E.E. Grade?

[CTXRover]

During the development for ROTM, I don't recall reading any articles saying it would have "incredibly advanced warrior AAs". Universal didn't promise anything and then not deliver on it, so there would be no need here for me to "make an excuse" for them.

Actually, the first press release announcing the ride did state that. The original press releases for ROTM promised riders an animatronic warrior mummy who in the midst of defending his realm would literally jump on the vehicles using Mars Rover technology. They also promised a fire effect that would be "inches" above rider's heads and a ride experience that would be slightly different on each ride. None of that they delivered. Some of it was simply an exageration of the reality, but others never saw the light of day.

Additionally, the warriors are not the only thing in ROTM for guests to see. ROTM, unlike EE, is loaded with effects. EE has a plastic bird, a cheesy projection, and a lightning fast sighting of the Yeti. Other than that, it's a mundane roller coaster set in and around a structure that looks impressive from a distance

EE is not a ride that "needs" more special effects beyond the fog/snow effect that is apparently being fixed. The Himalayas, especially in the high mountains, are not heavily populated with animals, so having animatronic critters along the path of the train would be unrealistic. The majesty of the mountain and landscaping speaks for itself and I don't see how or why it should need to be "plussed" anymore than letting some of the trees grow in. I personally think the way the Yeti is set up in a 4 simple "acts" is ideal and incredibly well done leading up to the final encounter.

ROTM and EE are as similar as they are different. ROTM throws a bunch of in-your-face effects with little comprehensible story or sense of adventure. EE throws at you a moderately comprehensible story (if you care to pay attention to it) with impressive visuals virtually along every section of the ride, but with very few special effects. Imo, the Yeti AA and the entire surroudings of Everest are neater than the loud, explosive-like effects Mummy, and nearly all Universal attractions, have. Still, ROTM is among my favorite rides, along with EE.

 

[abian]

I won't believe that EE is the way imagineer think it should be. Why? Because the entire ride is just so short (have to handle large crowd) that there is simply not enough time to represent good special effect. The projection is really nothing to write home about. I can hardly believe imagineer tend to show the projection to guests becasue they want to. I think it's because the train is waiting for the track switching to the big drop, and over that 10~15 seconds you literally have nothing to do except waiting so they throw you some video projection to kill the time.

 

[abian]

Lots of people mentioned about storyline. I just don't buy it. WHAT ELSE is the story than guests traveling through the mountain and hit the Yeti. A roller coaster doesn't have to be logical, but the story has to be. I don't have to enjoy EE with a solid storyline becasue there is no need to and there is not much story either. What's the story behind going backwards? If you need a story there should be a driver at the front of the train and the Yeti over the top of the mountain (where the track is broken) roaring to the guests and the driver would say "back back back!" That would be a storyline. EE is just simply pure thrill in terms of coaster parts. About the Yeti, there is simply no point showing his/her projection to the guest becasue it will not add any plot to the whole ride. Like I posted I think it is simply try to force some action during the waiting for the track switch to change. The final show Yeti encounter is so quick becasue it is supposed to be mysterious? Sorry but I have to say that would be too much like a excuse. I frimly believe if imagineers got extra millions to spend, Yeti time will be longer and better. I think it is so short becasue they have found this AA is so complicated that it will have a hard time operating normally if Yeti moves too long or involving too many actions.

 

[CHAPPS]

Actually, the first press release announcing the ride did state that. The original press releases for ROTM promised riders an animatronic warrior mummy who in the midst of defending his realm would literally jump on the vehicles using Mars Rover technology. They also promised a fire effect that would be "inches" above rider's heads and a ride experience that would be slightly different on each ride. None of that they delivered. Some of it was simply an exageration of the reality, but others never saw the light of day.

Well, as I mentioned, I don't personally recall reading anything about ROTM that was promised but not delivered. Perhaps what you've described above might have been a "blue sky" idea that never came to fruition. Who knows? What I do know is that none of their advertising for the attraction promised, or even hinted at, any of that stuff happening. And ROTM certainly does not seem like an attraction that was done on the cheap. EE does.

EE is not a ride that "needs" more special effects beyond the fog/snow effect that is apparently being fixed. The Himalayas, especially in the high mountains, are not heavily populated with animals, so having animatronic critters along the path of the train would be unrealistic. The majesty of the mountain and landscaping speaks for itself and I don't see how or why it should need to be "plussed" anymore than letting some of the trees grow in. I personally think the way the Yeti is set up in a 4 simple "acts" is ideal and incredibly well done leading up to the final encounter.

