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

[Jasonflz]

I guess lunges sounds more dramatic. I have only ridden once so I do not know much about these problems and I remember the yeti above the cart. To be honest the dinosaurs in UoE look much more impressive.

 

[AndyMagic]

I always wonder why they didn't put the animatronic yeti at the track switch inside the mountain. It would be a perfect time to display the technology and actually see the thing in motion. It's like everything is in reverse. The extra long first track switch has no effect at all, the other slightly shorter track switch has a shadow, and the split second fly-by has the super expensive animatronic. :veryconfu The ride is boring when you're not moving because there is nothing to see and yet the ONE time there is something worth seeing, you speed by it at 100 miles an hour. When a coaster is moving, THAT is the time to skimp on effects and ride-design. Not when your captive audience is sitting still. It would be like Tower of Terror having a black room of nothingness when it stops at the floors and then an elaborate show-scene while you're plummeting. Why did Disney spend so much money on the Yeti in the first place? It's one of the biggest wastes of money and space of any Disney attraction and apparently Disney knows this because they can't be bothered to fix it. When I first heard about the track switching technology that Disney was going to use I instantly thought, "ohh what a great idea! It's a chance to have the usual Disney show-scenes but with a coaster ride-system." It's just such missed opportunity is all. On Tower of Terror, when the elevator stops we're shown something and on Everest, we're left assuming something is broken.

 

[fudwrapper]

wow. all the complaining about EE has got me to thinking. what do they have to do to keep people happy? i will be the first to admit that its not the biggest thrill ride as far as roller coasters go, but it is a massive, wonderfully themed and beautiful attraction, with lots of surprises, amazing visuals, and the YETI for pete's dragon sake!

ok, so if the yeti's not working, i can understand some grumbling about that. but when everything's working, this attracting is breathtaking. to each his own i guess, i just seems like, coming from someone who only gets to experience WDW every 3-4 years, some of the amazing attractions get taken for granted.

everyone's entitled to an opinion, but for me, i would rather have an experience like EE, as opposed to a plain old roller coaster ride, no matter how adrenaline inducing it is.

 

[daliseurat]

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.

I agree that BTM is much better at maintaining the theme. I also dislike seeing the non-themed parts of the attraction from other parts of the park.

However, I really only think it's fair to judge the ride based on riding it. So the ride shouldn't get points knocked off for what you can see from other areas of he park.

And the fact that you can see other parts of AK doesn't bug me. You can see other parts of MK from BTM, and SM as well.

One thing you point out that WOULD bother me if I noticed it, is seeing internal mountain structure and light leaks. When I rode, didn't notice them at all. Maybe i was caught up, maybe lights weren't on, maybe there was a fog effect covering it. I don't know.

My point is that this is a terrific attraction. Nit-picking it to death can just ruin it for other people. And I'm glad Disney went to the trouble to build such a massive attraction. Hopefully they will improve it flaws when they rehab it.

 

[earningmyfins]

I was scared the first time I went, even the second time. It's just the thrill I guess. It's not at all boring to me. In the beginning they hype you up with all those fake yeti things. I'm sure those of you who frequent the fast pass have no idea but it's good to wait in this line. The wait freaks you out. I also love how you don't know where your going, also the drop is awesome!

But I'm sure someone with your standards finds Splash Mountain way more thrilling... :shrug:

 

[WDW 3]

Dont' get it?

There are attractions that I don't get.... But just because I don't get them doesn't mean I hate them!! When I'm on vacation I really don't want to analyze anything. Just enjoy Even if we don't particularly like something, when we see the smiles and hear the screams we always have fun because happiness is contagious at WDW.

 

[cpeterstx]

I have no doubt I'll be in the minority on this, but I have never understood why so many members of these discussion forums seem so impressed by Expedition Everest. I just don't get it.

If you don't get it, it's because you don't want to get it. :hammer:

 

[Legacy]

I was scared the first time I went, even the second time. It's just the thrill I guess. It's not at all boring to me. In the beginning they hype you up with all those fake yeti things. I'm sure those of you who frequent the fast pass have no idea but it's good to wait in this line. The wait freaks you out. I also love how you don't know where your going, also the drop is awesome!

But I'm sure someone with your standards finds Splash Mountain way more thrilling... :shrug:

The only aspect of the ride that you praised was the drop. The rest of your praise was for the queue. A line does not a good ride make.

Frankly, I think Splash Mountain IS a more thrilling attraction. I feel like there is more to it. The pacing is better. The show scenes are better. The drop is better. I personally feel it is a better designed attraction. If an attraction is a coaster, I still want to enjoy the coaster aspect of it and not just the line building up to it. At least Revenge of the Mummy is nice enough to show you somethings while the tracks move.

 

[kingslyZISSOU]

I agree that BTM is much better at maintaining the theme. I also dislike seeing the non-themed parts of the attraction from other parts of the park.

However, I really only think it's fair to judge the ride based on riding it. So the ride shouldn't get points knocked off for what you can see from other areas of he park.

