Expedition Everest Updates

Well, time to check in on that other coaster that's being built, that one in Disney World. It seems that the great wdwmagic.com website has posted a huge new insider update with new concept art and some models of the trains. Looks like it will give Mummy a run for it's money!

http://www.wdwmagic.com/beastly.htm

Talking about out doing Mummy, some respectable insiders have said that Disney has bumped up the budget a few mill for the coaster to add more of a punch. Look for a blizzard in the mountain (WITH real snow!), and some other updated and new effects.

Also, for those going to Disney, Soarin' will be opening by mid-April, Stitch is going down for rehab one chamber at a time to fix the bad show, Astro Orbiter rehab is nearly done, and the auto stunt show is going to have soft openings soon, sometime next month.

Isn't that exciting? We're going to WDW for a week in Sept. Get this....through AAA we got a week's honeymoon deal at the Grand Floridian for about $225 a night!!!

Unfortunately, EE won't be open till 06...I guess we will have to go back!

The "donkey steam" train car looks amazing. Is it going to operate with individual cars or full trains?

Full trains, thrillerman, and the "donkey steam" train car will be at the rear of the train. They wanted to set the look of the trains far enough apart from Big Thunder Mountain.

Thanks Coaster Lover. I would love to see a pic of the lead car if someone has a link.

Speaking of Thunder Mountain, Disney has to be nervous about loading all of that theme stuff on the back of that train.

At least there aren't any tires to fly off...

After seeing how construction is progressing first hand last week, I must say that the entire structure is most impressive. You can easily see it as you approach the park, as it towers over everthing else. Does anyone know offhand how tall the Tree of Life stands? Anyway, I for one can't wait until this is completed next year. It looks like the Imagineers may have outdone themselves again.

I was just in the Animal Kingdom a few days ago, and wow! I've never seen a mountain "being built" before. These pictures really don't do it justice, you need to see it for yourself.

And for those who want a good spot to look at it from high up, you can see it really well from the top of Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach.

It's nice to know that Disney has guys that look like this heading up imagineering:

http://www.wdwmagic.com/thumbnails/everest/everest_rhode_conceptmodel1.jpg

Hooray for the freaks! ;)