Expedition Everest...I just don't get it!

[gettingsmaller]

I was responding primarily to the people who complained about EE being boring with the reply that it isn't necessarily supposed to compete with hanging, twisting coasters elsewhere. However, I also made the point, that I was actually not displeased with the theming.
I like the lift hill and the things you see on the way up. I like the broken tracks (they COULD add some sound effects or something to build tension/expectations while you sit there for a moment). I like the fact that you're rolling around this MOUNTAIN with grass and stuff. At SF, there would be no mountain--just metal supports. The mountain IS theming. I DO wish you could see the Yeti longer, but... well... like I said, I think it's a good ride and I am pleased with it--I think a lot of the detractors fall into two camps:
1) Think it should compete with thrill coasters at SF, CF, Busch, etc.
2) Go to WDW so often that they can 'afford' to pick things apart instead of enjoying them.

I think BTM gets to show you things because the pace is slower. EE, IIRC, is faster, but has those pauses... Honestly, I think comparing the two just depends on a person's preference (Do you like slower coaster showing you old west things, or faster coaster that goes backwards and is more in the dark?)
Personally, I choose to enjoy them both, and I don't get to visit enough to sit there and say "oh, the steam effects must be down today" or "the crow didn't move his left wing like he was supposed to--he must be 101".

 

[kap91]

But when you add in that great Disney THEMING, it just becomes so much more than a coaster ride. EE has amazing theming in the queue. It immerses you into the world that EE exists in. The ride itself has amazing theming. You are on a MOUNTAIN, going in in and out of caverns. You go frontwards and backwards. And there are visuals of the YETI's path all over. Footprints, wrecked track. And the AA when it works is hands down the most amazing thing.

I'm sorry I have to disagree with you on much of this. While the queue might have great theming that is where the greatness stops. Let's start with the outside of the mountain while it does look pretty cool from the front a quick stop over by Finding Nemo will show how flat the tops look from the side (not to mention the horrible looking backside of the mountain which is bad enough being able to see from the outside of the park nevermind the fact that it is also visible from Finding Nemo as well-horrible show on Disney's part)
But this alone is not what makes Everest lacking in the theme department. You shouldn't be able to see the warehouses at all-don't get me wrong there-that is an absolutely horrible decision on Disney's part but at least for the most part it is not noticeable in the park. What really bugs me about Everest is the lack of theming on the ride. With the exception of the 2 Yeti rooms (and that's a big exception considering the sub-par shadow effect) the theming on the ride is severely lacking. The first part of the ride consists of 30 seconds of traveling through bamboo-how exciting! Not only is it boring but its not even immersive. I can easily see that I'm not in a real forest at all. Then proceed to the shrine. I have to admit the inside is cool. But the illusion is broken on the lift hill because not only can you see the rest of the park-you can see the rest of WDW. Doesn't make me feel like I'm in the Himalayas. Then, just when its getting good going through the top of the mountain we stop and sit for 10 seconds while NOTHING happens and if you're towards the front once again you can see the rest of WDW breaking the illusion. But it's okay, that not a big deal when compared to the biggest sin in Disney history. Through the entire backwards section the inside steel support structure of the entire mountain is completely visible. The shreds any chance of believability and is pathetic on Disney's part. After 2 years it still hasn't been fixed. The rest of the ride proceeds on okay after this but the great finale doesn't compensate for the problems with the rest of the ride. In my opinion the light leaks alone ruin the entire ride.

Now don't get me wrong, I still enjoy Everest and go on it every time I'm at AK but its very disappointing when compared with much simpler rides like Thunder Mountain which do an infinitely better job at theming during the course of the ride. I don't see the structure of the mountain or for that matter see any part of MK except Fronteirland (unless I look backwards) So while Everest is a fun ride-it sorely lacks in the theming department.

 

[hokielutz]

I would say it has minor thrills and is a minor story, resulting in a minor attraction overall. That's my whole point... The low thrill factor of the ride does not make up for the lack of theming and storyline, and vice versa. The incredibly sparse theming is not nearly enough to make up for the lack of thrill. Its really basically a dud on both counts.

I just don't get it when people refer to the theming as "amazing". A lot of people SAY that, but what are they referring to exactly? No one seems to be able to give specifics as far as the so-called "amazing" theming.

Compare this to an attraction like Big Thunder or Splash Mountain. Neither of those is incredibly thrilling, but at least people would be correct in referring to the theming on those as "amazing". I could fill a whole page listing all the details you see on those attractions. What all is there on EE that truthfully "amazes" people?

You do not need cartoon characters hopping through bushes or hanging from trees, or an plastic looking codger trying to pan for gold for there to be great theming in a ride.
Everest theming is based on lifelike settings, scenery and the legend of the Yeti. Aside from the Yeti animation and B-mode, what is it about the attraction is artificially fake? Imagineering spent a lot of time researching this subject, and I think the product, excluding the ride, really hits the nail on the head. I agree with some items of the ride not being up to snuff, but then again I didn't expect over-the-top thrills.

