The Hottest Table in Town

Ratatouille is one of my all-time favorite Pixar films.  It combines three of my favorite things--beautiful Paris, fine food, and cute rodents--and throws in a fantastic soundtrack to boot.  So when Walt Disney Studios opened up a Ratatouille mini-land seven years ago, I was excited to explore the new addition.  Not only was it a feat of quality in a park that is full of clones and repeats and little synergy, it featured a promising dark ride with trackless, radio-controlled technology similar to Pooh's Hunny Hunt in Tokyo Disneyland.  It goes without saying that the opening was a hit, with guests lining up to experience the new attraction and enjoy the best ambiance in the park (even if the "theme a theme park to the area that the theme park is already set in" thing seemed to be a repeat of Disney California Adventure).  And in a photo like this, I like to imagine people lining up just so they can experience the culinary wonders of Remy's hip and happening bistro.  Maybe that's the L.A. in me coming out--think of the crowds turning out for the trendy.  But the story fits the photo, and sometimes, that's enough.

Long lines form for the Walt Disney Studios Paris Ratatouille ride in this photo taken from its opening year.