Mouse Extra

Have you seen any video footage of the new audio animatronic character of Remy from Ratatouille that has been entertaining guests at Epcot’s Les Chefs de France?  Here is a link to a Youtube video shot at the World Showcase restaurant by Jeff Lange.

Remy Living Character Initiative, Epcot Chefs De France

So what do you think?  It’s a bit underwhelming, right?  I realize that humans couldn’t understand Remy, so the whole “no talking” is awkward but makes sense.  But off all the living character initiatives, doesn’t this one seem to be the least advanced?  Now, it is only a few seconds, but there doesn’t seem to be much “alive” about this AA at all.

But as many of you already know, Ratatouille is my absolute favorite Pixar film of all time, and up near the top of my Disney list as well.  So I will be heading to Les Chefs de France in a couple of weeks to see if I can spot the Little Chef myself.  Hopefully I will get some more video for you.

Space Mountain is going down for a refurbishment come April 19, 2009 and will be down until November 21, 2009. It is generally felt that the attraction will get a new sound system and a new track. Plus, there will be new cars so that people will not sit alone. All of that is true.

 
However, my sources have indicated that there will be a lot more added to Space Mountain in order to “plus” the attraction. Most of the new additions will be Little Green Men. That’s right, Space Mountain is getting Buzzed as in Buzz Lightyear and his Little Green Men who will now be found throughout the ride. The attraction will open a year before the release of Toy Story 3 and 6 months before the rerelease of the original Toy Story in 3-D. “Its perfect synergy”, says a source close to the development of the remake of the classic Disney attraction, “2010 is going to be dominated by these characters at the movies and now they will be featured more in our parks.”
 
“We are adding an amazing new sound system so Randy Newman’s soundtrack will be heard crisply throughout your journey.” My source went on to say “just imagine the fun of riding a Buzz Lightyear spaceship while listening to ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me’ or ‘Strange Things’, both of which are pure Disney classics.” I have not seen the final plans for the new ride vehicles but expect them to be similiar to those at the Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin attraction nearby just with seatbelts. 
 
Disney executives are well aware there may be a backlash from the so-called Disney purists. However, insiders have conducted surveys that indicate guests want to see more Pixar characters. And so expect more and more Pixar characters over the next few years. Other plans that are nearing a greenlight include Wall-E’s Starlight Cafe and Woody & Jessie’s Thunder Mountain Railroad. Stay tuned.

Today’s posting is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra.