See http://www.wdwmagic.com/everest_openingdate.htm for latest information
OFFICIAL OPENING DATE TO ALL GUESTS IS APRIL 7 2006
30 January 2006: Latest on soft openings
Now that the CM, DVC and AP previews are over, the attraction will move onto a period of unannounced soft openings. During this time, there is no set timeframe where the attraction will definitely be operating. This gives WDI time to complete parts of the attraction, and to tweak things based on operational feedback from the previews. The ride is set to be closed all day today, with openings perhaps taking place again towards the end of the week.
The official status is currently:
"Guests will be able to get a sneak "peak" at Expedition Everest beginning in early February during regular park hours. The ride may not always be operational during park hours."
13 January 2006: Cast Member Preview dates
The preview dates for WDW Cast Members are Friday, January 20 through Monday, January 23 during regular park hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.).
29 December 2005: Annual Passholder Preview dates announced
Preview dates are January 26, 27, 28 and 29; Passholders will need to show their Pass for admission to this very special event. As an exciting bonus, each person who attends will receive a collectible Expedition Everest pin and lanyard.
14 December 2005: Disney Vacation Club preview dates
The following is from the latest DVC newsletter sent to members.
Members are invited to take a sneak "peak" at Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain™ Jan. 26-29, 2006, at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park.
The new thrill attraction, opening officially in April, sends Guests on a high-speed train adventure into the Himalayas for a face-to-muzzle encounter with the legendary Yeti. Each Member who presents his/her Disney Vacation Club Member ID during the sneak "peak" event may enjoy this preview with as many as three Guests. As an added bonus, you and your Guests will each receive a complimentary Expedition Everest lanyard and pin (limit one set per person during the four-day event). Disney's FASTPASS® service will be also be available during the preview.
8 November 2005: Expedition Everest Grand Opening Press Event
According to a contest being ran at The Daily Buzz, Expedition Everest will be holding a grand opening press event on April 6 - April 8 (note the dates remain tentative). http://www.dailybuzz.tv/disney/rules.php
30 October 2005: Opening team recruitment underway
Disney will be recruiting the opening team cast members in mid-November 2005. The opening team will be responsible for cycling the attraction during the test and adjust period, and preparing for operational duties once Imagineering hand over the attraction. The assignment of an opening team is one of the major steps needed prior to any soft openings. The latest information seems to suggest that WDI and the opening team may be riding in December 2005, with an outside chance of guest testing in December 2005, with more wide-scale soft openings taking place in January 2006, leading to a full official opening in Spring 2006.
June 2005
Official information lists Expedition Everest of opening early 2006. With such a long construction phase, it is difficult to predict ahead of time exact opening dates. There have been some suggestions from people working on the project of an outside chance of some kind of soft (testing) opening in January 2006, although none of this is officially confirmed.
OFFICIAL OPENING DATE TO ALL GUESTS IS APRIL 7 2006
30 January 2006: Latest on soft openings
Now that the CM, DVC and AP previews are over, the attraction will move onto a period of unannounced soft openings. During this time, there is no set timeframe where the attraction will definitely be operating. This gives WDI time to complete parts of the attraction, and to tweak things based on operational feedback from the previews. The ride is set to be closed all day today, with openings perhaps taking place again towards the end of the week.
The official status is currently:
"Guests will be able to get a sneak "peak" at Expedition Everest beginning in early February during regular park hours. The ride may not always be operational during park hours."
13 January 2006: Cast Member Preview dates
The preview dates for WDW Cast Members are Friday, January 20 through Monday, January 23 during regular park hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.).
29 December 2005: Annual Passholder Preview dates announced
Preview dates are January 26, 27, 28 and 29; Passholders will need to show their Pass for admission to this very special event. As an exciting bonus, each person who attends will receive a collectible Expedition Everest pin and lanyard.
14 December 2005: Disney Vacation Club preview dates
The following is from the latest DVC newsletter sent to members.
Members are invited to take a sneak "peak" at Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain™ Jan. 26-29, 2006, at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park.
The new thrill attraction, opening officially in April, sends Guests on a high-speed train adventure into the Himalayas for a face-to-muzzle encounter with the legendary Yeti. Each Member who presents his/her Disney Vacation Club Member ID during the sneak "peak" event may enjoy this preview with as many as three Guests. As an added bonus, you and your Guests will each receive a complimentary Expedition Everest lanyard and pin (limit one set per person during the four-day event). Disney's FASTPASS® service will be also be available during the preview.
8 November 2005: Expedition Everest Grand Opening Press Event
According to a contest being ran at The Daily Buzz, Expedition Everest will be holding a grand opening press event on April 6 - April 8 (note the dates remain tentative). http://www.dailybuzz.tv/disney/rules.php
30 October 2005: Opening team recruitment underway
Disney will be recruiting the opening team cast members in mid-November 2005. The opening team will be responsible for cycling the attraction during the test and adjust period, and preparing for operational duties once Imagineering hand over the attraction. The assignment of an opening team is one of the major steps needed prior to any soft openings. The latest information seems to suggest that WDI and the opening team may be riding in December 2005, with an outside chance of guest testing in December 2005, with more wide-scale soft openings taking place in January 2006, leading to a full official opening in Spring 2006.
June 2005
Official information lists Expedition Everest of opening early 2006. With such a long construction phase, it is difficult to predict ahead of time exact opening dates. There have been some suggestions from people working on the project of an outside chance of some kind of soft (testing) opening in January 2006, although none of this is officially confirmed.