Expedition Everest - Disney's Animal Kingdon (FL)

Date Ridden: Dec. 31st of 2007. Times Ridden: 2 with once in the 3rd row from the front and once in the 2nd row from the back.

To begin with, nobody beats Disney for capacity. We started off Animal Kingdom by doing Dino-land and easing our way back to Everest. Julia and myself got our fast pass and then, since the line only said 30 minutes, decided to go ahead and ride it once. Within 20 minutes we were seated toward the rear of the train and ready. Later on when we used our fast pass we were on the ride in less than 1 minute as there was no one in the fast pass line. Disney rules for capacity always and forever.

As for the ride itself, I am hesitant to use the phrase "mine train" as the premise behind the ride is an expedition up to the top of Mount Everest that goes awry. However, the ride feel is similar to that of Big Thunder Mountain. I do not mean this in any bad way as I feel that Disney is the master of the mine train type of ride and this for some reason seems to have that type of feel, particularly in the very slow beginning. However, the rides theme is top notch and that slow beginning is necessary to what you will encounter later in the ride.

The dual lift hills take the train up very high and from the front offers a great view between the mountain peaks. This is at the point which the track has been destroyed by the Yeti who is angry over the lack of respect paid to his temple. Examples of this destruction can be found all throughout the area surrounding the ride. After the first third of the ride is over and you take the backwards portion through a switchback on the track and into the mountain itself, it begins getting a little more intense. The backwards potion stops you in the mountain where you can see the cut scene of the angry Yeti which is just a little too cartoonish. Still, it is very fun to watch and leads into the third and final leg of the trip which includes the dive down past the Yeti himself.

This creature is absolutely amazing as he seems very lifelike and extremely angry. The back of the train is better at this portion as you get a little better look at him while zooming past.

So anyway, whats the deal? Everest as a ride rates out as a 7 but gets a bump up for the attention to detail and the creature itself. When riding, try the front of the car first to see the views at the end of the first portion and then try any car toward the back giving you a longer view of the beast at the end of the ride. Disney coasters are always less about thrills and more about the experience itself. In this case, the formula works as the Mouse has a great ride at one of the weaker Disney parks. Everest gets a solid 8 from me and ranks # 2 behind California Screamin as my favorite Disney coaster.