Review of Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain Ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Are you brave enough to board the rusted tea train and venture deep into the mountains in search of the mythical Yeti? If so then step forward brave explorer for this is sure to be perilous adventure! Sharp turns, shattered tracks, pitch black caves and a run away train that takes you backwards too, you're in for a big surprise!

Location: Asia, Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Minimum height requirement: 44”

Ride time: 2min 40secs

Maximum speed: 50mph

Length of track: 1,348m

Queuing options: Stand by, Single Riders, Fast Pass

Accessibility: Guests must transfer into the ride carts

This has to be one of the most detailed queuing areas on Walt Disney World property! You almost want the line to take that little bit longer so you have enough time to check out all the amazing effort that has gone into creating such an elaborate backstory for Expedition Everest. Like any brave explorer, your adventure starts at the Himalayan Escapes travel agency, from here you meander through temple gardens, odd and interesting statues sit adorned with offerings of fruit, prayer flags and coins, many the adventurer makes a small sacrifice as they pass.

Soon enough you find yourself in the Serka Zong Bazaar, a shop filled with anything and everything you'll need for your expedition. And now comes the next best bit to the ride itself – the Yeti museum! You will be amazed at the things they have found up in those mountains, and also learn all about the 'lost expedition', their abandoned camp gear looks pretty torn up, I wouldn't want to run into whatever caused that kind of damage! The museum is fascinating and mixes both fact, fiction and legend seamlessly from one display case to the next! Be sure to take your time and check it all out!

Soon enough you find yourself waiting on a platform, a rusty old tea train comes speeding towards you, this is where your adventure begins. Once seated you can stow all personal belongings and travel gear in the net bag provided – they're too small for your rucksack so consider leaving that with a non rider or securing it around your legs before pulling the lap bar down (the train doesn't go upside down so your belongings should be fine as long as you hold onto them!). Wave good by to those left behind on the platform, you never know when, or if you'll see them again!

Once you start to climb the mountain be sure to look all around you, can you spot any other Walt Disney World locations? Keep an eye out for Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Tower of Terror, these and so much more can be seen as you climb higher and higher! When you reach the snowy peaks you'll quickly realise you've hit a bit of a problem...

Racing backwards into the pitch black cave, your train car descends into an endless drop, picking up speed as you go. Through a series of sharp turns, drops, and an intense 360 helix, your train will come to the briefest of stops...look up and look out! Can you believe your eyes...did you really just encounter...well, I'll leave that to you to decide.

Over 2,000 hand crafted items where brought from Asia to adorn and theme the attraction, most of which can be seen in the queuing area. On a research trip to the Himalayas, Imaginears bought up an entire stores worth of hand made nails to be used throughout the show areas of Expedition Everest. Talk about authenticity!

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