Big Thunder vs Expedition Everest

[mom2aandj]

I remember reading the same thing on this board years ago, that EE wasn't *much* more than BTMRR and was so *smooth.* Yeah, I discovered smooth is not the issue!!! EE was unbearably intense for me. I don't think those two rides are similar at all. I love BTMRR, I was in terror the whole time I was on EE and will never, ever ride it again.

 

[WantToGoNow]

I like them both - they are different rides and different experiences. BTMRR is a wooden coaster -wooden coasters tend to be jerky and move you around a bit. There are no real hills to speak of, no flips, just a nice zippy ride. EE is more like a real coaster - it has a hill (althought not a very big one) it is a lot faster and the really the backwards part does not seem bad at all.

Let's give a different prospective. My dd7 rode them both the first time when she was 5 in the December of 2009. Keep in mind that she loves thrill rides and loved RRC, Space Mountain and TOT and cried at Kings Island because she wasn't tall enough for Diamondback. For her BTMRR wasn't much - it was just a fast little "kiddy ride" according to her, but she loved EE. She and my older dd sat behind me and and a man I didn't know (dh and ds were waiting off for us). She laughed and giggled the entire ride. The man beside me asked how old she was and when I told him she was 5, he was amazed. He said it sounded like she was loving the ride - and she was and wanted to do it again immediately afterwards.

There's only been one ride ever that scared her - Dinosaur - she came off in tears. And the girl has loved playing with dinosaurs and watching dinosaur movies since she was a baby.

Now if I could just get ds9 to even try BTMRR - the others are too much to ask for him.

 

[on stranger tides]

Hi all!

My fiance wanted me to ask "the experts", how "bad" is Expedition Everest in comparison to Big Thunder Mountain? We've been hearing reports that EE is not much "worse" than BTMRR, in terms of large drops and overall scariness. Both of us aren't really thrill seekers, so coasters usually aren't our thing, but we're willing to give EE a try if it's not too much "worse" than BTMRR. TIA!

Everest is a bit more intense than Thunder Mountain.
Okay, it's a lot more intense, but hear me out.

Last time I was in Disney, I was not a coaster person. I was pretty scared of them and avoided all the big rides like the plague. Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain I could do fine. We rode Big Thunder Mountain like six times because there was no drop and I wasn't scared of it.

Going into AK, our tour guide explained Everest and how it had a "backwards corkscrew in the dark". At first, hearing that, I was terrified. I got a bit more info from him though - it's not upside down (obviously), but he also said he absolutely hated roller coasters but loved this one. So I decided to give it a try.

It's awesome! There is one large drop, but honestly if you hold on and scream the entire time like I did it's fine. I actually loved the corkscrew in the dark, the coaster goes backwards and all the sudden you're launched up in the dark, spinning around. It's definitely a surprise, but it's a great one.

So in short, I'd definitely try it at least once. Plus the big drop curves too so it doesn't make me want to hurl going down it. It's something you definitely don't want to miss! One of my favorite attractions in the park.

 

[Betsyp]

I LOVE Big Thunder - LOVE it - and I am not a coaster person at all (I am skipping Rock and Roller coasters). As to Everest, I'm going to try it - what's the worst that can happen? The backwards thing doesn't last long apparently and there are no loops. If I don't like it, I won't ride it again - but if I love it, then I have a new ride to love. I'll never know unless I try, so I'm going to go in thinking I'm going to love it.......and hopefully I will.

 

[CruznLexi]

It took me a very long time to get on BTMR. I am a huge fan of it. I love it! I did try EE. Too me it is too fast and I did not like the feeling that I was coming loose in my seat. The backwards did not bother me it was just too fast. I did not like that big hiill either. I prefer the enclosed coasters like BTMR and Splash. I dod not like Prime Evil whirl for this factor.

 

[daisyh5]

The drop on EE is not straight down and not that bad. The feeling you get going backwards is more intense IMO. It is a fun ride that you should give a try. It is so different than any other roller coaster that I have ever ridden.

 

[jdb in AZ]

The g-forces on EE bothered me more than anything else, tho not as bad as Mission Space in that regard. Didn't notice any g-force problems on BTMMRR, just gettin jerked around.

