Today's earnings call comments made me less hopeful for Remy's Ratatouille Adventure.

[Tennor]

It was listed along with Guardians and Space restaurant as "being worked on."

 

[DisneyTarheel]

Is that not a factually accurate statement?

 

[MaizeRage25]

Honestly, I don't think they want to open it yet as it will drive big crowds. I assume it won't be opened until they feel vaccination rates are much higher.

 

[Tennor]

Is that not a factually accurate statement?

Yeah, it is. I had a feeling it was closer to being done and was hoping for soft openings in two weeks when I visit.

 

[MomOTwins]

Honestly, I don't think they want to open it yet as it will drive big crowds. I assume it won't be opened until they feel vaccination rates are much higher.

I actually think it is the opposite--since attendance is capped, no point in opening it now because they can't make more money off increased attendance due to the capacity limitations. They'd rather open it when capacity is raised so it will allow more people to come and spend money. (i.e., they are waiting until it is possible for it to result in big crowds)

 

[Rockbro]

It has to be looked at in terms of logistics. Disney has laid off thousands of cast members and announced several refurbishments.I don't know where the money is in the coffers for all of this work, but cast members get thrown to the wolves.

If you open two new attractions after construction is paid for, where do the employees come from? That's unless you relocate some. You cannot just spew money and expect to stay in business, especially with reduced capacity all around.

Again, I suppose Ratatouille could open if Chapek was willing to don a French Maid's costume and work the queue for a 12 hours shift Saturday through Wednesday.

 

[tzvdmd]

The cast members that were assigned to Ratatouille have been relocated to other rides. My sons girlfriend was a trainer and is now working Soarin. From what I understand the construction is done but Disney is holding off on the opening.

 

[gharter]

I actually think it is the opposite--since attendance is capped, no point in opening it now because they can't make more money off increased attendance due to the capacity limitations. They'd rather open it when capacity is raised so it will allow more people to come and spend money. (i.e., they are waiting until it is possible for it to result in big crowds)

Agree.
Until they can get the big crowds back, they have no reason to open new rides or restaurants. Its just more expense with little upside.

 

[NJ Goofy]

Agreed, as MomOTwins & gharter noted it won't increase attendance because of the caps. I think the attraction is 95 - 100% complete, as soon as they can get attendance back to 60 - 75% of "normal" they will probably start opening more things. And as others have noted by then more and more people will have been vaccinated.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

I could see some benefit in running it while smaller crowds are around to work bugs out. I guess it's not an all new attraction but there are always teething issues.

EPCOT isn't hitting capacity and spreading the guests better across the 4 parks might help.

 

[Upatnoon]

I think they will probably hold back on opening new attractions so they can do a big marketing push to really drive attendance as the pandemic eases.

While opening it now they might be able to boost attendance a couple of points, they are looking for much more.

Disney also may not want to do a virtual line on the attraction and if they opened it now the line would stretch for hours, which wouldn't be a good look.