Unveiling the Secrets of Expedition Everest: 5 Thrilling Facts
Thrill-seekers rejoice! Cast your mind back to a time before Pandora’s bioluminescent wonders or the high-speed chases of Tron and Guardians of the Galaxy. The year is 2006, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom is about to be forever changed. Enter Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, a pioneering coaster that promised heart-pounding drops, exhilarating speeds, and a face-off with the mythical Yeti. With this one attraction, Disney introduced a whole new level of excitement to the park, making it a must-do for any thrill-seeker.
Related – Celebrating the 15th Anniversary of Expedition Everest
Not Mount Everest
While the intricate details might have you convinced you’re scaling the real Mount Everest, the truth is this isn’t the peak conquering your vacation. Like many Disney adventures, the mountain on Expedition Everest is a figment of their creative imagination. It’s actually called the Forbidden Mountain, a detail often lost in the shadow of the mighty Yeti!
While the Forbidden Mountain takes center stage on Expedition Everest, you can actually spot a glimpse of its real-life inspiration in the distance. That smaller peak peeking over on the right? That’s none other than Mount Everest itself, nestled in the Asia area of Animal Kingdom. Fun fact: due to the vast distance hikers have to cover to reach its base, Everest can often appear dwarfed by surrounding mountains – a trick Imagineers cleverly replicated in the design of the ride!
Super Expensive to Build
Expedition Everest isn’t just a thrilling coaster, it’s a record-breaking feat of engineering and imagination. This behemoth holds the title of the most expensive roller coaster ever built, with a staggering price tag of $100 million. The imposing mountain you climb isn’t real, but a marvel of modern construction. Imagineers used over 3,000 prefabricated pieces, meticulously crafted from a mind-boggling 25,000 individual pieces of steel, for a total weight of 1,800 tons!
The details are equally impressive. To create the realistic feel of the mountain and surrounding village, Disney Imagineers used a whopping 2,000 gallons of paint and stain. They even travelled all the way to Asia to import 2,000 handcrafted items, filling the buildings and artifact cases with a touch of genuine cultural flair. Expedition Everest is a testament to Disney’s dedication to immersive storytelling and unforgettable experiences.
The Yeti isn’t What he Once Was
The mighty Yeti on Expedition Everest may stand frozen now, but its legend lives on! This 25-foot-tall guardian once roared to life as a fully functioning audio-animatronic. Imagine the heart-stopping moment when his massive arm swept past your train car! This awe-inspiring effect kicked the thrill factor into high gear. Unfortunately, the Yeti’s sheer size proved problematic. His powerful movements caused cracks to form in the concrete foundation beneath him. For safety reasons, the Yeti’s act had to be put on hold. Now, bathed in strobe light, he stands as a permanent fixture, forever earning the affectionate nickname “Disco Yeti” from Disney fans.
Two Track Switches
Expedition Everest’s thrills don’t stop at the climb. Hold on tight as your train reaches the supposed summit! Just when you think it’s all over, the track appears ripped apart by the Yeti – a clever illusion. With a heart-pounding plunge, you’ll hurtle backward into the mountain’s inky depths, reaching a hair-raising 50 mph. Inside, catch fleeting glimpses of the Yeti’s monstrous shadow wreaking havoc before the track miraculously switches direction, flinging you forward once more. This high-speed reversal is all thanks to two lightning-fast computer-controlled switches that flip in a mere 6 seconds, leaving you breathless and eager for more!
Years of Research Went Into the Details
Expedition Everest isn’t just a thrilling ride, it’s a portal to the Himalayas! Disney Imagineers, led by the visionary Joe Rohde, spent six years meticulously crafting this experience. Their dedication to authenticity meant research trips to real Himalayan villages. Imagineers didn’t just create a mountain; they built a believable world. The climbing gear you see? Straight from shops in Nepal! And anything else they couldn’t find new, they ingeniously repurposed from the mountain’s base, transforming everyday objects into captivating details. This commitment to realism is what makes Expedition Everest such an immersive and unforgettable adventure.
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