft openings” — when regular park guests are invited to unofficially ride the attraction, allowing a final test and adjust phase before opening.

It can’t be stated so confidently that Bistrot Chez Rémy would be included in this, although you’d think Disneyland Paris would want to continue trialling that too — it’s spectacularly important that they get this restaurant right, first time, and the general public can often behave and react to concepts very differently than invited guests and Disney fans.

Regarding the release of preview dates, hopefully the teams involved at Disneyland Paris have learnt a lesson that guests prefer this information sooner, rather than later — say, a month in advance at the very least — especially when complicated travel plans and accommodation bookings from outside France have to be made.

So there we go, folks — now tell us below, when will your first “Ratmobile” ride be?

Tuesday, 3rd June 2014

Disneyland Paris Pin Trading May & June 2014 releases – Rats everywhere!

Disneyland Paris June 2014 Pin Trading releases

This month’s Disneyland Paris Pin Trading releases have an infestation of — you guessed it — rats. Beginning on 21st June with an “In 1 Month” pin, the tie-ins for Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy continue with three more open edition pins, a booster set and a lanyard on 28th June ahead of the 10th July opening.

There’s also the traditional Summer pin featuring The Little Mermaid, another new Disney Dreams! open edition, a limited Lady and the Tramp “Paris” dangler and a new entry in the now brilliantly huge “Attractions” series for Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains.

Since last month’s releases were missed, see below for a May 2014 catch-up! Read More…

Tuesday, 3rd June 2014

Disneyland Paris Pin Trading May & June 2014 releases – Rats everywhere!

Disneyland Paris June 2014 Pin Trading releases

This month’s Disneyland Paris Pin Trading releases have an infestation of — you guessed it — rats. Beginning on 21st June with an “In 1 Month” pin, the tie-ins for Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy continue with three more open edition pins, a booster set and a lanyard on 28th June ahead of the 10th July opening.

There’s also the traditional Summer pin featuring The Little Mermaid, another new Disney Dreams! open edition, a limited Lady and the Tramp “Paris” dangler and a new entry in the now brilliantly huge “Attractions” series for Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains.

Since last month’s releases were missed, see below for a May 2014 catch-up! Read More…

Monday, 2nd June 2014

Cast Member costumes for Ratatouille attraction and restaurant unveiled

Ratatouille The Adventure Disneyland Paris ride restaurant Cast Member costumes

Disneyland Paris formally unveiled the new Cast Member costumes for Ratatouille: The Adventure last week, resplendent with a rich style to make them perhaps the most luxurious in the whole of Walt Disney Studios Park.

Naturally, considering the theme of Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy, the costumes of the Toon Studio attraction are closely matched to those of its adjoining restaurant, Bistrot Chez Rémy, with sumptuous gold and burgundy colours, bow ties and short-cut jackets for both ride operators and restaurant waiters alike.

Despite taking inspiration from swanky Parisian restaurant uniforms, the designs retain an important touch of whimsy with the cut of the jackets, the eccentric placement of buttons and those fun bow ties around everyone’s neck — a hint to the shape of Rémy’s whiskers, perhaps?

Disneyland Paris Ambassadors Antonella and Jonathan joined fellow Cast Members to model the new outfits.

One final fun detail, even here on the costumes: Ratatouille buttons!

Ratatouille The Adventure Disneyland Paris ride restaurant Cast Member costumes

VIA @Disney_ParisEN (Twitter)

Saturday, 31st May 2014

Disneyland Paris tantalises with new ‘Ratatouille: The Adventure’ press releases

Ratatouille – The Adventure Disneyland Paris

Rémy is almost ready for his Walt Disney Studios Park debut. Today, Disneyland Paris continues to tease the most anticipated new Disney Park attraction of 2014 with a new press information pack, tantalisingly filled with more information and confirmations about the ride, restaurant and La Place de Rémy as 10th July approaches.

About the ride itself, Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy, the release at last announces in official print the trackless ride vehicles and “enormous 3D projection system”. Newly revealed is that there will be five colours of ride vehicle, or “ratmobile” as they’re known. As expected, the six-seater vehicles will travel in groups of three through the ride, with each vehicle able to travel on its own, separate, unpredictable route.

Much of the experience’s storyline can now be pieced together, beginning on the Paris rooftops and following Rémy in a chase through the kitchens as he creates a special meal for us, the guests, or — in this story — fellow rats.

This leads nicely, of course, into Bistrot Chez Rémy next door, which will indeed serve a menu mostly consisting of steak entrecote, french fries and a side of ratatouille in a very fun dining room built entirely to rat-size from huge props.

Finally, even more fantastic details and nods for La Place de Rémy are revealed, with final props including Linguini’s bicycle, Colette’s motorbike and Chef Skinner’s stolen Vespa. The area will also include two named thoroughfares: Allée des Marchands and Rue Auguste Gusteau.

Meanwhile, several new images (below) have surfaced online showing the practically finished interiors of the Paris rooftops loading area, cold storage scene and Bistrot Chez Rémy dining room, featuring Imagineers and Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

The development is almost ready to be handed over, and the first previews will begin in just a few weeks’ time including an official press opening event on 21st-22nd June.

Ratatouille – The Adventure Disneyland Paris

The complete Ratatouille: The Adventure press release:

Official opening date:
Experience the magic of Ratatouille on 10 July 2014 at Walt Disney Studios Park

It’s officially on the menu: on 10 July 2014, Disneyland Paris unveils a new world dedicated to the Disney•Pixar film Ratatouille. Named La Place de Rémy in tribute to the “little chef,” this all-new mini-land will open in Walt Disney Studios Park and will feature a completely original attraction, inspired by Rémy’s adventures in the film.

The all-new attraction, the 60th to open at Disneyland Paris, is called Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy. Guests are shrunk down to the size of a rat and board “ratmobiles” for a zany culinary adventure through Gusteau’s famous restaurant. From a Paris rooftop to the restaurant’s bustling kitchen, cavernous food locker and busy dining room under the careful watch of Chef Skinner… this tasty adventure is full of twists and turns.

Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy anchors La Place de Rémy, a corner of the park’s Toon Studios that has been transformed into a Ratatouille-inspired version of The City of Light. This brand new mini-land, exclusive to Walt Disney Studios Park, also features Bistrot Chez Rémy, a table service restaurant serving, among other delicious dishes, the little chef’s famous ratatouille in a larger-than-life setting. A special boutique*, “Chez Marianne – Souvenirs de Paris”, will also open its doors.

Released in 2007, Ratatouille , which won the Oscar for best animated feature film, tells the story of Rémy, a rat who dreams of becoming a renowned French chef. Filmgoers got to know him in an adventure that took him to the top Paris restaurants. With the arrival of Rémy at Walt Disney Studios Park, guests will find themselves in the middle of his exciting culinary adventure.

Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy is a first of its kind Disney attraction that features trackless ride vehicles matched to enormous 3D projections of original animation by Pixar Animation Studios. The attraction takes creative imagination and technical know-how, the hallmarks of Walt Disney Imagineering, to create a state-of-the-art storytelling experience. The crazy culinary adventure begins 10 July 2014 , exclusively at Walt Disney Studios Park, Disneyland Paris.

The 60th ride at Disneyland Paris

The culinary world of the Disney•Pixar film Ratatouille comes to life in Ratatouille L’Aventure Totalement Toquée De Rémy, a first of its kind Disney attraction that uses trackless ride vehicles matched to an enormous 3D projection system featuring original animation from Pixar Animation Studios.

Guests shrink down to the size of a rat and join Rémy, the “little chef” from the film for a crazy culinary adventure that sends them scurrying through the kitchen, dining room, and walls of Gusteau’s famous Paris restaurant.

Synopsis

The adventure begins when guests become rat-sized and board a « ratmobile », a vehicle that looks like a cute version of the furry rodents from the film. Soon the ratmobiles are on a Paris rooftop where they encounter Rémy and the ghost of Gusteau as they discuss the special meal Rémy wants to prepare in guests’ honor. Moments later, Rémy’s excitement leads to him and the ratmobiles plummeting down to the kitchen floor of Gusteau’s restaurant. Being rats in a human world is fraught with danger, so Rémy and his new friends in the ratmobiles have to quickly move out of sight before Chef Skinner spots them. Rémy leads the way as all of the rats move from one tight hiding place to another. Luckily, Rémy’s human pal Linguini is there to help.

