Expedition Everest, Any Big Hills?

[MIGrandma]

DH is expressing interest in riding Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom when we are at Disney later this month. I enjoy Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain at Magic Kingdom, but I'm concerned about EE having any big hills. I hate that feeling in my stomach when we go down a big long hill on a roller coaster. I don't mind speed, darkness, twists and turns, etc. But big hills? Hate them. Does EE have any bad ones?

 

[SuperRob]

Not only does it have a couple big hills, but you're going BACKWARDS on one of them.

 

[IMissEd]

Oh, yes. I still loved it, though, and I'm not a big coaster person.

 

[Eljay]

...I'm concerned about EE having any big hills...Does EE have any bad ones?

There is one drop that might bother you, I usually hate that pit-of-the-stomach feeling of a drop, but this one somehow isn't as bad because it curves. I suggest checking out a YouTube video to see if you can get a better perspective. The drop in question is at 2:28.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLt4inoiq1Q

I had to laugh when I first saw your question, I couldn't help but think, "Hills? For Pete's sake it's a mountain!"

 

[KCmike]

This title makes me laugh because the front of the ride shows the big drop. I understand that you probably haven't seen the picture yet but its kind of like wondering if Splash Mountain has any hills. Seriously though the drop isn't that bad. It twists more than its straight down. Like another poster said though it does have a hill in which you go backwards which can feel scary if you don't enjoy that kind of thing. Definitely youtube it to see it for yourself.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I am just like you! I HATE big drops! Don't mind upside down, corkscrews, etc. but HATE the drops. Will NEVER ride Tower of Terror again because of that terrible feeling in my stomach! It's even hard for me to ride Splash Mt. because of that drop!!! Honestly, there is one drop on EE that bothers me, but I love the theming of the ride so much that I endure it. The backwards part of the ride bothers me more than the drop; in fact, I usually take some motion sickness pills before I ride it. I think you should try it once. You'll never know if you like it unless you do.

 

[twokids0204]

Here's a video I took on EE.

 

[Robo]

big hills? Hate them. Does EE have any bad ones?

This title makes me laugh because the front of the ride shows the big drop.

 

[twokids0204]

Here's a video I took on EE.

Ooops, forgot this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6GtgOwLsgs

 

[DISJen]

No, I would not call it a big hill and as others said it curves so I don't even get that feeling in my stomach. The backwards part is the most intense part of the ride. As far as hills go, it somewhere between Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain.

 

[mom2rtk]

I really look at it like a revved up Thunder Mountain. It's really fast, and the backward stuff adds a new "twist". I was really scared on my first trip several years ago because I didn't know what would happen on the backward section. No inversions, nothing really horrible. And it helped immensely on my second (and third!) time the mountain a couple weeks ago.

Who knew sprinkles felt like needles when you go that fast???????

 

[Nadjalu]

It has 1 large drop. It is approximently 80ft, but as others said it curves towards the bottom so you don't get that "flipping stomach" feeling.

Also if you don't know where the drop is you are half way down it before you realize. (a huge plus for some...including me, but now I know when it is coming so I tend to panic a bit but can still handle it).

So I would recommend not watching the videos and just do it. At least that works for me. Part of my issue is knowing when the drop comes, I start hyperventilating before hand which makes it worse. If I don't know where and when it drops (the first time I ride it) I do fine.
But if you must watch it in order to make up your mind then do so.
The backwards portion doesn't actually have a drop, it just "slides" backward a bit and turns. Not really a big deal unless you get sea sick easily.

Good luck, I recommend doing it once then decide if it is right for you to do again.

 

[clandrum]

I am just like you! I HATE big drops! Don't mind upside down, corkscrews, etc. but HATE the drops. Will NEVER ride Tower of Terror again because of that terrible feeling in my stomach! It's even hard for me to ride Splash Mt. because of that drop!!! Honestly, there is one drop on EE that bothers me, but I love the theming of the ride so much that I endure it. The backwards part of the ride bothers me more than the drop; in fact, I usually take some motion sickness pills before I ride it. I think you should try it once. You'll never know if you like it unless you do.

I completely agree with this statement. There is no way i will ever get on ToT. I will not ride Splash Mountain again but I will ride EE over and over again the one drop isn't so bad because it curves.

 

[MareSINY]

I'm also not a fan of big drops but LOVE EE!!!! It's a fun ride and doesn't leave me with that sinking feeling. Go for it, you won't be sorry you did!!

 

[goofy4prez]

As a big time roller coaster enthusiast who lives within a few hours of Cedar Point (best in the world for coasters) and Kings Island (good coasters as well) I do not feel EE has much of a big hill, in fact, I would call the first hill rather tame. However, there is some thrill with the coaster when it goes backwards. It's not a big drop, but it is different. With that, I enjoy EE and personally feel it's WDW's best thrill attraction.

 

[MIGrandma]

Thanks, everyone. I did watch the You Tube video of it, I don't think it's anything that I can't handle and like many of you said the "big drop" doesn't look all that bad since it curves. We'll probably give it a try.