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© Copyright 2003, The Walt Disney Company
Ancient legend holds that high in the Himalayan Mountains lives
an enormous creature that fiercely guards the route to Mount Everest.
Now that legend roars dramatically to life at Disney's Animal
Kingdom in a new runaway train adventure -- Expedition Everest
-- that combines coaster-like thrills with the excitement of a
close encounter of the hairy kind.
Walt Disney World guests will discover for themselves the fearsome
lore of the yeti on Expedition Everest at
Disney's Animal Kingdom. Aboard out-of-control railcars racing
forward and backward, white-knuckle adventurers swoop into the
unknown, braving twists, turns and drops inside and outside a mighty
mountain leading to an unforgettable encounter.
"Expedition Everest adds a new dimension to our storytelling in
Disney's Animal Kingdom," said Joe Rohde, executive designer at
Walt Disney Imagineering and lead designer of the park. "It's a
thrilling adventure themed to the tradition of the mysterious yeti."
Bracing for Adventure
The story begins when guests are transported to a distant world
of exploration and the mythical village of Serka Zong. A canopy
of prayer flags, an ornamental monastery, intricately carved totems,
and a garden of stone carvings of the yeti clutching the mountain
immerse guests in a far-off realm. The yeti's role as protector
of the sacred mountain is reinforced in this detailed environment
rich in culture and tradition.
"The Himalayan culture is full of ritualized architecture encouraging
great harmony and structure," Rohde said. "The colors of the village,
the carved animal heads on the doors, the totems -- it's all very
symbolic and authentic."
Despite forewarnings, the proprietors of Himalayan Escapes tour
company entice explorers to embark on a rugged train journey to
the mystical Everest. First stop is Norbu and Bob's booking office
to obtain permits, and then it's off to Tashi's General Store and
Bar for needed supplies for the journey.
Next, explorers pass through an old tea warehouse that houses
an elaborate museum run by Professor Pumba Dorjay, a conservation
biologist who believes the yeti's existence is grounded in fact.
The richly designed yeti museum showcases artifacts reflecting
Nepalese culture, plus a history of the Himalayas and tales of
the yeti. Photos show Sherpas and others who have conquered the
summit.
Aboard Expedition Everest
Now equipped to conquer the mountain, trekkers board the Anandapur
Rail Service. This aging 34-passenger industrial railway, which
was once used to transport tea, is now destined for the foot of
Mount Everest.
As the steam train rolls through thick bamboo forests and fern
groves up the first hill through a fortress, ritualized music signals
riders to dangers ahead. En route, a cluster of sacred yeti totems
and a massive yeti mural crafted on the rockwork gives further
warning to turn back.
The train continues across a teetering bridge into the mountain,
dives into shimmering glacier valleys and then climbs up through
the snow-capped peaks.
Skulking silhouettes and shadows of the lurking yeti, coupled
with startling special effects and climate variations, enhance
the attraction as the steam train darts in and out of the picturesque
mountain range.
But suddenly the train screeches to a halt near a gnarled mass
of twisted metal. In a fit of rage, the yeti has torn apart the
track. The thrills intensify as the runaway train moves both forward
and backward through darkened mountain caverns and icy canyons
and guests head for an inevitable face-to-muzzle showdown with
the towering yeti -- known to some as the abominable snowman.
The train accelerates into a fog of spiral curves taking mountaineers
down an 80-foot plummet to escape the wrath of the powerful yeti.
"Seeing the yeti will really startle the guests because it is
so real, so convincing," said Rohde. "It is the most highly engineered
Audio-Animatronics figure ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering."
About Expedition Everest
Expedition Everest, towering at nearly 200 feet high and occupying
a 6.2-acre site, is located in the Asia section of the theme park.
It is one of 18 mountain attractions created by Walt Disney Imagineering
at Disney theme parks worldwide.
Expedition Everest will feature Disney's FASTPASS -- offered at
no charge to park guests -- designed to reduce wait times at popular
attractions in all four Walt Disney World theme parks. Expedition
Everest will have a height restriction of 44 inches.
 Expedition
Everest Fast Facts
Himalayan Village an Architectural Wonder That Welcomes Expedition
Everest Adventurers
Landscape Architects
Create Authentic Scenery To Heighten Storyline at Expedition
Everest
Reviews
© 2003 The Walt Disney Company
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