what is official grand opening date on EE?

[challada]

I asked this on another Expedition Everest discussion, but it got lost w/out answer.

Does anyone know the "official" grand opening date for EE? I've read that the contest to be there for opening had dates of 4/6 to 4/8, so guess was for FRIDAY, 4/7/06...but that's speculation.

Anyone hear of an actual date?
Will soft opening happen with this one the few days before?

We are there the week of 4/1 to 4/8 so I want to AVOID AK for grand opening date if at all possible. But I know our kids want to ride it while we are there. With hopper tickets, we might just get FPs and go somewhere else for the rest of the day until our ticket time.

TIA
Chris

 

[safetymom]

The official opening date hasn't been announced yet.

 

[nhmomx2]

I believe all advertisements have said "Spring 2006". With the AP/DVC previews at the end of January, I'd be surprised if the soft opening doesn't begin in mid-late February.

 

[thelionqueen]

I was under the impression it was April 1st, but I could be a fool
Honestly though, thought I read it was April 1st.

 

[krissyh]

What exactly is a "soft opening"? Does that mean that it is open, just not officially. I know there are previews but who gets on during a "soft opening"?

 

[safetymom]

A soft opening means it can be open for an hour or two in the morning and not in the afternoon. Or maybe a CM is standing outside asking folks if they want to ride. It isn't running a regular schedule.

 

[splashmt]

Oh I sure hope it opens by the time I am there in mid April!!!

 

[challada]

There was a contest on "the Daily Buzz" where 5 winners will get a trip to WDW (drawing was in Nov?) where winners have to be there for press event for EE:
"All vacations must be taken during the press event for the Expedition Everest™ attraction, tentatively scheduled for April 6-8-2006"

The rules website is: http://www.dailybuzz.tv/disney/rules.php

So this is why I'm wondering if they have stated a date of April 7 or if there is some other date for sooner.

TIA
C

 

[palmtreegirl]

We were at AK today and there were people riding EE! It wasn't open to the public or anything but there were actual people riding it. A CM outside the ride said he got to ride it today and it was awesome.

 

[GoofieRuthie]

OOOH!! I will be there April 1-8 also. I am SO hoping that we will have a chance to ride it. We are not big fans of AK, so I'm hoping this ride will help redeem that park for us. I'm going to keep my eyes, fingers, and toes crossed in hopes of a chance to ride! ( oh heck, I'll even keep my legs crossed just in case!!)

 

[jtlover]

We are there 7th Feb - 14th Feb so I am hoping we get to ride it then - open or non official - I dont care as long as we can ride it!

 

[peter11435]

The Grand Opening is currently set as April 7.