Space Mountain vs. Everest - Which Is The Tougher Coaster?

[VictoriaM]

We just got back and my 7 year old went on EE with me. She hasn't been on many big rollercoasters and she really enjoyed EE, she went on it 3 times in a row. We had fastpasses for SM and RIGHT when we were supposed to be back for SM it was closed because it was broken down. So she never got to go on SM.

 

[DAZZ_UK]

EE is much smoother than SM...the backwards drop gives a funny sensation.

and yes the loop on RnR is straight after the launch,for me rnr is not very intense and slows down halfway..maybe if its not too busy you could try it to see if your child would like it. my 9yr old loves all 3

 

[Forevryoung]

That's funny.

I would rank them:

#1- EE
#2- RNRC
#3- SM

Honestly, I think RNRC is a much better, smoother, more enjoyable ride than EE. I hated the backwards feeling of EE and it made it a much "tougher" experience.

 

[fairestoneofall]

I think that EE is a little more intense than SM. SM has no big drops, really. And if it were not indoors in the dark, you'd realize just how mild it really is.

I wouldn't say that EE is a super tough coaster or anything, but I would say it's slightly more intense than SM. The backwards part is probably the worst part of all of it, and it's mildly disorienting at best.

 

[dburg30]

I think that EE is a little more intense than SM. SM has no big drops, really. And if it were not indoors in the dark, you'd realize just how mild it really is.

But it's not outdoors which plays into the experience a lot.. I'm sure if RNR was outdoors it wouldnt be as intense feeling as it is..

 

[boltjames]

I think that EE is a little more intense than SM. SM has no big drops, really. And if it were not indoors in the dark, you'd realize just how mild it really is.

I wouldn't say that EE is a super tough coaster or anything, but I would say it's slightly more intense than SM. The backwards part is probably the worst part of all of it, and it's mildly disorienting at best.

So, if I'm understanding correctly, on EE there is a big 'traditional' roller coaster drop but that drop is backwards and in the dark? Is that the case or are there two drops, one being backwards?

BJ

 

[bubba73]

Everest is tougher, bigger, faster and better. In some areas, it is even darker. Space Mountain is the original which is what makes it great. But if you are a coaster enthusiast, Everest is the ride of choice.

 

[attackwithnorth]

I am personally of the opinion that EE is more FUN than SM. Being a coaster-fanatic, what I mean is that EE is/feels faster, is more exciting, and has a big drop. I find SM to be the much tamer of the two coasters, almost to the point of being a little boring. I would have your kid watch videos of these two coasters, keeping in mind that there are scary elements to both rides but that they are safe and fun...

And if he doesn't mind the dark, SM is definetely the safer bet for first choice coaster.

 

[jeast]

I hated EE, but it wasn't that bad of a ride. I just hate roller coasters. Any normal 9 year old will find it fun.

My 6yr screamed with joy and he has fairly evolved survival instincts.

 

[PamNC]

Definitely Everest! Space Mountain only goes 28 mph - I'm certain Everest at one point is about double that. Not to mention the backwards sequence...it's quite dizzying! But, it's a fantastic ride!

PamNC

 

[addicted2disney]

Oh RNRC.. you blast off straight ahead, and yes, the loop is first. Later in the ride, you hit the corkscrew. If you ride this, sit from the middle towards the front. The back of RNRC limo is rather jerky, and it gives me a headache. If I sit in the middle or up, its perfect. This is my favorite ride. Plus they play Aerosmith music during the whole ride. I think the coster IS fast, but it has no big hills or drops like a typical coaster. Its also not like SM as there are not sharp turns, and small 'bumps' that throw you out of your seat.

Expedition is a great coaster. When you see the ride, you will notice the train going up a very HIGH very STEEP hill. OF course, you expect to get to the top of this hill and drop. You dont. You actually go thru the tops of the mountain slowly, around and bend and notice the track is twisted, broken and GONE. You stop, and go backwards. Then next part is the most intense part IMHO. You go backwards, in the dark and its pretty fast. The first time I rode it, I said " i swear we just went upside down". its a helix, or double helix or something like that which gives you a pretty cool sensation . Then you stop again. You are now inside the mountain, looking at a shadow of the yeti twisting and breaking more track, and then you go forward. THis is where the big drop is that you can see from outside when looking at the ride. The drop is big, its pretty steep, but there is no 'air time'. You come down the drop, make a big fast circle, circle around again, and head back into the mountain where you speed past the giant yeti hanging off the side of the mountain and it looks like he's trying to grab you. Its soooo much fun. Take away the aerosmith part of RNRC and EE would be my favorite ride

SM.. just not my favorite. Its dark, you cant see the bends and bumps that are coming, and I think its rather jerky the whole ride. My 6 year old just rode it for the first time a month ago, and I rode it a few times with him. There are no big hills other than the one you go UP to get to the top, but its more like the Big Thunder Mountain ride, where its more small hills, bumps that throw you out of your seat.More going round and round rather than up and down with tall hills and big drops.

