How scary is expedition everst?

[Sargeant Tibbs]

Everest is at the threshold of what I can tolerate. If you don't like rollercoasters, but can handle BTMRR and 7DMT, then you'll do ok on Everest, but might come off shaken up. It is not as tame as the coasters I just listed, and I don't think it's fair of people to tell you that it is. It's no kiddie coaster, even if it isn't on the level of some of the big coasters at Cedar Point, etc., and if you have a fear of coasters, this one will test it.

 

[Klayfish]

Nobody can really answer this question OP, as it's 100% subjective. Just because another person loves it (or hates it) doesn't mean you will or won't. I think the best thing we can do is give you the facts of what it is and then you'll have to decide if it's something you want to do or not. I think people have described it pretty well already. It doesn't start off very fast or intense, more like a moderate speed coaster. Then it stops for a few seconds, adding that suspense aspect, and starts going backwards. There is a steeply banked turn while you're going backwards that makes you feel like you're about to flip, but it doesn't. Then it goes forward again for the fastest part, and has a steeply banked turn which lasts a while (relatively speaking).

Personally I love it, but that's just me. If you're up for it, give it a try. Worst that happens is you don't like it.

 

[Heather07438]

My personal order for WDW roller coasters from tamest to most intense:

Barn Stormer
7 Dwarfs Mine Train
Slinky Dog Dash
Splash Mountain (not really a roller coaster, but I’d be remiss to not include all of the “mountains.” If drops are your issue, this is higher up. Only one intense moment that’s over in seconds.)
Big Thunder Mountain
Space Mountain
Expedition Everest
Test Track (also not really a roller coaster, but similar thrills? Also felt the need to include an Epcot attraction)
Rockin Roller Coaster

That's interesting. My personal levels of intensity, with some ties:

1. Barn Stormer
1. Test Track
1. Dinosaur

2. 7 Dwarfs Mine Train
2. Slinky Dog Dash

3. Big Thunder Mountain

4. Splash Mountain (the build-up to that drop kills me, lol)
4. Rockin Roller Coaster
4. Space Mountain

Expedition Everest & Primeval Hurl (unknown, unridden)
Generally my biggest hurdles are visual anticipation, heights and claustrophobia. Lucky for me roller coasters are open air and that helps alot.

 

[Heather07438]

I would put EE just about dead even with BTMRR. Yes, EE is a bit faster, and there's a backwards bit, but there's a fun bit of story theming going on during the backwards bit and really it all makes sense at the time.

But... but...


Glad you mentioned this. BTMRR actually has a higher hill. 105' vs EE's 80. EE goes faster, but is a slightly shorter ride. It's also a smoother ride.

How intense is BTMRR by comparison? There is a peer reviewed scientific paper published entitled "Validation of a Functional Pyelocalyceal Renal Model for the Evaluation of Renal Calculi Passage While Riding a Roller Coaster" that tested BTMRR's famed ability to bring about the passing of kidney stones. The scientist actually, with Disney's permission, modeled a stone laden kidney and took it on the coaster a number of times and found the coaster was able to bring out the stone 70% of the time. Neither Space Mountain nor Rock n Roller Coaster could do this.

Short version ... If you're OK on BTMRR, I think you'll do fine on EE.

There was the story back in 2012, Emma Bassett unwittingly survived her undiagnosed brain tumor by going on a roller coaster and redistributing the fluid days before imminent death.

 

[YawningDodo]

(I also loved the queue. I told DH who can't do any coasters due to an injury that he should come with us next time just for that and take a chicken exit - I'm thinking there must be one!)

Every Disney ride has a chicken exit--when they ask how many are in your party, just give them the number of people riding and add something like "and one to exit." The CM will lead him out, no problem--I haven't done it on EE but it's not a big deal on any ride.

Edit: I feel like I should clarify that "not a big deal" is a little subjective since the CMs stay in character during chicken exits for things like Tower of Terror and may gently rib guests (we got a "two chicke--I mean, guests to exit" back in 1998), but I can't imagine that it's anything particularly special or weird on EE.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

My personal order for WDW roller coasters from tamest to most intense:

Barn Stormer
7 Dwarfs Mine Train
Slinky Dog Dash
Splash Mountain (not really a roller coaster, but I’d be remiss to not include all of the “mountains.” If drops are your issue, this is higher up. Only one intense moment that’s over in seconds.)
Big Thunder Mountain
Space Mountain
Expedition Everest
Test Track (also not really a roller coaster, but similar thrills? Also felt the need to include an Epcot attraction)
Rockin Roller Coaster

Your saying Test track is more intense the Everest? I can do test track easily but Everest just seems a lot more intense just from the youtube videos and Test track has no drops.

