Things That Make Expedition Everest One of Disney’s Most Impressive Rides

Let’s explore what makes Expedition Everest such a great roller coaster.

The Track

A Disney ride filled with people ascends a steep track against a backdrop of a clear blue sky, with rugged terrain and trees below. — Credit: Disney

Expedition Everest is special for a number of reasons, though the ride’s track layout is one of its best features. While the coaster doesn’t actually go upside down, it does go forwards, backwards, and sideways.

The ride starts simple enough, taking riders on what is supposed to be a peaceful and relaxing trek to the “Forbidden Mountain,” which lies beyond Mount Everest. However, things quickly go south, and riders find themselves on a breakneck runaway train ride.

The coaster comes to a complete stop at the top of the mountain. The track in front of riders has been torn to shreds by the elusive yeti. The train then quickly pulls backward, sending riders through the dark tunnels hiding deep within the mountain range.

The coaster eventually repositions just before taking riders on a breathtaking 80-foot drop. At this point in the ride, it feels like the wheels and even the entire train car may fly off the track as riders attempt to escape the clutches of the yeti.

The coaster then takes riders on two intense inverse helices as they make one final attempt at escape. This of course is when the yeti decides to strike, but guests make it out alive by the skin of their teeth.

The Speed

Adults riding Expedition Everest — Credit: Chloe Rice/Disney

Expedition Everest reaches a top speed of around 50 mph, making it one of the fastest rides at Walt Disney World. This speed, combined with the unique track design, makes Everest an incredibly intense and exhilarating experience.

Few attractions are this fast and travel with this much force, though there’s plenty of thrills to be found all around Walt Disney World.

Guests looking for speedy adventures outside Disney’s Animal Kingdom should look out for Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Test Track at EPCOT, and TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom.

The Ingenuity

A sign outside of the Asia rollercoaster shows an empty wait time. — Credit: Ed Aguila, Inside the Magic

Expedition Everest was the most expensive roller coaster in the world when it was built, costing an estimated $100,000,000. Other newer, more complex attractions have since broken this record, though Disney Imagineers did a number with their Everest project.

Spanning over 3,800 feet of track and featuring multiple ride systems and show scenes, Expedition Everest is still one of Disney’s most immersive and complete experiences.

By far, the most impressive part of Everest is its two-track switchbacks located at the top and middle of the mountain. Each weighs around 200,000 pounds and can flip back into position in seconds.

At the end of the day, better rides may exist, but Expedition Everest has a special place in not just our hearts but the hearts of millions of other Disney World fans and continues to show just how incredibly talented Walt Disney Imagineering is.

Do you agree with our list? What do you love about Expedition Everest?