If you don't get the story, or the theming, then you are obviously not paying any attention in the queue. Sorry to be so blunt.

 

[Fun2BFree]

I'm sorry I have to disagree with you on much of this. While the queue might have great theming that is where the greatness stops. Let's start with the outside of the mountain while it does look pretty cool from the front a quick stop over by Finding Nemo will show how flat the tops look from the side (not to mention the horrible looking backside of the mountain which is bad enough being able to see from the outside of the park nevermind the fact that it is also visible from Finding Nemo as well-horrible show on Disney's part)
But this alone is not what makes Everest lacking in the theme department. You shouldn't be able to see the warehouses at all-don't get me wrong there-that is an absolutely horrible decision on Disney's part but at least for the most part it is not noticeable in the park. What really bugs me about Everest is the lack of theming on the ride. With the exception of the 2 Yeti rooms (and that's a big exception considering the sub-par shadow effect) the theming on the ride is severely lacking. The first part of the ride consists of 30 seconds of traveling through bamboo-how exciting! Not only is it boring but its not even immersive. I can easily see that I'm not in a real forest at all. Then proceed to the shrine. I have to admit the inside is cool. But the illusion is broken on the lift hill because not only can you see the rest of the park-you can see the rest of WDW. Doesn't make me feel like I'm in the Himalayas. Then, just when its getting good going through the top of the mountain we stop and sit for 10 seconds while NOTHING happens and if you're towards the front once again you can see the rest of WDW breaking the illusion. But it's okay, that not a big deal when compared to the biggest sin in Disney history. Through the entire backwards section the inside steel support structure of the entire mountain is completely visible. The shreds any chance of believability and is pathetic on Disney's part. After 2 years it still hasn't been fixed. The rest of the ride proceeds on okay after this but the great finale doesn't compensate for the problems with the rest of the ride. In my opinion the light leaks alone ruin the entire ride.

For goodness sake, you sure do know how to nitpick. Things like this can be said for any WDW ride. For instance, my vacation has been *ruined* by the following inexcusable mishaps:
1-Why is there a castle at the top of Main Street? It totally ruins the immersion of a turn-of-the-century town in America.
2-Splash Mountain is complete idiocy- for example, animals do not talk.
3-Sounds Dangerous pretended that Drew Carey was a comedian. Unfortunately, I can only suspend my disbelief so far.

Everest is like Helmann's Mayonnaise. Some love it-- some hate it. If it's not your piece of cake, stay away. There's plenty else to do at Animal Kingdom.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

The crap getting talked on these boards is reaching sewage farm proportions. :shrug:

well seeing schools out.

 

[Eyorefan]

I'm the only person in my family who likes roller coasters so I have only done this ride once. I liked it, but it wasn't so awesome that I feel like making people wait for me while I ride it. The "shadow" has to be one of the worst things I have ever seen on a ride. I actually laughed when I saw it.

Honestly when I think of rides like TOT, it just reminds me of how great EE could have been. The theming of TOT from the moment you walk up to the cue until you exit is spot on. Even though I'm the only one that rides, my family always wants to wait with me so they can experiance pre-show and que. How often does THAT happen?

I know that a lot of research when into EE, I just wish more of it would have ended up in the ride.

 

[hokielutz]

I know that a lot of research when into EE, I just wish more of it would have ended up in the ride.

Just like the actual legend of the Yeti, those that claimed to have seen it, were not completely sure they did see the creature. So the ride keeps the creature tucked away until the last scene when you rocket past him/her and are left with the impression.... 'Did I actually see the legendary creature?'

The pre-show alludes to this also. Some physical evidence that the creature exists, but hardly any proof of what it looks like.

So the ride itself stays true to the legend story that the imagineers brought back from Asia. (see the 1hr TV special on the making of EE) This is probably one of the reasons why we don't see a Yeti standing in front of the passengers for several seconds.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I'm puzzled why everyone's defense of EE in this thread is that the ride isn't supposed to be a big coaster when no one is arguing that it was. I keep reading the typical, "if you want a big unthemed coaster then go to six flags," retort. It's as if everyone isn't reading the complaints people have which are quite the opposite of that. The complaint is that the theming stops after the queue and that the ride is very, very light on effects. And then even those effects rarely work. THAT is the common complaint about the ride; not that the coaster isn't thrilling enough. Big Thunder Mountain is far more tame than EE but to me is a much more impressive and successful ride. The theming is consistant throughout, it doesn't have any, "bad show," it's long and varied, and there is always something to look at. Ohh and it was built more than 2 decades before Everest. Where exactly is the 21st century technology in Everest? Where is there anything remotely groundbreaking? Where is the ooh and ahh? No one doubts it is fun and that it is a nice addition to Animal Kingdom. It's just sad that so much time, money, and hype was poured into an attraction and in the end it's a shorter but faster version of Big Thunder without the charm or theming. The queue of E.E. on the other hand is top notch. One only wishes they could put some of that stuff in the queue somewhere on the ride itself. At least it would give riders something to look at instead of construction lights, a strobe light, a broken AA, and a confusing movie projection of a "shadow." :veryconfu

