Walt Disney World has announced that Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will soon close for refurbishment at EPCOT, during which time the first of several planned enhancements to the World Showcase attraction will be made. This covers changes, which are already proving controversial among fans, and why we view this as a positive update and upgrade.
If this news is already sounding familiar, it’s because just last month Disneyland Paris (the one in real France) announced that Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy will hang up its chef’s hat for a major renovation starting this month. During that closure, the teams at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris and Disneyland Paris are cooking up something special, pulling out all the stops to spice up and refresh this iconic experience at Walt Disney Studios Park.
The refreshed Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy attraction will reopen to guests in Spring 2026 (again, we’re still talking about the Disneyland Paris version). On the menu for this renovation is a generous serving of technical upgrades and scenic enhancements, all carefully crafted to offer a better guest experience in the world of Ratatouille.
Disneyland Paris also announced additions onboard the attraction, including enhanced projections, and larger-than-life props and set pieces – specially crafted by Disney Imagineers – that will add extra flavor to key scenes. These changes are aimed at enhancing guests’ perception of being shrunk to the size of Remy and his rodent pals.
This renovation also serves up the perfect opportunity to modernize the Rat Ride’s technical equipment, including replacing all video projectors with state-of-the-art models The upgrade will also include the projection of enhanced video media in the attraction, offering optimal visual quality.
With these additions, and following several months of testing and guest surveys, the attraction’s media content will now be permanently projected in 2D. Meaning that Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy will no longer utilize 3D glasses when the attraction reopens.
We started with elaborate background in a post about the refurbishment at EPCOT because Walt Disney World made a much, ahem, briefer announcement for what sounds like it’s largely the same project:
“Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will experience a short downtime Nov. 10-13, 2025 and will return with enhanced digital visuals and clearer imagery projected in 2D. Remy’s fans will spot new props and lighting enhancements when they are added to the queue and attraction over the next few months.”
That’s the extent of what we know so far, as Walt Disney World shared the news with an alert blurb on the attraction’s official website. There’s been no formal announcement, press release, concept art, or anything else.
As regular readers likely know, these blurbs are often wrong. To be perfectly honest with you, the first thing I did was double-check the Disneyland Paris refurbishment calendar to make sure this wasn’t accidentally copied over from that. It wasn’t–this is an official announcement that is accurate for Walt Disney World.
We have a lot of thoughts about this change, but much of it overlaps with our coverage of the DLP news from a couple months ago. So let’s start with the points that are unique to Walt Disney World…
Bigger Picture EPCOT Implications
One of the things we’ve been discussing for a while is EPCOT’s menu of ride reimaginings and enhancements, and why it’s unlikely that multiple major attractions would go under the knife at the same time.
One of the things we’ve discussed at length is how the 2025-2026 Walt Disney World Ride Refurbishment & Closure Calendar is like pieces of a puzzle. That in order to accommodate the lengthier ride reimaginings that are likely on the horizon, other attractions will likely close for briefer ones first.
This is because Walt Disney World is only likely to take one major attraction down for refurbishment at a time. When previously discussed the ongoing Spaceship Earth Ride Refurbishment, we speculated that it could be laying the groundwork for a lengthy reimagining, while also accomplishing duct tape repairs before other projects are knocked out in 2026. And then, it could be Spaceship Earth’s turn for a 12-24 month closure.
It does not seem coincidental that Spaceship Earth is reopening from its 2-month closure and then Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is closing for a few days in November, right between the busy Jersey Week and start of the Christmas season (note that although this closure encompasses Veterans Day, it’s usually the weekend beforehand that’s busy–not the holiday itself)
This Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure upgrade news comes a little over a week after Walt Disney World announced that Frozen Ever After is being enhanced with next generation Audio Animatronics of Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff. Although the timing of that project has yet to be specified, Walt Disney World has indicated it’ll start in early 2026. Our guess is that’s a multi-week, but not multi-month project.
All of this does seem to reinforce the animating idea behind that ‘pieces of a puzzle’ approach, which was similar to what was done at Magic Kingdom last summer and fall before the last year-plus Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closure.