I wasn't suggesting they scatter the landscape with a menagerie of animals. But there are other types of effects and visuals that they could have done, including an encounter with an animatronic Yeti. The track switching parts are really boring and there is nothing happening that is interesting at all. This seems to me like a missed opportunity to showcase some great Disney technology and showmanship. The fact that they chose instead to highlight these sections with a plastic bird, some footprints and a Yeti projection, make me feel (as a consumer) that they were being cheap.

 

[Damien666]

EE cheap? No SGE was done cheap. WDI did a nice job on EE, I don't need special effects to wow me. I can just admire the scenery on the attraction. In the first track switch section I'm not paying attention to a bird, I'm looking at the view, the footprints and the mess of track right in front of me. Plus hearing the call of the yeti tops it off. If we saw a Yeti AA right there it would be a way too early climax.

In the second track switch section we just need a projection for this one. If we saw a Yeti AA it would still be too early for a AA. With rides like EE you always get the best surprise for last. If we kept seeing the yeti over and over it would not be a surprise at the end.

 

[CHAPPS]

EE cheap? No SGE was done cheap. WDI did a nice job on EE, I don't need special effects to wow me. I can just admire the scenery on the attraction. In the first track switch section I'm not paying attention to a bird, I'm looking at the view, the footprints and the mess of track right in front of me. Plus hearing the call of the yeti tops it off. If we saw a Yeti AA right there it would be a way too early climax.

In the second track switch section we just need a projection for this one. If we saw a Yeti AA it would still be too early for a AA. With rides like EE you always get the best surprise for last. If we kept seeing the yeti over and over it would not be a surprise at the end.

But the "surprise at the end" is way too fast to really appreciate it. You (or maybe it was another poster) compared it to a good horror flick where they don't show you the monster until the end. My response was that it is NOT like a good horror flick. In a good horror flick, they don't leave you still waiting for more at the end. They deliver the goods at the end. DURING the movie, they might tease you by showing brief glimpses of the monster. But in the end you usually get to see it in all it's glory. The problem with EE is that they wait until the very end to show you that brief glimpse. You should get to see those throughout the attraction and then the very end should be a full fledged appearance of the Yeti, instead of some quick flyby. Also, many have argued that EE is being true to the legend of the Yeti because the Yeti is a creature that is shrouded in mystery. Sorry, but I don't buy it. If that thought process represented great storytelling, then I think the same would have happened on Haunted Mansion, since ghosts are certainly something that is shrouded in mystery as well. But HM delivers. You get to actually SEE the ghosts instead of wondering, "Did I see what I thought I saw?". I don't think that makes EE an attraction with great storytelling. I think it makes it a letdown. Also, if we're supposed to leave the attraction wondering if we saw what we thought we saw, then the projection scene makes no sense. You get to see that for a lengthy enough period of time to know what you're looking at. They weren't shooting for great storytelling with that scene...they were saving money by showing a projection instead of an animatronic.

 

[Damien666]

Let's see, the projection is his shadow, we don't see his face. We don't truly see the yeti till the very end. I know we zip past him but it's a coaster what do you expect? That it's gonna slow down to 2 MPH?

 

[dxwwf3]

I think the problem is that it is easy to compare EE to ROTM, but they are totally different rides really. ROTM is a dark ride with a short coaster portion and EE is a coaster with short dark ride-like portions.

I expected ROTM to be more coaster like and provide more thrills and I think many people expected EE to feature more show elements.

 

[PineapplePrincess]

This is my first post! :wave: I Loved E.E. , and didn't find any part of it disappointing. It's definitely one of my top three!

 

[Craig & Lisa]

Being 6' 6" tall my first concern was will there be enough room? Well there was, and very smooth too. Then they make sure you don't fly over to the other side of the car when your on turns, it's well padded and they have a padded divider in between you. Overall I would say the ride is an A, rode it this past April 7 times, and in July I may do it again. And that first drop is no biggie, after the first time you'll see. :animwink:

 

[SirGoofy]

I give it an A+++++++, a 20 out of 10, etc. It is my favorite ride I have ever been on. The coaster isn't overly thrilling, but it's thrilling enough. The queue is the best at WDW, and sets up the story wonderfully. The ride is highly detailed. And then there's the yeti. He is the coolest looking thing I have ever seen in any ride. His movements are fluid, and he is terrifyingly big. My friends and I went on it 4 times, and we flinched as we went by him each time. I was worried that I wouldn't see him for long enough, but after riding I realized it was the perfect amount of time. There's time toadmire, but it's quick enough to make you think, "Was that real." You know it's good when one of my friends, who constantly ribbs me for being a Dsineyfreak, gets off the ride, looks me straight in the eye, and says, "Wow, that was amazing. I have never been on anything like that! The yeti looked so real!"