 

[Someone28624]

Your saying Test track is more intense the Everest? I can do test track easily but Everest just seems a lot more intense just from the youtube videos and Test track has no drops.

It all comes back to what components scare you the most. I would say they’re pretty even. Test Track is the fastest ride in all of WDW, currently, despite no drops. I also find the components where it feels like it loses traction and scares you into thinking it will collide to be thrilling.

Alternatively, EE is a very smooth ride that never gets exceptionally fast. Despite a large profile, it never at any one point has a large drop like Splash Mountain, either.

 

[kylenne]

I'm a certified huge chicken but I love all the WDW coasters/thrill rides. They're the upper limit of what I can handle. I remember my first time on RNRC i had no idea there were inversions...this was my first time back after 20 years, as an adult, and the ride didn't exist back then. I queued with my teen cousin who's a big coaster junkie (rides all the crazy stuff in Hersheypark and Six Flags). It was unexpectedly long, since there was a sick guest, and we were in standby for ages. Finally we got to the door to the preshow and the announcement comes on warning about inversions. I freaked out, I NEVER do anything upside down. I asked the kid why she didn't tell me and she shrugged and said she was confused as to why I wanted to ride it.

Anyway at that point we had waited so long that I was determined to ride the thing out of spite, going "never again!!!" Of course, when I got off the ride, I immediately would have lined up again if we hadn't had to leave DHS and get back on the road to drive her home.

All of this is to say that if you love RNRC you will be fine on Everest. The thing to keep in mind about Disney coasters is those hill climbs are VERY deceiving. You go up real high and never drop as far back down. Once my brain understood that, I was cool. I find the backwards portion intense only because of the part when you're in the dark, it's very disorienting to me, but it doesn't last long at all.

 

[MaC410]

I find primeval whirl to be the scariest ride in all of disney world. I'm really big into roller coasters but no way I'm getting on primeval whirl ever again. Besides being tossed around, every turn on that ride makes you feel like the entire ride car is going to fly off the track!

 

[NYHeel]

Rock n Roller Coaster is simply a bad ride at this point. It used to be good but it's just not smooth at all anymore and kind of hurts my neck at this point. My whole family likes roller coaster and none of us really liked it when we last rode it in January 2016. It's possible it's been refurbished since then to make it smoother so if so, then I take back my judgement.

On the other hand Tower of Terror is my favorite ride in any of the Disney parks (at least as of January 2016). It's just so well done, so authentic and so much fun. It was cold and rainy on our last visit (January 2016) and we rode it about 6 times in a row due to the low crowds and the fact that it's indoors. Of course, each time it's different which makes it even more fun. I'd really recommend those who skip it to give it a try once. Yes, it's somewhat scary but that adds to the fun of it. And really it's just a ride in Disney, nothing is actually going to happen to you. No harm in trying it once. It's not a ride that will make you nauseous or anything like that.

Everest is also an excellent ride, easily the best roller coaster in the Disney parks. Great theming, lots of fun and balances the line well were it doesn't seem lame but also isn't crazy intense. Definitely worth a try.

 

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

My 72 year old grandfather rode Everest with me, and he did fine. (Yes he is awesome)

 

[kylenne]

Rock n Roller Coaster is simply a bad ride at this point. It used to be good but it's just not smooth at all anymore and kind of hurts my neck at this point. My whole family likes roller coaster and none of us really liked it when we last rode it in January 2016. It's possible it's been refurbished since then to make it smoother so if so, then I take back my judgement.

This hasn't been my experience with RNRC at all. Never had a bumpy ride. I rode it like a week ago and it was butter smooth. Space OTOH managed to break my Otterbox phone case back in August. Praying that Tron's opening will finally let them give Space a refurb.

 

[mrsap]

My 72 year old grandfather rode Everest with me, and he did fine. (Yes he is awesome)

I have yet to step foot on it He’s making me look bad

 

[NYHeel]

This hasn't been my experience with RNRC at all. Never had a bumpy ride. I rode it like a week ago and it was butter smooth. Space OTOH managed to break my Otterbox phone case back in August. Praying that Tron's opening will finally let them give Space a refurb.

