Expedition Everest is an attraction in [[Disney's Animal Kingdom]]
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{{Template:Infobox Disney ride |
| image=Everest.jpg
| opened= April 7, 2006
| height_requirement=44
| custom_label_1= FastPass Disney Genie +| custom_value_1= YesNo (Lightning Lane Exclusive)
}}
Expedition Everest is an attraction located in [[Asia]] within [[Disney's Animal Kingdom]]
==Attraction History==
The creation of Expedition Everest actually traces its roots back to the original design of Disney's Animal Kingdom. The initial plans for the park called for real animals, dinosaurs, and mythical animals to be featured <ref name= "jack"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/04/expedition_everest_legend_of_t_2.html </ref>. To this end, a section of the park, known as Beastly Kingdom was set aside as the location for the mythical animals to "live". However with Animal Kingdom already over budget, Disney decided to make Beastly Kingdom part of "phase II" of the park <ref name= "jack"/>. A temporary land, Camp Minnie-Mickey was created on the land set aside for Beastly Kingdom, with the idea that the mythological animals would soon join the park<ref name= "jack"/>.
===Queue===
The queue for Expedition Everest begins in the Himalayan Escape's booking office. The structure that houses the office was formally the headquarters for the Royal Anadapur Tea Company. The office is littered with old furniture and appliances, as well as a board which shows the whereabouts of the current tours. After passing through the booking office, guests pass by a ravished courtyard before reaching the Yeti Mandir. The Mandir is small temple which has been dedicated to the yeti as a sign of respect. The structure is decorated with various carvings and bells. A plaque on the Mandir states:
[[Image:deadend2.jpg|400px|thumb|The dead end on Expedition Everest. Photo by Jennifer Lynn]]
{{Quotation| VISITORS PLEASE RESPECT ANCIENT MANDIR PAGODA WHICH HONORS YETI- PROTECTOR OF THE SACRED MOUNTAIN. CARVINGS DATE BACK TO THE REIGN OF HIS MAJESTY KING PARTHIVA SANKARA GAVAMPATI 17TH CENTURY. }}
Following the Mandir, guess enter Tashi's Trek and Tongba Shop. This store proudly states, "We provide the finest in mountaineer equipment for all needs new and old”. Exiting the shop, guests reach the Yeti Museum, which contains artifacts that show both the "scientific" Yeti and the "mythical" Yeti. The structure that holds the museum was once a tea storage warehouse. A sign on the wall reads:
{{Quotation| WELCOME TO THE YETI MUSEUM- DEDICATED TO THE SERIOUS STUDY OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ASPECTS OF THE MYSTERIOUS CREATURE KNOWN AND REVERED THROUGHOUT THE HIMALAYAS AS THE YETI.}}
After passing through the museum, guests reach the train station. On the wall to their left, guests can see pictures of the various exploration employees, and what job title they hold. Guests then board the train and head off for the Himalayas.
===Main Ride===
[[Image:deadend.jpg|thumb|The dead end on Expedition Everest.]]
Expedition Everest begins as the train pulls out of the station, and goes down a small drop. On route to the mountains, various birds can be heard in the distance. The train then goes down another drop as it passes a waterfall. After crossing flatlands, the train takes a sharp turn before starting up into the mountain. As guests go up the incline, they can see a ceremonial stairway which leads to an ancient temple that guests then pass under. From inside the temple, the sound of drums, gongs, and horns seem to indicate that some sort of ceremony is taking place. On the wall beneath the temple, guests can see mural of the mythical Yeti, which appears to tell that the temple itself is dedicated to the creature. After reaching the top of the incline (110 ft. in the air), guests travel across the mountain's crest before curving downhill into a cavern.
==The Yeti==
[[Image:deadendEverestYeti.jpg|300px400px|thumb|The dead end Guests come face to face with a Yeti on Expedition Everest.]]
Although the focal point of the attraction, the Yeti in Expedition Everest has not operated in “A-Mode” since mid-2009 <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/expedition-everest/news/03jul2009-expedition-everest-yeti-returns-to-full-motion.htm '''Editors Note: This is the last confirmed instance of the Yeti running in A Mode'''</ref> . While in “A-Mode” the Yeti’s arm lunges out at guests as their train speeds by. Due to a crack in the creatures support structure however, Disney has turned the movement effects of the Animatronic off <ref> http://www.mainstgazette.com/2011/04/guardian-of-mountain.html </ref>. Instead, the Yeti currently runs in “B-Mode”. The “B-Mode” yeti does not move, however strobe light effects are used to give the illusion of movement <ref> http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-08-01/business/os-disney-expedition-everest-yeti-080110_1_expedition-everest-real-yeti-walt-disney-world-spokeswoman </ref>. “B-Mode” yeti has been given the nickname “Disco Yeti” by many in the Disney community.