Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom.

Expedition Everest – The legend of the Forbidden Mountain at Animal kingdom is a relatively new addition the theme park. It was built on a huge site of over 6 acres and the mountain is just less than 1 acre…. . a huge attraction which opened on April 2006.

Expedition Everest is a roller coaster train with a theme of the legend of the yeti and the forbidden mountain and features a 22 ft high articulated yeti. I would not like to encounter that beast in real life!

As you approach the ride to set the scene you pass through the remote village of Serka Zong at the foothills of the Himalayas. If you are afraid of roller coasters then this is when the nerves will start to show, and you will try to figure out a way to escape having to go on the ride. You are distracted by the amazing detail while you are in the line with a Himalayan shrine to the yeti, documents and sightings of the yeti and the lost expedition that met their end when trying to get to Everest through the forbidden mountain pass, which is guarded by the yeti. This builds you up to what is about to happen next.

I am now feeling very nervous, but excited to experience the ride. We approach the train and are seated in our carriage…. . is there time for me to change my mind? Too late we are off…and plunged into darkness Sreaaaaaammmmm, yes, that blood curdling scream was me, and I think I scared all the other riders! Then came that long, long steep climb, and you do not know what will be at the top, which is so scary…. . and the rest, well I will not spoil it and let you experience it for yourself, if you dare.

Will I ride it again……you bet!

Here are some interesting facts;

1. You must be 44 inches (112cm) or taller to ride

2. The yeti can move five feet horizontally, and two feet vertically.

3. The yeti is 22 feet (6. 7 m) tall.

4. The trains seat 34 passengers each in 17 two-person rows, disabled seats are at the back

5. The track height is, 112 ft. (34. 1m)

6. The track length is 4424 ft. (1348. 4m)

7. Forward speed of 60 mph. (92 km/h)

8. Backward speed of 40 mph (64 km/h)

9. The time taken to ride Everest is 3-4 minutes.

10. Drop of 80 ft

If you are brave enough to ride, then beware the yeti!