Big Thunder vs Expedition Everest

[ZoZo]

One thing I use to compare coasters is the type of restraints they use. EE has over-the-shoulder restraints, while BTMRR has a lap-bar. Gives you an idea of the intensity level?

I love most coasters, and love both rides. I find EE more intense and I smoother ride. BTW is more of an old-fashioned coaster, quite jerky but really fun.

 

[IrishNYC]

One thing I use to compare coasters is the type of restraints they use. EE has over-the-shoulder restraints, while BTMRR has a lap-bar. Gives you an idea of the intensity level?

I love most coasters, and love both rides. I find EE more intense and I smoother ride. BTW is more of an old-fashioned coaster, quite jerky but really fun.

EE does not have over the shoulder restraints.

 

[Christinecinti]

I am NOT a coaster fan (tend to like more of the virtual type rides/shows etc .... but I absolutely LOVE EE. I also LOVE BTMRR. The thing is, it's not the coaster's and speed I mind, it's the HEIGHTS! I found that on EE there is a couple seconds where I just shut my eyes cause you see that you're up a bit further than scaredy cat me likes (LOL).... but for most of the ride it's not an issue. And theres also no huge "first hill drop" the way some coasters have, which is a deal breaker for me!

ps- I also love Aerosmiths RRC at Hollywood Studios, simply because it's in the dark and I can't see the heights! But of course ARRC is much faster that the other two, loops etc.

 

[maxiesmom]

EE does not have over the shoulder restraints.

Nope, it doesn't. It has individual lap restraints instead of the whole car ones that BTMRR has.

 

[patrickpiteo]

My wife will not go on EE but will on BTMRR...

 

[FlightlessDuck]

1) A big forward drop (but it is no worse than the Splash drop)

Everest's drop is 80 feet. Splash Mountain's drop is 52.5 feet.

 

[Bullseye]

BTMRR really has no drops. It's not that kind of coaster. EE has one drop, but it's not a straight down drop. It kind of veers to the left as it drops so you don't get that full-on lose your stomach feeling. For coaster enthusiasts they are both good coasters, yet fairly mild.

 

[Candris79]

Everest's drop is 80 feet. Splash Mountain's drop is 52.5 feet.

That doesn't make me feel better lol

 

[ckb_nc]

I get motion sickness - mainly from when my eyes cant match what I experience (motion simulators are the roughest; Mission Space is a huge no and Universal had me absolutely green). Thunder is rough to a degree but its kind meant to be; we love it. I can do EE once or twice. The big curve in reverse really does a number on me. I can ride Thunder all day and love it at night. EE is smooth and really well done.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

I invite you to come to Worlds of Fun in Kansas City and ride Timberwolf. BTMRR will feel like a cloud to you after that.

Timberwolf is the roughest rollercoaster I have been on! Expedition Everest and Big Thunder Railroad combined do not compare to the roughness of that rollercoaster! Lol

 

[finedice]

This is hilarious! I saw this post on the front page, and was simply curious about what people were saying (thinking it was a relatively new thread), when I saw THIS on page 2:

EE is much more intense - no question. I love both, and I love EE more. It's my top disney ride. It IS much smoother than BTM, but it is much higher, much faster, etc. I liked the poster that said it's nothing like the big boys at six flags though - those are just built to hurt you. EE is a big coaster, but the theming makes it feel smaller. Except for the initial big climb, you don't see all out around you (due to the theming), so it may not feel as big as it is.

Put it this way - We took my 4yo daughter in 07, and again when she was 6 in 09. She went on both - both times (she is tall for her age). She loved BTM both times (hands in the air and all), when she rode EE with me she had her head down clutching my arm as hard as she could. It didn't scare her enough to be upset, but she was "one and done" both times on it.

Now when we go again in June (at 8 years old), I'm not sure what to expect. "Yet-I" wouldn't be surprised if she was a cling-on again...

To me it isn't scary though - I just laugh and giggle the whole time... Nothing like the bigger, more intense coasters found in the rest of the country...

I wrote that 6 years ago, so here's the update:

DD is now 14, and loves EE! Last time we were there at age 12, we rode the single rider line over and over and over. Of course, with little else to indulge in at AK for tried and true veterans, this is pretty much a lot o the day. Hopefully Pandora fixes that! (and I pray for a new a single rider line in there!)