4/23: My Dinner with Remy

[Al Lutz]

Kevin takes a look at Epcot's latest addition, discuss it here...

DIRECT ARTICLE LINK: MiceAge.com - A different look at Disney...

[composerboy]

YouTube - Ratatouille living character animatronic

Looking at this video, I was going to say the control mechanism might be in the handle of the lid, but then I got to the end of the video, and that appears to be not true, unless there are multiple opportunities for control, and/or a switch from operator-controlled to pre-programmed (for musical numbers as an example) performances. Very interesting...

[PeaJay18]

I was lucky enough to see Remy when he was visiting Rendez Vous Des Stars in Disney Studio Paris.
(As seen in the vid above)
It's an impressive bit of magic, and I don't know if anything has changed in his flight across the Atlantic but...

Spoiler

he had an in-character chef handler similar to the lady Kevin encountered, but he was being controlled by a 2nd cast member who stood on the opposite side of the restaurant with her hands in her pockets.
I think the handler could set off pre-scripted things like the various dances Remy does as the Can-Can or "U Can't Touch This" play, but the 2nd CM was controlling his interaction with the guests.

I too am surprised that Lucky hasn't returned to AK - Dinoland USA is crying out for him!

[Athlonacon]

This thing moves very mechanically, I'll take Lucky ANY day over this. Lucky made you feel as if he was a living, breathing thing... it was almost impossible to see it as a robotic device, even if you tried! He was so darn cute too, he was like a giant puppy dog. This thing looks like something out of the Bullwinkle Show at the old Family Fun Centers or the old Chuck E. Cheese shows. Not to mention it's Pixar so there's really nothing new or original about the theme.

I realize it's difficult to put mechanical stuff into something so small, but that just means they should've stretched a little more creatively than sticking to Pixar for ideas. And Remy or not, a rat just doesn't go well with a dining experience.

[KevinYee]

Originally Posted by Athlonacon

And Remy or not, a rat just doesn't go well with a dining experience.

Yeah, that crossed my mind too. In the movie, it was presented as a semi-problem and then explained away in a semi-joke, but in reality, when it's YOUR food that was implied to have been prepared by a rat, it does give you a pause. A microsecond pause, is all, in my case, but a pause nonetheless.

[Brian_WDW74]

FYI, "Amelie" is the performer who played Yvette the French maid at the Adventurers Club:



I know of at least one other former AC performer who now acts as Remy's "handler." It's a bit sad to see them playing second fiddle to a rat, but I guess it's good that they're still able to perform at WDW in some capacity.

[Chernabog]

That's funny that you think $50 for two adults and one child, including an alcoholic drink, tip and tax is expensive for lunch. Here in California, we have a BBQ with no animatronics or alcohol that is $42 for ONE adult!

[JiminyCricketFan]

Remy was a brilliant stroke of genius for the WDI people. I think it is EXACTLY what Disney magic is supposed to be. I don't mind that he does not talk since in the movie, he does not talk to humans, only other rats.

My concern about this is the history Disney management has of introducing something really cool and then moving it out to some distant park never to be seen again. Remy is a great addition to Epcot and should stay.

[PeaJay18]

Originally Posted by JiminyCricketFan

My concern about this is the history Disney management has of introducing something really cool and then moving it out to some distant park never to be seen again. Remy is a great addition to Epcot and should stay.

I think that if Disney don't fork out for another Remy AA then his natural home should be DLRP, but you're right that they seem to be relectant to show them off for too long.

Lucky is an ideal fit for Dinoland at AK, Muppets Lab could work at the Studios or even Epcot at a stretch, and whatever happened to the Wall-E AA that appeared on the red carpet?

[AstroBlaster]

Thanks for your insightful review Kevin. Personally I love these little touches and I hope to see more of them. You will never see me complain about this stuff because of fear that Disney will stop doing them if there is no interest. This is the kind of stuff that set's Disney apart from other parks.


Of course this Living Character Initiative may someday lead to robotic Mickey's that will roam without handlers and replace the zoo crew we know and love. Until the day that Robo-Mickey's realize they do not need human's and attempt to take over the world.

On second thought maybe Disney should stop...

[Food_and_Wine_Fan]

Originally Posted by KevinYee

Yeah, that crossed my mind too. In the movie, it was presented as a semi-problem and then explained away in a semi-joke, but in reality, when it's YOUR food that was implied to have been prepared by a rat, it does give you a pause. A microsecond pause, is all, in my case, but a pause nonetheless.

So I guess you stay away from Chef Mickey's then too? :-)