It's possible it's been refurbed in the last 4 years. Yes, Space is pretty rough but I felt RNRC was worse. I guess I'll find out when we go in January, god willing.

 

[Someone28624]

Rock n Roller Coaster is simply a bad ride at this point. It used to be good but it's just not smooth at all anymore and kind of hurts my neck at this point. My whole family likes roller coaster and none of us really liked it when we last rode it in January 2016. It's possible it's been refurbished since then to make it smoother so if so, then I take back my judgement.

On the other hand Tower of Terror is my favorite ride in any of the Disney parks (at least as of January 2016). It's just so well done, so authentic and so much fun. It was cold and rainy on our last visit (January 2016) and we rode it about 6 times in a row due to the low crowds and the fact that it's indoors. Of course, each time it's different which makes it even more fun. I'd really recommend those who skip it to give it a try once. Yes, it's somewhat scary but that adds to the fun of it. And really it's just a ride in Disney, nothing is actually going to happen to you. No harm in trying it once. It's not a ride that will make you nauseous or anything like that.

Everest is also an excellent ride, easily the best roller coaster in the Disney parks. Great theming, lots of fun and balances the line well were it doesn't seem lame but also isn't crazy intense. Definitely worth a try.

I rode RNRC for the first (and only, thus far) time in February. I was shocked at how much I got thrown around and how much my neck hurt afterward. I vowed never again. In retrospect, I think I perhaps completely underestimated that start, it took me aback, and then I was just out of sorts for the remainder of the ride? I might try it one more time to see if my experience was a fluke, because I genuinely enjoy every ride as Disney.

Agree on ToT. I skipped it on one trip (just never got to it), and rode it again on my most recent trip. I immediately remembered how much I love it. It’s just a great, fun, ride. Realizing you are truly suspended in your seat is so cool. And that view of the park from the top of the tower is a great touch.

 

[Disneypro1]

Not at all scary. 110% fun. Our son and daughter both rode it at 5 for the first time. BARELY talk enough. I mean just by a patch of hair tall enough. But they loved it! I told them. Once we get our FP. No turning back. Time to have some fun.
To me. Rock n Roller is a smooth coaster. Kids love it also. I don’t find either one bumpy.

 

[kylenne]

I rode RNRC for the first (and only, thus far) time in February. I was shocked at how much I got thrown around and how much my neck hurt afterward. I vowed never again. In retrospect, I think I perhaps completely underestimated that start, it took me aback, and then I was just out of sorts for the remainder of the ride? I might try it one more time to see if my experience was a fluke, because I genuinely enjoy every ride as Disney.

Agree on ToT. I skipped it on one trip (just never got to it), and rode it again on my most recent trip. I immediately remembered how much I love it. It’s just a great, fun, ride. Realizing you are truly suspended in your seat is so cool. And that view of the park from the top of the tower is a great touch.

I read a trick online once for the RNRC launch that has been very helpful to me. When they start the countdown, turn your head to the side. It makes a big difference from what I understand. I do it every time and I'm fine.

 

[bakerworld]

I rode RNRC for the first (and only, thus far) time in February. I was shocked at how much I got thrown around and how much my neck hurt afterward. I vowed never again. In retrospect, I think I perhaps completely underestimated that start, it took me aback, and then I was just out of sorts for the remainder of the ride? I might try it one more time to see if my experience was a fluke, because I genuinely enjoy every ride as Disney.

Agree on ToT. I skipped it on one trip (just never got to it), and rode it again on my most recent trip. I immediately remembered how much I love it. It’s just a great, fun, ride. Realizing you are truly suspended in your seat is so cool. And that view of the park from the top of the tower is a great touch.

Press your head back into the seat back - makes BIG difference

 

[Klayfish]

Rock n Roller Coaster is simply a bad ride at this point. It used to be good but it's just not smooth at all anymore and kind of hurts my neck at this point. My whole family likes roller coaster and none of us really liked it when we last rode it in January 2016. It's possible it's been refurbished since then to make it smoother so if so, then I take back my judgement.

That's just your perception. RnR hasn't changed (to my knowledge) and given the construction of the track, there's nothing that would make it less smooth than it was 5 years ago. To me, it's extremely smooth. It's possible you're having neck issues that you never noticed before.

 

[Heather07438]

My first ride on RnRC, I didn't even realize it looped while riding. Just felt like going up down and around on a fast coaster.

Glad I didn't know the inversion bit beforehand because I would have built a monster in my head. Cracks me up riding now, still not sure which part it's happening.