Expedition Everest: How bad IS it?

[FaunaFairy]

Greetings everyone!

My name is Ashley and I'm getting ready to head to the Disney Parks for the sixth time next week. I was last at WDW in 2006 when Expedition Everest had just been built and did not go on it at the time due to super long wait times. I'm kind of a coaster chicken, so I'm wondering just how bad EE is. To give you a frame of reference - I can Big Thunder and Space Mountain without a problem (LOVE SM). I hate hate HATE the negative G-force at the beginning of Rock 'n Roller Coaster, but the last time I was there I rode it four times. I've never been on Splash Mountain, however, because the drop at the end terrifies me. I hate the feeling of drops and have clearly never been on anything as extreme as Tower of Terror. How do you compare EE with other Disney thrill rides? Is it something I'd be okay on, or should I skip it due to my hatred of drops?

Thanks in advance!

Ashley

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I've never had a problem with EE, but other people I know have. The first half of the ride is very tame, the second half is basically going backwards in the dark with a banking turn that tends to make your stomach flip. That said, if you have no problem with Space Mountain, I think you'd enjoy EE. The scary part is over pretty quickly.

 

[mirage0306]

I agree with the pp. Also, EE is a pretty smooth roller coaster--you don't get jostled around as much as you do riding wooden coasters, or ones like BTMRR (which IMO is more jostle-y).

 

[tkodarkside321]

EE is a pretty tame rollercoaster. I use to have a fear of rollercoasters and I sometimes still get a little nervous on them. Last year my 6 year old rode EE with no problems. She is a bit of a daredevil and nothing has scared her yet. She has ridden every rollercoaster she can ride at all the parks. Heck, my 4 year old rode Tower of Terror for the first time last year. We haven't been able to ride Rockin Rollercoaster yet because my oldest daughter isn't tall enough yet. My wife rode it and loved it.

 

[amyecpa]

Personally, I hated EE. I had my eyes squeezed shut the entire time. Scared the **** out of me. That being said, my 7yo rode it over and over. If you have a problem with motion sickness at all, I would stay far away from EE.

Just my opinion...........

P.S. I am one to say "Try everything at least once"

 

[Kae]

I would put it between Big Thunder Mtn & space Mtn. I think you would not have a problem with EE.

I have a drop fear but love ToT for the themeing alone & yes the best parts are once you are on the ride. If you have done RnR which is a rough coaster to me, I think maybe you should try Splash Mtn or ToT.

Kae

 

[JESSketeer]

If you can do Space Mountain you can definitely do Expedition Everest, IMO.

 

[goofy kc]

EE is one of my least favorite rides in the parks. I rode the first week it opened and again last year to be sure I hated it - and I did. Something about the ride makes me nauseous and light headed.
I am pretty sure the backwards part does it. That said - it is my favorite queue! So much to look at and I feel transported as I move through the different areas.

My next trip is in 15 days, 20 hours....I may go through the line and take the chicken exit while everyone else rides.

 

[WINTER]

Am I correct that if you sit towards the front part of the train, the going backwards isn't so bad as you don't have to bank as much at the end of going backwards? I really like the ride however last year I think I sat towards the back and it bothered my stomach a bit.

 

[Alacrity]

As coasters go it probably is pretty tame. Probably a little more tame than RnR I think. But I also think it is the best at Disney and a nice smooth ride as opposed to Space Mountain!

If you want to have a look: :http://youtu.be/a6XWzsphWoc

 

[disneyshakeygirl]

I am a coaster chicken, like dig my nails into somebody's arm chicken. However, I love EE. Love it. As pp have mentioned, the scariest bits are over so quickly. I found for me, if I keep my eyes open during the ride, I'm okay. My mother was also terrified, roller coasters scared her witless just by looking at them and she got over most of that by going on EE and Splash and was the one who dragged me back on!

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

I also have a HUGE fear of drops. I have ridden ToT - back in 1996... and will never in my lifetime ride it again. I am even terrified on the drop on Splash Mountain! The first time I rode RnRC, it scared the crud out of me! I still rode it a few more times, and each time it got easier. Just getting through that initial takeoff is tough. After that, it's a piece of cake... for me. Now it's my favorite ride! HOWEVER.... I still do not really like EE, and I have ridden it at least 5 or so times over the past few years. The drop on EE is just over my threshold of drop tolerance. I ride it cuz DH loves it, but I really would prefer not to. I have a fear of heights and have to close my eyes as we're going up the big hill. Then I have to really brace myself for the drop. I say do it to say you've done it. I tolerate it but it scares me every time. The going backwards part doesn't bother me. It's just the drop. I also don't really like Space Mountain. Not sure why I don't like that one, though. I love BTMRR, though... it was my favorite ride until RnRC became my fave. I still get really nervous at the takeoff of RnRC. So my pic always looks ridiculous.