Aside from GEO-82, there was nothing for EPCOT in Walt Disney World’s 5-year Plan that was revealed at last year’s D23 Expo. Obviously, that will have to change. EPCOT cannot coast with nothing new until 2030. And since it doesn’t appear to be getting any brand-new rides or pavilions during that time, ride reimaginings will have to fill the gap.
In our commentary to the Frozen Ever After news, we questioned what might be next: Could Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure also get a quick refresh in 2026, adopting the changes coming to the version in (real) France? Might the new China film finally come to fruition? There are a few little quick hits that could be knocked out next year.
As it turns out, that speculation was wrong. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is a quick hit in 2025, not 2026! (Wondrous China…you’re next?!) It’s our hope that these quicker projects are being knocked out before the second phase of the EPCOT overhaul, highlighted by year-plus reimaginings of Spaceship Earth and Journey into Imagination.
Walt Disney World Turning a New Page?
When previously writing about the Rat Ride refurbishment at Disneyland Paris, we questioned whether it would be a near-term priority at EPCOT. For one thing, there are much bigger fish to fry in the park. For another, it’s also a much newer attraction at Walt Disney World (opened in 2021 vs. 2014 at DLP).
Finally and most significantly, Walt Disney world is notoriously averse to funding projects like this. There have been so many times when smaller scale projects that amount to attraction enhancements as opposed to fully-fledged reimaginings happen elsewhere but not Walt Disney World because local leadership has the final say, and declines the upgrades. (Anyone seen moving cannons lately on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance? Not if you did the DHS version!)
However, it is fair to point out that–especially at EPCOT–change seems to be in the air. A variety of effects have been restored on legacy attractions. Soarin’ had its distortion fixed. Frozen Ever After is getting new Audio Animatronics. Now this. (Test Track 3.0 doesn’t count; that’s a bigger project and one resulting from the sponsorship model.)
It’s possible that this is all coincidental. I am very skeptical of that being the explanation. So that leaves a couple of alternative explanations.
The first is that local leadership at Walt Disney World has seen the light, and now understands the value of enhancing attractions to increase their appeal. Maybe the updates to Jungle Cruise a few years ago, Hatbox Ghost in Haunted Mansion, Country Bear Musical Jamboree, or even Test Track 3.0 taught them this lesson. They’ve seen the fruits of spending on these projects and are willing to invest.
The other explanation is a newly-empowered Walt Disney Imagineering is calling the shots and has more internal political capital to ‘influence’ decisions or force Walt Disney World’s hand. Call it the Bruce Vaughn Effect, if you want. I cannot say with complete certainty that this is what’s happening, but I’ve heard a few things to suggest it’s the case.
With Imagineering’s ever-growing presence in Florida, we should start seeing more and more like this. It’ll be Walt Disney World, and not Disneyland, that starts receiving more of the “pet projects” and upgrades that are lovingly-made to legacy attractions. (That’s not what this is–I mean more generally.)
What follows is commentary about the 2D changes to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure that were previously announced for DLP…
Theme Parks Moving Away from 3D?
This isn’t just an isolated occurrence; it’s an industry-wide trend to move away from 3D rides.
Universal has transitioned several attractions from 3D to crisper and glasses-free 2D projection imagery. When it opened in California, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction used 3D projection technology. Due to guest complaints about the 3D “upgrade” to that attraction, Universal quickly backtracked. The same thing happened at Universal Studios Japan, which switched to 4K 120 FPS projection technology for both its Harry Potter and (now sadly defunct) Spider-Man rides.
Universal Orlando has recently done the same with Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and Skull Island: Reign of Kong. Most notably, Epic Universe opened with zero 3D attractions. Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is augmented reality, so technically goggles are required, but that’s the only ride–and totally different. Other attractions utilizing screens that could have required 3D glasses opted against them.
There have likewise been reports of Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy doing tests of the attraction in 2D to solicit guest feedback. This actually began in 2019, before resuming in the last couple years. (A couple of readers reported experiencing something similar at EPCOT.)
There are several reasons for ditching 3D. One is obviously not needing to clean 3D glasses or replace stolen ones.
