How intense is EE?

[Aurora63]

I would like to try it, but I'm scared it might be too intense for me. I'm definetly not a roller coaster person, but I do like some thrill rides. I really enjoy BTMR and Test Track. Space Mountain is okay. Splash is good. Tower of Terror is a bit much, and I've never been courageous enough to try RnR or and of the Universal coasters. Do you think I could handle it?

 

[bytheblood]

 

[HLAuburn]

It ranks pretty high up there in the intense category, in my opinion. I don't know what to compare it to really, maybe Hulk at IoA or RnR. It's super fun, though, and better than either of those!

 

[disnut8]

As a roller coaster "wimpie" and a recent Expedition:Everest rider, I can say this based on your description of yourself. GO ON EXPEDITION:EVEREST!

The track is so smooth it's like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The drop is similiar to Splash Mountain. The effects are great but no where near the mind fudge Twilight Zone is (and why I always shake getting off that attraction). I was so worried before I went on this for the preview weekend but when I got off, I was ticked off because the crowds didn't allow me to go right back on it. Seriously, I cannot handle any "traditional" roller coaster". I can't even handle a ferris wheel. I absolutely LOVED Expedition:Everest. It's nothing like Rock N Roller Coaster (which I can do because it's over very fast and, well, it's fast).

This wimpie gives Expedition:Everest two thumbs up and then in the Z formation. I can't wait to go back again. *will May never get here?*

 

[Aurora63]

As a roller coaster "wimpie" and a recent Expedition:Everest rider, I can say this based on your description of yourself. GO ON EXPEDITION:EVEREST!

The track is so smooth it's like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The drop is similiar to Splash Mountain. The effects are great but no where near the mind fudge Twilight Zone is (and why I always shake getting off that attraction). I was so worried before I went on this for the preview weekend but when I got off, I was ticked off because the crowds didn't allow me to go right back on it. Seriously, I cannot handle any "traditional" roller coaster". I can't even handle a ferris wheel. I absolutely LOVED Expedition:Everest. It's nothing like Rock N Roller Coaster (which I can do because it's over very fast and, well, it's fast).

This wimpie gives Expedition:Everest two thumbs up and then in the Z formation. I can't wait to go back again. *will May never get here?*

Okay, based on your response, I think I will try it when we go in June. I am like you with ferris wheels as well. Worst case scenario, I hate it and I never go back on it, so what's the harm, right? I have to at least try it.

 

[cranbiz]

E:E is more like BTMRR and less of RnR. If you have done all of the disney coasters except RnR, Everest will be fine with you.

The most intense part (to me) was the backwards part.

 

[Quinn222]

It was too intense for me. I was very shaky when I got off and it took a good hour for me to fell better. That said, everone else around me loved it, so maybe you will too.

 

[boomhauer]

Just got back this morning. I'll write a full trip report tomorrow. I rode Everest 8 times last week. Once durring the AP preview, and 7 times in a row during a soft opening Thursday.

It's intense, but only in parts. The beginning is a cake walk.

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

The ride is nothing until you reach "the end of the track". That is the point where it goes backwards. Be prepared for it. It's fast and intense, and lasts about 10 seconds. Best way to deal with it is the same way I deal with the launch on Rock n Roller Coaster - Just scream until it's over and put your head back. From there, you hit the "big" drop, which really isn't that bad, especially since it's half inside the mountain and half outside. From there, you go at speeds of around 40mph (I would say). What makes the ride intense at this point isn't the speed. It's the twists it takes, and the fact that the speed doesn't decrease when it goes uphills. This is what I discovered (after 5 or 6 rides) what was somewhat disorienting.

That being said, I really enjoy the ride. If you can handle the 10 second backwards part, and you only go on it once, you should be fine.

 

[jlovesee]

Having been a coaster wimp myself for 22 years (I finally overcame my fear 2 years ago!) I might be able to help.

EE is pretty much like a large Big Thunder Mountain, the only thing that might bother you is the sense of not knowing were you are going, when you go backwards. I figure that might bother you if Space Mountain and Tower of Terror bother you sense they both have that out of control feeling. But its not for the entire ride. If you are going to try it I would highly recommend riding in the middle of the train, as when you go backwards the front becomes the back.

Also its not near as intense if you know when its going to happen, you begin going backwards right after you encounter the splintered, dead end track.

It is no where NEAR as intense as the other Universal coasters, even though I consider Hulk and Dueling Dragons exceptionally good coasters. It is also very smooth for a Vekoma, much smoother then Big Thunder, Space Mountain or Rockin' Roller Coaster.

Overall it is a very good Disney ride, and you should definitly try it atleast once.

Jennifer

 

[Quinn222]

From there, you go at speeds of around 40mph (I would say). What makes the ride intense at this point isn't the speed. It's the twists it takes, and the fact that the speed doesn't decrease when it goes uphills. This is what I discovered (after 5 or 6 rides) what was somewhat disorienting.