Ride in the “ratmobile”

Guests will discover a vehicle that is, shall we say, a little unusual, letting them enjoy the experience as though they were the size of our lovable little rodents. Welcome to the ratmobile! Specially designed by our Imagineers, this strange and amazing car, which will make all real rodents green with envy, comes in five colours. It is great for families since it holds six passengers. The ratmobile travels in groups of three, but like real rats, none of them follows the same route. They move using a technology that requires no rails.

Now guests can really experience what it’s like to be a furry little rodent in a human-sized world as they dart quickly from hiding place to hiding place during this zany culinary adventure.

Ratatouille – The Adventure Disneyland Paris

La Place de Rémy:
Disneyland tribute to Paris

The new attraction, Ratatouille L’Aventure Totalement Toquée De Rémy, will be located in a new area of Walt Disney Studios Park called La Place de Rémy in honour of the energetic “little chef” from the film and the city he loves, Paris. This new mini-land pays tribute to the real City of Light while at the same time evoking the whimsical Paris seen in the film.

Also on the Ratatouille-inspired menu is a restaurant, and not just any restaurant, but Bistrot Chez Rémy, with a similar atmosphere and proportions to the restaurant experienced at the end of the attraction. Completing the mini-land, and arriving in the autumn, is a new boutique, once again paying tribute to France: “Chez Marianne – Souvenirs de Paris”.

The Paris of Ratatouille draws inspiration from several iconic neighbourhoods of the City of Light. Place Dauphine and Boulevard Haussmann particularly influence its architectural design. The colours of building façades and the entire neighbourhood are purposefully more intense than in real-life Paris. The Imagineers chose the Paris of the Ratatouille film world which is a valentine to the City of Light. The vitality of the film is completely preserved.

One of the most important elements of La Place de Rémy is its fountain. Filmgoers saw a typically Parisian example in front of Gusteau’s restaurant in the film. To recreate it in the Park, the Imagineers studied many Parisian fountains. The inspiration for our fountain was found in Place des Vosges, with its circular basins and lion heads spouting water. Once the shape and dimensions were decided, the designer Harley Jessup, who worked on the film

Ratatouille, personally added the finishing touches that make reference to Rémy, his rat friends and the kitchen. Gourmet rats, of course, hold up sculpted bottles of freely flowing champagne.

La Place de Rémy will include two main streets: Allée des Marchands and Rue Auguste Gusteau. A tribute to the world’s greatest chef, Paul Bocuse, who provided plenty of inspiration for the creators of Ratatouille, will be unveiled on the central square near Bistrot Chez Rémy. The lampposts and benches will also be typically Parisian. Thanks to all these elements created by Disney’s Imagineers, guests will be able to stroll through Paris as it appears in Ratatouille. Fans will also be able to spot references to the film, such as Linguini’s bicycle, Colette’s motorbike or the Vespa stolen by the dreaded Chef Skinner.

Ratatouille on the menu
at Bistrot Chez Rémy

Delicious French cuisine, like that presented in the Disney•Pixar film Ratatouille, can now be enjoyed by all in Bistrot Chez Rémy, a themed table service restaurant inspired by the world and recipes of the film. The upscale, but light-hearted 370-person restaurant is the creation of Rémy, the rat who loves to cook, and is located in a new corner of Walt Disney Studios Park that’s been transformed into a Ratatouille-themed version of The City of Light. Join us for lunch or dinner at Bistrot Chez Rémy from 10 July 2014.

Bistrot Chez Rémy will welcome guests into a world where they are shrunk to the size of rats immersing them in an oversized world where jam jar lids serve as table tops and champagne corks are turned into chairs. Designed by Rémy and his friends, the restaurant also features everyday human items made large like paper cocktail umbrellas turned into parasols, giant cookbooks standing on end, and plates used to separate seating areas.

On the menu during this Ratatouille-inspired experience, Rémy has prepared a unique menu that includes entrecote, chips, and of course, ratatouille! The “little chef” recommends a seasonal salad to start and a choice of dessert: a selection of French cheeses, including Brie de Meaux, and a fruit salad. Bon appétit!