 

[DolFan]

This is the most detailed ride at WDW in my opinion. I find myself wanting to wait in line longer (when I am not in the fast pass or singles line). I went during the AP previews, and since then it has been one of my favorite rides.

 

[autumndawn1006]

This is my first post! :wave: I Loved E.E. , and didn't find any part of it disappointing. It's definitely one of my top three![/quote

You used your first post to praise EE. I like you already! Welcome to the boards.:wave:

 

[JustinTheClaw]

The thing to remember is although the ride system is a roller coaster, it is not considered a roller coaster by Disney. Disney calls it a "runaway train adventure." Disney tends to shy away from the term "roller coaster" because people seem to expect certain things from a roller coaster. It goes something like this:
1) board vehicle and get pulled up a big hill
2) go down a big drop
3) go through some curves, hills, and maybe loops
4) coast into unload area and disembark

Expedition Everest doesn't really do these things, at least not necessarily in that order. Everest's thrills are directly related to the story and seems to follow a three act structure similar to that of a movie. Some people say the ride is too short, but in fact it is the longest roller coaster on Disney property, time-wise.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride as if you were on Pirates of the Caribbean. Absorb the surroundings and story. Pay attention to the queue and the details. Allow yourself to become a part of the story and try not to think of it as a roller coaster. You'll find it is one of the best Attractions on property.

 

[Rockin Roller]

I would give it an overall A. The ride may not have huge thrills but it reallly wasnt met to be a thrill ride

 

[CHAPPS]

Let's see, the projection is his shadow, we don't see his face. We don't truly see the yeti till the very end.

Correction: We don't TRULY see the Yeti at all. We NEVER get a good look at him. That's the problem with the ride, and it's a major flaw story-wise.

I know we zip past him but it's a coaster what do you expect? That it's gonna slow down to 2 MPH?

Actually, the ride slows down to 0 mph at two points, so either of those would have been the ideal times to show us the Yeti AA. Who said the Yeti sighting(s) needed to take place while the coaster was traveling at top speed?

 

[CHAPPS]

There's time toadmire, but it's quick enough to make you think, "Was that real."

You know it's good when one of my friends, who constantly ribbs me for being a Dsineyfreak, gets off the ride, looks me straight in the eye, and says, "Wow, that was amazing. I have never been on anything like that! The yeti looked so real!"

Interesting how you can be flying past the Yeti fast enough for you to wonder if it was real...and at the same time, your friend was able to ascertain (in a matter of, what, 1.5 seconds?) that it "looked so real". :hammer:

 

[dxwwf3]

Correction: We don't TRULY see the Yeti at all. We NEVER get a good look at him. That's the problem with the ride, and it's a major flaw story-wise.

Correction: YOU never truly saw the Yeti. I have seen him very easily every time I've been on the ride. You just have to look up in the tunnel. I enjoy looking at a different feature every time I ride. One time I'll just look at the eyes and then I'll just look at the swooping arm.

Could the AA have worked in the projection room? Yes it could have worked there, but there wouldn't have been any big finale and you really wouldn't get to look at him much longer anyways. And you can't really say that they should have had two AA's either. That's just dreaming too big.

I think the Yeti is in the best possible place and he is seen for the right amount of time. It is a very thrilling moment for most people that are not expecting it.

 

[CHAPPS]

The thing to remember is although the ride system is a roller coaster, it is not considered a roller coaster by Disney. Disney calls it a "runaway train adventure."

This kind of reminds me of that scene from Austin Powers when Doctor Evil refers to a "laser" with quote marks, as though it's a term no one is familiar with. Just as an FYI, the term "runaway train" is actually roller coaster lingo for a type of roller coaster. Sometimes it is referred to as "runaway mine train" and sometimes simply "runaway train". Either way, it is not a term that is unique to Disney. It's a coaster term, and for that reason, it would seem to me that Disney very much wants us to think of it as a roller coaster.

Allow yourself to become a part of the story and try not to think of it as a roller coaster. You'll find it is one of the best Attractions on property.

I'm glad that when I ride Space Mountain, Big Thunder, the Matterhorn, Rockin' Roller Coaster, etc, I can think of them as roller coasters and still enjoy them. :lol:

 

[imagineer boy]

The simple thing is, in its press releases Disney kept going on about how "the yeti AA is going to be the most advanced animatronic ever created" and how it had to be built into the ride, when it turns out that you only see it for two seconds lifting its arm up and down. Its just very dissapointing. Perhaps if Disney hadn't hyped it up so much, it wouldn't have been so dissapointing.