And the fact that you can see other parts of AK doesn't bug me. You can see other parts of MK from BTM, and SM as well.

One thing you point out that WOULD bother me if I noticed it, is seeing internal mountain structure and light leaks. When I rode, didn't notice them at all. Maybe i was caught up, maybe lights weren't on, maybe there was a fog effect covering it. I don't know.

My point is that this is a terrific attraction. Nit-picking it to death can just ruin it for other people. And I'm glad Disney went to the trouble to build such a massive attraction. Hopefully they will improve it flaws when they rehab it.

very very well said.

 

[Jasonflz]

Agreed.

 

[agent86]

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.

Huh??:veryconfu

wow. all the complaining about EE has got me to thinking. what do they have to do to keep people happy? i will be the first to admit that its not the biggest thrill ride as far as roller coasters go, but it is a massive, wonderfully themed and beautiful attraction, with lots of surprises, amazing visuals, and the YETI for pete's dragon sake!

ok, so if the yeti's not working, i can understand some grumbling about that. but when everything's working, this attracting is breathtaking. to each his own i guess, i just seems like, coming from someone who only gets to experience WDW every 3-4 years, some of the amazing attractions get taken for granted.

everyone's entitled to an opinion, but for me, i would rather have an experience like EE, as opposed to a plain old roller coaster ride, no matter how adrenaline inducing it is.

See, these are the types of comments about EE that just leave me scratching my head. The Yeti LUNGES at you??? What???
It's WONDERFULLY THEMED with AMAZING VISUALS???

Did we ride the same ride??

Not only do these types of remarks about EE leave me scratching my head and saying "Huh???", but they are also the types of comments that set a completely unrealistic expectation for people who have never ridden it, and they set people up for a HUGE letdown. I'm sorry, but words like "amazing visuals" and "wonderfully themed" just do not accurately describe this ride at all. As others (and I) have stated, these would be accurate descriptions of attractions like Big Thunder, Splash Mountain, and Tower of Terror. But Everest? No way.

So again, I just have to ask...what exactly are these "amazing visuals" and "wonderful theming" that people refer to? It's easy to say it, but no one ever seems to be able to list specifics. Why? Because there are no specifics. There is nothing about the minimal "theming" on EE that warrants words like "amazing".

 

[agent86]

I always wonder why they didn't put the animatronic yeti at the track switch inside the mountain. It would be a perfect time to display the technology and actually see the thing in motion. It's like everything is in reverse. The extra long first track switch has no effect at all, the other slightly shorter track switch has a shadow, and the split second fly-by has the super expensive animatronic. :veryconfu The ride is boring when you're not moving because there is nothing to see and yet the ONE time there is something worth seeing, you speed by it at 100 miles an hour. When a coaster is moving, THAT is the time to skimp on effects and ride-design. Not when your captive audience is sitting still. It would be like Tower of Terror having a black room of nothingness when it stops at the floors and then an elaborate show-scene while you're plummeting. Why did Disney spend so much money on the Yeti in the first place? It's one of the biggest wastes of money and space of any Disney attraction and apparently Disney knows this because they can't be bothered to fix it. When I first heard about the track switching technology that Disney was going to use I instantly thought, "ohh what a great idea! It's a chance to have the usual Disney show-scenes but with a coaster ride-system." It's just such missed opportunity is all. On Tower of Terror, when the elevator stops we're shown something and on Everest, we're left assuming something is broken.

:sohappy::sohappy::sohappy: Extremely well said, and excellent points all around!!!!

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Staff Uniform Changed - The staff in the bookstore at San Jose State will be changing their uniform. Currently, they wear regular clothing; some also wear a blue apron. However, they will now be wearing a blue staff shirt…with a collar. Staff will begin wearing the shirts as soon as they come in.

 

[jaredliu]

If you don't get it, it's because you don't want to get it. :hammer:

I never get the idea to change Tiki Room to the version of Under New Management thing and found it to be the wrost attraction of WDW. Is it because I don't want to get it ?

 

[MrDrProf. Drake]

oh god, this thread is pathetic.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Watching Paint Dry

This movie demonstrates the processes occurring when emulsion-paint dries. Initially spherical beads of polymer based paint are suspended in water, but as the water dries the paint spheres come into contact and pack into an array approximating that of a cubic close packed lattice.

As the paint dries further the contact area between the paint balls increases, until all of the void volume has been lost. At this point each of the original paint balls will have adopted a dodecahedral close packing shape called a 'Kelvin solid', after Lord Kelvin, who first predicted the shape from studies of bubble packing in three dimensions.

 

[SpecJoe Magic]

I love the theming on Disney rides. However I find the cue for EE OVERLY themed. Good grief, it looks like a museum more than a himalayan village. Not that I have been to a himalayan village but I can't imagine a bunch of artifacts in glass cases positioned around the inside of huts.

The reason it looks like a museum is because it is a museum. It's clearly stated that you are entering a museum when you reach a certain point in the queue.

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.
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.