Ratatouille – The Adventure Disneyland Paris

From fantasy to reality with the creators
of Disney’s attractions, the Imagineers

Guiding Disneyland Paris guests from the dream of animated films to the reality of the Parks with their illusions intact takes more than the wave of a magic wand. It’s all in a day’s work for the Imagineers. This unique group of Creative and Technical people transforms the biggest animated films into immersive experiences you’ll find nowhere else.

The birth of the Imagineers

Walt Disney Imagineering was formed by Walt Disney in 1952 to plan, design and build Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. Today, Imagineers are responsible for the creation, from concept initiation through installation, of all Disney resorts, parks, attractions, cruise ships and new entertainment venues all over the world. The Imagineering team includes planners, artists, designers, project managers, engineers, architects, art directors, audiovisual specialists, animators, production groups, programmers, site planners, financial analysts and researchers – more than 140 unique disciplines in total. But their work doesn’t stop there: they also design and create restaurants, boutiques and hotels, in short, everything that contributes to “immersing” guests in the magic of Disney.

The unique strength of Walt Disney Imagineering lies in its fusion of creative and technical talents, building new types of shows and entertainment inspired by Disney’s dreams and stories. Thanks to their expertise, Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy puts state-of-the-art technology to work, to bring the story to life. John Lasseter who not only directs the Disney and Pixar animation studios but also holds the position of Principal Creative Advisor with Walt Disney Imagineering, himself said, “I promise you that we will not only continue to make the best films, but also the best attractions.”

Thursday, 22nd May 2014

BBC Watchdog Not Happy with Disney’s Newport Bay Club Renovation

Disney's Newport Bay Club Disneyland Paris BBC Watchdog

Last night’s BBC Watchdog programme (8pm 21st May 2014, BBC One) centred its gaze on Disneyland Paris with a report investigating the Disney’s Newport Bay Club renovation, the first phase of which has been announced and widely publicised to continue until the end of October this year. Read More…

Sunday, 20th April 2014

July Hours: Walt Disney Studios Park to Stay Open Until 9pm!

Walt Disney Studios Park Disneyland Paris

C’est dans la boîte? Not until 9pm with the upcoming new extended hours for Walt Disney Studios Park, as the studios extends its production schedule for the first time in years. Read More…

Wednesday, 16th April 2014

First Ratatouille interior scenes, props, Ratmobiles revealed in new teaser video

Ratatouille Disneyland Paris teaser preview video

Beyond the all-important date (10th July if you haven’t managed to catch it yet), Disneyland Paris more than exceeded anticipation for yesterday’s rumoured Ratatouille: The Adventure announcement by including a little video teaser alongside. Well, perhaps “little” isn’t the word.

Because despite running to just 1 minute 3 seconds, for the first time ever the video reveals a number of glimpses inside the huge new Ratatouille showbuilding, allowing a look at the attraction’s physical scenery, giant props and even trackless ride vehicles. The emphasis being on giant: everything is giant.

Tom Fitzgerald, Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, and Roger Gould, Creative Director Theme Parks at Pixar Animation Studios, lead the commentary to enthuse about Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy, as Tom names it, with a smile.

After seeing the huge Gusteau’s restaurant sign being lifted into place atop the building, we get a series of blink-and-you’ll-miss-em peeks inside the ride’s actual show scenes. There’s the rooftops of Paris load unload area with giant chimney pots, the cold storage with a giant fish, and the dining room with giant trolly wheels.

Towards the end, we even see a real, finished “Ratmobile” ride vehicle for the first time ever. And just to add extra intrigue, perhaps, it’s brown, not grey/blue.

There’s spoilers aplenty, of course — but don’t forget that the physical scenery and props we see here are just the “base layer” of this trackless, 3D projection-filled dark ride. It won’t look like this when you’re riding through it, with 3D glasses plus finished lighting and animation, so there’s a lot left unseen and a lot that will only ever be possible to see in person.

