Disney's Expedition Everest - Keep Your Eyes Wide Open

The newest attraction to grace walt Disney World's mountain range is Expedition Everest in animal Kingdom. It has been the buzz for many years, and much anticipated since Epcot's Soarin' was unveiled a few years ago. I experienced the attraction twice - once in stand-by, and once with a FastPass.

The architectural illusion of the attraction house (which is shaped, obviously, like Mount Everest) is absolutely stunning. The peak looks miles up (but Splash Mountain is actually taller!), and there is nothing around to clutter the view. It could be Disney's best illusion yet - and you don't even have to wait in a line to experience it!

The line queue is nice as well - visitors weave through a quaint mountainside village on their way to the loading bay. On the way, teaser exhibits describing "Yeti lore" show that locals admire a certain mountain creature.

My first ride experience was a bit of of a disappointment. It reminded me too much of the aged Matterhorn in Disneyland. I won't spoil the actual attraction for you here, but it was a regular roller coaster. Think Indiana Jones (in Paris, not Disneyland!) mixed with Matterhorn.

However, I later learned that I missed the attraction's major highlight (I must have blinked or something) - a large Yeti. The next time I kept my eyes peeled, and I saw, for less than two seconds, the largest, creepiest, most monstrous animatronic Yeti in all of Disneydom. For the effect of those two seconds, the ride suddenly became worth it. I just wish it was more obvious, and that I had seen it the first time.

Dirk Vanderwilt is the author of several travel guidebooks for the Tourist Town guides series. Tourist Town guides offer independent, honest advice about America's top tourist hotspots.

For more information, visit http://www.touristtown.com

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