That sums it all up for me! Great post, thanks for that. :sohappy:

 

[jaredliu]

I'm puzzled why everyone's defense of EE in this thread is that the ride isn't supposed to be a big coaster when no one is arguing that it was. I keep reading the typical, "if you want a big unthemed coaster then go to six flags," retort. It's as if everyone isn't reading the complaints people have which are quite the opposite of that. groundbreaking? Where is the ooh and ahh? No one doubts it is fun and

Couldn't agree with you more. Lots of people jumped into conclusion that if someone doesn't like EE as much as they do, he/she must look for six-flags-type of thrills. Or, they believe he/she just doesn't get disney. Well then, for those who don't like Tiki Room under new managment, stitch's great escape, American Idols, the Wand, and that Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, you know why you don't like those wonderful Disney attractions? Because you don't get it.

 

[dolbyman]

Everest is like Helmann's Mayonnaise. Some love it-- some hate it. If it's not your piece of cake, stay away. There's plenty else to do at Animal Kingdom.

hmmm Helmann's .. *drools*

 

[Bluewaves]

I have to agree with the OP on this one, as far as theming goes its nice but as a ride its not all that good, its too short, its not scary at all and as far as coasters go Big Thunder mountain is a much better ride, I think they got all involved with how complex and how much technology is involved and how we imported buildings from Asia and so on and so forth and we lost the ride in there somewhere. So yay I agree with the OP RnRC is a much better ride and so are the mountains in Magic kingdom and this one isn't all that hot.

 

[The Oggmonster]

Well I personally love the ride. But What I love about this ride is how the theme is, especially in the que. They put a lot of work into the details for the que line.

 

[marni1971]

Queue theme 1, ride 0.

It may be an engineering marvel, but as a ride EE is a plain coaster with nothing new. Indeed, BTM has far more interior details with no light leaks either.

And I`ve a personal grudge against the Yeti. Never seen A mode yet. Either build a reliable AA, or an easily fixable one. Tom 2.0 was more impressive. It`s like seeing SGE with a broken mainshow AA.

A very fun ride? Yes. The be all and end all of the marketing campaingn? Hardly.

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

Well I personally love the ride. But What I love about this ride is how the theme is, especially in the que. They put a lot of work into the details for the que line.

Perhaps they should have invested a little bit more time into the technology and a tiny little bit less into the que? I am a little bit upset and heavily disappointed now that I know that during my ride last July the only "special effect" that was working were both waterfalls. No mist, no cloud, no moving yeti, no bird, no wonder I missed something.
And I believe they chose the weaker design. There were much better ones existing. However I still like it. Perhaps I will love it again when they manage to get the effects all working at once.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

I LOVE E:E! It is currently my favorite attraction in Florida.
(Only cause Pirates isn't nearly as good as those in California and especially Paris!)

 

[Jasonflz]

Queue theme 1, ride 0.

It may be an engineering marvel, but as a ride EE is a plain coaster with nothing new. Indeed, BTM has far more interior details with no light leaks either.

And I`ve a personal grudge against the Yeti. Never seen A mode yet. Either build a reliable AA, or an easily fixable one. Tom 2.0 was more impressive. It`s like seeing SGE with a broken mainshow AA.

A very fun ride? Yes. The be all and end all of the marketing campaingn? Hardly.

Keep riding till you finally see A mode. The yeti is so massive and when it lunges towards you your heart stops. I agree with you on the fact that EE had nothing new to give. The imagineers should start building quality rides again.

 

[coasterphil]

Honestly, I don't think A mode Yeti is such a big improvement over B-mode that Martin's opinion would be that different. That might be why Disney hasn't gotten it to the point where it can consistently run on A mode. No use to sink a ton of time/money/effort into something that the guest sees for a second, especially when most won't even know what A mode looks like.

 

[disneydiva72]

The other thing I've noticed is that it seems to just be the hardcore Disney fans who revere this ride so much.

Thats with everything Disney hardcore.

 

[bingie]

No use to sink a ton of time/money/effort into something that the guest sees for a second, especially when most won't even know what A mode looks like.

That seems the be a global problem... why fix something that not many guests (except us haha) wouldn't miss??

So, is that a problem with Engineering Maintenance? Or with Imagineering for delivering something that breaks??

 

[Legacy]

Keep riding till you finally see A mode. The yeti is so massive and when it lunges towards you your heart stops. I agree with you on the fact that EE had nothing new to give. The imagineers should start building quality rides again.

Lunge?

The yeti swipes its arm. As far as movements go I've seen carnival ride animatronics that appear to do more in a split second than the yeti does.