EXPEDITION EVEREST – DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM THEME PARK
Find out more about Expedition Everest and other rides in Walt Disney World in our Ultimate Guide to Planning your Disney Holiday.
WHAT IS EXPEDITION EVEREST?
Disney’s 18th Mountain-themed attraction, Expedition Everest is a uniquely terrifying trip on the Anandapur Steam Railway around the cursed Forbidden Mountain, bound to take you to the top of the world; much to the anger and distress of the Mountain’s protector, legendary snow monster, the Yeti. At just under 200 feet in height, it’s Disney’s tallest artificial mountain and the most beautiful of all [in my opinion].
Set in fictional Tibetan village in the Kingdom of Anandapur, the ride cautions that people believe a legendary, fierce, snow monster lives deep in the mountain.
The ride appears to begin like any other roller coaster until it hits a steep ascent into the forbidden mountain – when a large piece of broken and twisted track appears in front of the train, forcing it to plummet backwards into the caves of the mountain…and the presence of the Yeti! I’ve never screamed so much in my life.
WHERE IS EXPEDITION EVEREST?
You can find the roller coaster in Asia and it’s quite impossible to miss. The queue begins in the office of the Himalayan Escapes Travel Agency. By the entrance is a large Yeti Footprint to measure yourself against.
CAN I USE FASTPASS+?
Yes, you can. There are normal, stand-by, single-rider line and Fast Pass+ lines, all beginning at the same place in the office of The Himalayan Escapes Travel Agency. Note that if you choose the single rider line, you’ll miss the amazing queuing area though, which is a real shame – everyone needs to see that at least once.
RIDE RESTRICTIONS
You must be 112cm or 44 inches to ride. The Yeti foot measuring board makes for a really cute photo opportunity too.
EXPEDITION EVEREST THEMING
This must be one of the most beautiful attractions on Disney property. There are no end of people bumping into each other trying to take a photograph of the Forbidden Mountain in all its glory. Even the queue is one of our favourites – there’s a beautiful replica temple with little holy figures in it, a tea garden, a storage room with equipment from previous expeditions, and then the Yeti Museum – filled with all kinds of information about the elusive and fearsome Yeti- and his FOOTPRINT! Argh! It’s crammed with artefacts and I wish I’d taken more photographs, but the last time I was there and took these ones, I wasn’t able to go on the ride as I’d just found out I was carrying Hero. I did ride in 2008 and I’m so looking forward to it this year.
EXPEDITION EVEREST – THE MERCH!
Yes, in the gift shop there are replica artefacts and beautiful things, but outside you can find a cart crammed with Yeti hats and plushies with the sweetest faces. No prizes for guessing who wanted to buy a cosy hat in Florida’s October heat…
POINTS TO NOTE ABOUT EXPEDITION EVEREST
If you’re a roller coaster fan, ask to sit at the front – it’s the best views and the most terrifying!
Expedition Everest reaches speeds of up to 50mph. This is about twice as fast as Space Mountain for comparison.
If you do take the Fast Pass line, look for the poop! This makes our boys laugh every time.
This ride is pretty scary if you’re little – and there are shocks if you’re a grown up too. It’s loud, fast, goes backwards and there’s the noisy and fearsome Yeti too.
