*SPOILER*Expedition Everest - from a chicken's point of view

[caribear]

I admit it, I am a chicken when it comes to any type of ride that has "free falls," goes upside down or goes down any big drops. I ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain (only once in a blue moon), Splash Mountain (when I am coerced...and my stomach does flip-flops while I wait in line...I make myself sick thinking about the big drop at the end.). I do not ride RNR, Tower of Terror or Mission: Space. I made myself go on Expedition Everest....my tummy did the usual flip-flops and I screamed and laughed throughout the whole ride. I think the theming in the que line is incredible. I would recommend getting a fast pass for a second ride, but go standby first and see all of the artifacts/signage located throughout the standby que.

I was in the 4th row from the front. I heard that you can see the visual effects (Yeti and projections of the Yeti) better from the front of the train and that the back "whips" you around more. The view from the lift is awesome! You can even see Epcot and some of the hotels if you look to the left. The ride starts of pretty tame...that is until you run into a piece of mangled track and see the projection of the Yeti tearing up the track...at this point you cannot go any further, so you must go backwards. I have to say the scariest part of the ride was the backwards sequence...in the dark! You can feel the pressure on your chest/head as the train goes backwards with a little dip and some turns. The train stops again as the Yeti is projected on the mountain tearing up the tracks and you begin going forward again. The 80ft drop comes next and then you go back into the mountain for a close, but quick encounter with the mysterious Yeti. The ride is very smooth...no clattering of the wheels on the tracks.

One ride in a day is enough for me, but I will ride again when I get the chance. I think the attraction lived up to the hype around it....and for a chicken like me.....it was as thrilling as I will go. I screamed like a little girl, laughed like crazy and walked off with a tear rolling down my cheek from all the laughter.

On a side note, I think the load/unload time is very quick. So hopefully the wait times won't seem so long....especially if you enjoy looking at all the artifacts/theming in the que line.

 

[Tishke]

Thanks for the chicken perspective. I am a major coaster chicken....I don't really like coasters at all (other than BTMRR), so I am uneasy as to whether to try this one out. Having never gone backwards before...how bad is it. LOL I'm trying to get over the fear and go on this ride (and Space Mountain for the first time), but some of the ride reports have me going

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

Thanks for the review. We can't wait to ride. How big would you say the Yeti is. My DD9 saw the pictures of him and she thinks she'll be ok on the ride, but wants to know how big he is and how close he is to the train. We plan to sit by the back end.

 

[jodistar]

Wow - That sounds like fun..... I love rollercoasters, etc. Now, I have something to look forward to during my trip(s) in 2007.

 

[rie'smom]

From one chicken to another- . I'm such a scaredy cat but after your review, Expedition Everest is on my to-do list. Earlier today I saw a video and it seemed OK but I still had the willies. You have eased my fears. Thank-you!!!

 

[jonestavern]

thanks for the chicken perspective--I am a major cluck!
I'm thinking I just may try this in the fall

we'll have to get a 'weenies' group together to visit the parks & give each other courage in overcoming this DIS-bilitating condition!

Jean

 

[keishashadow]

Thanx for the entertaining review.

One question - you comment about feeling "pressure on your chest/head" when the train goes backwards. Please elaborate...I have cervical problems and shouldn't ride Space Mt., Dinosaur, Star Tours etc. but, I do - usually w/o any issues.

Have you ridden The Mummy...is this as jerky/hair-pin turns?

TIA

 

[MINNIEBOWSER]

Thank you for the report! I am soooo excited to ride this ride. I do not usually even go to AK, but am going to make a special trip there on my next vacation to try it out.
I have a question though. My DD6 just started riding Space Mountain and BTMR on our last trip, and she loved them (I am soooo proud! ). I was wandering if you think EE would be too much for her. She will be 7 when we go the next time.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks for the review ! Sounds fun !

