User blog comment:DestructiveMilkshake/Total Drama Presents: The Ridonculous Race Speculation/@comment-24169869-20140721155523/@comment-24466939-20140721185401

RR was confirmed to be 26 episodes, and 36 contestants is much more likely than 18. And for the animation bit, Total Drama is a ratings smash hit, I think they can afford voicing and animating 36 characters.