All in all, things went smoothly yesterday at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. As thousands of WDW annual passholders and DVC members poured into that theme park, eager to experience “Expedition Everest.”
Of course, given that many of the people visiting DAK yesterday were old WDW pros, each had their theories about the very best way to approach Forbidden Mountain. Some favored speed-walking straight through the center of the theme park in order to reach Asia. While still others insisted that — in order to avoid the crowds — the very best route to take was doubling back through Dinoland U.S.A.
Well, no matter which way these annual passholders and DVC members went, they still encountered a line once they arrived at “Expedition Everest.” A queue that folded back on itself several times …
Photo by Robert Bish
… before eventually heading down to that Gibbon display that’s located just at the entrance of Asia …
Photo by Robert Bish
Mind you, this line wasn’t there because this new DAK attraction had broken down and/or “EE” ‘s ops staff was having trouble running the trains. But — rather — because there was a hold-up at “Expedition Everest” ‘s FastPass machines. Which is where WDW staffers were checking everyone’s IDs. Making sure that everyone in line actually was an annual passholder or a DVC member.
After getting past that ID check (Which is where all of the people taking part in this preview were then issued vouchers for their commemorative “Expedition Everest” preview lanyard & pin), it was a relatively short wait ’til we got to board our train …
Photo by Robert Bish
… Which then took us to the top of Forbidden Mountain. Where we got to see some pretty badly torn-up track (As well as a pretty cool looking Audio Animatronic eagle) …
Photo by Robert Bish
… After that, we plunged down the side of the mountain (This is the view from inside the attraction …
Photo by Robert Bish
… While below you’ll find the view from outside “Expedition Everest.” This is what one sees while standing in the queue at the very base of the mountain) heading for our fateful encounter with the Yeti.
Photo by Robert Bish
Speaking of the Yeti … Honestly, the longest line I encountered all day was the one leading into the Serka Zong Bazaar gift shop. Which is where WDW annual passholders and DVC members frantically snatched up all manner of Yeti-related gifts …
Photo by Robert Bish
… Including this commemorative “Expedition Everest” preview event lanyard and pin.
Photo by Robert Bish
Speaking of the preview … While Thursday’s event seemed to go very smoothly, the folks at DAK are already concerned about what may happen on Saturday and Sunday. When tens of thousands of APers and DVC members are expected to arrive at Animal Kingdom looking to experience “Expedition Everest.” So many people are expected to try & make their way into DAK over those two days that (for the first time ever) there’s a concern that the theme park’s parking lot may actually fill up.
Which is why Disney’s ops staff is already making plans to send any cars that don’t quite fit into DAK over to Blizzard Beach’s parking lot. Where once these WDW guests park their cars, they can then board special shuttle buses which will take them directly from that water park over to Animal Kingdom.
So please keep that in mind if you’re planning on taking part in this coming weekend’s “Expedition Everest” preview event.
Your thoughts?
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