Expedition Everest compared to Space Mountain

[Missymouse18]

After reading a thread where someone asked advice about ToT I decided to get some advice from you roller coaster lovers. I am a whimp when it comes to roller coasters and usually have to be dragged on. I feel like I am going to expire every single time I ride Space Mountain. In fact, in 2010 I almost passed out (probably my own fault because I was so tense and held my breath). anyway, after that ride on SM I swore never again... but now that I am in a new marriage, DH is determined that I must ride Expedition Everest. How does it compare to SM? Scarier? Smoother? The only rides I have never done in all the parks are ToT and EE. I am looking forward to ToT but nervous about EE. Also, to further prove my whimpiness, RnR almost did me in as well. After riding it for the first time a few years ago, I have never gotten back on it.

 

[Paradise18]

I find Space Mountain to be quite "jerky.". EE is much smoother and for me the most thrilling part of the ride is when it goes backwards. It is a fun ride. Good luck.

 

[KittyKitty]

1st time I went on EE, I didn't feel so good afterwards. A friend of mine said to scream,whoop,or holler, while riding it, so I would breathe!

Never thought of that before, but it works!

 

[defendthehill]

EE is smoother....but in my opinion, much more of a thrill ride than Space.

 

[Jedimike]

Very, very different experiences. While there are some moments where you can't see much on EE, it isn't anything like SM which is almost completely in the dark. As everyone else has said EE is much smoother. I used to ride roller coasters all day long, but the older I get, the less my inner ear enjoys them, so I only do a couple a day before I start to get motion sick. Space mountain -- never again. Expedition Everest -- at least twice each visit.

 

[tralin]

In a family of 4 (at the time) 2 are rides junkies, 2are not. Oh, they were very brave and tried everything at least once. Between SM and EE they refused to get on SM again. It was so jerky that even I come off of it with a headache (I am ride junkie). Both enjoyed EE and we even went back on our last day just to ride it. Much smoother and so much more enjoyable.

 

[jlevis]

The coasters mentioned all differ. RnRc is dark, high speed, launched and has inversions. SM is dark, slower but with drops. EE has a backward part and semi dark with a high speed section. ToT is not a coaster but a "free fall" ride. Each is its own experience and all are a blast.

 

[zenmeister]

I completely agree with PPs--EE is way smoother than SM and the cars are, IMO, more comfortable. It is worth trying at least once for the theming in queue and on the ride. It's also over really fast, so even if the ride terrifies you, you'll only be terrified for two minutes. I hate the first rise on coasters (not a fan of heights), but I have no problem on EE's initial climb. My guess is that EE will be a new favorite for you! Enjoy!

 

[fly girl]

PP's are right -- EE is so much smoother.

IMHO, SM can't hold a candle to EE. It is a blast! I say give it a try.

Have fun!

 

[jlevis]

If you ride the front row of EE as you crest the initial climb you can see all of the parks. It is a great view.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I'm one of those people that's terrified to get on rides but am usually fine once the ride is going.

IMO, SM is not "scary," but it is very jerky. I ride it once per trip and that's enough for me.

I went to WDW a few years ago and REFUSED to get on EE. I was having no part of that going backwards in the dark business. DH rode it and loved it. A few weeks ago I was there and braved it. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised! It is a very smooth ride and IMO has the best theming of any ride in all of WDW. The backwards part was really not that bad...the only part that scared me was the big drop. But luckily the drop doesn't last very long. I grabbed a Fastpass right after I got off and rode it again about a half hour later!

If you don't have health problems, DON'T miss out on EE! I am so glad I got up the courage to ride it.

 

[Canadian Disney Mom]

I love coasters but I can't stand Space Mountain. I really do not feel safe on it. I don't know if its because I am tall, and the sides are low, or what it is, but I always feel like I am going to fall out. I won't be going on it again. I love Expedition Everest!

 

[chartle]

EE is much smoother but the backward part is going to feel much more like RnRC.

EE is also much faster with much higher drops than SM.

 

[Twigs]

As stated above SM is a lot more jerky that EE, but EE also has longer drops. When I was younger I was terrified of roller coasters and I realized I was holding my breath whenever I rode them. Now I make sure I keep breathing and deeply exhale when riding them and it makes a world of difference. I don't panic at the thought of riding them anymore and go on all of the coaster rides at WDW. I am not a screamer, but that would work just as well.

 

[staceyatdisney]

SM is much slower. I believe I read top speed was just 25 MPH, but you don't know what's coming up next in the dark which makes it exciting. I also agree that SM is quite jerky.

EE has higher drops and speed. Of course you can look out and see exactly how high up you are, which adds to the excitement. I also find EE to be a very smooth ride but not completely devoid of jerkiness.

Overall, two very different experiences. We really love both rides - two of our favorites in fact.

 

[suzicute20]

I am also a roller coaster wimp, too, but I made myself start trying the Disney coasters a few years ago. Still haven't done ToT. I find EE to have two pretty scary points, but in general, it just feels fast. I get more scared about drops. EE just has one and it looks bigger from the outside than it feels. I have felt a little dizzy after EE each time.

My tips:
1) I still keep my eyes closed.
2) On drops and other parts that I find scary, I count out loud - screaming the count. It gives me a sense that soon this will be over.

Try it - It's short and will be over before you know it.

 

[Missymouse18]

Thanks for all the great tips!! I am now excited about EE but as stated in my OP, I decided last trip that no more SM for me. I ache from head to toe after that ride is over, plus I don't like that it is dark and I can't tell what's going on. SM was, in previous years, my new DH favorite ride, but he hasn't been to WDW since the year Epcot opened!! This is going to be like a first time trip for him and I am excited to see which ride he likes best.

 

[3mickeymom]

but you could preview the rides on you tube to get an idea of what the ride would be like. We had my son preview Haunted Mansion when he was little so that he would realize that it was FUN scary, not gory scary.

 

[fizbobunny]

I rode EE once and that was enough for me. It made me really sick, but I am very prone to motion sickness. I love SpaceM though. Ride it a few times every trip. It is jerky, but doesn't make me sick.

 

[DisneyFive]

My wife gets lightheaded and woozie after EE, but not SM. It's too bad really, because she loves the ride, but it doesn't sit as well with her.

SM is lots of fast up/downs and tight banks. EE has more prolonged, higher speed turns and drops, and some higher "g's" than SM.

Dan