Watch the video now, then scroll down for 23 screencaps and extra commentaryRead More…

Tuesday, 15th April 2014

Thursday 10th July 2014: Disneyland Paris announces Ratatouille ride opening date

Disneyland Paris Ratatouille ride opening date 10th July 2014

Disneyland Paris has just announced the long-awaited opening date of Ratatouille: The Adventure – L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy: Thursday, 10th July 2014.

Sensibly, the resort has chosen a date just slightly in advance of the official French national day — Bastille Day on Monday 14th July — to officially inaugurate the huge new dark ride and restaurant in Walt Disney Studios Park.

From 10th July, guests will officially be able to enjoy the attraction and its adjoining restaurant, Le Bistrot Chez Rémy, in Toon Studio at the second park.

However, this will likely follow a traditional period of “soft opening” lasting as long as a few weeks, during which time Disney’s newest E-Ticket attraction will be opened to guests for limited trials to test and adjust any operational or technical bugs.

The date of 10th July has only recently been associated with the development, which up until now has steadfastly been promoted only as opening vaguely in “Summer 2014”.

Most rumours pointed to 14th July being the most appropriate date, but it’s likely Disneyland Paris decided the Thursday before what will be an incredibly busy Monday, with the parks already at saturation, is a more sensible operational choice.

The announcement was made with a brand new teaser video, below… Read More…

Tuesday, 15th April 2014

Confirmed: Spider-Man to make first Disney park appearance at Walt Disney Studios Paris

Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Spider-Man, Walt Disney Studios Park, Disneyland Paris

In a world first for Disney Parks, Disneyland Paris confirmed on Friday that Walt Disney Studios Park will soon welcome Spider-Man to an exclusive meet and greet location in Backlot.

This followed a day exciting enough to set the spidey senses tingling in the park itself, when Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, stars of The Amazing Spider-Man, paid an impromptu promotional visit for the film’s imminent sequel.

Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Spider-Man, Walt Disney Studios Park, Disneyland Paris20140415_spiderman_5

Giving Walt Disney Studios Park a rare air of real “Hollywood” excitement, the pair, who star as Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and Gwen Stacy, conducted interviews in a red carpet event on Hollywood Boulevard.

Garfield later posed with Disney Voluntears and children from French organisation SESSAD inside Disney Blockbuster Cafe, just metres from where the Marvel meet ‘n’ greet tie-in is taking shape at the back of the park.

Andrew Garfield Spider-Man at Walt Disney Studios Park, Disneyland Paris

• Previously — Spider-Man photo location rumoured for Backlot in Walt Disney Studios Park

As reported previously, the new photo location will be housed within the disused side room of the restaurant. Disneyland Paris was typically vague in its announcement, stating on Twitter:

Very soon, Walt Disney Studios Park will be even more exciting with the opportunity for our guests to meet #SpiderMan himself !

And on Facebook:

It’s a first! Spider-Man is coming to pay us all a visit in Walt Disney Studios Park! Just a few more days and we’ll be sharing some truly epic moments with Spider-Man himself.

No dates were officially given, with only InsideDLParis reporting Spider-Man will meet guests from 19th April to 14th July 2014, a disappointingly short stay for the superhero.

Surprisingly, the tie-in appears to be taking place with the full support of Sony Pictures as part of a promotional deal with Disneyland Paris, proved not least by the appearance of the principal actors at the park. While The Walt Disney Company owns Marvel outright and has embarked on a new Spider-Man TV series, Sony Pictures continues to own the feature film rights.

Spider-Man at Walt Disney Studios Park, Disneyland Paris

Perhaps it’s due to this promotional aspect with the new film that Spider-Man apparently won’t be staying longer. Could Disneyland Paris extend his stay with their own money if he proves popular? Backlot needs permanent fixes, not temporary tie-ins, and making this unpopular land the permanent home of Marvel superheroes is without doubt the perfect fix.

For now, this new meet ‘n’ greet will be a tiny but welcome taste of what could be

Update — An official press release confirms the 19th April to 14th July dates and suggests that visitors “will be able to go home with their photo on the front page of the Daily Bugle”, the New York newspaper renowned for publishing photos of Spider-Man. Is that press release bumph or a hint at a fun souvenir photo design? Not long to find out.

Video featuring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone at Walt Disney Studios Park follows… Read More…

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