 

[DisneylandDad]

I have read (can't remember where) that if you sit on either the front or the back part of the train on EE, that the part in the dark is not as intense. Since I will be trying it for the first time and also my kids first time, does anyone know if it differs depending on where you sit? Thanks!

 

[Candris79]

Not to stick a spanner in the works but ..... I was terrified on EE and BTMRR is my favourite ride!

I don't like heights and the ascent on EE is much more open than BT so you really do know you are off the ground! Height wise, the rest of the ride is not too bad as it does hug the mountain.

I'm a real wimp and i don't like drops either. The final drop is ten times worse than anything on BT and as for the backward section ..... Oh my gosh! .... This part is in the dark and is really disorientating, I thought we were being turned upside down.

I was literally shaking when I came off this ride but as I said I am a complete wimp!

Just to give you an idea how wimpy I am .....I try every ride at Disney at least twice because I'm always so nervous the first time that it doesn't give it a fair chance, then I make up my mind. The rides that are just too scary for me are : T of T, Everest, Splash and Rock'n'rollercoaster.

I just wanted to warn you, not put you off as I think you should try everything at Disney at least once .... you could love it!

 

[deedubb]

I think for most people who are not fond of thrill rides or coasters, BTMRR will still be enjoyable. Can't say the same for EE. I think those who say there is not much difference must be hard core rollercoaster people. EE is much more intense. If you're a thrill rider, EE might be on the moderate scale of intensity, but if you're not, I would say BTMRR would be around a 6 or 7 out of 10 on the intensity scale, and EE closer to 10/10. That said, I think everyone should try it at least once and make up their own mind. The intense parts are over very quickly and who knows, you just might like it.

 

[MissKIA]

I call Expedition Everest - Big Thunder on Steroids.

It's the same sort of style, but much more intense.

 

[IrishNYC]

I'm not a roller coaster fan, but I'm the designated parent to ride with our daredevil. I greatly prefer EE over BTMRR. Much smoother, and I love the cold temps in the darkness, especially when it's warm in the park.

 

[Candris79]

I think for most people who are not fond of thrill rides or coasters, BTMRR will still be enjoyable. Can't say the same for EE. I think those who say there is not much difference must be hard core rollercoaster people. EE is much more intense. If you're a thrill rider, EE might be on the moderate scale of intensity, but if you're not, I would say BTMRR would be around a 6 or 7 out of 10 on the intensity scale, and EE closer to 10/10. That said, I think everyone should try it at least once and make up their own mind. The intense parts are over very quickly and who knows, you just might like it.

I love BTMRR but am not a drop lover, so for example, I hate the drop on Splash Mtn, but, if it's not straight down like splash is maybe I won't mind? I think I'll just stop being a chicken and try it, what's the worst thing that can happen?!

 

[IrishNYC]

I love BTMRR but am not a drop lover, so for example, I hate the drop on Splash Mtn, but, if it's not straight down like splash is maybe I won't mind? I think I'll just stop being a chicken and try it, what's the worst thing that can happen?!

EE isn't as horrible a drop as Splash, to me. I don't like that drop on Splash, or most log flume style rides - there's something very "vulnerable" feeling about a steep drop on a log ride.

 

[beedee12]

Everyone has given more than enough good info... I just came here to say that this thread was resurrected from 2011 and that cracks me up

 

[DISNEY1975]

Im not a huge expert, but have ridden both. Maybe this will answer your question....

Ive been on Big Thunder at least 50+ times.

Ive been on EE once.

 

[DizDaD7]

Im not a huge expert, but have ridden both. Maybe this will answer your question....

Ive been on Big Thunder at least 50+ times.

Ive been on EE once.

Once was enuff huh ???LoL...... Love this ride....And thanks to @hiroMYhero I will be riding this at night this coming summer..>Can't wait

 

[DizDaD7]

They better have late night hours...Or somewhat better than 6 or 7 p.m.

 

[MissKIA]

Everyone has given more than enough good info... I just came here to say that this thread was resurrected from 2011 and that cracks me up

So now I wanna know what the OP thought of it!

 

[Dakota731]

Big Thunder Mountain is a kiddie coaster. Everest is more of a thrill ride though nothing too extreme like some of the top coasters around the country.