And if you are looking for some 'air time' .. thats what Tower of Terror is for ( love that ride too )

 

[tgj]

I usually have my eyes closed and spend most of the time screaming.
My wife bought me the "Screams like a Girl" tshirt at EE last year.

After both EE and SM, I leave the car and kiss the ground.

With that in mind....

SM is most rough, back and forth side to side jolts.
For a kid, the fact that you can see everything is something to consider about EE vs. SM. Some like that, some don't. The worst part of EE for me is the long, slow summit with nothing under you at the beginning. That really gets to me, as I'm certain the tracks will collapse and I'll plummit to a grisly end.....

 

[Mickey_Man]

My ranking would be:

RNRC
EE
SM
BTMRR

My first ride on EE was with my wife and in-laws, and the in-laws are not the coaster type. We were assured by a cast member that "if you can handle Splash Mountain, you can handle EE". Not even close!! Thankfully my mother-in-law bailed on the ride - she would have been a mess afterwards! My father-in-law toughed it out, and while he enjoyed that he had the experiennce, he won't be riding again! My wife and I LOVED the ride and have been on it quite a few times since. I still think RNRC is a more intense ride, but EE is extremely enjoyable, has great theming, is smooth, and is by far the best ride in AK. I think if one has ridden SM and was fine, he/she could handle EE.

Good luck!

 

[NewEnglandCamper]

Forgetting the drama that each rides 'story' brings, from a sheer riding perspective, is one of these a tougher coaster than another or are both around the same degree of velocity/violence?

I've got a 9 year old that I know can handle Space Mountain, not so sure about Everest as we've never been on it.

Thanks.

BJ

My 9 year old daugther who doesn't like rollercoaster loved both Space Mountain and Everest!

 

[I.heart.disney]

I loove EE because of the smoothness of the ride itself. I could ride it 10 times straight no problems.

However, SM scares the living crap out of me ! I'm aware of its speed and I think that's the only thing that gets me in every time. I just don't like the darkness of the ride and the roughness of it, cause i feel its gonna break any time.

I know i know, as a grown woman I should be over it already but it actually scares me more NOW than it did back when I was 10!!!

 

[DLBDS]

I haven't read all the replies but wanted to add my own....SM is the most uncomfortable for me (jerkiness) but the small drops only catch you off guard as you can't tell when they're coming. They aren't big drops at all. When we rode EE last time, we were in the very back. WOW! Huge difference. If you want a mild ride, sit in the front half...even the very front. If you want to experience the hills at their fullest....ride in the BACK. That hill as you leave the cavern where the Yeti is is a DOOZY! We weren't prepared for this as we had always ridden in the front half....even the very front. Be prepared and you'll have a blast!

 

[boltjames]

Thank you everyone for your responses. Forget my son; I'm scared now. Do they still have the Teacup Ride near Mickey's Birthdayland?

BJ

 

[boomhauer]

Probably because I've ridden SM so many times, but I don't find it intense at all. I've done Everest now about 15 times, and I still find it pretty intense.

Top speeds:

SM - 28mph
EE - 50mph (40 backwards)
RNR - 57mph (at take off), 28mph (after)
BTMRR - 34mph (gets slightly faster throughout the day as track gets greasier)

 

[tinknsnow]

I'm a fan of "fast and smooth". Therefore, EE is my absolute favorite at WDW (though Space Mountain at DLP is the very best!). EE has intense sensations and great theming.

RnRC is intense because it's fast and loud and dark. I love it, but I'm petite and my head bumps around during the ride. I exit with a headache. It doesn't stop me from riding again though.

Space Mountain is a classic, but it's bumpy and jerky. One of my daughters hates this ride (yet she loves the faster version at DLP because it is so smooth).

BTMRR is fun, but not intense IMO. It's slightly better than Goofy's Barnstormer.

Splash Mountain gives me the biggest tummy drop of all these... and it's the one I always second-guess myself for getting in line.

They're all different and all fun!