 

[PAcpl]

I have no problem riding Space Mountain four or five times in a row, same with Big Thunder. And I am fine with ToT, the drop doesn't bother me. But we rode EE for the first time this past trip and ouch! That banked turn when you are going backwards hurt. If that was a few more seconds I think I would have lost it. But maybe it was also because I didn't know what to expect.

I haven't been man enough to try RnR yet though.

Regardless good luck and have fun!

 

[DISNEY CHICKIE]

Hi Ashley!

So EE. Not a fan. Made me nauseous and I was afraid I could not make it out of the exit fast enough cause I thought I was going to toss my cookies in the gift shop! Thankfully, that did not happen! We sat in the very front and going forward wasn't too bad, but backwards was way too jerky for me. The drops were not bad at all although I prayed for the ride to end...quick! 10 years ago, my sister and I rode Space Mountain like 5 times in a row. Last year, I rode it once and had a headache right after. I think I am just getting old and cannot handle the hardcore rides like I did back in the day However, I will NEVER stop riding RNRC, TOT or BTMRR because I LOVE them! Go figure! I hope you have a great trip!

 

[icc2515]

I love Big Thunder and I can tolerate Space. I tried EE and came off it looking green. Thank goodness I did not do it with anything in my stomach I will never do that ride again. The dark part with turns is bad for me. I think the turns did it more than anything else. I do consider myself a coaster chicken. Reading these other reviews I really think you have to go on it once to experience it for yourself. Just don't do it right after you eat to be on the safe side.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

EE is our favorite and we have been riding it multiple times per trip since DS was tall enough! If the darkness of Space doesn't bother you, and the upside down of RnRC is OK, then the backwards part of EE should be just fine (but don't eat right before, just in case )

BTW, you really need to try Splash Mountain. You are going to laugh at yourself afterwards for being afraid of that drop.

 

[Heidi Lou]

I have to agree and say that if you can do space mountain (not knowing when a drop is coming) you can surely handle EE! You may end up loving it! I'd definitely give it a shot! hope you enjoy it!

 

[MauMau]

I agree with everyone its been a long time since I been to WDW but I did ride Big Thunder Mountain and it was great. The way I look at it ride it if it makes you sick so what youll have something to remember. You never know what life brings you may never have the chance to ride again.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Greetings everyone!

My name is Ashley and I'm getting ready to head to the Disney Parks for the sixth time next week. I was last at WDW in 2006 when Expedition Everest had just been built and did not go on it at the time due to super long wait times. I'm kind of a coaster chicken, so I'm wondering just how bad EE is. To give you a frame of reference - I can Big Thunder and Space Mountain without a problem (LOVE SM). I hate hate HATE the negative G-force at the beginning of Rock 'n Roller Coaster, but the last time I was there I rode it four times. I've never been on Splash Mountain, however, because the drop at the end terrifies me. I hate the feeling of drops and have clearly never been on anything as extreme as Tower of Terror. How do you compare EE with other Disney thrill rides? Is it something I'd be okay on, or should I skip it due to my hatred of drops?

Thanks in advance!

Ashley

Hi Ashley! So... I've been to WDW 8 (or 9??) times and had not done EE until this trip. I have always loved roller coasters but have suffered from neck/back issues and as a result had abstained from coasters for a number of years. Last year I reintroduced BTMR, Space Mountain, and Splash -- because I was familiar with them from past trips. All was OK, so this trip I vowed to try EE... especially after DD5 rode it with her Dad for the first time and loved it!

I don't like straight down drops - the last drop in Splash is not my favorite - and though I tried it this trip, ToT is NOT my cup of tea. That said, I LOVED EE!! After riding it once, I rode it 5 more times in a row, and probably 10 times over the course of our trip. I kept commenting that it LOOKS so much worse from the outside observer's perspective than it really is! The drop that looks almost straight down really doesn't feel that way to me - feels much more gently sloped. I love the part where you go backwards the most. To me, Space Mountain is much rougher!

We have some of the best pics of our trip with us all riding EE with our arms up in the air -- the whole family loved it (moi, DH, DD5, DS7). I'd say it's worth giving a try.

 

[tink&her2boys]

I too think Space Mountain is worse than EE! I felt a little queezy after getting off SM...I think it was because of not seeing where I was going. I think you'll be fine doing EE AND Splash Mountain!