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Expedition Everest

Posted: Jan Sun 16, 2005 11:04 am
by G2-4T
Just got a good look at the new ride last week - it is really coming along well! The track is in place, the framework for the mountain is up and the shell is going on at a pretty good pace. The final peak to the main mountain was on the ground for final work then lifting to the top.

Also, the new village that will be around the mountain is moving well, two buildings are already open and I could see more coming along over the top of the construction wall... If you go to AK be sure to walk along the path from Asia to DinoLand - it gives great views of the work.

Those huge boats that used to roam the waterways of AK are back, one had a Peruvian band on board entertaining the crowds from the water near Asia and Discovery Island. A good use for them, I never did ride them for the short time they were in service - anyone else out there go on that ride back when it opened?

Posted: Jan Sun 16, 2005 11:31 am
by QuickGold
EE will be the sole reason I'd ever go to Animal Kingdom. Currently I find it a real waste of time so I'm hoping EE changes that.

Posted: Jan Sun 16, 2005 11:35 am
by subsonic
I forgot, when is EE expected to open?

Posted: Jan Sun 16, 2005 11:40 am
by G2-4T
It sounds like about a year from now for EE's opening (I want to say the sign said Spring 06 but can't be sure), not sure about the surrounding area if they'll open it earlier or not... If it has shops/eating I would imagine it will open sooner to draw people (and their money) in.

Re: Expedition Everest

Posted: Jan Sun 16, 2005 11:52 am
by js3901
G2-4T wrote:Those huge boats that used to roam the waterways of AK are back, one had a Peruvian band on board entertaining the crowds from the water near Asia and Discovery Island. A good use for them, I never did ride them for the short time they were in service - anyone else out there go on that ride back when it opened?
would that be the old Radio Disney "river cruise" that they had that went around the waterways surrounding Discovery Island? We went on that back in 99 a little after the park first opened. It was nice and relaxing, although a bit boring...

Re: Expedition Everest

Posted: Jan Sun 16, 2005 6:38 pm
by QuickGold
js3901 wrote:would that be the old Radio Disney "river cruise" that they had that went around the waterways surrounding Discovery Island? We went on that back in 99 a little after the park first opened. It was nice and relaxing, although a bit boring...
I remember that. Not exactly the best ride to come out of WDW.

Re: Expedition Everest

Posted: Jan Sun 16, 2005 6:45 pm
by G2-4T
js3901 wrote:would that be the old Radio Disney "river cruise" that they had that went around the waterways surrounding Discovery Island? We went on that back in 99 a little after the park first opened. It was nice and relaxing, although a bit boring...
I think that would be it. The boarding docks are still around and in place - with the right work done it appears as if they could bring it into service again. I wouldn't mind having it to get from say Africa to over near Dinoland as transportation since you can really walk a long ways in that park...

Re: Expedition Everest

Posted: Jan Mon 17, 2005 9:42 am
by rdeacon
G2-4T wrote:
js3901 wrote:would that be the old Radio Disney "river cruise" that they had that went around the waterways surrounding Discovery Island? We went on that back in 99 a little after the park first opened. It was nice and relaxing, although a bit boring...
Weren't they only in operation for like a year??? I know we went soon after AK opened and skipped riding them. The next year we were back they stopped operating them. Last two times i've been to AK they were character stops ( at the loading dock). Seems like another ride they pinched pennies on and didn't fully utllize.


Rich

Posted: Jan Tue 18, 2005 8:47 pm
by G2-4T
Yeah - it was a really short run, one year or less. Seems like with some work they could bring it back since they already sunk money into the general infrastructure [boats, docks, etc]

Posted: Jan Tue 18, 2005 8:48 pm
by G2-4T
Apologies if this is a little big but the res. got a little tough when it got smaller. Anyways, here is the look as of Jan 10 for EE...

Image

Posted: Jan Wed 19, 2005 3:35 am
by pgreger
Great pic, G2-4T. I've always loved pictures of construction like that or when you catch one of the dark rides with the lights on. Thanks!

Posted: Jan Wed 19, 2005 1:16 pm
by subsonic
Did you take that pic?

Posted: Jan Wed 19, 2005 1:26 pm
by G2-4T
Yep - and glad you like it. With any luck I'll be able to get a finished comparison shot next year...

Posted: Jan Wed 19, 2005 2:34 pm
by QuickGold
Great pic G2

Posted: Jan Wed 19, 2005 7:08 pm
by Disneynut
Nice shot, can't wait to ride! :)