I don't see why being able to see other parts of the park and other parts of WDW is a negative. That's true of numerous WDW attractions that have been around much longer than Everest. Blizzard Beach can be seen from the Tower of Terror, the Contemporary can be seen from Splash Mountain, etc. It's inevitable that tall attractions that aren't completely enclosed will allow for views of other parts of the park and/or other parts of WDW.

My biggest complaint is the entire portion before the main lift is pointless. Why is it even there? You meander around a few boring turns with nothing to look at. This section needs to be enclosed so it is pitch black and have roaring sounds or something like that...maybe some scenes of fire immuminating the bones of dead explorers. Some excitement at least.

I suspect that the reason for the extra track is to allow more trains to run through the ride at the same time, but that's only speculation on my part, and I have no information that says that's the case. I agree that something more should be added to that area.

 

[Kriszee1]

Besides being extremely disappointed in EE, due to a non-working Yeti, a cartoon of one (OOOooo scary/ borderline funny), and the fact that it seems extremely short and not the least bit thrilling, I am also against human trafficking and puppy mills.:lookaroun

 

[daliseurat]

Huh??:veryconfu



See, these are the types of comments about EE that just leave me scratching my head. The Yeti LUNGES at you??? What???
It's WONDERFULLY THEMED with AMAZING VISUALS???

Did we ride the same ride??

Not only do these types of remarks about EE leave me scratching my head and saying "Huh???", but they are also the types of comments that set a completely unrealistic expectation for people who have never ridden it, and they set people up for a HUGE letdown. I'm sorry, but words like "amazing visuals" and "wonderfully themed" just do not accurately describe this ride at all. As others (and I) have stated, these would be accurate descriptions of attractions like Big Thunder, Splash Mountain, and Tower of Terror. But Everest? No way.

So again, I just have to ask...what exactly are these "amazing visuals" and "wonderful theming" that people refer to? It's easy to say it, but no one ever seems to be able to list specifics. Why? Because there are no specifics. There is nothing about the minimal "theming" on EE that warrants words like "amazing".

Okay. I'll be as specific as I can. THIS IS FULL OF SPOILERS FOR ANYONE WHO DOESN"T WANT TO KNOW.

The YETI is HUGE. Like 15-20 feet tall HUGE. As you quickly pass by him, his upper body moves towards you and his HUGE clawed hand swips at you very quickly. When the YETI is functioning, it's an AMAZING effect.

The shadow of the Yeti is cool. It lets you in on what it is. It rips up some more track, so if the ripped up track you saw previously wasn't enough of a clue, there's more. The animation serves to give you something to look at while waiting for another track to switch. Some folks here don't like the effect. I do.

The AMAZING VISUALS.

They built a MOUNTAIN. A very detailed an attractive MOUNTAIN. It's MASSIVE. It fits into it's surroundings.

They built part of a town. One of the most DETAILED towns they've ever built. And the approach to EE is absolutely beautiful.

The queue is a MUSEUM. A very well designed and beautiful museum, that tells the story of the legend of the yeti and present many "genuine" artifacts. The queue is PART of the attraction.

The coaster train itself is very unique and presntes the illusion of being an actual TRAIN, complete with steam.

The ride itself has many terrific visuals. The lift hill takes you through an very detailed an ornate shrine, over a bridge an onto the MOUNTAIN. The track is going through a beautiful, detailed MOUNTAIN with lots of SNOW. As you round a bend, you see ripped up track, prayer flags and some huge yeti footprints.

You then go BACKWARDS into a dark cavern at a pretty fast speed IN THE DARK until you screech to a stop and witness the YETI SHADOW ripping up more track and roaring at you.

Then you go FORWARDS again, down a decent, but not mind blowing drop. However, you are in darkness, and suddenly drop into the light.

Now you go racing around THE BEAUTIFUL AND DETAIL MOUNTAIN again, zipping into a couple caverns before facing THE HUGE YETI.

Is it full of many AA singing animals? No. Does it have a whole bunch of fun western scenes? No.

It is a more realistic looking adventure built for a park that is meant to inspire. AK is a park meant to linger and absorb the details. Just ignoring all of the theming leading up to the coaster and dismissing THE MASSIVE MOUNTAIN ITSELF as not being enough is ridiculous.

When you enter and exit every tunnel there are carvern walls. I don't recall the LIGHT LEAKS and STRUCTURE, but I'm sure you right and they are there, but I'm betting MOST riders will never notice. Just like most people don't notice all the staircases, exit doors, lighting, bits of structure and actual access paths that are in plain site on BTM, SM, Matterhorn, and SM. Gosh, on Space Mountain can actually see the entire track the entire time, guess no one has ever enjoyed that one either.

I'm not going to say EE is the greatest attraction ever, but to diss it over and over dismissing all the visuals that ARE there makes no sense. It's not just a coaster that goes over a couple hills with tunnels. You make it sound like a cheap county fair ride.

 

[Pete C]

Why do people keep complaining about the length? Complain about the thrill level and theming all you want, but EE is NOT too short. This coaster is well above average in length. The ride time is longer than Space Mountain and I never hear people complain about how long that ride is.