There are also maintenance expenses associated with keeping the projections calibrated. It’s safe to assume 2D is less costly and labor-intensive than 3D, from an operational perspective. (If Walt Disney World did make the decision for this change on its own, reduced maintenance costs could’ve been the deciding factor.)
It’s easy to see the cynical side of this, but the straightforward explanation for dropping 3D is the guest experience. In some guests who are more prone to motion sickness, 3D can exacerbate that. Others wear prescription glasses and a pair of 3D glasses on top of that poses challenges. Perhaps there are other ailments of which I’m unaware.
As someone who has no issues whatsoever with any of this, my complaint is simply that 3D effects don’t always work. When 3D projections are in perfect alignment, it can be fantastic.
But the practical reality is that I’ve experienced many attractions with subpar calibration, and that immediately took me out of the experience. It’s easy to say that theme parks should be better about preventative maintenance and calibration, but sometimes this stuff just happens.
Conversely, I can see how some fans–particularly those who have been fortunate to only have positive 3D experiences–would consider this a downgrade. Immersion will arguably be lost, etc. Readers were pretty evenly split in response to the DLP Rat Ride losing 3D, which honestly surprised me–I figured the reaction would be at least 75% positive.
To each their own, but I would argue that every Universal attraction that has dropped 3D is better off for it. I don’t ride Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, Monsters Unchained, or even Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and think, this would be better with 3D glasses. That has literally never crossed my mind with any of those.
The most effective 3D attraction of all-time is the one that actively leaned into (and poked fun at) the gimmick, MuppetVision 3D. Maybe Mickey’s PhilharMagic. All the rest have felt like they’ve used 3D as a crutch at best. Films have “needed” it to differentiate themselves from ordinary movies, so their use of 3D is more understandable.
On the other hand, all rides at Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World that still use 3D would be better off without it. Rides are different than shows, and good ones shouldn’t need the crutch of 3D.
From my perspective, the problem with Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is that it’s not a good ride and kind of does need the crutch. But that could be remedied with new props, adding to the immersion and better-concealing the screens.
This is precisely why the switch from 3D to 2D is controversial among Walt Disney World fans. Because without the crutch, there’s the potential for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure to fall flat. For it to be even more noticeable that you’re parking in front of a screen, watching a film. The argument could be made that 75% of the current attraction is basically a 3D movie on wheels!
Even as someone who thinks Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is overhyped, that’s too harsh for me. While there are extended periods of screen-centric action, there’s also a lot to love about the Rat Ride.
It has portions that are dynamic and engaging. There’s a lot of swift but smooth movement as you race around the restaurant. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is a really fluid and fun experience that’s suitable for guests of all ages.
The high point is darting through and under oversized props that sell the idea that you’re a rat running around a kitchen. There’s also some stage dressing in other areas in an attempt to suspend ride disbelief.
The portions of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure that feature physical props and dimensional environments work incredibly well. Those flashes of brilliance reveal what could’ve been a 10/10 attraction.
Unfortunately, that does not describe most of the ride experience. Most of the attraction lacks fully dimensional sets. The bulk of it takes place in front of a series of gigantic screens–and it’s very obvious that you’re watching action unfold on a screen rather than actively participating in the shenanigans.
Imagineering should have addressed this when cloning the Rat Ride at EPCOT. Even back when the version opened at DLP, this was the common criticism. They could’ve attempted to better conceal these screens so as to not ruin the suspension of disbelief that the rest of the ride accomplishes.
Perhaps this was planned in the home stretch of construction, but budgets were cut due to COVID. I doubt that, but we’ll never know. Maybe it’s what’s finally happening over the next several months with the addition of new props in the ride.
Ultimately, we’re pleased and pleasantly surprised that these enhancements are coming to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT. Imagineering set the table for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure to be an excellent attraction, but failed to deliver on the main course. More and better props and other ways to distract from the large empty rooms with big screens could really spice up the attraction and elevate it from Chefs de France caliber to Monsieur Paul level.
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Your Thoughts
What do you think of Disney ditching 3D at the Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure? Cautiously optimistic about the new props and enhancements being added to the queue and attraction over the next several months? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