 

[RWF]

Okay, if possible, I would love a clarification for another chicken. I love rollercoasters, except for the drops, so you see my problem. I have been on Splash Mountain, but hate it (even though 3-year-olds riding it look at me as if I am crazy for freaking out). Anyway, how does the 80 ft drop compare to Splash Mountains 50 ft. I understand that EEs drop is curved which does make it easier to stomache. Thanks for any info.

 

[caribear]

I'm glad you all enjoyed my review! I will try to answer your questions as best I can.

theshultzfive : Not sure how big the Yeti really is, but it all goes by so quickly (there is no pause of the train like in Dinosaur).....from where I was sitting in the front of the train it looked like the train comes pretty close to the Yeti( He reach out a paw and makes a big roar)....basically right over your head...I would say it was similar to BTMR where the big rock looks like it is going to fall on your head. Hope this makes sense.

keishashadow : I haven't ridden The Mummy and I can't really think of any other attraction at Disney to compare it to. It's not a jerky feeling like Dinosaur...this ride is very smooth. There is just a feeling of pressure as the train goes backwards....you are basically pulled back in your seat.

minniebowser : If your dd likes Space Mountain than I think she will be okay. The dark, backwards section of the ride is really the most intense part of the ride.

rwf: I think the 80ft drop is overshadowed by the dark, backwards part of the ride. Since the drop occurs right after this part of the ride it did not seem as intense as I thought it would. I do lose my stomach on Spash Mountain and dread that part of the ride, but the drop on EE was so smooth and came so quickly after the backwards segment that I did not have time to catch my wits (and breath) and think about the drop. SM is such a slow moving ride, so you tend to dwell on the drop the whole time and build up your apprehension, but EE is fast paced and I didn't have time to dwell on the drop as much as I thought I would.

joanstavern: Good idea! We should have a "Chickens Unite" meeting at Disney so we can all get over our fears and scream like chickens together on the "scary" rides!!

 

[LegoMom3]

joanstavern: Good idea! We should have a "Chickens Unite" meeting at Disney so we can all get over our fears and scream like chickens together on the "scary" rides!!

Hey, count me in!.....shall we have t-shirts made up?!

 

[Lowillian]

Cari, about how long is the ride? We'll be there next week for the AP weekend.

Thanks!

 

[TXTink]

Thanks for the great review! You sound much like me, only I can do RnR....much to my surprise! I get the most nervous for Splash Mountain!

I can't wait to try this one! We will miss the AP advance ride by one day...aarrgg ! But, we will be back over the summer!

 

[minijeanie]

mucho gracious.....for the great review

I was counting myself out for this ride ..but now I AM IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if it happens so fast and it is backwards, I can handle that

I originally thought the coaster was a big super drop that you seen firsthand and that there were multiple spins

I can do rollercoasters as long as they don't go upside down too much

 

[mcgrawfan]

I LOVE rollercoasters and most rides, but I can't handle things jumping out at me. I have read all of the spoilers and have an idea of where the Yeti comes out so I could close my eyes, but when I read it roars I thought I will have to sit this one out. I hate to be startled. I am a weenie at things like that.

 

[Darth Sidious]

This ride seems to get better and better. I wish it were August.

 

[nile455]

I heard that you can see the visual effects (Yeti and projections of the Yeti) better from the front of the train

Actually this is not totally true. You don't want to sit too close in regards to the Yeti projection because if you're in the first 5 or 6 rows you miss the Yeti jumping.

 

[bytheblood]

I too am a chicken, but am looking forward to riding it. I hope I don't have to use the chicken-out door.

 

[TXMommy]

OK, I had been to WDW 3 times before I was brave enough to ride BTMR on our 4th trip...........and I LOVED it! My real problem with roller coasters is the height and the drops (I will not ride Splash Mnt. because of the drop, and Tower of Terror is out of the question because I also have an elevator phobia). I have yet to work up my nerve for Space Mnt. or RnR (altho my DH insists I would love both). I have seen the photos of EE and I'm not sure I would like the feeling of being up that high OR the 80 ft. drop! What do ya'll think??? (P.S. I don't think the Yeti would scare me....)