That's exactly how I felt. You described it perfectly. It was my first coaster so maybe the worng choice for that. Does BTMRR have the same intensity?

 

[boomhauer]

That's exactly how I felt. You described it perfectly. It was my first coaster so maybe the worng choice for that. Does BTMRR have the same intensity?

Not even close. BTMRR, you can see where you're going at all times, and it never feels (or is) very fast.

Odd thing is, though Space Mountain is actually the slowest of all the Disney World coasters (28mph), it still feels lke the fastest. However, I never get disoriented or queasey on it. I could literally ride it all day and it wouldn't bother me. Strange.

 

[dizprincess717]

Okay everyone, here's my take on EE:

I'm a CP and so I got to go on it 2 weekends ago when all CMs got to ride. The wait was crazy because we just walked right on! I rode twice in the front, once in the back, and once in the middle the first day. While the front is incredible, the other seats were great as well. After the first day I rode it 10 more times, making it 14 total rides in 3 days.

It's intense, but not the intensity of the take off like in RnRC or the force you feel on Mission Space. It is, however, a very, very good roller coaster. The Yeti... WOW.

Even the queue is gorgeous. In all, I think it could be my favorite ride in all of WDW. It certainly is up there.

...RnRC still holds a special place to me since Aerosmith is one of my favorite bands.

Here's my advice: If you're scared, suck it up and go on it because it is totally amazing!

 

[sanjoe]

I went to Mousegeeks.com and saw a video of the ride...Neat!

 

[disnut8]

One thing to note about Expedition:Everest that might help with the "wimpies". Yes, there is a backwards part in the complete dark. My husband didn't even know what the heck was going on. But this is what saved the entire thing. You then go outside and all your senses are restored. It's not like Twilight Zone where just about everything is inside and in the dark. And it's not like Space Mountain either. After that backwards part, it's just a great, great, great experience. Even the backwards part was mild. Pure mechanical genius in doing everything so flawlessly. The part after the "thrill" is outside so everything gets back to normal. My heart was in my throat inside the mountain but once outside, man, what a rush!

 

[PamNC]

We went to the AP preview and rode it twice. LOVED IT. I'm not the biggest thrill seeker in the world when it comes to rides. I can do RnR and TOT, although TOT scares me quite a bit. Splash and BTMRR are easy for me as is Space Moutain. I won't ride Mission Space because I'm scared of getting motion sickness.

EE is a thrill, there is no doubt about it but it's very smooth, doesn't go upside down, and it's so well done that you must do it. It's really not that bad - but I can't lie and say it isn't intense. It's amazing and you must try it.

PamNC

 

[Aurora63]

Okay, I have decided to definetly try it at least once. I hope it is as great as you all say!

 

[ufgator]

What is the Yeti like?

 

[taheenee]

Yes, yes definatly try everest!! I got to try it thursday a whole bunch of times and the common theme when the ride ended was "Lets go again!" everyone seemed to love it! Lots of the younger kids, the 7-12 yr olds just loved it! The 1st time i rode there was a little girl with her parents and she was a bit hesitant to ride and at the last minute decided to try it. A few hours later I see them again, with her bouncing with excitement, headed for the front seat! It's thrilling but not too intense. Like an earlier poster noted, more like a faster BTMR than RnR. RnR scared the crap out of me the 1st time and i had to wait a bit before trying it again. With Everest, we rode it again and again with no problem.

 

[willieT]

I rode EE with my completely fearless 5 year old daughter no less than 3 times in about 15 minutes last Saturday 1/28. Fast Passes are pure gold, because the standby line had a 100 minute wait.

EE is great fun, but I was a little nervous before the first ride -- mainly because I'm an over-protective Dad and I always worry that my daughter might get scared or hurt with anything. I was more nervous before I rode Tower of Terror, but EE is more fun and less scary than ToT (IMHO).

EE is a great ride and I can't wait until it's open in April -- even though I may skip the ride for a while if I can't use a Fast Pass (I hate lines more than anything).

It's a good thing that I'm not superstitous, because we had seat #13 each time...

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

A very cool part of EE was something I noticed on my 3rd ride. The track is NOT a permanent structure in all places -- after the backwards part, I watched the track rather than the Yeti 'projection' in the cave. The track below the train *rotated* and a new section of track appeared -- this new section of track connected the cave portion of track to the downhill 'out of the cave' section. This made sense, because if the train first travels forward, then backward, and then forward again -- and 3 different places appear -- the track must take a different path each time.

But, it was a little unsettling to know I'm about to travel 50+ MPH on a track that just moved into place...

 

[Jillpie]

Can you all please try to describe the backward part in more detail...I really, really hate the darkness. Is there any light at all in the near distance that I can focus on? What can I expect that the ride does at this point, is it really curvy or does it stay straight in the darkness? I guess its the pure unknown that disturbs me the most. Thanks!