Expedition Everest Hit By Lightning

[Tigger1988]

On July 31, I went to Animal Kingdom for the pm EMH, around 6pm the skys opened up and a horrible storm came through. On my way to ride Everest I was informed by several CM's that the ride had been struck by lightning and wouldn't be reopening the rest of the night. Has this happened before?

 

[the-reason14]

On July 31, I went to Animal Kingdom for the pm EMH, around 6pm the skys opened up and a horrible storm came through. On my way to ride Everest I was informed by several CM's that the ride had been struck by lightning and wouldn't be reopening the rest of the night. Has this happened before?

Yes, this happened on our past trip. I cant remember the date, but I know I was in line for it in the fp, and they shut it down because it was raining, and when it stopped they said that the weather was clear, but they couldn't reopen it because of technical problems. They did however open it up again before it closed. It was about 4 0r 5 o clock pm. My brother said he heard it struck the top and it was loud.

 

[metscool]

I heard it from a nieghbor that when they were there when EE was being construted it got hit. And one time ToT got hit when we in the shops there.

 

[TomDisney]

You have to remember, Central Florida is the Lightning capital of North America. It's not uncommon during some of these afternoon thunderstorms to have 1000-2000 lightning strikes per hour. Then when you consider you have a 199 foot tall metal mountain sticking up in the middle of this, it makes for a good lightning rod.

 

[Tigger1988]

You have to remember, Central Florida is the Lightning capital of North America. It's not uncommon during some of these afternoon thunderstorms to have 1000-2000 lightning strikes per hour. Then when you consider you have a 199 foot tall metal mountain sticking up in the middle of this, it makes for a good lightning rod.

I know, I was just wondering how often this has happened, I can't imagine it being good for the ride's electrical system.

 

[CoffeeJedi]

Does it have little lightning rods all over it, the same way Big Thunder Mountain does?

 

[M:SpilotISTC12]

Any pics that must look cool.

 

[Hakunamatata]

I know, I was just wondering how often this has happened, I can't imagine it being good for the ride's electrical system.

My guess it was imagineered so that there are no electrical componants in contact with the metal structure of the building or anything that would conduct electricity.

 

[brertigger]

Does it have little lightning rods all over it, the same way Big Thunder Mountain does?

Not visible ones. There are probably many hidden ones though (like behind peaks or something).

 

[bob0012]

All of the rides are built to withstand the Florida weather, including lightning. And roller coasters in particular (not just Florida ones) are hit all the time, and are built to withstand it. The track is grounded at each support, so the quickest path to the ground is to the nearest support and then down to the ground. The most that usually gets blown is a ride sensor.

 

[darthjohnny]

I'm sure it has happened dozens of times, to many rides, probably even Summit Plummet. But I'm sure it just shut down because of the wheter, nothing probably happened to the ride. It might have just hit the actual mountain part. As said before, Central Florida is the lightning capital of the world.

 

[Tigger1988]

I'm sure it has happened dozens of times, to many rides, probably even Summit Plummet. But I'm sure it just shut down because of the wheter, nothing probably happened to the ride. It might have just hit the actual mountain part. As said before, Central Florida is the lightning capital of the world.

The storm had passed, and it was sunny when the CMs told me it wouldn't reopen, they said it was having technical difficulties as a result of the hit.

 

[bob0012]

The storm had passed, and it was sunny when the CMs told me it wouldn't reopen, they said it was having technical difficulties as a result of the hit.

EE (like all outdoor roller coasters) gets shut down when there is an incoming lightning storm. This is because of the obvious, large medal structure higher then everything else.

In the event that a ride sensor does get shorted (As I mentioned earlier) the ride would need to be down for a bit while the sensor was replaced. The ride will not run with a broken sensor.

 

[Chape19714]

Not visible ones. There are probably many hidden ones though (like behind peaks or something).

Copper is used as a natural lighting rod throught the WDW Resort. I wouldn't be supprised if Everest used this in addition to the classic rods hidden behind peaks.

My guess it was imagineered so that there are no electrical componants in contact with the metal structure of the building or anything that would conduct electricity.

Keep in mind that Everst is actually 3 completely seperate structures that NEVER touch. If lighting were to strike the mountain, it would not effect the tracks, as they never touch or meet. The 3 systems are:Ride track, Mountain, and Yeti support/mechansims.

 

[Captain Hank]

Ah, that's interesting. I'd picked up a shift that night over in Africa doing EMH wristbands, and I though I saw/heard a lightning strike in that general area that seemed like it was close enough to be inside the park. We never heard anything about it striking E:E, though.

 

[blakesse06]

is something getting struck by lightning really news:brick: ??????
I question anyones intelligance who is suprized that tall metal rides out at disney get struck by lightning numerous times a year. is there no lightning where you live???????:hammer:

 

[Tigger1988]

This isn't the news and rumors forum, its general discussion, I never claimed it was the first time EE was hit by lightning or that it was news, only asked if it had happened before

 

[JEDIsney]

is something getting struck by lightning really news:brick: ??????
I question anyones intelligance who is suprized that tall metal rides out at disney get struck by lightning numerous times a year. is there no lightning where you live???????:hammer:

You should have read Tigger1988's first post more carefully.

She didn't say that she was surprised about Expedition Everest getting struck by lightning, she simply asked whether it has happened before.

 

[CrashNet]

Its amazying the number of lightning rods they have throughout all of the parks. However, its nice that they think to put them there for guest safety. With no damage to EE, I'm sure they thought about techniques to ground any lightning hitting the mountain.

 

[Teenchy]

And one time ToT got hit when we in the shops there.

ToT hit by lightning...isnt that how the whole thing started